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I hated that I didn’t make her feel that way.
I couldn’t stand how Luca was smiling at her, his hand resting just a little too low on her back. I loathed the easy familiarity between them and how comfortable she looked in his arms. And I despised that I hadn’t seen her laugh like that withmein longer than I cared to admit.
“Dante.”
“Vittorio.” I nodded to my father-in-law.
I didn’t like the man. In fact, I’d never liked him.For Nonno, Vittorio was his best friend’s son, but for Vittorio, my grandfather was his meal ticket. Every time he had financial difficulties, which was often, Nonno bailed him out. But for all that, he behaved like a man who had earned his success and would never let the world see him sweat. There was an arrogance about him that grated on my nerves because it wasn’t earned.
I stopped a server who was walking by and placed my half-filled glass on his tray. “Can you get me a Scotch, Macallan 12?” I requested.
“Si, signor.”
“Vittorio, would you like something?” I asked.
He shook his head and held up his glass of red wine. “I’m good.”
The server left, and for a moment, we stood in silence, the lively music of the quartet playing in the background. Vittorio’s gaze was fixed on the dance floor, on Elysa and Luca.
“How are things with my daughter?” he asked politely.
They’re absolute crap because she wants to leave me.
"I hear the growing season has been promising so far." I didn’t bother to respond to his question and moved to discuss vines and the weather instead. "The rains in early spring must have been perfect for the vines—plenty of water for deep rooting. I believe we’re expecting good yields this year."
“Ah…yes.” He smiled uneasily and then straightened asif he’d made a decision. “Elysa has always been difficult…challenging. She has a mind of her own.”
Obviously, he wasn’t going to take the hint that I didn’t want to discuss my wife. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Having a mind of your own is, in my book, a very positive trait.”
Vittorio smiled, but it wasn’t a nice one—it held malice. “You know my daughter well enough, I believe, and there’s no need to hide behind innuendo. She’s headstrong, and she’s prone to hysterics.”
“Is she?” My jaw tightened.
He nodded. “My advice? Be patient with her. She’ll grow out of it eventually and be a good wife to you.”
The server returned then with my drink, giving me the time to restrain myself from pounding Elysa’s asshole father into the ground. The way he talked about his child was reprehensible. No wonder Elysa was so insecure and was looking for validation from me. And I hadn’t given it to her. She’d made my house into a home, and I’d driven her out of there.
I drank some scotch and let it warm my insides.
“With all due respect, Vittorio, my wife is a remarkable woman. She doesn’t need to ‘grow out of’ anything. She’s intelligent, resourceful, and fiercely independent.”
His brows lifted slightly, and for a brief moment, he looked genuinely taken aback. “I didn’t mean to?—”
“Of course you didn’t,” I interrupted, brushing past him. “If you’ll excuse me.”
I didn’t wait for his response. My attention snapped back to Elysa, who was now stepping off the dance floor, her cheeks flushed from the exertion.
Luca said something that made her laugh again, her hand brushing his arm, making my stomach twist. When she excused herself, heading toward the villa, I’d had enough.
I didn’t even think about it. I was already moving before she disappeared into the house.
The house was quieter than the courtyard, the sounds of the reception fading as I walked through the wide stone halls. I spotted her entering the ladies’ room near the main staircase, and I waited nearby, leaning against a wall.
The hall was dimly lit with soft sconces. A few servers passed by with trays, giving me a curious glance, but I ignored them. My attention stayed fixed on the door she’d just gone through.
When she stepped out, she froze the moment she saw me.
“Dante?” My name was an inquiry.