Page 7 of Amadeo (Dark Legends #4)

Amadeo

I changed into a long sleeved dress shirt and casual dockers.

Our father required us to dress on point or abbastanza carino per la regalità…

as he called it, nice enough for royalty as if we were going to see the Queen of England.

I always laughed at this. When were we ever going to meet the Royals?

Why dress in a suit every damn day? This was as close as I would get while at home and I would bet he was gonna say something to me about it too.

I arrived in the dining room and looked around.

Was I nervous? Yes, I was astonished when Dr. Ribisi said yes.

Damn, it wasn’t a real date but it sure as hell felt like one.

Also, why did I feel so happy and excited?

She still disliked me if the look in her eyes was any indication.

Maybe it was like she’d said. She didn’t want to be here.

I wondered about this. Why did she accept the job then?

Or the duty? Then again, all I seemed to do was wonder about this woman. The secrets in her eyes. That was why.

“You sure look slick, brother.”

Turning my head, I stared at Luca. “Slick?”

Nodding, he chuckled. “No tie or jacket but you look shiny and you sure smell PURTY.”

I scoffed. “I always smell good, brother. I think you're just jealous.”

He openly laughed at this. “Ok, ok, kid. Whatever you say.”

He had called me kid for as long as I could remember.

So even though I hated it, I refused to let him bait me.

Especially tonight. I intended to find some answers.

I was also hoping to allow the good doctor to know me better and vice-versa.

Then maybe we could move on from my confusion and her rage.

I looked up and saw her coming into the dining room.

I had to swallow hard even as my mouth went entirely dry.

I admit it, all I could do was stare. Wearing a deep crimson red dress that stopped just above her knees, along with red shoes.

I could hear the song creep in, unbidden to my mind, I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight.

I've never seen you shine so bright, mhm-hmm…

The lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek.

My gaze rose up to see her face. Still no makeup and I loved that, just a touch of lipstick. I admit it, I stared at her lips for maybe thirty seconds too long and I got caught doing it.

“Deo?”

I had real trouble looking away from her, so I didn’t do that. Instead, I replied to the person who'd been the one to catch me as I kept my eyes trained on her, “Yes, Luca?”

“You’re thinking about hooking up with the doctor?

Now I looked over at him to reply, “Maybe.”

He shook his head. “I advise against it.”

I scoffed. “You advise ?”

“Yes. You will not get a happy ever after with her.”

I now glared at him and asked, “What?”

“You really should not get involved with her.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

I crossed my arms over my chest too and said, “And you really should mind your own business.”

“Her family is a mess.”

I blinked rapidly at him. “Oh and ours is so awesomely put together, right?” I rolled my eyes at him. Then turned and got ready to pull a chair out for her.

“I suppose everyone needs to learn shit for themselves,” he added, then turned and headed away.

I flinched a bit while having no idea what the fuck he was talking about. I smiled at Gia as she came closer.

She actually smiled back.

Oh, wow. Seeing her smile at me felt like a shot of adrenaline. “Hey,” I greeted her.

“Hey,” she shot back.

“I gotta say you are one beautiful doctor.”

She giggled.

I froze at the sound. I’d never heard this coming from her before.

It actually made me want to grab her hand, take her to the hall and kiss her until she gave in.

As in, to give in and agree to date me at the very least. My hands itched again to touch her, but I knew I couldn’t do that.

Damn, I was in deep trouble here. I gave her a nod as she sat down in the offered chair.

I scooted it in and pulled mine out to sit next to her.

Finally, we were sitting next to each other.

I looked over at her. “I managed to get an iced tea and ice water for you. Same for me.”

“Thank you.” She nodded and reached for the tea. “I love Zia’s tea. It's Southern sweet tea but not as sweet as most.”

“That’s because she is Southern Italian tea.” I took a sip of mine.

Gia turned her head to look at me. “Is that a joke or is she really from Southern Italy?”

“If you could call it southern?” I nodded. “Yeah, I think it is on the southern side? She’s from the same place as my father is. But I kinda like saying that it is Southern Italian tea.”

“It is.”

We looked over.

Zia herself stood there as she set a huge platter down onto the table. Smiling, she greeted the doctor, “I pride myself on the distinction. It is Italian tea. How are you, Dr. Ribisi?”

“Call me Gia,” she replied.

“And you can call me Zia.” My aunt nodded at her. Then she looked over at me. “Deo, it is so good to have you at home again.”

I nodded. “I missed your cooking, Zia. I mean fast food pizza is no replacement.”

“Diamine no, it isn’t,” Zia replied with a grin then glanced over to Gia. “I am glad to have you sitting here at this end.” She paused to look around at everyone. “Most of the family are here now and I couldn’t be happier. Dante and Della are due back from their honeymoon soon as well.”

I stood from my seat and stepped out to pull her chair out.

Zia beamed at me. “You always use old school manners, Deo.”

“I’d better.” I leaned in to give her my kiss on her cheek greeting as was our usual. “Or Papa would have my butt in a sling.”

Laughing, she sat. “I sure do not know why he would put your behind into a sling, but you are a polite gentleman for sure.” She reached for her napkin.

I scooted her chair in just a bit, then paused to look around.

My father and Luca sat together at the other end of the long table, talking up a storm. When they noticed me looking, they shook their heads.

I showed no outward signs but in my head I had a few choice words for the both of them, like I don’t fucking care , and mind your own damn business .

Still, I wondered why both of them had said virtually the same thing.

My father said to tell him first if I got involved with her, then Luca flat out told me I shouldn't get involved with her…period. So did their reasons have something to do with why she seemed so bitter and angry? With the way my brother and father acted, her secrets maybe weren’t as hidden as she believed.

Well, of course they weren’t. My father vetted anyone and everyone who even shook hands with one of us.

Let alone a person who would live in the house with us.

Ok, so now I knew it to be true. She did have things to hide.

I just hoped my father and brother stayed out of it.

I wanted her to reveal some of this herself.

But she was a closed book for the most part.

Like closed with three locks and a chain wrapped around her.

I wonder how long it would take for her to confide in me.

Then again, maybe she wouldn't ever trust me like that.

“Deo?” Gia’s voice cut in.

I jolted and looked up at her.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

No, I wasn’t but I decided we should have dinner then I could perhaps talk her into a walk. Then we could maybe exchange some truths. Get past whatever these secrets were. “Yes, I am. Dang, I’m sorry for just ignoring you. Please allow me to make your plate.” I grabbed it to do that.

She snickered and grabbed it back. “I can do that for myself. Thank you.”

I let go of her plate and picked mine up to look at what was on the platter in front of us. “Yes! it is Zia’s cannelloni.”

“It looks so good,” Gia said.

“You will never eat this well again,” I told her with a chuckle. “Homemade recipes from the old country.” I squeezed my fingers together and kissed them with flair. “Eccellente!”

Chewing a bite of her cannelloni, Gia swallowed then said, “Così, così buono!” So, so good.

We laughed.

Zia shook her head. “Stop it you two, I am blushing now.”

“You need to start up a factory,” I told Zia. “Forget Descalia Corp being the moneymaker. Call it Mama Zia’s.”

Zia chuckled and shook her head. “Mama Aunt’s?”

“Sure,” I replied. “It sounds awesome for a food company name.”

“Well, there’s already a clothing company with that name, I think,” Gia told us. “But I agree about going worldwide with this food. It is so good, I almost didn’t recover last Sunday.”

“Right?” I exclaimed. “I wait all week for that dessert. The same thing every Sunday ever since I could remember and I never tire of it.” I looked back over at Zia. “Your Budino al Cioccolato is like crack! Pudding crack.” I laughed.

Gia agreed with me. “It is. Really it is. I could have eaten two more dishes of it.”

“Oh, I always eat more than just one.” I nodded my head firmly.

“Diabetes, anyone?” Gia quipped as she paused to take another bite of cannelloni.

“Ok, so it isn’t smart, Miss Doctor but you only live once and damn, do I miss that dish when I’m not at home.”

“You couldn’t come home for dinner?” Gia asked me. “Isn’t your business close by? I mean your family’s corporation?”

“Yes, it is, but we were on lock—” I halted. We had been on lockdown for more than a month. Because of Deacon. I didn’t think now was a good time to bring any negative subjects up. I really wanted to save that discussion for later.

Pausing, she looked over at me. “Lock?”

“He means lockdown,” Zia spoke up now.

I slowly shook my head and took another bite of my cannelloni.

“I’m sorry,” Zia said to me. “Did I step out of a boundary?”

“I wouldn’t think so,” Gia told her. “I mean it isn’t any of my business.”

Damn, if I kept stuff from her why would she share anything with me? “We were on lockdown for a couple of reasons,” I explained to her. “One, was a violent attack on our family in the Descalia Corp parking garage of all places.”

She immediately lowered her head. Then she raised it up to ask, “And the other reason?”

“Deacon,” I replied honestly. “You heard my father. I would love to say it isn’t true. But I can’t. He was at war with us.”

“But why?” Gia asked. “He is an FBI agent. How can he be at war with you?”

I picked up my tea and took a drink. I just didn’t know where to start. Deacon's list of sins was long.

“I'm sorry. It really isn’t my—”

“Yes, it is,” I cut her off. “You are staying here in our home and Deacon Walker is your patient. I think it is your business.”

“But perhaps not at dinner?” Zia said. Raising her hands, she apologized, “Again, I am interfering.”

“No, Zia, you aren’t,” I told her. “Dr. Ribisi and I…” My voice faded off.

“Yes?” Zia asked and gave me a huge grin.

I chuckled as I shook my head. Leave it to her to just bring it all out in the open. “Ok, the truth is I am interested in Dr. Ribisi. So, I want to be as honest as I can be.” I looked from Zia over to the good doctor.

She cocked her head at me. “If that is true, then you’d better start calling me Gia. Not Dr. Ribisi, don’t ya think?”

I nodded as I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “Ok, Gia. So how about we finish this divine meal made by my Zia Angel.” I turned my head to give Zia a wink. Then turned my gaze back to Gia. “And drink her magical Italian tea.”

“Have some of my Sbriciolata al Limone,” Zia added as she waved her hand to that dish on the table.

“Oh yes, her lemon crumb cake.” I nodded. “Gonna have to pull double duty at the gym now.”

“Mo, no, mio Deo,” Zia disagreed. “I think you will be just fine.”

“He sure looks fine,” Gia added, then raised her hand to her mouth as she looked embarrassed.

Zia stared at her and laughed.

I just stared. I mean this might just be the first compliment I’ve gotten from her since we met.

If you could call her scowling and nearly hissing at me when she first saw me…

a meeting. No, it had been a confusing day for me.

I had never before encountered anyone who disliked me upon sight.

Even now as she acted more friendly, I did feel the vibe of her mistrust.

We continued with our meal.

After Gia asked Zia what part of Southern Italy her tea was from she replied, “Bari. But Italy is better known for its coffee. I sort of mixed Italiana with New Orleans style to make my tea. Of course my espresso is entirely Italian though. I remember my mother’s cooking.

I draw from that a lot. You see, our family was huge.

Larger than this even.” She motioned to all the people along the table.

” With my sons there are seven of you and with their mates that makes…

” Wait a minute. You and Luca are still wifeless! ”

I laughed. “You make it sound like we’re naked and without protection in the world.”

“You might as well be,” she said. “Without love there is no real living. Everyone needs to experience it.”

Gia slowly shook her head.

“What?” Zia caught her head shaking.

“What if someone falls in love and it destroys them?”

“Well, that is not true love,” Zia explained. “One of them loves themselves more.”

“Yeah, mostly the men.” Gia scoffed.

Zia looked past me to Gia. “Mostly, but I’ve known a few women who broke male hearts for a hobby.

Some even did it for revenge against men and their ways.

” She looked away. “I got to have true love but it was all too brief.” She looked back at Gia.

“Losing my husband was the worst thing in the world. But I would do it all over again. Because it was worth it.”

“So there’s only Luca and I, hmmm?” I spoke up to change the subject.

“Si, mio Deo.” She raised her hand and pointed at me. “You are so sweet and kind that I cannot understand how you remain single. And oh! Just look at you. You are a beautiful man.”

“Beautiful?” I asked on a dramatic gasp. “Men aren’t beautiful, Zia.”

“Oh, they can be,” Gia spoke up now.

I turned my head to look at her. I could see her expression was that blank slate again. So I had no idea if she was kidding or what? Then I remembered Luca’s crack. “Well, Luca did say I looked purty tonight.”

Zia and Gia both turned their heads to stare at me. Then they both laughed.

“Yeah, he wasn’t serious. I told him he was just jealous.”

“Do you and him get along?” Gia asked.

I shrugged. “He seems to think so.”

Gia did laugh at this.

Zia shook her head. “Have some lemon cake, you two. Then go out and visit the moon. It will be full tonight.” She stood from her chair and looked down at us.

“There are so many wonders in the world. Walking hand in hand under a full moon is one of them.” She grabbed her plate up and headed toward the kitchen.