Page 14

14

Allegra

M y plan to stay out of the way has so far been successful. Bonnie, Kelley, and this Pete fellow—who I have yet to introduce myself to—have spent their time here so far, drinking our cellars dry and lounging by the pool. I honestly didn’t think Ms Moorside had it in her. She’s a far cry from the wool-clad nerd we picked up last week.

Another surprise is her lack of attitude toward the fact I confiscated her hideous clothing. It’s not something I would usually trouble myself with. After all, why should I care how the woman dresses? I’ll admit, that once I saw her in a pencil skirt and blouse, I knew I couldn’t let her hide away a moment longer. Bonnie had a body to worship, and in all truth, I wanted to get a rise out of her. I’ve enjoyed fucking with her; what can I say?

The second she arrived with her bag, I had it removed and replaced by a full wardrobe of the finest Italian clothes. The morning after their arrival, I waited patiently for her to storm into my office, ranting and raving, demanding I return her sack of wool. She didn’t. And I was wholly disappointed.

Bonnie hasn’t so much as looked at me since our short meeting in my office, and it’s thrown me for somewhat of a loop. But then I remind myself this is exactly what I wanted. I’d promised I’d keep my distance and focus on work, even though each day feels more of a grind than the next.

Everything has been quiet on the Arello front, and as unnerving as that is, I can’t afford to waste time waiting for Giani’s next move. I’ve doubled security around the villa and paid off a few more dock employees to keep an eye out for anything untoward. I’m yet to figure out how I’m going to get the Arellos to back off without bloodshed.

Lorenzo wasn’t impressed that Gisto tried to mess with another shipment, and it took a bit of time to calm him down. But this is why I’m in charge. Lorenzo is tired, and his patience for these types of games is well and truly depleted. I’m not far behind in that regard. If I’d not been here to smooth things over, I’m sure Lorenzo’s temper would have played right into Giani’s hands and we’d be in the middle of a war right now.

Thankfully, I contained the situation and encouraged Lorenzo to concentrate on Bonnie and her dads. The man wants to get to know his daughter, and I’d rather he attempt that than get in my way. So far, he’s spent his time talking with Mark and Phillip. I wonder if they’ve been counselling him. It’s strange they are so calm about everything, if you ask me.

My focus now, is on the vineyard. I have crates of wine to ship out and temporary pickers to hire. Plus, the “other” business will need attention soon. I hate having to go to the dockyards, but I don’t trust anyone else to verify our cargo. I’m the one with an art degree, after all. Well, I have more than that. In a different life, I would have been an artist full-time, I think. But that’s not the case and there’s no point looking back. My skills are used to help verify, and sometimes recreate. Although it’s been a few years since I’ve had to make a forgery.

Unlike our house guests, I have not been sunning myself and replacing my blood content with wine. A part of me is concerned about Bonnie. I may have stayed out of the way, but that hasn’t stopped me from observing, and I think her behaviour is probably a little too out of character. She’s a relative stranger to me, but something tells me all this partying is going to end in tears.

Pete is the leader of their little group. I can tell his lifestyle is very different from Kelley’s and Bonnie’s. He’s the instigator. I’ve heard him encouraging Bonnie to “let go”. One time I heard him explain alcohol was invented for dealing with stress. I didn’t like it.

I know it’s my fault Bonnie is feeling like this. How I handled her, and the days following, was unprofessional. And I probably made the situation far more stressful than it needed to be. I still blame Lorenzo for that, though.

Being back here in my sanctuary has allowed me to process my behaviour. I let my anger towards Lorenzo cloud my actions. I behaved how other families would have, and that’s not okay. But it doesn’t matter now; Bonnie and her friends will only ever see me as a ruthless criminal, which I probably deserve. If only Bonnie understood how complicated the situation is.

There I go again! It makes no sense that I even want Bonnie to understand. We’ve interacted a handful of times and they’ve all been terrible. Yet no matter how much I scold and remind myself of the similarities between Petra and Bonnie, I can’t help but gravitate toward her, even if it is just a quick glance out the window to see what she’s doing.

The day I took Bonnie Moorside irrevocably changed my life, and I don’t know why! It’s like my universe shifted the second we clashed. I just can’t get back into my usual flow. All the voices in my head that were becoming despondent to the monotony of fighting for power, have only got louder. I can’t tuck them away as easily anymore. The only light in my day is working in the vineyard.

I’ve taken to wandering the fields when the office becomes too stifling. Rosa has taken over the majority of managing the staff and security, allowing me a modicum of space to breathe.

I keep thinking everything will be fine when Bonnie and her family leave. At least I won’t have to listen to any more pop music. But will it? Can I get the motivation back to keep dealing with family politics? Do I want to? I feel like I don’t know myself anymore.

Until I met Bonnie, I revelled in the power I’d earned. I was able to push the unsavoury things I’d had to do to get where I am, to the back of my mind. But in such a short amount of time, the ruthless Allegra that set off to pick up some random woman on Lorenzo’s behalf, is slowly slipping away, being replaced by someone I don’t know.

It’s almost nine in the evening now and the sun is starting to set. I’ll never get used to the breathtaking views over the sea. The sun casts vibrant oranges and pinks across the sky. It’s stunning.

I’ve been walking for a good half an hour, so I’m way out of the villa’s secure perimeter. I’m not worried, though. I have my pistol, and even Giani Arello isn’t stupid enough to come for me personally. Not because he’s worried about what Lorenzo will do, but because he knows I will fuck up anyone who attempts to hurt me, and then I would be out for blood. The only reason I’m not now, is because Giani’s attempts at hurting the family have been weak so far. Nothing he’s done has warranted me to go into full Donna Malgeri mode.

A rustling two rows away has me on guard. It’s probably a critter, but I’m naturally suspicious and guarded, so I reach for my gun. What I find both amuses me and infuriates me. Lying tangled in the grapes is a very inebriated Bonnie.

I’ve not seen her this afternoon, and now I know why. Rosa is going to get the full force of my anger when we get back. Bonnie will get it when she’s sober, which by the state of her, will be tomorrow afternoon at some point.

“Bonnie? What are you doing out here?” My voice is sharp and makes her jump. Her eyes are bleary and red-rimmed. She’s totally wasted.

“Look whotiz! Misssss Mafia Queen herself: Allegra-I’ll-Shoot-Ya-Best-Friend-Ferrante.”

I don’t bother correcting her. I’ve been called worse. Never Mafia Queen, though. And I am a Ferrante in every way but blood.

“Bonnie, you’re too far away from the villa.”

“Pfft. I wanted a walk, so sue me. Or kidnap me and shoot me. I don’t care. You won’t get me, queeny. I know what your game is.”

I’m totally lost. She’s rambling, and I don’t have time to decipher what the fucking hell she’s talking about.

“Get up,” I bark.

“No! You’re not the boss of me. I won’t marry you!”

Um…

“And you can stop looking at me with your eyes. They won’t work either! Do you hear me, Sexy Allegra? Nothing will work. I won’t be your sex slave!”

I’m definitely missing some context here.

“Just get up,” I say, hooking my hands under her armpits. She’s dead weight.

“No. I want to look at the sea. It’s so pretty.”

She’s a stubborn toddler, I swear it!

“ Basta !” I growl, but she doesn’t stop. She sinks lower to the ground, making it impossible to pick her up. “Bonnie, get up!”

She sticks her tongue out. “No! I’m watching the pretty colours.”

Dropping her arms, I stand and stretch my back. What the hell am I going to do? Looking around, I can’t see any of our security, which isn’t surprising considering how far out we are.

“Fine. If we watch the sunset, will you stand up after and let me take you back to the villa?”

She squints at me for a second and I think it’s partly her thinking face and partly trying to get her eyes to focus. “Deal,” she shouts, thrusting her hand out. “Shake on it, then, Sexy Allegra.”

Now I do laugh. “Deal,” I reply, giving her hand a solid shake. “Do you want to stand now, though, to see the horizon better? I can’t imagine it’s a great view from the dirt.”

Another moment of contemplation before she gives a decisive nod and does her best to stand up. I catch her around the waist before she takes out my prize-winning plants.

“Stupid shoes,” she grumbles until she looks down, confused. “Where are my stupid shoes?”

“No idea.”

“Huh.”

She allows me to guide her a little closer to the cliff’s edge. The view really is breathtaking from up here.

“Please don’t throw me off,” she says and then burps.

“I have no intentions of that. I won’t hurt you, Bonnie.” I really want the words to stick.

“But you hurt Kelley. She’s my bestie from another westie… No, that’s not right. Sister from another mother. No, hang on…”

I roll my lips in to stop a laugh bubbling up. “Sister from another mister, I think is the correct phrase.”

“Yes, that!” she declares, pointing her finger to the sky in triumph. Her eyes dart from the sunset to my eyes. She’s waiting for me to say something.

“I’ve apologised for that. I know it was wrong.” Jesus, it’s like talking to a child.

Another squint of her eyes. “But you have a gun. You’re a baddie and I don’t like it. You’re too pretty to be a baddie.”

“I…” …do not like her calling me a baddie. But I shouldn’t be surprised. It all seems so black and white to people. Clearing my throat, I nod to the sun, which is almost gone. “You’re missing it.”

She looks at me for a second longer and then turns towards the sea. Her balance is atrocious, so I keep my arm around her waist. I feel her move into me a little more and my traitorous heart does a little dance.

Thankfully, she doesn’t protest when I encourage her to walk with me. About fifteen minutes in and she’s sagging against me, her eyes drooping.

Great.

Scooping her up, I hold her firmly in my arms. She doesn’t protest, which leads me to believe she’s already asleep. At least this way I can pick up the pace. I’m a sweaty mess by the time we arrive at the villa. Rosa is standing there, her face pale.

“Allegra, I—”

“Save it,” I growl. Pushing through the door, I don’t stop when Pete and Kelley come rushing over. I barge through them all and take Bonnie straight to her room. Laying her down on the unmade bed, I cover her with a light sheet. It’s far too hot for anything more, and I’m not going to undress her. She’s out like a light and drooling.

Softly closing the door behind me, fatigue suddenly hits me with force. I should go down and rip into Rosa, or into Bonnie’s so-called friends, for letting her get into that state and allowing her to wander off.

I do neither of those things. I go to my room, shower, and slip under the covers. Instead of frustration, I start to laugh. Once I start, I can’t stop. Bonnie’s slurred words play in a loop. Forgetting about the whole “you’re a baddie” thing, I concentrate on her calling me Sexy Allegra.

I’m going to have fun with that.