Page 61 of Rio (Knight Empire #3)

“It would also be low risk and extremely beneficial for you,” Nico states. “I have one of the most respected luxury hotel brands in Italy—a brand that’s taken decades to build.”

He’s proud of what he’s achieved, and he’s not letting me think I’m doing him a favor.

“True. So it’s a win-win. You keep the brand, the standards, the clientele. I just give you the keys to expand without touching a cent of your own capital.”

Nico raises his eyebrow. “Without touching a cent of my own capital?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the catch?”

“There isn’t a catch. You said there’s always something to learn, and I have learned from my father. For him, money is everything, and he doesn’t care about people or who he destroys in his … sorry, I’m getting too personal.”

He tilts his head, looking genuinely interested. “No, continue. If I’m to go into a partnership with you, I need to know everything.”

I steady my breathing, try to steady my thoughts so I don’t ramble on about the old man.

“We purchased the land near your flagship Amalfi hotel, and I can make sure no one else builds on it. We could expand. You’ve seen my ideas in the proposal?”

He nods. “There were some good ideas.”

“Thank you. I don’t see why business needs to be dog eat dog.

I don’t need to ruin you to get something out of this.

And you’re right—Knight Enterprises would never venture out here and build a luxury hotel brand.

You already have one. That’s why I see this as a win-win.

I’m overseeing an eco-resort in Belize at the moment, and I’ve learned that business doesn’t have to be solely about the money.

It has to work for everyone, in different ways. ”

“Interesting. You must have learned a lesson somewhere.”

This guy has wisdom and experience. I wish the old man could be the mentor and guide that Nico’s father must have been for him, and a small part of me feels envious. Like I missed out on something I can never have. I glance at the photo again, and clear my throat, forcing myself to look away.

“But I want to make it ethical,” I say, meeting his gaze again when I’ve composed myself. “I want it to work for the people who live there, because they will still be there after all the tourists have gone home.”

“I like what you’re saying.”

“Work has recently started on your hotel, but maybe we could turn the adjacent waterfront properties into exclusive villas and private residences, or add more amenities? That’s something we could talk about in more detail at a later time.”

“I have hotels which have wine-tasting and cooking classes. I have world-class spas. I believe we could do something.” He sits forward, elbows resting on the table, hands steepled together.

“You understand that I don’t put my name on just anything, especially not when it carries someone else’s fingerprints. ”

“I understand. That’s the point. It wouldn’t carry mine, or Knight Enterprises—just yours.

The kind of privacy, exclusivity, and luxury location we’re talking about…

no competition could match it. I’m not here to compete with you, Nico.

I’m here to make sure no one else does. But more than that, I want a situation that works for us both. ”

There’s a long pause, and he studies me like a man weighing whether a rival could also be an ally. And I very much want to be that. We are rivals—we want the same thing—but I want to be an ally.

“I’ll think it over. Why don’t you stay for dinner? We have a lovely restaurant here, and if I’ve made my mind up by dessert, we can talk details.”

“We’d love to—”

“We?” Nico raises an eyebrow.

“My girlfriend Raquel is here. She’s exploring the gardens.”

“Ah, then she’ll probably meet my wife, Ava. Why don’t we all meet for dinner?”

I like that idea very much. I like this man more than I thought I could like a stranger, and a business rival at that. I feel like we could be friends.

“That would be nice, but we’re meeting my mother for dinner later. She lives here.”

“Your mother lives here? But you’re in the States.”

“Yes, long story. She’s in Soave.”

“That’s not far from here at all. Family always comes first,” says Nico. “I tell you what—I’ll call you first thing tomorrow morning with my decision.”

A knock on the door interrupts us.

“Come in.”

In walks a young man, tall, gangly, handsome—a younger version of the man before me. I can’t believe I’m seeing three generations of the same family before me.

“Papa, I’m going to take the car. I’m going for football training, then out with Aurora. Mama says to let you know.”

“Drive carefully.”

“Yes, Papa. Sorry to interrupt.” The door closes.

“Aurora?” I say, louder than I intended.

“Alessandro’s girlfriend.”

“I can see the resemblance, between all of you.” I tilt my chin at the photo.

Nico laughs. “People do say we look alike.”

I’m intrigued about this man and his life. How he runs a successful empire yet is married and has children. “How many children to you have?”

“Four.”

“Four!” I almost bounce out of my chair in shock.

“Elisabetta, my oldest, she’s twenty-one. Alessandro is nineteen, Carlotta is thirteen, and Marco is nine. We had him late. My wife, Ava was forty, but it’s never too late, is what I say.” His smile makes me want to know more. Makes me want to meet them all.

“I’m … so happy to hear that,” I find myself saying, the possibility of a future like that flashing before my eyes. A wife, children, family, and love. Not just money and business. This man’s face lights up when he talks about his family.

“You look content.”

“More than content. I’m happy. I have everything I could ever want. The business is a bonus, and I am grateful, but family is everything.”

“You have a lovely family, Nico.”

He gives a half-smile, almost private. “Thank you. Children… they’ll teach you more about yourself than the world ever will. Don’t wait too long to learn that.”

***

RAQUEL

I’ve never been to northern Italy before, and I find Verona beautiful, in a serene, and elegant way. And the Casa Adriana, the hotel where Rio had his meeting with the owner, was simply divine.

While he was busy, I wandered around the gardens, past evergreen shrubs, olive trees, and tall Cypress trees, inhaling the scent of citrus and lemon which floated along the warm breeze.

I saw a gazebo near which sat an elderly lady.

Walking towards her she looked frail, her skin lined like delicate maps of a long and memorable life and her hair tied up in a small bun.

She was the picture of calm serenity and she looked content, sitting in a chair, painting calmly.

Moments later, another, younger woman joined her, and introduced herself as Ava.

I learned that she was the wife of the hotelier, and the painter was her mother.

We talked for a while, but they soon let me go about my business. I inhaled deeply, soaking in the air, the ambiance, the peace and quiet as I ambled along winding pathways that led to secluded stone benches and shaded alcoves draped in climbing roses.

It was such a peaceful, perfect piece of paradise. Rio looked so pumped when he finished his meeting. I hope he and the owner find a way to work together because I would love to go back there again one day.

Now we’re driving toward Soave, and I feel like I’m stepping into another time. Vineyards spill down the hillsides in perfect green lines. There’s a castle in the distance. Every turn of the winding road makes me fall in love with this place even more.

Being here with Rio, accompanying him on a business trip, feels like I’ve stepped into another life.

We’re a couple. We’re together. This feels a million miles away from the law firm I’ve left.

I’m filled with a sense of quiet anticipation at starting my new job; an undercurrent of excitement mixed with nerves.

It’s going to be hectic, even more demanding than Tovey & Roth, which is why I jumped at the chance for a vacation when Rio mentioned this trip.

“That’s the Castle of Soave,” Rio says, pointing toward the horizon. “Locals say the fortress around it has guarded this valley for a thousand years.”

The sunlight catches his dark hair and I almost reach out and stroke his beard but stop, because these roads are winding and a little scary, and I don’t want to distract him. “Your mother’s lived here her whole life?”

“Most of it. You’ll see—Mama belongs here the way roses belong in her garden. She was in Milan when she met the old man.”

He tells me the story—how her family lived here, and when she fell pregnant, she settled nearby, in Soave.

“You still have grandparents?”

“They died a few years ago, within months of each other. It’s just Mama now.

She came back to take care of Nonno and Nonna, my maternal grandparents, once we were in our early twenties.

Her heart was always in Italy, but now that they’ve passed, I think she’s feeling a little lonely.

She keeps hinting that she’s waiting to play with her grandchildren. ”

I let out a nervous chuckle. I’ve stood in courtrooms with more confidence than I’m feeling right now. Somehow, meeting Rio’s mother feels bigger.

We pull up in front of a buttercream yellow two-story villa, with climbing roses wrapped around the door. His mother is already standing there, as if she’s been waiting for us all afternoon.

I let out a little gasp, in awe, because this woman, she looks like she’s stepped out of a lifestyle magazine.

She’s wearing black capri pants with a crisp white linen blouse with sleeves casually rolled up to her elbows.

On her feet are simple leather pumps. Petite, yet graceful, with her dark hair pinned back neatly and large, hoop gold earrings catching the light, she has an aura about her that reminds me of Audrey Hepburn. Quiet and understated elegance.

I immediately feel a little underdressed, even though I’m wearing a pale blue linen wrap dress with tan leather sandals and a slim belt.