Page 19 of Unrelenting (Ruthless Temptations #1)

SEVENTEEN

Lorenzo

I’ve done many things in my life I wish I hadn’t and others I’m immensely proud of. Resurrecting the fortunes of Casa di Lupo falls into the latter category.

When I bought the place from Sergio Alvize two years ago, Damiano thought I’d lost my mind.

Though the vines were still producing the highest quality grapes, everything else had gone to shit.

The production facilities were outdated, the warehouses had leaking roofs, and the owner’s house was almost uninhabitable.

Add to that the fact I knew little about wine, and it seemed like I was making a huge mistake.

None of the issues put me off. Though I own a stake in my family’s business and earn a shitload of money through my involvement with a consortium of Mafia and Bratva organizations, I dreamed of building something for myself.

When this place came up for sale, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to fulfil that ambition. I wanted to create a destination where people could come to sample wine and to eat, either in the relaxed setting of a coffee shop or a table service restaurant.

The numbers, both in terms of visitors and income, are already exceeding my most optimistic expectations. I know it’s partly my notoriety that brings people here, but it’s the incredible experience they have at the winery that persuades them to come back.

If I can get my hands on Ricci’s land, I’ll look at options for providing accommodation, glamping pods, perhaps. I’ll also plant new vines and set up a kitchen garden to supply fruit and vegetables to the existing restaurant and the new fine dining venue I plan to open.

As I show Lucia around, my chest puffs up with pride. She’s impressed with what I’ve done here. She loves the restaurant space with the panoramic windows overlooking the countryside below and the coffee shop with its cozy corners where people can enjoy time with friends.

Predictably, it’s when I lead her into the state-of-the-art kitchen she shows the biggest response.

Gasping, she raises a hand to her chest. She walks around, running her fingertips over the countertops, opening the enormous ovens to peek inside, inspecting the pantry.

This kitchen is four times the size of the one at Gianetta’s, which I believe has changed little since her grandmother opened the place.

“This is incredible,” Lucia says. “I’d love to work in a kitchen like this.”

“So why don’t you?” I ask as an idea occurs to me. “Run my new restaurant.”

Lucia shakes her head. “I have Gianetta’s.”

“Yes, but this could be a second location. We could call it Gianetta’s at the Vineyard, or something like that.”

Lucia screws up her nose.

“But you mentioned fine dining. Gianetta’s is about high quality, well-cooked food, but it isn’t as fancy as what you’re planning.”

“So create an elevated version of the menu for here.”

I can tell she’s thinking about it when a tiny crease appears on her forehead and her eyes scan the room as if she’s imagining herself working here.

“I don’t know, Lorenzo. I mean, it sounds like a lot of work and I don’t want to leave my grandmother’s restaurant.”

“Then don’t. Be my executive chef. Design the menu, train the staff. I don’t expect you to be in the kitchen twenty-four-seven. You can just be the name behind it.”

Lucia bites her bottom lip. “Can I think about it?”

“Of course.” I don’t want to rush her into anything, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of her working by my side to fulfil my vision for this place. “But I think we’d make a good team.”

Though she nods, Lucia still appears uncertain. She looks anywhere but at me. Eventually, her eyes land on the door at the far side of the room, the one with a padlock on the outside.

“What’s in there?” Her tone holds a note of suspicion as if she imagines it’s where I store dead bodies.

“Ah, that is my workspace.”

“Your workspace?”

“Yes.” I hold up a finger asking her to give me a moment. “Wait here. I want you to try something.”

Taking the key from my pocket, I unlock the door and step into the temperature-controlled room. I bypass the stainless steel vats which are empty right now and grab a small tub from the shelf. I lock the room up again and return to Lucia. She arches an eyebrow as I present the tub to her.

“What’s this?”

“The best mozzarella you’ve ever tasted.”

She shoots me a skeptical look. “I’ve tasted a lot of great mozzarella.”

She takes the tub from me and pulls off the lid. Plucking the ball of cheese out of the brine, she examines it before tearing off a piece and popping it into her mouth.

As she savors it, her eyes roll back, just the reaction I was hoping for.

“This might be the best mozzarella I’ve ever tasted.” She grins appreciatively. “You have an in-house cheese maker?”

“In a way. I make mozzarella and crescenza.” They’re not the most difficult cheeses to make but it takes skill to make them as perfectly as I do. “I’m thinking of trying pecorino next.”

Lucia’s mouth drops open. “You made this?”

“With my own two hands.” I hold them up to emphasize the point.

“Wow, Lorenzo. What other secret talents are you harboring?”

“My nonna taught me to make bread. I’m pretty good with focaccia, ciabatta, French baguette and English cob.”

“Wow, pan-European talent,” Lucia teases. Then her expression becomes serious once more. “Perhaps you should consider a career change.”

I shake my head. “Not going to happen.”

Even if I wanted to, I can’t just walk away from my family. Once you’re in our lifestyle, there’s only one way out and I’m not ready for that to happen yet.

“I know,” Lucia says a little sadly. “But it’s a shame because this is really good mozzarella.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I like everything you’re doing at Casa di Lupo.”

“Enough to become a part of it?” Though I said I’d give her a chance to think about it, I’d like to get some sense of how she feels about my offer.

“It’s tempting, but I can’t think about that until I know what’s going to happen with Gianetta’s.”

The situation at Gianetta’s is on my mind too. When Lucia told me about the derisory offer the lawyer made, I thought someone was joking with her.

As soon as she mentioned protection, I realized it was more serious. I need to find out which of the other Mafia families is behind the attempt to buy the restaurant.

If someone is trying to intimidate my woman, it’s up to me to let them know she’s under my protection.

There’s been a tentative peace in Tuscany since Damiano and I established our rule, but I’m willing to bang a few heads together to keep Lucia safe.

“I told you I’d deal with that.”

Lucia sighs. “You shouldn’t have to. It’s my problem.”

I take her hand. “Lucia, you’re mine. Anything that affects you is my problem and I will fix it.”

She opens her mouth, probably to utter some bullshit objection, but she’s interrupted when my phone rings. I take it from my pocket and check the screen.

It’s my mother’s housekeeper. My heart lurches. Agnesca only calls if there’s a problem.

“Sorry, gattina, ” I tell Lucia. “I have to take this.”

Walking away from her, I swipe the screen to answer the call. “Agnesca? Is everything okay?”

“There’s nothing to worry about, Signore Lorenzo.” She always begins the conversation this way in case I assume the worst. My mother is frail, and every time Agnesca calls, I feel a certain anxiety. “Beatrice has had a minor accident.”

My stomach drops. Ever since my mother was beaten unconscious by my father fifteen years ago, I’m terrified of something happening to her. “What happened?”

“She got up in the middle of the night and tried to make herself some warm milk. There was a small fire.”

“Fuck! Is she okay?”

“Yes, but she gave herself a real fright and is a little upset today. I have everything under control but I know you like to be kept informed.”

“Have you told my brothers?”

“No, I don’t like to disturb them.”

What she means is that Damiano and Gabriele both frighten her. Though she’s no wilting flower, Agnesca shies away from dealing with them. For some reason she considers me the soft option. I suppose I am less abrupt than Damiano and more easy-going than Gabriele.

“I thought you would call them if you think it’s necessary.”

“I’ll come down and see her first.” Once I have a fuller picture of how she’s doing, I can call my brothers.

“Oh, Signore Lorenzo, that would be wonderful. A visit from you will really cheer her up. It’s been so long.”

I don’t detect a rebuke in her tone but if there was one I’d deserve it. My last visit to my mother was over a month ago.

“What should I bring?” My mother cycles through several hobbies and I like to take a gift every time I visit.

“Yarn would be good.”

That makes me smile. “Crochet again?”

Agnesca laughs. “She’s making these little teddy bears. Everyone on staff has at least five of them.”

“Okay, yarn it is.” I’ll message one of the men I have guarding her property and tell him to have some waiting for me when I get there. “I’ll be there for lunch around…” Checking my watch I realize it’s still early. “One o’clock.”

I end the call and quickly message my friend Marco who oversees my mother’s security to let him know I’m coming. I also ask him to buy some yarn and a box of the marzipan fruits I know Agnesca likes. Then I turn to Lucia.

“Is everything okay?” she asks.

“Yes, just some family business I need to attend to.” It occurs to me my mother would love to meet Lucia. I’ve never brought a woman to see her before. None of them have been good enough until now. “How would you like to take a brief trip with me?”

Lucia cocks her head to one side. “Where to?”

“Rome.” The villa where my mother lives is actually fifteen miles outside of the city, but that doesn’t matter right now. “You can get someone to cover for you at the restaurant, can’t you?”

“We’re closed tonight.”

“Great, so you’ll come.”

She looks hesitant. “I won’t be in your way?”

“You won’t be in the way,” I assure her. My mother will be delighted to see me with a woman, especially one as sweet and kind as Lucia. “Please come.”

“Well, okay, since you asked so nicely.”

Pleased she’s agreed to come with me, I bend and kiss her cheek. My mother is going to be thrilled to meet her.