Page 23 of Unrelenting (Ruthless Temptations #1)

TWENTY-ONE

Lucia

I decide to head to the restaurant to get an early start on prepping for tonight’s service. As usual, we have a full house, including a birthday party for a seventy-nine-year-old woman who’s been coming to Gianetta’s every year since she turned eighteen. She has a fondness for torta di mandorle.

Nicolo’s too much of a snob to make such a simple cake, so I always bake one for her. My grandmother’s recipe never fails.

I grab my bag and head out of the apartment. As I’m walking downstairs, a man in a dark suit is coming up. He’s tall with dark hair and cold eyes. There’s a tattoo on the back of his hand, a skull with a dagger sticking through the eye socket. It’s grotesque.

“Are you Signorina Lazaro?” He asks in English, tinged with a distinctly Russian accent.

The hairs at the back of my neck prickle. This cannot be good. Although I’ve seen Lorenzo at the restaurant with Russian friends, I don’t remember this guy.

“How did you get in here?”

The man smiles, but it’s not reassuring. “Your neighbor let me in.”

Ugh! Maurizio, no doubt. He’s far too trusting.

“What can I do for you, signore ?”

“Shall we return to your apartment?” he suggests.

“I….”

He unfastens the button on his jacket and opens the flap to show me he has a gun in a holster at his waist. My heart lurches.

“I have no wish to hurt you, dushka .”

Using the endearment is an obvious ploy to make me feel at ease. It doesn’t work. How am I supposed to trust some man who turns up at my door and flashes a gun at me?

“But you will if you have to, right?”

He smiles grimly. I turn and walk back upstairs with him following close behind. I open the door and walk inside. My unwanted visitor closes the door behind us.

“What do you want, Signore…..?”

“Barevsky. My name is Adam Barevsky and what I want is a simple conversation with an acquaintance of yours.”

I don’t need to be a genius to work out who he’s talking about. “Lorenzo?”

“Yes, though it’s actually his cousin I wish to speak to.”

“I don’t know his cousin.”

“You haven’t met Gio Volante?”

“No.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. “If you’re looking for Lorenzo, why come here?”

“Everybody knows you and he are lovers, Ms. Lazaro. I’m sure you’ve tried to keep it private, but ours is a small world.”

“I see, but that still doesn’t explain why you would come here looking for him.”

“Lorenzo and his cousin gave my men the slip at a boutique a few streets away. They’ll look for somewhere close to lay low. Your apartment is the obvious choice and if he doesn’t come here, you can call him for me.”

I’m debating if I can call Lorenzo and lure him here into what may be a trap when the buzzer for the front door goes.

Adan smiles. “I want you to pretend all is well and let him in.”

Trying not to let my nerves get the better of me, I go and press the button on the intercom.

“Hello.”

“It’s me, gattina ,” Lorenzo says. “Let me in.”

“Of course, my love.” I’ve never called him that before but I fear it’s not enough of a hint to let him know there’s a problem. “Come on up.”

Adan opens the door for him and then grabs my shoulders, steering me into the living room.

“Sit here.”

He pushes me onto the sofa facing the living room door. Standing behind me, he rests his hands on the back of the couch. He has his gun out now. Although he isn’t pointing it at me, I’m terrified of what might happen.

Lorenzo comes into the room along with a man who must be his cousin Gio and two women. One is tall and thin with caramel-colored hair and dark brown eyes. Her pale complexion suggests northern Europe. The other is a little shorter with darker hair and olive skin.

I hold my breath as Lorenzo and the other man pull out their guns. I’ve never seen Lorenzo wielding a weapon before. There’s an intense, scary look in his eye. Knowing it’s because he wants to protect me is oddly arousing.

“Let’s put the weapons away,” Adan says. “I mean you no harm.”

“Who are you?” Gio demands.

“Adan Barevsky.”

Gio stiffens and so does Lorenzo. They may not know this man, but they’ve heard of him.

“What do you want?” Lorenzo drops his arm to his side, but he doesn’t put his gun away.

Adan must look at the taller woman because Gio steps in front of her.

“Calm yourself, Mr. Volante,” Adan says. “I merely wish to talk. Perhaps Signorina Lazaro would be good enough to make us some coffee.”

Indignation flows through me. This man has some nerve coming here and holding a gun on me then asking for refreshments. I don’t say what’s on my mind.

Instead, I glance at Lorenzo. He nods so I get up and walk into the kitchen, sending him my fiercest glower on the way.

Though I realize this situation is not of his making, it doesn’t mean I won’t give him hell for it later.

As I boil the water for coffee, I take out the cafetiere I rarely use. I prefer to use a moka but since I’m making coffee for a group of people, this seems a better option. I spoon some coffee into the cafetiere and look up as the darker haired woman comes into the room.

“Hi, I’m Rosalia,” she says.

“Lucia.”

“My sister’s called Lucia. She works for Signore Gabriele in Rome.” The girl speaks quickly and the tremor in her voice confirms she’s nervous. “I work for him too. I look after the country villa.”

“You’ve met him?” It’s really not the time for casual conversation but I’m curious about Gabriele and can’t help asking.

“Years ago. I haven’t seen him since the…” She motions toward her face. “Signore Damiano lets me know what’s required now.”

“Do you know what’s going on through there?”

Rosalia shrugs. “I find it safer not to ask.”

I nod and busy myself making the coffee.

“Could you grab that tray from the counter?” I ask Rosalia. “And get some cups from that cabinet behind you?”

While Rosalia does as I asked, I pour some milk into a jug and place it on the tray along with the pot of coffee. Then I grab a plate and put several pieces of almond biscotti on it. I have no idea why I’m going out of my way to be hospitable to these people.

Leaving Rosalia in the kitchen, I carry the tray into the living room and set it down on the coffee table.

“I must get to the restaurant,” I say, although I’m not sure I’m going to be allowed to leave until whatever this is gets resolved. “I am already behind for tonight’s service.”

“Please don’t let us detain you,” Adan says, smiling pleasantly. “Thank you for the refreshments.”

Is it really that easy? I can just walk out? I glance over at Lorenzo to see if he thinks it’s a trick.

“Va bene, Lucia. We will speak later.”

I scowl, angry at being dismissed from my own home but I can’t say I’m not relieved to get away from the tension in that room.

Grabbing my bag which I didn’t even realized I’d dropped by the door, I hurry out of the apartment.

When I get outside, I look around, half-expecting to be ambushed by henchmen of Adan’s. There’s only one solitary guy sitting in a black SUV across the road, but he barely glances at me.

I hurry toward the restaurant, feeling less anxious when I reach the crowded Ponte Vecchio and find myself in a sea of tourists. There are days when it annoys me to have so many people milling about but today I find some comfort in it.

Once I’ve crossed the bridge, I hurry to the restaurant. The remodeling work taking place next door seems to be moving quickly.

There are new black tiles on the floor and the walls have been painted a deep red. I guess they’re going for a gothic look. I can’t say I’m a fan.

When I enter Gianetta’s through the side door, it’s quiet. At this time of day I wouldn’t expect any of the staff to be in, not even Nicolo who’s still trying to perfect his new dessert menu.

I go to the staff room to change into my chef’s whites and tie back my hair. I can’t help worrying about Lorenzo, though he probably has everything under control.

As I head for the kitchen, someone pounds on the door. Expecting to find Lorenzo, I open it, intending to give him a piece of my mind for what happened at the apartment. Though I understand it’s not his fault Adan Barevsky barged into my life, I need to vent.

But it isn’t Lorenzo on the other side of the door. Instead, I open it to find someone I hoped to never see again, Adriano Rossini. I didn’t even know he was out of prison.

Before I can tell him to get lost, he barges through the door and shoves me against the wall. My heart pounds in fear as he pins me there by the shoulders. More muscular than he used to be, he holds me there easily.

“Surprised to see me, cara? ” he snarls. “You shouldn’t be. We’re neighbors now.”

“You?” I should have considered this before now. “You’re buying the restaurant next door.”

“My uncle is. He wants you out and so do I.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a faithless little slut. The minute things got rough, you left me. You let them send me to prison and left me to rot.”

“You expected me to perjure myself for you?” I shove him away from me. “You weren’t worth it.”

Anger flares in his dark blue eyes. I see the slap coming but it still shocks me when his palm connects with my face. Pain flares across my cheek.

“You’ll soon see my worth when I take everything you love. Then you’ll crawl on your hands and knees, begging me to take you back.”

“That will never happen,” I spit.

“Oh, no?” Adriano strokes the cheek he just hit. I wince both in pain and revulsion at his touch. “Because you have Lorenzo Volante now?Don’t fool yourself, cara . He’ll dump you when he gets bored.”

“But he won’t get bored of me. Not when the sex is so fucking incredible.”

It was a stupid thing to say. I know that as soon as the words leave my lips but Adriano just pisses me off so much.

“You’ve learned a few things, have you?” Adriano leans closer as if he’s about to kiss me. “Perhaps you should show me.”

This man is seriously deluded if he thinks I’m going to show him anything. As he presses against me, I raise my knee and drive it as hard as I can into his balls.

Taking advantage as he doubles over in pain, I run for the exit. I’m almost there when he grabs my ponytail and yanks me back. He throws me violently to the floor.

Before I can scramble away, he’s on top of me. I scream, but he slaps a hand over my mouth. I struggle for all I’m worth but he’s so much bigger than me.

I brace myself for the worst, then suddenly his weight lifts from me. He’s thrown across the floor. He gets to his feet but rather than fighting, he scurries away like the rat he is.

As a hand reaches out to help me to my feet I find myself looking up at Damiano Volante.

“Are you okay?” he asks

“Yes. What are you doing here?”

“That’s not important. Tell me what happened.”

I take a deep breath and tell him how Adriano barged in here and let me know his family are behind the new restaurant next door, that he got physical when I taunted him about Lorenzo.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” I say, wishing I hadn’t provoked Adriano’s temper.

Damiano shakes his head.

“Don’t blame yourself. No man should raise his hand to a woman like that.” He puts his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s find some ice for your face.”

He takes me through to the kitchen and surprises me by grabbing my waist and lifting me onto the countertop. Then he finds the freezer and grabs some ice cubes which he wraps in a clean dish cloth. He comes back and holds it to my cheek before I take over.

“Don’t tell Lorenzo I touched you or I’ll be the one needing an ice pack.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve had enough violence for one day.”

Damiano studies me closely. His eyes are similar to Lorenzo’s but his hair is darker and his face more angular. They’re really not all that alike, but it’s clear they share a protective streak.

“I don’t want you to worry about Rossini,” he says. “He’ll be taken care of.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want any violence.”

Damiano nods but I don’t believe for one minute he intends to simply have a friendly chat with Adriano.

“Why are you here anyway?” I ask.

“I wanted to know what happened at your apartment.”

“Why don’t you ask Lorenzo?”

“I would but he’s taken the housekeeper for gelato.”

That’s unexpected. “Gelato?”

Damiano nods. “It’s his thing, I guess. If a woman seems upset or scared or whatever he takes her for gelato.”

I frown at that. “He’s never taken me for gelato.”

Damiano smiles. “Because he doesn’t think you need to be coddled. He respects you for your strength.”

That makes me grin. “What else does he think about me?”

“You’ll have to ask….” Damiano is cut off by the unmistakable sound of glass smashing.

“What was that?” I hope down from the counter, my heart racing.

“I don’t know. Stay here while I check it out.”

Damiano draws his gun and heads for the door. He pushes it open but doesn’t go any farther. “Fuck!”

He turns to me, his expression grave. I take a step toward the door, wanting to see for myself what’s happening, but he intercepts me, grabbing my arm and tugging me back along the corridor toward the side exit.

“Damiano!” I try to break free but of course I can’t escape his iron grip. “What’s going on?”

His words are like a knife to my heart. “The restaurant is on fire. We have to get out of here.”