Page 82 of The Billionaire's Pact

“Cardinal Torino is ill, but he’ll be better soon with grace. He will be able to perform your wedding ceremony.”

“Thank you,” I said and took a sip of my drink. The second course came in: mixed grilled fish, shellfish, and squid with garden salad.

“So, tell us about Cannes,” Grandpa Marini said. “Rocco has a movie produced that will show at the Cannes Festival this year.”

“Yes, I’d like to hear about it, too.” I regretted not enquiring.

Rocco took a sip of wine and placed it down. “It’s Morgan Steele’s movie The Age of Sin, a historical, Gothic romance. I’m its producer, so I have to go.”

“Rocco’s being modest. He’s more than a producer; he has been hands-on with the production, casting, and sets, not only finding backers for funding,” Grandpa Marini said with pride. “If you check online like I have, it will be an award magnet. As his grandpa, I also got to see an advance screening. It’s the best movie of the year.”

My heart warmed at the kindness his grandfather showed him. Rocco was quiet, but there was a shininess to his eyes, listening to the elder’s praise.

Rocco put his fork down. “I hope so for Morgan. He’s worked so hard all his life. He deserves it. I, of course, enjoy producing.”

“Yes, stick to producing, you don’t need a studio,” Grandpa Marini added.

Rocco took a drink and didn’t look at him, and I empathized. He also had restrictions that were placed on him.

We ate more, keeping the conversation light about gardening and visiting the Uffizi Gallery. After a zabaglione with strawberry dessert, I was very full.

I patted my stomach. “I can’t eat anything else.”

They laughed.

“Or maybe for two soon,” Grandpa Marini joked and gestured to Rocco’s frowning face. “None of that. You will have children.”

That was something I wished I could change, but most of all, I was happy.

We stood to go and walked over to the door.

Grandpa Marini kissed my cheeks and hugged me tight. “Mia dolce, Adelina. So happy to have you here. Please know that I loved you from the start, and I’m glad you’re my family.”

“I love you, too,” I whispered, patting his back. “Thank you for everything.”

I couldn’t imagine my grandmother with him. He said he’d been in love with her. But he didn’t say she loved him back. That was the cruelty of love. Of course, if he had married her, there wouldn’t have been Rocco. Anyone who had gotten to know him would feel a significant loss. He was truly extraordinary.

And I’m an admirer.

“Hello, Gorgeous,” I said, answering Cassidy’s call after my morning run.

“Finally, you’ve called,” she said. Her tone was curt and it caught me off guard.

My brows lowered and an uneasiness knotted my stomach. “Uhm. Give me a second.” I walked over and closed the bedroom door for privacy, then leaned against the back of it. “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you miss me, Lina? We talked every day for years, and now I can barely get you on the phone. I called you right back when I missed your call, but it’s been a week, and you didn’t call me back. What’s up with that?”

Cassidy wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t meant to not call her, but I’d had to consider Rocco’s privacy. Still, I did miss her. “Sorry. I’ve wanted to talk to you and tell you what’s going on, but we became busy here. But honestly I didn’t know what I could share.”

“I’m your best friend. Your feelings matter, too. You know I studied law and understand confidentiality. Heck, my parents are high profile lawyers with many famous clients. You know me. I may gossip about silly things, but never something important. I’d never tell anything you told me in confidence.”

“Yes, I know,” I rasped and pulled my hair over my shoulder.

“You also know I’ve signed NDA’s for Rocco, your family, and the Cranes. Their lawyer was very clear that he’d sacrifice me if I said anything—”

“Rocco’s lawyer threatened you? What’s his name?” I snapped, furrowing my brows.

“Gunnar,” she said in a light tone. “Actually, his ruthlessness turned me on.”

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