Page 104 of Relentless

CHAPTER THIRTY

Piper stood in the circle of Liam’s arms as her uncle conversed with the owner of Ricci’s following their meal. They stood in an alcove and watched the interaction between two long-time friends. Eating the wonderful Italian food in the warm, familiar atmosphere brought back good memories of many meals she and her uncle shared in this restaurant. Those memories were tempered by the knowledge of the pending separation from her only living blood relative.

From his body language, Antonio Ricci knew Gino didn’t have long to live. “They’ve been friends for forty years,” she said. “Both men are hurting.” So was she. Despite her uncle’s disappointment with her, she loved him.

“Ricci has family here?”

She nodded. “He grew up in Hartman. His parents moved here from Italy.”

“He’ll have the support of friends and family when your uncle’s gone.” His arms tightened around her. “So will you.”

Tears stung her eyes. She didn’t want to imagine a world where she couldn’t pick up a phone and call her uncle when she wanted. Three years she’d wasted, waiting for him to understand her decision to leave Gavin and Hartman behind.

“I can’t fight this battle for you, Piper, but I’ll be by your side. You aren’t alone anymore.”

She turned, wrapped her arms around him, and laid her head against his heart. “You don’t know how much that means to me.” Piper wanted to say more but couldn’t, her throat tight with repressed emotion. She didn’t want to call attention to herself or Liam by giving in to the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

When Gino finished his conversation, the three of them walked from the restaurant together. They remained silent until they settled in the SUV and drove toward the Romano estate.

“How is Mr. Ricci?” Piper asked.

“He is like many of my friends. Sad because my body is failing.”

He wasn’t the only one. At least she’d had time to see and talk to him.

“Antonio also was of some help in the other matter we discussed on the drive to the restaurant.”

Liam glanced at her uncle in the rearview mirror. “What did he say?”

“Matteo made changes to his estate. He added additional security to the house. He also allowed a large building to be built half a mile behind the house on an adjacent piece of property with an access road between the two places. The new building resembles an oversized garage.”

Piper frowned. “Wait a minute. I thought he already had a garage. Why would he need another one?”

“That’s the question many are asking.”

“He bought more property?” Liam asked.

“Not officially. According to scuttlebutt around town, Bluefield Industries bought the property.”

“How do you know Barone is behind the purchase?”

“Matteo has been seen at the job site and is the one approving the work. Doesn’t take a genius to realize there’s a close relationship between Matteo and Bluefield even though his name isn’t on the paperwork. You’re in security. I’m sure you will confirm the connection.”

“I’ll look into it.”

Piper glanced at her uncle. “Did Barone bulldoze the miniature forest behind the house? From what I remember, the tree line started about ten feet from the edge of the driveway and went on for a mile or more.”

Gino smiled. “That’s what I asked Antonio. Matteo’s property has a clearing two hundred yards from the house. You can’t see it because of the dense tree cover. I’ve walked the property with Matteo several times. The trees thinned at the northeast end which is where the Bluefield Industries property begins. That’s where Matteo put the access road that leads to the garage.”

“Barone’s driveway leads to the Bluefield property?”

“He says it’s not a driveway since it doesn’t connect to his concrete drive. It’s more of an access point in case there’s a fire on either property. The interesting thing about this is according to Antonio’s son who was on the construction crew, no cars were moved to the new garage although that’s what the plans labeled the building. In fact, as far as he knows, that building will never be used to house vehicles.”

“How does he know that?” Liam asked.

“There aren’t any garage doors installed, just one large metal door like the ones used for warehouses. Giorgio said part of the space seemed to be wired for occupancy.”

He frowned. “Heating and air conditioning?”

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