Page 17 of Empire of Temptation

I didn’t doubt it, based on his resume, but this was too good to be true. Employees like this didn’t drop out of the sky, not in Paesano. There had to be a catch. “This friend, the one that told you to come here this morning. Do you have a way to reach him?”

The two men visibly paled as they exchanged a look. “Signorina,” Roberto said. “We are happy to help. No one has forced us to come here.”

What an odd thing to say.

Now I was even more eager to speak to Luca. “I’m sure that’s true, but I’d like to speak with him anyway.”

Roberto licked his lips. “I will call him for you. I will ask if he is available.”

“Please do that.”

Roberto stood from the table and walked a good distance away before pulling out his phone. He spoke quietly to whoever picked up on the other end. After a moment, he carried his phone over to me. “Mr. DiMarco, signorina.”

I accepted the phone and put it to my ear. “Hello?”

“Ciao, Valentina.”

Those two words, spoken in his deep-accented voice . . . holy Christmas. I stood up and walked to the other side of the room. “What have you done?”

“Che cosa? What do you mean?”

“Luca, these men are way overqualified to work here. I’m not sure I can even afford them. Did you force them to come?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I heard the clink of porcelain, like he was setting a cup down on a saucer. “You need employees and I found you the best. They jumped at the opportunity. Do not sell yourself short, bella.”

I wasn’t stupid. No one was jumping at the opportunity to work in my restaurant. “This is insane. You are insane. I mean, we just met. Why would you help me like this?”

“Because I can. I know people in the restaurant business looking for work, so I decided to help them and you. Do not make it more complicated than that.”

I stared at the faded wallpaper behind the server station. Was I crazy for complaining? Luca was presenting me with a solution to my problems, so maybe I should accept it and stop looking for ulterior motives.

But I wasn’t used to someone taking over like this. I supposed, if I dipped into Mom’s life insurance fund, I could pay them a little more than their predecessors. And if we reopened quickly, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. I am happy to help.”

“Out of the goodness of your heart.”

He gave a soft chuckle that warmed my insides. “Sì, signorina. Out of the goodness of my heart.”

I sighed, too hungover to think about this clearly. But I didn’t want to accept, either. It felt wrong, like someone was taking away my choices.

“Valentina,” he said quietly into the phone. “You have been doing this alone for a very long time. It is admirable. But there is no shame in accepting help from others when you need it.Capisce?”

I swallowed hard. He was right, of course. It had been forever since anyone offered any help. I knew it couldn’t last, butmaybe it would give me time to find proper replacements. “Okay. Thank you. I really appreciate this.”

“You are welcome.”

We sat there, seconds ticking by, neither of us speaking. It was weird, but not uncomfortable. I could hear the wind slightly on his end, so I assumed he was sitting outside. Suddenly, I wished I could see him. He was probably wearing silk pajamas, like some fancy designer brand I’d never heard of.

I blurted, “You’ll come in for dinner when we reopen?”

There was a pause before he said, “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good. Then I guess I should officially hire my new employees.”

“Va bene.A presto, Valentina.” Then he hung up.

Chapter Six

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