Page 27 of Empire of Temptation

One dinner. You can do it, if it means reopening on time.

I had to say yes.

Except the words wouldn’t come. I willed my lips to work.Say it, Val!How hard was it to agree to one measly meal?

Still, the silence stretched.

I heard the slap of the kitchen door behind me. “Buongiorno, signore,” Roberto called loudly—and relief flooded me. Had Maggie sent him out here?

Instantly, Mayor Lombardi took a step back, but his eyes remained locked with mine for another beat. Then he turned to enthusiastically greet Roberto, who joined us near the front. “Good morning. I’m Mayor Lombardi.”

“Mayor!” Roberto offered his hand smoothly. “How nice to finally meet you. I am Signore Ferrara, the business manager for Signorina Montella.” The two men shook hands.

I dragged in a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. I didn’t like the feeling of being rescued, of not being able to handle the mayor on my own, but at least this bought me some time. I could figure out how to deal with the mayor’s threats later.

“The place looks great,” the mayor said to Roberto. “Very impressive.”

“Grazie, signore. We are pleased with the results. You will come in when we reopen, no?”

“Of course, of course. I eat here all the time, don’t I, Val?”

He glanced at me meaningfully, so I nodded. “Yep.”

“Va bene,” Roberto said. “Was there something we can help you with, signore? I could give you a tour of the place, if you like.”

“No, that’s not necessary. It seems like you have everything well in hand here. I need to get back to the office.” He plucked his sunglasses out of his coat pocket. “We’ll catch up later, Val, yes?”

“Of course.”

He turned and walked out, disappearing out the front door. When the wood closed and we were alone, Roberto studied me carefully. “Was he giving you trouble, signorina?”

“His daughter used to work here. She was sleeping with my chef, which I didn’t know until the night I fired him.”

“Ah. He blames you?”

“How did you guess?” I raked my fingernails across my scalp, then adjusted my pony tail. “It’s fine. I’ll deal with him later.”

“What does this mean, deal with him?”

“He says we need permits.” I waved my hand. “Paperwork. But I can’t let him delay the reopening or fine us. So I’ll talk to him.”

“Do not go near him alone, signorina. My mother would say he isun lupo, capisce? A wolf.”

I didn’t respond. I knew he was right, but what choice did I have? This was my problemand I would fix it.

“Is that creeper gone?” Maggie called from a crack in the kitchen door. “Is it safe to come out?”

“Yes,” I said. “I assume you sent Roberto out here.”

“Uh, yeah. You think I trust that man alone with you?”

I rubbed my eyes, despite my mascara. It was that kind of day. “Is it too early to start drinking?”

“No,” Maggie said while Roberto said, “Yes,” at the same time.

Maggie threw her arm around me. “Come on. Let’s find our acidic backbone and open a bottle over lunch.”

Chapter Eight

---