Page 149 of Brutal Legacy

“You should know who you’re married to. Anyway, in that case, Charlie, let’s get going. Our husbands’ money isn’t going to spend itself.”

“I make plenty of money myself, thank you.” Charlie laughed and stood. “And I happen to know that you more than pull your weight building the De Sanctis fortune.”

“Like I’m going to spend De Sanctis money. I’ve got O’Connor money for that.”

Their voices drifted away as I watched Elio boost himself out of the pool and dry off.

Ten minutes later, we were walking down the street toward a house that sat just off the square.

The Bellisario villa.

“I wanted to see something with you,” Elio said, taking my hand in his.

We went through the house and out into the back garden.

The house was painfully clean. A lot of the furniture had been removed, as well as rugs and soft furnishings. They’d been too stained, I supposed. I should feel worse about that than I did.

The garden was full of flowers, and life. Bees buzzed about the lavender, and the sunflowers had lifted their heads to the sky.

I paused and looked at the stables. “Is that where we’re going?”

Elio grinned. “Come to me,topolina.” He pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.

We headed toward the building.

Inside the stalls, there were three horses. Their heads poked over the stalls, and they watched us curiously.

“I can’t believe the Ravellis were taking care of them,” I muttered.

“They weren’t. The vet has been out. They need a good diet, care, and attention… all the things I used to do for them. Best job I ever had. Taking care of the horses… sleeping with the boss’s daughter. That was the life.”

“Shall we run away and start a horse ranch somewhere?” I asked.

He laughed.

“Maybe not. I’m not thinking of changing jobs, but this town, this house… it needs a new story. A new legacy… We think the De Sanctis family should reinstate its presence in this town. Renato has charged me with that job… if we want it.”

“Ifwewant it?”

“I told him I had to ask the boss.” He smirked at me. “My country mouse needs to decide if she’s ready to come home. A terra-cotta house with sage green bedrooms and horses in the stables…”

I stared around the beautiful building. The sweet smells of the garden, and the earthy scent of hay and horses. The view of the house from behind was spectacular. It was a family home. One for a family to live in. A garden for children to run around in.

A new legacy. A new story.

“Plenty of designers have ateliers in two countries…” Elio continued.

“Designers?”

“Well, that’s what you are. Time to make those dreams come true.”

I spun around to look at him.

“That’s my dream. What’s yours?”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You. It’s always been you.”

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