Page 11 of Savage Prince

I glare at my father from across the table at the quaint restaurant along the canal. The picturesque district of the Navigli is another one of my favorites, but unlike the trendy areas I’d brought my cousins, this one has a bohemian flair with a charming array of boutiques and art galleries offering local crafts and artworks. It’s nothing like the grand canals of Venezia, but it’s cute and the polar opposite of the hectic nightlife of downtown.

Papàstares at me like I’ve grown a second head. Like it’s perfectly natural to offer bribes to advance my career.

“You can’t just butt into my life like that, Pa.”

“What? I was only trying to help. Bribery is the local language in Italy.”

“Merda,” I mumble. The man has spent his entire life surviving in the shadows and has no concept of what it’s like to live a normal existence.

“Serena Valentino,” he growls.

“Oh, fuck off, Dad. I know you’ve heard much worse.”

He slams his hand on the table and the old wood creaks in protest. “It doesn’t mean I have to like that foul language coming from my only daughter’s lips.”

“Then you shouldn’t have interfered in my life!”

“Excuse me for caring.” He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest like an overgrown baby. I honestly don’t know how my mother puts up with him.

“First thing tomorrow morning, you call Bianca and take back whatever you offered her. I want to earn this job on my own merits.Capisci?” I shoot him a narrowed glare.

“Si, of course, whatever you want,cuore mio.”

My heart. The childhood nickname hits, and the scowl entrenched across my jaw falters. Now, he’s really laying it on thick.

“So you’re actually flying back to Manhattan tonight?” I push the remains of the risotto Milanese across my plate, the vibrant golden color of the typical dish from Milano has become one of my staples. For a second, I’d lost my appetite, but now, it’s starting to return. I may just have to spring for my favorite post-dinnergelatoafter all.

He nods. “I only came for a quick meeting this afternoon in Rome. Now I must return before Luca misses me.”

I laugh. “Yeah, right. I bet he’s thrilled you’re out of his hair.”

“Don’t be too upset, Sere, I’ll see you back in Manhattan in just a few weeks, no?”

I nod quickly, remembering I promised to return at the end of the summer. Now it’ll only be to pack up my things for the permanent move, assuming I still get the job. At least I’ll get a chance to see Bella and the cousin crew before I leave for good.

“Does Uncle Luca even know you’re here?”

He ignores my question and takes a long sip of his wine, delaying his answer.

My dad and uncle haven’t exactly had the best relationship, especially not when they were young. Now they seem to have come to an understanding. Luca is the ruthless businessman, smart and level-headed whilePapàis the enforcer with zero impulse control, but he’ll do anything to get the job done.

Together, they make a formidable pair.

Papà’s phone vibrates on the table as I pick at the final bites of risotto. “Cazzo,” he mutters before continuing on a tirade in Italian.

Once I’ve finished off the risotto, I wash it down with a healthy sip ofBarolo. After he’s done yelling at Aldo across the phone, he shoves his cell in his pocket and reaches for his own glass of red wine. Gulping down the rest in a big swallow, he hisses another curse.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mi dispiace, but I’m going to have to go. Something has come up that I should handle while I’m in town.”

An odd flicker of loneliness settles low in my chest. Now that the anger has past maybe I just need to fill the void with something. Or maybe it was seeing Bella and the rest of the crew and then their quick departure. “You’re sorry? But I barely saw you and we didn’t even get thegelato.”Nocciolais my dad’s favorite, the unique hazelnut flavor not one that’s easilyfound back home. I’d chosen this restaurant because there’s an artisanalgelatoshop just around the corner along the canal.

“What can I say, Serena? I must speak to this associate, and it’s essential I do so in person.”

“Then, I’ll go with you.”

“Serena…” While Uncle Luca has always encouraged Bella and her younger brother Vinny to be involved in the family business—the legitimate parts anyway—Papàhas taken the opposite approach. Maybe it’s because while Luca deals with the lawful real estate development and construction side of the corporation, my father has always preferred the dark, underground dealings.

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