Page 69 of The Thief

“I’d love to,” he replies instantly. “When?”

Now. Tomorrow.But I make myself take a deep breath before I answer. Things feel like they’re moving too fast, and I need a day or two to let everything sink in. “How about Tuesday?”

“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

I hang up, sit in one of my new chairs, and breathe in the meadow around me. The king of Venice filled my apartment with flowers, and I invited him to dinner.

Whether I admit it out loud or not, I’m involved with Antonio Moretti.

And that thought both terrifies me and thrills me in equal measure.

36

ANTONIO

On Sunday, Enzo and Tatiana show up for our monthly lunch. “So,” Enzo says as he hangs up his jacket. “That was an interesting turn of events on Thursday.”

“What happened?” Tatiana asks, leading the way into the kitchen.

“Antonio came to Casanova,” he replies. “I was chatting with Valentina and her friend Lucia when our friend here stormed in, gave me his best death glare, and dragged Lucia into a private room.”

“Whoa,” Tatiana says. She pours herself a glass of wine, filling it to the brim, and perches on the counter. “That sounds very dramatic. Tell useverything.”

Both my friends are staring at me with expectant looks on their faces. I drag my hand through my hair.

“What do you want to know? Her name is Lucia. She?—”

“Yes, yes,” Tatiana says with an impatient roll of her eyes. “She’s Venetian, just moved back home after ten years abroad, and she works at the Palazzo Ducale. Tell me something I don’t know.”

I give Enzo an irritated look. “Did you run a background check on her?”

“Of course I did,” he says unrepentantly. “You weren’t acting like yourself. First, you show up at Casanova, which you don’t do because you don’t want anyone to find out that you own it. Second, you scene with a woman at the club, something you’ve never done before. Third, you call Quadri and demand that they stay open for you and take her to dinner there. So, yes, I ran a background check. Stop glaring at me. You’d do the same thing if I were seriously involved with someone.”

He’s right. I wouldn’t stop at a simple background check, either. Since our time on the streets, I’ve watched out for Enzo and Tatiana, and they’ve watched out for me. We’re protective of each other, the three of us. We had to be.

“Fine,” I concede. “Fill your plates, and I’ll answer all your questions over lunch.”

My housekeeper has made sopa coada for lunch. Some recipes call for pigeon, but Agnese’s version is closer to a hearty soup made with beans, vegetables, sausage, and chicken. “Ah, I see Agnese is back,” Enzo says appreciatively as he digs in. “Thank heavens. I was a little nervous about this meal.”

I make a rude gesture in his direction. “I know how to cook.”

“And when was the last time you cooked for someone?” Tatiana prods. “Have you cooked for Lucia? Is it that kind of relationship?”

“Not yet.” A flaw that needs to be rectified. “But I want it to be.”

Enzo looks concerned. “My background check didn’t reveal any previous relationships,” he says. “Plus, she’s only here for a five-month contract. This woman doesn’t commit. I don’t like it.”

“She has her reasons for that.” I set my jaw. “More importantly, it’s none of your business. You’re my family, and I want you both to like Lucia. But I’m going to be with her either way. Your approval isn’t required.”

Enzo pulls out his wallet and hands Tatiana a ten-euro note with a grin. It takes a few seconds for the gesture to sink in.

“Seriously?” I demand. “You were betting on my reaction?”

Tatiana laughs.

“Oh, come on, let us have our fun.” She pats my hand. “Tell us about Lucia. What do you like about her?”

Everything.“She’s not afraid of me,” I reply. “She’s not interested in my money or my influence or what I can do for her. She doesn’t want anything from me. It’s refreshing.” I draw in a breath. “When people see me, they see the head of the mafia. The power, the wealth, and the violence. Not Lucia. She just seesme.”

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