Page 65 of That's Amore

Lucia’s eyes narrowed with anger. “I’ve been loyal to this company for years, Dante. To you.”

Cazzo! She had been with the company for exactly twenty-eight months, yet she was acting like a lifelong employee being unceremoniously discarded?If that wasn’t proof of her delusions, I didn’t know what was.

“Lucia—”

“How can you just throw me aside?” she demanded haughtily.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Clara jot something down. I was sure she was noticing as I was that Lucia’s composure was cracking, and it appeared she was forgetting we had an audience.

I steepled my fingers, keeping my expression neutral. “You’ll receive a very generous severance package, Lucia. I’ve ensured the transition will be smooth for you. And, of course, I’m happy to provide a recommendation for any future opportunities.”

She stared at me for a long moment, lips pressed into a thin line. “Is this about your wife?”

Si!She had definitely forgotten that Clara was in the room documenting our every word. She should have known not to discuss my personal life in a meeting such as this. As a lawyer, I expected better from Lucia.

“This is about what’s best for the Giordano Hotel Group,” I replied evenly. I would not discuss my personal life with Lucia, not ever fucking again.

Lucia didn’t believe me—of course, she didn’t—and I waited for her to step into it some more.

Her fingers clenched in her lap before she finally spoke again, her voice dropping ominously. “You think I don’t know how you feel about me?”

Ferdinando had warned me that this might happen—that she would abandon professionalism and turn to the personal in a last-ditch effort to shift the power dynamic.

I exhaled slowly, leaning back in my chair. “At both of your annual reviews, I’ve told you how I feel about you as your direct manager and the CEO of?—”

“Cut the crap, Dante.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “We are meant tobe.Lo sai bene.”

No, Lucia, I don’t know that, I thought unhappily. I was to blame for part of this. Even though it was for work, I had spent a lot of time with Lucia,alone, which had given her the ideas that made her think this way. Subconsciously, I may have given her more evidence with my behavior, especially since we’d had intimacy in the past and I had wondered if I should’ve married her. At work and always with her, I’d kept it professional but maybe not entirely. Ihaddanced with her, but then I’d danced with Giulia on several occasions at work parties.

Regardless, telling Elysa that she and I were having sex was crossing way too many lines.

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you propositioning me while I’m terminating your employment?”

The moment the words left my mouth, Lucia stiffened, realizing—far too late—that she’d just made a massive mistake.

The way she looked at Clara and then closed her eyes to calm herself told me everything I needed to know. She had just spoken herself out of a lawsuit—and she knew it.

She rose slowly, smoothing her pencil skirt and lifting her chin.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Dante,” she drawled, her tone icy. “Because once I’m gone, you’ll realize just how much you relied on me.”

“I wish you the best in your future endeavors. Clara here will walk you to your office and walkyou through all the employment termination paperwork.” I stayed seated, not even giving her the dignity of shaking hands and pretending this was all business. I wasn’t going to touch this viper.

My wife was off limits, Lucia should’ve known that. Everyone should know that.

Patrizia was also discovering the repercussions of crossing me. I knew she’d already lost two contracts with prominent Italian celebrities, and I was making sure she’d lose all of them. I hadn’t built my reputation by being soft on crimes committed against my family. By the time I was done, both Patrizia and Lucia would rue the day they came after Elysa.

Lucia almost bumped into poor Clara, who was following her when she turned around with her hand on my office door. “I don’t think you realize how dangerous I can be.”

Ferdinando’s advice echoed in my mind: Keep it clean, keep it drama-free, and document everything.

I nodded but said nothing as she pushed open the door and walked out, slamming it behind her to make a point that was wasted on me.

I called Ferdinando and told him that the deed was done and that he needed to take over as outside counsel. His first task was to negotiate Lucia’s exit package with her. Ferdinando sounded immensely satisfied with how the meeting went and told me that Lucia was no longer my problem and that he’d handle her, which was music to my ears.

By the time I finished work, it was late.

For the past two weeks, I had been leaving the office early to be at Bistro Marmorata by seven for dinner with my wife, although she didn’t sit with me.

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