Page 52 of A Touch of Fate

“I’m taking Emma to dinner at La Cantina tonight.”

Renato searched my eyes. “Good for you. Have the gnocchi for me. I haven’t been there in a week. We need to have lunch there again.”

I nodded, then turned on my heel and headed to the bar where the barkeeper was testing different cocktails.

“Negroni,” I said.

He frowned, but his expression smoothed the moment he recognized my face. He gave a quick nod and began to mix the drink, then pushed it over to me. I took a sip, then nodded appreciatively. It was good. I emptied it, then had another before I pulled my car keys from my pocket and got up.

“I could call you a taxi.”

I sent the man a look that made him pale. “I advise you to keep your nose out of your customer’s business, but especially out of mine. I make the rules in this city.”

I strode away, pissed off.

My mood had marginally improved when I entered our mansion. The moment I spotted Emma coming out of the elevator, my anger evaporated. She wore a copper silk dress with thin spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline. A high slit revealed her slender leg and black pumps. I shut the door and blew out a breath. “Wow.”

Emma blushed and gave me a happy smile. “I wasn’t sure what kind of place this was. Cantina sounded more rustic, and they don’t have a website, but I read a few reviews that it’s become the Italian restaurant of the city, so I wanted to be safe. Better overdressed than underdressed. Right?”

Nerves shone on her face.

I nodded and stalked toward her. “You look beautiful.”

“I was worried you had changed your mind.”

I glanced at my watch. I was fifteen minutes late. “I should have called. I’m not used to someone waiting for me.” My mother had stopped when I’d grown increasingly annoyed over the years.

“You’re here, and I’m excited.” She paused. “And nervous.”

I took her hand. “Why?”

“I know people will talk.”

“They always do. But they better get used to us making public appearances because I intend to show you off more often.”

Emma’s smile widened.

“Come on.”

During the ride to La Cantina, Renato tried to call me twice. When he tried a third time as I parked the car, I turned off the sound and shoved my phone into the inside pocket of my jacket.

“Why do you ignore him? Don’t you think it could be important?”

I glanced at Emma. “He probably only wants to know if I put in a good word for him with Giorgia’s brother yet.”

Emma’s mouth fell open. “He wants to marry her? Giorgia didn’t even like him.”

I chuckled. “Well, that may be, but apparently, they struck a deal.”

Emma shook her head. “Why?”

“I don’t know why Giorgia wants to marry Renato, but he needs a bride from a conservative family by the time he turns thirty, or he’ll lose his position as Captain.”

“That’s horrible.”

“Arranged marriages are like business deals.”

My engagement to Emma had been. A quid pro quo that Emma wouldn’t be fond of if she found out.

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