Page 21 of Secret Match
One of Gio’s staff brought him a glass without being summoned. Anthony didn’t care that they had company as he said, “Jennifer doesn’t want to be a prisoner.”
If Anthony was desperate and in love, Gio would have helped him, but he wished his brother called ahead. Anthony’s presence alone would cause ripples in his potential merger. He leaned back. “So you felt it was okay to come to my home uninvited?”
The maid froze and would probably talk with his staff over Anthony’s treatment now. He’d clarify later that family was always welcomed to them, despite this exchange. He’d never throw Anthony out and his brother seemed to know it. Anthony plucked a grape from the bunch. “You’re my brother, Gio. And family sticks together.”
Gio nodded and waited for the staff to leave. Once the door closed, he said without touching any wine or fruit, “I need you to leave for your own good. I’m expecting Victoria and her branch of the family to join me.”
“Or your own business plans need me to disappear fast?” Anthony picked up his glass and sipped thoughtfully. Gio chose to honor their mother, remembering she’d echoed their father’s belief that brothers look out for each other. He poured a small glass as Anthony asked, “You’re really merging with the Americans?”
Business, and some vendetta their father thought his families should have that Gio didn’t understand. Anthony was the only one that seemed to listen to the advice of Mitch Morgan. With a prayer to their departed mother for guidance, Gio sipped the newer wine and waited for a moment to answer. “We are going to try it and see. Are those the green trousers from my winter collection you’re wearing?”
“Si.” Anthony tapped his fingers on the black metal table. “Father would be proud of your menswear business though not happy you’re working with his princess.”
Mitch and Anthony had both belittled Gio’s intention to start a fashion line for men. They didn’t think painting wasmanlyeither and had poked his dreams to deflate him. Gio learned to ignore other’s opinions as a result. He sipped his wine. “Anthony, they are coming here at my invitation. None of the Americans or the French family I’ve met seem to be like you or father. It was refreshing not to be judged.”
Anthony lowered his head. “I’m sorry I stole your girlfriend.”
Gio blinked. What was he talking about? But then a vague memory of Piper Lacey flashed in his mind from last year. He’d caught them kissing. At the moment he couldn’t even remember her face, but he didn’t let Anthony get to him. “Piper and I were done— I’ve forgotten. That has nothing to do with now.”
“I was rude to you because I’m not like you, Gio,” Anthony explained. It was just an easy excuse for thinking he had any right to discuss Gio’s business decisions. But then again Anthony always thought he was the one to inherit their father’s business acumen. Anthony then said, “We both know I don’t have your taste, Lorenzo’s brilliance or perfection like Bartolomeo.” Gio popped one of the grapes in his mouth as his brother finished, “We have the same great mom in common.”
And their mother had loved them all. She’d quietly encouraged him not to let his father or brother destroy his intentions and even drove around Milan years ago to find where he should put his first store. Sofia Morgan would want her sons to get along. He chose another juicy red grape. “I can’t un-invite them. Victoria and I have similar goals and together the House of Morgan designs can grow faster and be the biggest house in fashion.”
There. He couldn’t be any clearer, he thought as he ate his grape.
“And I want that for you,” Anthony said. “Jennifer and I will leave in the morning. But for tonight, can we act like family?”
One night. His brother would then take his business and the controversial Jennifer out of his life. Kiwi needed to understand family mattered to him, too. He’d met her mother already. He stood though he took one more grape to eat. “I brought a date home with me.”
He popped it in his mouth as Anthony got to his feet with a slow smile. “You have a new woman in your life?”
There was no way Gio would ever deny Kiwi. He held his head high as he said, “Kiwi is having my baby and I intend to marry her.”
Anthony walked with him across the terrace and back into the villa. “So, it’s serious though the name-”
“Don’t insult her.” Gio interrupted, not caring if his brother left immediately. No one was going to disparage Kiwi, not even family. He’d heard enough of Anthony’s disparaging opinions through the years that he looked his brother in the eye. “If she feels judged in any way, I’m tossing you out tonight.”
“I understand.” Anthony put his hand on his heart like he swore he’d follow orders. “I’ll treat her like our own sister.”
Both of them knew Anthony wasn’t always truthful, but neither said a word.
Gio opened the sitting room door and saw Kiwi and Jennifer sitting across from each other, laughing.
The night would be easier if the women got along and it seemed they were even though Kiwi had told Victoria her location. Kiwi immediately turned toward him and inside his soul, a light grew. He patted his brother’s shoulder. “Kiwi, this is my brother Anthony. He and Jennifer are staying for the night but will leave tomorrow.”
Kiwi stood, and adjusted her green dress. His gaze went to the sexy curve of her hips. She smiled like she’d read his thoughts but said in a serious tone, “Can we talk for a minute”
She pressed her hand on his wrist and his pulse spiked immediately. “Absolutely.”
He led her out to the hall and then to the library next door. Making sure they were alone, he closed the door. “What’s going on?”
She swallowed and took a deep breath. “I texted Victoria that Jennifer is here.”
He’d heard that she’d told Victoria already. “And?”
“The Morgans are all flying in. Now.”
Yesterday his half-brother practically grilled him for information regarding Jennifer so perhaps it was to be expected that Peter Morgan would act.
