Page 92 of Sins of the Son

“Where are we going?”

She laughed. “Shopping, of course!”

CHAPTER 32

CESARE

I tapped my fingers on my knee as the helicopter made its descent onto the Diamanti headquarters helipad. Receiving word from Sebastian that Milana was indeed safe with my Aunt Gabriella had done nothing to allay my agitation. Nothing would, until I had her back in my arms and under my protection. Not even knowing Sebastian had several guards shadowing them as my Aunt Gabriella single-handedly made the quarterly sales quota of several grateful clerks as she flitted from designer store to designer store around Rome.

Not that I begrudged Milana her new purchases, far from it. I was pleased to know my aunt was taking her under her wing and finally giving my girl the luxury clothes she had always coveted.

I was annoyed I wasn’t there for the fashion show.

I wanted to be there to see her face light up as the salesclerks from Versace, Cavalli, Valentino, Ferragamo, and the like fawned over her like she deserved.

The corner of my mouth lifted as I unbuckled my harness and unlatched the helicopter door. I guessed I would just have to spoil her all over again with another shopping trip, except this one would be for her wedding dress and honeymoon wardrobe. Perhaps I would take her to Milan? To my knowledge, she had never been. I was going to enjoy showing my babygirl the world.

My smile faded. That was if I could convince her to return with me.

Convince was the wrong word. More like if I could persuade her to not be too furious when I hauled her over my shoulder and carried her back to Cavalieri and our home there whether or not she liked it.

I stepped out of the helicopter and bent low to run across the tarmac. Sebastian emerged from a pair of tinted glass doors etched with the Diamanti family crest of a rearing dragon and unicorn.

Crede nullis. Vince omnes.

Trust none. Conquer all.

I smirked. It was no coincidence our families were so closely aligned.

He held out his hand. The moment I clasped it, he pulled me in for a one-armed hug and patted my back. “Cesare, my friend, let’s go inside, away from the noise," he called out over the still-spinning helicopter blades.

I nodded in response.

We entered through the tinted glass doors and walked down a long hallway. After riding in a private elevator, we emerged into a private conference room. I knew I needn’t be concerned about being overheard or security. The diamond business was significantly more cutthroat than the wine business. Sebastian’s offices were more secure than Agenzia Informazioni e Sicurezza Interna. They were swept not just daily, but every few hours for any form of listening device. In addition to the room being completely soundproof.

Sebastian unbuttoned his suit jacket as he gestured for me to grab a seat in one of the high-backed black leather executive chairs. “Caffe? Aperitivo?”

I waved him off. “I’m fine.”

He nodded and took a seat. Leaning back, he studied me thoughtfully before speaking.

I accepted his scrutiny. Anyone who had spent any time in Sebastian’s presence knew he weighed his words carefully and assumed those around him would patiently wait for him to speak. Or, more accurately, expected them to wait.

He rubbed his index finger over his lower lip. He then leaned forward, placing his forearms on the highly polished mahogany surface of the conference table. “I have to congratulate you on your choice of bride, Cesare. Milana is a stunning creature. Graceful and beautiful. Met my gaze straight on, despite clearly being alarmed at my appearance. Have to admire that. There are many men who don’t have the same courage. A fitting wife for a Cavalieri.”

If those words had been uttered by any other man, I might have gotten possessively jealous, but Sebastian was like a brother. He would never steal what was mine. I accepted the compliment on Milana’s behalf. “It gets better. She’s fucking brilliant.”

Sebastian pulled an oxblood leather portfolio toward him and opened it. He looked over a file and raised an eyebrow. “Judging by what I found out, she’s definitely smarter than your dumb ass.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “A man doesn’t have to be smart to succeed in life. He only has to be smart in who he chooses to marry.”

“Speaking of stupid fucking choices in wives, how’s your brother doing?”

All levity forgotten, my lips thinned. “Just when we think it can’t get any worse with that woman, she exceeds our expectations. We are both more than a little concerned she might be mixed up in this mess with Milana.”

Sebastian hissed air through his teeth. “Fuck. That bad?”

“Depends on what you found out.”

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