Page 18 of Empire of Seduction
“I didn’t swindle him. The boy is shit at cards. It’s not my fault he borrowed more than he could repay.” We both knew how this worked. It shouldn’t even be a discussion.
“Fuck me,” he muttered. “Any chance I can talk you out of it? Or offer to cover what Michael lost?”
“No. I want the winery.”
“Why? Their wine is shit.”
“I think I can make it better.” I had some ideas on this, none that Maggie would like. I was very much looking forward to those conversations.
“Go back to Toronto! No one wants you here!”
She had fire, this girl. For someone so young, she was bold and confident. Unafraid, certainly. We’d fucked all over that hotel suite in every position, mostly at her request.
“Against the windows, Vito. Let everyone watch us. Think of how jealous they’ll be.”
Benetti’s voice dragged me out of my memories. “I’m assuming you’ll return to Toronto.”
He wouldn’t want me or my men hanging around, which made sense. But while this was Benetti’s territory, I didn’t take orders from him. “Yes, in a few weeks. I want to get the winery sorted first.”
“Of course you pull this shit when I’m out of town.”
“If you were here, I’d still proceed with my plans.” I paused. “I’m not encroaching. I have enough to handle in Toronto as it is.”
“Yet you want to own a winery in Paesano.”
“A good investment, no?”
“Not this one. They are barely surviving.”
I wondered how he knew this. His wife, maybe? “As I said, I believe I can turn it around.”
“No offense, but what do you know about running a winery?”
“Go enjoy your honeymoon.”
“D’Agostino.” Silence stretched on the other end as if he were thinking. Finally, he said, “This girl means something to my wife, capisce? So I expect you to treat the family fairly. Respectfully. And I also expect you to be gone by the time I return next month.”
I didn’t like threats. “Or?”
“I was grateful for your assistance when I first came to New York. But don’t jeopardize our alliance by acting foolishly.”
About a year ago I helped him with one of his cousins, who went rogue during a drug deal. In exchange, I took a slice of the casino. “As I said, I’m staying only a few weeks. I have no designs on the area, except for the winery.”
“See that it stays that way.A presto.” He disconnected.
“Was he pissed?” Tommaso glanced at me. “About us sticking around?”
“Wary, but it’s to be expected. I’d feel the same if the situation were reversed.”
“Well, those cabins are fucking cold. Please tell me we can buy some heaters today.”
I took another swig of my cappuccino. “Along with an espresso machine, yes. And I’m getting a contractor out there to make whatever changes we want.”
“I thought you told Benetti that we aren’t staying.”
“We’re not. But the bedroom is the size of a closet and there are no fucking blinds.”
“You should see the tiny beds.” Tommaso snickered. “Gaetano rolled over in the middle of the night and fell onto the floor. I nearly pissed myself, I laughed so hard.”
