Page 63 of The Broker
“It was a relatively low-risk undertaking. It’s the holiday season, and the stores are crowded with shoppers. If Revenant were to attack in public, it would set off a huge outcry, and the Carabinieri would hunt him down.” He smiles at me. “What did you buy Angelica?”
I sigh heavily. “I asked her what she wanted for Christmas, and she said she wanted the two dogs she saw at the rescue. I was hoping she’d forgotten all about it, but no. She really has her heart set on them. And we just don’t have enough room for two dogs.”
“I have the space,” he says casually. “If you lived here, you could get her the dogs she wants.”
I go still. “Dante, did you just ask us to move in with you?”
“I did.” His expression is wary. “I’ve waited for you for ten years, Valentina. I don’t want to wait any longer. I’m shamelessly using Angelica as an excuse. I might have even shown her those dogs—I admit nothing.” He laces his fingers in mine. “It’s soon, yes. But this thing between us. . . Itworks.And I can’t let you go.”
It does work. And I can’t let Dante go, either. “I’m going to think about it,” I tell him. “I need to talk to Angelica as well. But. . .”
“But?”
“I’m leaning toward yes.”
Christmas arrives, and Angelica opens her presents. She’s been interested in painting recently, so Dante bought her an easel and a paint set that would not be out of place in a professional painter’s studio. “You spoil her,” I tell him, and he flashes me a grin. “Hey, at least it’s not a pony.”
I get Angelica clothes, Legos and board games, new ballet flats, and baking supplies. No dogs. I tried adopting Lupo and Orso from the shelter, but the woman in charge had very firm feelings about pets under the Christmas tree. “No,” she said firmly. “I’ve had too many pets given as presents and returned by the new year to let you have them. Come back in January if you still want them.”
She looked so fierce that I hadn’t argued with her any further. “I’ll see you on the second,” I said mildly. “Please don’t let anyone else adopt them in the meantime.”
I wracked my brain about what to buy Dante, finally settling for tickets to the Grand Prix. “You told me I didn’t have to buy you anything,” he accuses me when I hand him the envelope.
“You don’t.” This day, with Angelica playing with her Legos and Dante leaning against the couch, his legs stretched out and his face lighting up when he sees the Formula One tickets—this is the gift I need.
He hands me a flat box. “It’s a good thing I didn’t listen.”
I open the lid. Nestled inside is a pendant hanging on a thin gold chain. A golden sparrow perches on a hoop set with small diamonds. My eyes go wide. This isn’t something he bought in a store. This is custom-made.
And it’s perfect.
“What do you think?” he asks.
“It’s beautiful.” Angelica is too busy looking up Lego instructions on my laptop to pay attention to us, but I’m okay with her overhearing me. “I love you.”
His eyes are very soft. “I love you too, sparrow.”
Lucia calls me the day after Christmas to tell me that she and Antonio are getting married. “The wedding is in two weeks,” she says. “Will you be my maid of honor, and will Angelica be my flower girl?”
“She’d be delighted, and so would I.”
We chat for a long time about the various details. Rosa’s going to make the wedding dress; the first fitting is scheduled for tomorrow. Neither Antonio nor Lucia is religious, but they’re still getting married at Il Redentore, the church in Giudecca that dates back to the sixteenth century. Lucia’s hired someone to do the flowers and the decor but wants me to supervise, a task I’m glad to take on. I’m thrilled for my friend. She’s been hurting from her parents’ deaths for a very long time, but she finally seems healed and at peace. Antonio dotes on her, and it’s obvious that he makes her very,veryhappy. Almost as happy as Dante makes me. The two of them are going to have a lifetime of joy together.
I’m working in Dante’s office two days later when the doorbell rings. It’s just me at home. Dante stepped out to the store, and Angelica is in Antonio’s palazzo, where Agnese is teaching her how to bake.
I’m wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, no bra. I have three bras that fit, and all of them are in the laundry basket, waiting for me to handwash them. I pull on Dante’s sweater to hide the visible nipple situation and head downstairs to investigate.
It’s Silvio, and next to him is a stranger, a man in his forties with slicked-back hair. “I’m sorry to bother you, Valentina,” Silvio says apologetically. “But Signor Trevisani insists he needs to speak with Signor Colonna.”
“He isn’t here. He just stepped out for some bread.” Marta has the week off, so we’re doing our own grocery shopping. It’s amazing how quickly you get spoiled.
“I have the information he asked for.” Trevisani looks around nervously. “Can I wait inside?”
I look at Silvio, and he shrugs. I consider the situation. Trevisani must be on Leo’s authorized list because otherwise, the guards would have stopped him before he knocked on the door. It still feels weird to let a total stranger into the house, especially so close after our state of high alert.
“I’m an officer in the Carabinieri,” Trevisani says urgently, showing me his badge. “I can’t be seen outside Colonna’s house. If someone recognizes me—”
Fair enough. “Come on in,” I invite. Silvio looks like he wants to join us, but it’s only him on duty today. “I’ve got it, Silvio.”