Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Of course,” I murmured.
“The house staff has very few changes. I’ve had the same crew for over six years.”
“The house is always immaculate,” I agreed.
I changed the subject, and we talked about her daughter and grandkids for a bit. She shared a couple funny stories about Matteo, which made me laugh. When I saw she was getting tired, I stood. “I’ll come back soon,” I promised. I enjoyed talking to her.
“Oh, before you go, bring me my purse, please.”
I handed it to her, and she reached in and withdrew a set of keys and a transponder. “My car and house keys and pass to get in the gate and open the garage door. I am sure Mr. Campari needs them back.”
I took them, turning the transponder over, running my finger over the piece of tape.
“Oh,” she whispered. “Don’t tell them. I could never remember the password to get back in, so I wrote it on that piece of tape. Pull it off before you give it to him.”
Recalling the Post-it note she had hidden under her old laptop, I held back my grin. “I will.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. “Thank you for coming, dear.”
“You’re welcome.”
I slipped the keys and transponder into my purse then went downstairs to Marcus.
When we pulled into the garage at the house, I showed him the transponder and the keys. He chuckled. “We all knew she couldn’t remember. We put a new piece of tape on the back every time we changed her code. I’ll just put it in the car. Matteo hasn’t decided what to do with it.”
“I could drive it.”
He laughed. “When he decides you can drive on your own, Evie, the car he gets you will be much better than a little Toyota.”
I rather liked the little Toyota, but I didn’t argue. I needed to pick my battles.
For the next while, life seemed almost normal. As normal as life could be when you were married to a man like Matteo. I didn’t question his time away, knowing he wouldn’t discuss it. He kept that part of his life closed off. The house was quieter, feeling empty without him, even though the rooms at the other end of the house still held crew members who were constantly busy. I rarely ventured to that side, knowing Matteo preferred me not to. When he returned, he seemed fine, although I noticed he held me tighter and liked to find reasons to be around me. I was pleased to think I brought him some measure of peace.
The second time he went away, I decided I had been patient long enough. In the morning, I made a tray of muffins, brewed a pot of coffee, and let myself into the room used by Roza, Lila, and Gianna. I was early, and I sat at the empty desk beside the spot where I knew Gianna worked every day. When the door opened a short time later, I looked up to see her falter as she entered. Vince followed her, offering me one of his wide smiles. “Hey, Evie.”
“Hello, Vince.”
I had noticed Vince didn’t always go with Matteo. Marcus was a constant and a few others, but Vince stayed behind, presumably due to Gianna. I found it touching he put his wife ahead of everything else.
Gianna crossed to her desk, tugging off her jacket. She wore a long-sleeved shirt and dark pants. Her hair was swept into a long ponytail. She was beautiful but looked upset as she sat down, her dark eyes, so much like Matteo’s, regarding me nervously.
“Hello, Gianna.”
She nodded. “Evie.”
“I’ll leave you ladies to it. Okay, Gianna?” Vince asked softly.
She hesitated, then sighed. “Yes.”
“I’ll be back later. Wait, are those muffins?”
I chuckled. “There’s a basket of them in the kitchen.”
He rubbed his hands together. “I’m off, then. See you later.”
He closed the door, and for minutes, the room was silent. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.
“How are you today, Gianna?”
“I–I’m good. How are you settling in?”
I huffed out a big breath. “I would be lying if I said it was all good. It’s an adjustment.”
“Is Matteo being difficult?”
The question surprised me. “No, it’s an adjustment for him as well. He is trying to help me.”
I lifted the coffeepot, pouring us each a cup, adding cream and sugar, and offering one to her. She accepted it with a smile. “You know how I like my coffee?”
“I asked Matteo.” I picked up the muffins. “He said blueberry was your favorite.”
She took one, biting it and closing her eyes. “These are so good. Thank you.” She ate a few mouthfuls, then set the muffin on her desk.
“Evie, I know you’re married to my brother, and I know I’ve not been welcoming. I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. “I’m not here to make you feel bad, Gianna. I was hoping to get to know you a little more. Perhaps become friends. I miss Matteo when he is gone, and I’m lonely.”