That’s enough to create a crack inside of me. I rarely get nostalgic, since the most significant portions of my past are not something I’d like to return to. Just thinking about Estelle conjures up this fierce need to go into protective mode.
Even now, all I can focus on is how manipulative Giorgio Conti must have been in brainwashing her into falling for him. I’ve seen it happen with her too many times to think it could be anything other than that.
Mona’s next words surprise me.
“Giorgio would like to meet with you.”
“He would?”
“Yes, today, if you can find time in what I’m sure is a very busy schedule for you.” She says it in such a way that warns me I’d be remiss if I didn’t agree to this. “I think it says a lot that he wants there to be peace between you and Estelle rather than be something that comes between you two.”
“Is that so?” I say, unconvinced.
“Yes. And Magnus?”
“Yes, Mona.”
“I’ve seen enough of the two of them to know. If she has to choose, this time, it won’t be you.”
I stare at the wall to consider that. Mona is not one to make idle threats just to make a point or create peace. She has the sort of intuition that always made me wonder why she never married or had children.
It’s enough for me to take the warning seriously.
“I’ll clear my schedule for him.”
* * *
Once again, I’ve instructed my assistant to hold all calls and keep any intrusions at bay.
All to meet with Giorgio Conti, as per his request.
I still can’t help feeling like this will be nothing more than swatting a fly away. I fully expect this meeting to be one where the hammer falls, and he reveals his true intentions—namely that of asking for money.
“Bonjour,” he announces as he walks into my office.
“Bonjour,” I gesture to the seat across from me. “Please have a seat.”
I study him as he walks in, searching for any hint of feral greed. The look on his face is pleasant but determined. I can usually spot a bluffer, and so far, Giorgio has given nothing away that would make me suspicious.
Which in and of itself is suspicious.
“So, you wanted to talk to me about my sister,” I say, slightly stressing the last part so he knows what she means to me.
“Sì—yes, I do.”
I idly wave my hand, giving him the floor, making sure my own poker face is intact.
All hints of pleasantness leave his face as he looks me directly in the eye.
“I love Estelle.”
Not very inventive, but as good an opener as any.
“If any other man on earth had disrespected her the way you did last night, he would be in the hospital.”
If any other man on earth talked to me this way, the same would be true of him. But at least he has my attention.
“But I know you are her older brother. I have two older brothers of my own, so I understand your need to feel protective over her. As a younger sibling, I also understand what it is like to be…pampered? Is how you’d say it? Treated like you are incapable of making decisions for yourself.”
I fold my hands in front of me, my elbows resting on the arms of my chair as I lean back. I’m curious to see where this is going.
“But Estelle is a woman.” He pauses as though to make sure that sinks into my thick head.
I simply lower my eyes in acknowledgment.
“I know about her past with men, so I understand your concern. I am not one of those men. I have no interest in what money Estelle may have…or that which she does not have. I love her for her, because she loves finding beauty in the world. Because she has the same creative mind that I do. Because I enjoy staying up late, watching the stars with her. For the past six months, there hasn’t been a day where I don’t at least talk to her on the phone.”
Six damn months?
Still, I keep my face perfectly neutral.
“It takes more than stargazing to create a relationship.”
He gives me an indulgent smile. “Sì, I know this. But one has to start somewhere, no? I knew within a month that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with your sister. I’m willing to do what it takes to convince you of that.”
I have to admit that he’s managed to sway me. But I’ve dealt with wolves in sheep’s clothing most of my life. The best charmers are usually psychopaths underneath.
“Tell me about your prior engagement. The one you broke off.”
To his credit, he only blinks once.
“My family is old-fashioned. They are also heavily invested in our company. They wanted me to marry an Italian girl, from a family that would…benefit the business. Gabriella was the daughter of an Italian man who owns a successful textile design house. Our families were close and had done business in the past. But…” he shrugs and grins. “Gabriella was in love with someone else. Since I didn’t love her, we agreed amongst ourselves to end the engagement.”
“How did your families feel about that?”
He gives me a knowing smile. “They were not happy.”
“And now?”
He considers me. “You are worried about Estelle and what they might think of her.”
“Obviously.”
“Yes, my family is old fashioned, but they are also understanding. They believe in love as much as I do.”
“I suppose that makes me a cynic.”
He chuckles. “In that you don’t believe in love?”
“In that I’m a bit more practical than that.”
He studies me once again. “That is only because you’ve never experienced it. Not romantic love at any rate.”
I feel a surge of anger rush through me. How dare this…boy, come into my office and dictate—
“When you do, you’ll do whatever you have to in order to make it work, practical or not. Fortunately, Estelle and I are perfect for one another.”
“Is that so?” I say,
