I walked over and removed her sweater, leaving her in the undershirt I’d insisted she wear. “Sit!” I helped her onto the side of the bed and lifted her legs one at a time to remove her knee-high boots before laying her back on the pillows. “Sleep, I’m right here.”
I turned to the slightly open door where I’d heard and sensed a presence to find her grandmother watching us. “Is she okay?”
“Yes, she’ll be fine.”
“We’ll call you down to dinner in a little while then.” She pulled the door a little bit, not closing it all the way but close and walked away. Gianna was out cold by the time I turned back to her. I guess the built-up tension had finally done her in. Great, I can use the time to get started on some stuff.
If that old lady can get past Draco, and my money is on her, I may not have to wait as long as I’d thought to get things started. Crap, unsecured location, dare I risk it? Nah, I’ll wait until we get back home. I pulled up the bedside chair close to the bed and sat to watch her sleep.
Though I’d have been more comfortable lying beside her, I didn’t want anything to mar her first reunion, and grandma looks like the ‘not under my roof unless you’re married’ type. I could faintly hear voices coming from downstairs and was sure they were picking everything apart.
I’m glad I’d dressed her this evening because even if my girl doesn’t know, I’m sure her grandmother and aunts had recognized every designer she was wearing, from the Hermes riding boots and silk scarf to the Chanel bag and beret.
She woke about an hour later, looking well-rested and just in time for dinner. “Do you need to freshen up?” I had to ask because we made a deal not to unpack her overnight case until I was absolutely sure she would be okay here.
“No, I’ll just wash my face.” She walked into the en suite bath to take care of that while I stretched.
Downstairs the family of women was gathered, and I was about to suggest leaving now instead of later for the hotel room I’d rented, but Gianna was back to being a vine. I looked at her, and though there was no fear, she was still not comfortable, so these ladies were gonna have to deal.
It didn’t turn out so bad, except Gianna had to keep watching me to see which utensil to use until I caught on and started signaling her before each course. Of course, Becky, the sewer rat, couldn’t be bothered raising her in the style her mother would’ve, but what’s Felix’s excuse?
Lobster bisque, stuffed tomatoes, three different kinds of salad, and steaks the size of Manhattan, followed by the creamiest tiramisu that would make Lancelot give up a lung. I had a blast watching Miss. Picky try to make her way through all that.
At least the conversation seemed much lighter, and she even laughed a time or two. “So, your grandmother is Anastasia Russo!”
“You know my nana?”
“She was one of the leading socialites in the north when we were all much younger. Lovely woman, and that husband of hers, is he still a rascal? It’s been many moons; I want to say twenty years since I’ve seen Anastasia. It’s rather odd, though, if she is your grandmother, why hasn’t she registered your sisters for the ball in Paris?”
“Um, I’m not sure what happened there.” Yeah, I am; it’s called Draco Russo being overprotective.
“You must give me her number; it would be nice to see her again.”
“She’ll be at the party next weekend.”
“Oh, that’s right, we were invited. I thought with this visit; the invitation might’ve been rescinded.
“No, ma’am. I’m sure you’d like to see where Gianna lives.” You’d have thought a bomb exploded.
“What do you mean? Did Felix and that woman kick you out of your house?” It was the way she said it.
“What do you mean her house?”
“My husband and I bought that house for Adrienne as a wedding present with the stipulation it must be passed on to her future children. It was left to Gianna to inherit on her eighteenth birthday. My daughters wanted to kick them out long ago, but we decided for Gianna’s sake to leave it alone, or who knows where they would’ve raised her.”
You don’t say! Now, what would you do if you suddenly found yourself without a roof over your head, but you can’t leave the state because you have charges pending? Hmm. Time to turn up the heat under Felix. I doubt New York would kick up much of a fuss if she skipped town since it’s not their jurisdiction, but grand theft auto in the state of New Hampshire is a whole other ballgame.
“Young man, you just got the most sinister look on your face. Whatever are you thinking about?”
“Hunting!”
“Oh, do you hunt?”
“It’s my favorite sport.” Once again, Gianna gave me the side-eye but took pity on me and didn’t rebut my statement. This trip was turning out to be just full of resourcefulness.
“By the way, Gia, have you spoken to your old housekeeper yet?” That question, for some reason, had me going on high alert. This is it. The part of the story I could never make make sense. And the piece of the puzzle I was sure was going to make all the others fit.
GABRIEL
Bedtime came way too soon, and I got ready to leave; though I dreaded leaving her in a strange place, I knew the time spent with her family would be beneficial to her. But she wasn’t making it easy. “I’m not that far, call me if you need me, and I’ll come get you; otherwise, call before you fall asleep, and I’ll stay up with you, okay.”
She nodded but didn’t look convinced. “Come on, walk me out. I’m sure there’s a lot they want to say without me there.” She walked me to the door and outside, where the temperature had dropped. I looked around the outside of the house, picking out her room just in case—Draco Russo training at work.
“Kiss me goodbye, so I know you’re okay with me leaving.” That’s about the most domesticated thing I’ve ever said in my life. Luckily for me, she got up on her toes and pressed her lips to mine. I get a kick out of knowing that neither of us had ever shared this with anyone else before, though she refuses to believe it.
“Go on inside now; it’s cold out here.” I waited for her to obey before getting into the waiting car, feeling the distance as we drove down the driveway. I was torn all the way to the hotel but soon got lost once I settled down in the suite where I broke out my mac and got to work. As much as I wanted to have Becky and her spawn removed from Gianna’s home immediately, by the time I got down to it, that seemed too damn easy. Besides, I want to be there to make sure it’s done right.
Instead, I spent some time thinking of the best way to use this new information. The way that would do the most harm. There was so much going on I could hardly sit still. I won’t be telling Pop about the Parisian ball; I’ll leave that to my new friend, Mrs. Eloise Lyon, and nana. I’ll remember to call her in the morning to make sure it was okay to give the other woman her number and let them run circles around Pop. He gives me a headache when I try.
I checked my watch when it seemed like a lot of time had passed, and she didn’t call me to say goodnight. I wonder if she’s mad that I didn’t stay, and that’s why she’s not calling. Did I give her the impression that I didn’t care by just callously leaving her with people she barely knew?