Luca was a barman through and through, and could talk to anyone about any subject. No matter where you came from or what you looked like, Luca could make you feel at home in five minutes.
I put the tray of drinks on the coffee table. I hadn’t finished decorating the tree, and tinsel and ornaments were strewn here and there, making the room cheerier than it had seemed in a long time. I sat down next to Luca and looked at Enzo more carefully. He had black hair and large, dark eyes. His cheeks were still pink from the cold, and his elegant hands were folded over his wool trousers. There was a briefcase at his feet, its calfskin polished to a shine. It struck me that I needed this guy. He might be the only person who could help me understand the story of my family.
Enzo gave me a big, charming smile, took a sip of his gin and tonic, and said, “As I mentioned, I’m here to help you with the documents you should have received.”
“I did receive them,” I said, taking a sip of my drink.
“And is there anything I can help you understand?”
“You can start by telling me what in the hell is going on.” I could hear my voice rising, and felt Luca tense up at my side, but I didn’t care. In the past few hours, everything I had believed about myself had been turned inside out. I wanted answers.
“Well,” Enzo said, straightening, his voice turning lawyerly, as hard and cold as a winter morning. “You’ve inherited a legacy that is worth a great deal, and you will need to travel to Italy to meet with the estate lawyers to claim it.”
Luca said, “What does that mean—worth a great deal?”
“It means,” Enzo said, looking over the living room, his gaze settling on the small, sad-looking Christmas tree, “life-changing.”
I kept my expression neutral, hoping to mask how curious I was about what he could tell me. But in truth, I was dying to know everything about the Montebianco family. I wanted to understand my parents’ silence, my grandfather’s suicide, Nonna’s strange warnings. I wanted to know if my family history might explain the void that had formed at the center of my life.
“That said,” Enzo continued. “There are a few circumstances you should be aware of.” His voice became soft, as if he were telling us a secret. “This isn’t just about money. The Montebianco family is more than just another wealthy family. They are a rather special family. Were special, I should say.”
“Special?” I said, suspicious. “Special how?”
Enzo took a sip of his drink, swirled the ice, and took another. “What I’m trying to say is that your inheritance is not simply a matter of cash. It is comprised of quite a few other . . . elements.”
“The letter mentioned a list of assets,” I said. “A property in Nevenero.”
“Yes, there is that, of course. But I’m not referring to Montebianco Castle,” he said, finishing off his drink and putting it on the coffee table. “The Montebianco family is an old one. There are very few families like it in the world. Your first noble ancestor was born in the thirteenth century. You are the twenty-ninth generation to inherit the family title.”
“Wow,” I said, trying to imagine it. “I guess everyone has to come from somewhere.”
Enzo laughed. “Yes,” he said. “They do. That is certain. And you come from a very particular somewhere. The estate would like to speak with you to discuss your position. To offer guidance. The sooner the better.”
“It can’t hurt to get more information,” Luca said, and, if I hadn’t known him better, I’d have said he was warming to the idea of the Montebianco fortune.
“Okay,” I said. Maybe he was right. Nothing wrong with more information. “I’d like to speak with them.”
“Perfect,” Enzo said, looking relieved.
“What’s the time difference in Italy?” I asked. “Is it too late to call now? Or we could do it tomorrow?”
“It is too late, as a matter of fact. And besides,” he added, giving me a serious look, “the estate will need to speak with you in person. Everything has been arranged. The estate is waiting for us in Turin. Transportation has been scheduled. We can go whenever you’re ready.”
“What? Now?” I said, startled. “As in right this minute? There’s no way I can go now.”
“Why not?” Enzo asked. “Luca, you are more than welcome to join us, of course. Clearly, this inheritance affects