the label towards me and I could see it was very, very old.
Chapter 40
Sienna
“I present to you Château Lafite Grand Cru. Aged more than two hundred years, and rumored to have once belonged to Thomas Jefferson. I got this at a secret auction in Milan for three hundred thousand dollars. Believe me these types of bottles are worth every penny. You absolutely need to have a taste of this. I opened it just as you arrived to let it breathe and it is ready for consumption now.” He half-filled his own glass first before he looked at me questioningly.
For once, I was intrigued with what he was talking about, and pushed my glass over to him.
He proceeded to fill my glass.
I noticed he filled it with less than he did his own.
He took a sip from his glass, then kissed his fingertips. “You will be astounded,” he promised. “No offense to our family’s vineyard, but I have never tasted anything as exquisite as this in all of my life.”
Charlotte had also pushed her glass out, but he had pretended not to notice and placed the bottle by his side. Charlotte received the message loud and clear then she just shrugged.
I couldn’t believe the shade he had thrown at her. “Aren’t you going to offer any to Charlotte?” I asked.
He glanced to her, and then to me, and then he sucked in his breath. “I’m sorry but, I have also promised a few of my friends a taste and there is only so much in this bottle.” He turned towards Charlotte. “I can open another bottle of Merlot for you if you like. It is from Sienna’s father’s vineyard and it is one of the best wines in my collection.”
Charlotte blinked hard, and so did I.
“Well,” she rose to her feet. “You and your bottle can go fuck yourselves. Thanks for dinner.” She turned towards me. “I’ll go wait with Angelo for you.” She threw down her cloth napkin and started to walk away.
“Good. Let her go,” Fabio said.
“Fabio,” I said calmly. “You’re such a jerk.” I wanted to grab his precious two hundred and fifty-year old bottle of wine and pour it all over his head. It would serve him right. But I didn’t. Instead, I stood up and followed Charlotte.
Fabio jumped out of his chair. “What the hell?” He came after me and roughly grabbed my arm, his eyes ablaze with anger. “Have you lost your damn mind?”
I remained calm. “Fabio, let go of me.”
“You know what, Sienna, you are a rude fucking bitch. I invite you over to dinner at my house and without asking, you bring along the most uncivilized person I have ever met in my life. And I’m still polite and feed her. Why should I let her drink the wine that I have paid hundreds of thousands for? She is nothing to me.”
“Fine. Save your wine for you and your friends. If it’s too good for my friend then it’s too good for me too. Now, let go of my hand.”
Instead of letting go, he tightened his grip. “No, I want you to stay and drink the wine.”
“I don’t want the wine, Fabio. Now, let go!” I warned through gritted teeth.
His eyes flashed and it reminded me of him as a boy. He always was a petulant child who used to throw tantrums when he couldn’t have what he wanted. He smiled nastily. “I wonder what your parents will say if I told them how you behaved today. Shall I tell them you don’t want to marry me because you want to fuck your bodyguard.”
I froze.
“You thought I didn’t know. Now get back to the table and drink the fucking wine,” he ordered.
“Let her go!” the command suddenly came … low and menacing.
It actually sent a shiver down my spine.
We both swiveled our heads to see Angelo strolling over to us with unhurried, even strides.
Charlotte followed behind him, alarm flaring in her eyes at the sight of Fabio’s grip around my arm. “Sienna, are you all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” I replied.
“Let her go,” Angelo repeated. “And if I have to say it again, I’m going to break your hand.” His voice was quiet, but no one, not even Fabio missed the absolute intent in the threat.
Fabio’s grip around my arm loosened.
Charlotte immediately came to my side and started pulling me away from him.
“All of you,” Fabio shook with anger. “Get out of my apartment!”