hedge fund Cris was managing for his parents when Nico cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Uh, actually, I found a few properties in Croatia. In the Istria region, right along the Adriatic coastline.”
It was probably the first time I’d ever heard Nico sound unsure of himself. Almost insecure, which I never would have dreamed was possible.
A slow smile spread across Cris’s face at Nico’s words, while both Val and Enzo’s eyebrows went up. “Really?” Enzo said.
“The best ones are just outside of Rovinj,” Nico said. “The prices are better than Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coast because the tourism industry isn’t quite as saturated in Istria. The travel to Italy from there is easy and inexpensive. I met with a realtor while I was in Rovinj and checked out the properties myself. I think they’re worth looking into.”
Wait, that was part of the “business” he’d been dealing with during our day-and-a-half layover in the country? I thought he’d been in meetings regarding the purchase of the winery the whole time. He’d been scoping out properties for his parents, too? No wonder I hadn’t seen much of him for those two days.
“We definitely will,” Val declared brightly, her face exuberant. “I haven’t been to Istria in years.”
Enzo hadn’t taken his eyes off of Nico. He bowed his head, looking like a proud papa. “Thank you, son. We appreciate you taking the time.”
Nico nodded curtly, anxiously tapping his finger against the rim of his glass. But I saw the way his chest swelled beneath his suit jacket. It was minute, but his father’s approval made the tension in his shoulders ease.
“I’ll email you all the information,” he added. “The realtor is standing by in case you want to pull the trigger on any of those properties. If not, she said she’s got more options.”
This time when Enzo and Val looked eyes across the table, I saw Val shoot her husband an I told you so look. Even Cris leaned back in his chair and looked at Nico with brotherly pride.
There was a story here.
A reason why Nico taking this initiative was new and unexpected to his entire family. A reason why he seemed somewhat uneasy bringing it up. It was as if no one ever asked much of him because no one really expected much of him.
And for some insane reason, I had the ridiculous impulse to reach under the table and take his hand. To hold it. I didn’t know how or why, but I sensed that he needed someone to believe he wasn’t useless, that he had something to offer. There was a desire to show everyone that he was more than the front he put on. More than what he revealed and allowed others to see. I could feel it in him.
Could he possibly be deeper than that playboy bachelor exterior he wore like a suit of armor?
After the meal was over and the table was cleared, the men excused themselves into the den. “There are some family matters we need to discuss,” Nico said to me in a low voice. “Won’t take longer than an hour. You okay to hang out with the girls for a little while?”
Actual family matters? Or five family matters? The girls had explained more to me about the recent happenings between the Rossettis and the New York Firm than Nico seemed willing to. But since he didn’t elaborate, I didn’t bother asking.
“Sure.”
Not even a minute after he’d closed himself inside the den with his brothers and father, my cell phone rang. When I saw the number on the screen, I excused myself from the conversation around me and stepped outside. I didn’t answer until I reached the front sidewalk and ensured no one from inside the house could hear me.
“What are you doing calling me?” I whispered. “Is Batya okay?”
“Walk down the street,” Dimitri commanded. “To the alley.”
How the hell did he know where I was? I was too worried to bother asking that, so I followed his instruction.
“Where is Batya?”
“He’s fine,” Dimitri answered. “Everything is all right for now. But I need to speak with you.”
“You need to make it fast. It isn’t a good time.”
“No, I mean in person.”
I looked at the phone in bafflement. “Have you gone mad? I’m in Brooklyn. I’m—”
“I know exactly where you are, kotonoyok.”
I jumped, letting out a little squeak. Because that voice had not only come through the phone, but from behind me in the bloody alley. When I whirled around, I saw Dimitri standing there