Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“You were right. I have to figure this out.”
“Cut him loose.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“His father saved my life. Took a bullet meant for me. He never recovered and died later. I told him I’d look after his kids.”
“More than one troublemaker?”
“No. His sister is one of my most loyal, exemplary staff. Very well-thought-of.”
“You need to rein him in.”
“I will.”
“You want me to talk to Lopez?”
I shook my head. “Don’t get involved, Roman. As much as I appreciate the offer, he’s an unknown entity. You have a wife and a young one. A family. I don’t want you on his radar.”
He nodded, although he was clearly not happy about my answer. “I don’t want anyone I know on his radar,” he muttered. “I have a bad feeling about him.”
“Roman,” I added, waiting until he met my eyes. “I’ll talk to Lopez. Clear up the debt, and Brian can work it off with me.” I blew out a long breath. “I appreciate you coming to me instead of taking care of business the usual way. I’ll deal with this. But Brian isn’t allowed to gamble in your casino again.”
“I made that very clear last night.”
“I’ll make sure his debt to you is cleared today. Niall will transfer the money. And he’ll be warned about no more gambling. I’ve honored his father’s debt.”
“I agree.”
“And as I said, I appreciate you coming to me.”
He inclined his head in acknowledgment.
“Now, tell me. How is that little one of yours?”
His countenance changed, becoming lighter. The family man showing through.
“Getting bigger every day. He tests his mother and me constantly.”
I laughed. “And your nonna?”
His smile was warm. “Happier than she has been in years. With Aldo, Luca, and me all having kids, I swear she looks younger than ever. She is constantly busy, happy, smiling.”
I had only met his nonna and his wife once. Both were charming and brought out a side of Roman most people didn’t know. He was incredibly protective of them, plus anyone he considered family, like his sister-in-law or Aldo’s wife, Vi.
“Aldo was here last week with Vi. She did some shopping while he and I spoke.”
Roman nodded, looking amused. “She’s a firecracker.”
I chuckled. “That she was. You should bring your wife for an evening. Dine at the new restaurant. Irish food is delicious.” I winked. “I’ll comp you some chips, and you can try your hand at one of my tables.”
He laughed. “The dinner, I’ll accept. I never gamble.” He stood to leave. “And I’ll extend the same invitation to you. Come to the Maple. Or even better, come to the winery. My nonna’s cooking is not to be missed.”
I shook his hand, surprised and honored. Roman Costas rarely let anyone on to his estate. “That’s an invitation I’ll accept. Maybe we can set a date when we meet with Luca in a few weeks?”
“Sounds good.”
“Can I offer you lunch before you go?”
“I can’t, I’m afraid. I have a busy afternoon. But I didn’t want to discuss this on the phone and felt I needed to come here to tell you.”
“Thank you for that. I’ll take care of it.”
He departed, and I switched on the monitors to watch him leave. He stopped to admire the water feature, studying it. Una approached him, smiling and greeting him. She indicated the wall, and he returned her smile then asked her a few questions. She was her usual animated self, describing the rocks I’d transported from Ireland and the way it worked. Her hands flitted as she spoke, her expressive face lighting up as she talked. The light around her caught her hair, and it gleamed red and gold. I was as fascinated by her hair as I was with her.
I found myself leaning closer to the monitor, my eyes narrowing as I took in Roman’s smile and how close he stood to her.
It took everything in me not to rush to the lobby and appear at her elbow, glare at Roman so he knew to back off. Then I reminded myself he was simply being friendly. Curious about the changes to the building he once owned. And Una was, as usual, being her warm, perfect self. Everyone was drawn to her. It happened without you even realizing it.
And the rock garden waterfall was one of her favorite features of the lobby. That and the fireplace. Even when she wasn’t working, I often spied her curled up in one of the large armchairs, studying sheet music or reading.
I liked that she felt comfortable enough to do so.
I liked a lot of things about Una Murphy.
Except for her connection to her brother Brian. She loved and protected him fiercely. Always defended him. She had from the day I first met her. It was going to be a complication in what had to happen, and I wasn’t looking forward to the fallout.