We ate lunch at a beautiful restaurant in old Florence. The tables were set with white linen and crystal glasses, and the food was amazing.
“The only time I’ve eaten a better meal was at your house,” I told Massimo.
He patted his full belly. “Two out of two experts agree.”
“You gotta admit, though,” Valentino said, “that place in Rome we go to is better.”
“Hey – the lady just applauded our cooks at home,” Massimo said good-naturedly. “Take the compliment, huh?”
“I would hope you think certain things are better at home,” I told Valentino with a trace of irritation in my voice.
“Uh-oh, sounds like I’m in trouble,” Valentino said.
“Sounds like it,” Massimo agreed.
“What’d I do, exactly?” Valentino asked me.
“You were flirting with every woman in the store when you’ve got a wonderful woman at home.”
“Ah,” Valentino said as though he finally understood. “Look, Caterina went into this with eyes wide open. I never lied to her. She knows what I am.”
“And what’s that?” I asked in a deadpan voice.
“A man-whore,” Massimo answered.
I laughed.
Valentino held out his arms like, What can I do? “I am what I am and I want what I want.”
“And what do you want?”
“Everything,” he said with a grin.
“I hope you’re not including me in ‘everything,’” I said coolly.
Valentino raised a finger like he had forgotten something. “I meant to say, ‘Everything that wouldn’t kill me if I got it.’”
“What, you’re saying I’d kill you?”
“No – Dario would,” Valentino said. “And that’s the truth.”
I made a face like I didn’t believe him.
“Dario’s very protective of you,” Massimo agreed.
“I thought he was just very… possessive,” I said darkly.
“Dario doesn’t care about much. But what he does care about, he guards with his life.”
“Why did he kick me out of the house, then?”
“‘Why did he kick me out,’” Valentino said, gently mocking me. “A couple of days ago, you risked everything to leave.”
“Well…” I said, not wanting to admit he had a point.
“Ha – you know I’m right.”
“That doesn’t explain why he sent me away.”
“There was a meeting with a potential business partner,” Massimo explained. “I suppose he wanted…”
Then he trailed off.
“What did he want?” I asked.
Massimo and Valentino looked at each other, then laughed.
“What’s so funny?” I demanded.
“I can’t even lie,” Valentino said with a grin. “Dario didn’t want you gone – ”
“Niccolo did,” I finished.
“Yup.”
“But why?”
“Probably for the same reason he only lets Caterina work half a day,” Massimo said.
“And why’s that?”
“So Valentino isn’t slipping off to fuck her every chance he gets. He only gets to do it in the mornings.”
“Oh my god!” I cried.
“What, your virgin ears can’t take the truth?” Valentino said with a laugh. Then he suddenly acted serious and put his hands over the sides of his head. “My virgin ears can’t take your screaming when you and Dario get together.”
I turned bright red and hid my eyes with my hand.
Massimo laughed but scolded Valentino at the same time. “Stop teasing her.”
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god…” I murmured, mortified.
Valentino howled with laughter. “Funny, that’s what you say with Dario – just louder and higher-pitched. ‘Oh my god, oh my GOD – ’”
“STOP IT!” I cried out as I threw a dinner roll at him.
“No food fights, children,” Massimo chided us playfully.
“Yes, Dad,” I said, half-joking and half-annoyed.
“The truth is, we’re glad you’re with him,” Massimo said.
“Can we please stop talking about this?” I begged.
“I’m talking about in a general sense. Not in a Valentino kind of way.”
“What, sex in the kitchen pantry?” Valentino asked.
Massimo made a face. “You do it near the food? Come ON, man…”
“PLEASE can we stop talking about this!” I whispered.
“Alright, alright. But I am glad you’re here,” Massimo said. “At the house, I mean.”
“Why?”
Massimo smiled. “Because I’ve never seen my brother happier.”
