*****
The weekend in Rome had its awkward moments, like when Paolo’s mom nearly walked in on Cora giving Paolo a blow job or when Paolo’s sister pulled out the baby pictures, but otherwise it went well. Cora charmed the hell out of everyone, even Paolo’s brother Giovanni, who was not quite comfortable with the whole black thing even though he had tried so hard to hide it.
Cora even ate his mom’s cooking, shoveling in Red Wine-Marinated Escargot Over Bowtie Pasta like she liked it when Paolo knew for a fact that she was horrified at the thought of eating snails. She even ate Paolo’s grandmother’s Zuppa di Vongole, which God love her, usually tasted like mucus. Even Paolo didn’t eat those.
“You’re going to ruin your figure,” Paolo teased, coming up behind Cora and resting his hands on her hips as Cora was piling her plate with more pasta.
“Mmm, thought you liked me with extra padding,” Cora said huskily, pushing her ass back into Paolo’s groin.
“Don’t start what you can’t finish,” Paolo whispered in Cora’s ear, nipping it lightly before pulling away.
“Tease,” Cora called after him.
Paolo grinned, feeling happy and carefree, away from the pressures of their crazy normal life and all the complications thereof. It’s good to have a break, he thought.
*****
He had reckoned his dad hearing about them and coming up to Rome to see if Paolo needed his head examined was something they could live without.
“Benjamin Lafitte’s daughter Paolo? What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that she’s a lovely girl and I might want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
“This is a stupid thing you are doing. I know you know that. Why are you doing this?”
“il papa your third wife is younger than me and you have absolutely nothing in common so I really don’t think you’re the person to be giving me relationship advice.”
His father glared at him, hardly able to believe Paolo had spoken to him in such a way.
“At least wait until you meet her before you judge.”
Giuseppe just continued to stare like Paolo had become an alien in front of him.
“She is not suitable,” he said.
Paolo shrugged, “I said the same thing about wife number three; guess we both have to suck it up.”
*****
Giuseppe Agnelli never imagined he would ever have anything in common with Benjamin Lafitte. But there was no way he was in favor of this match. He picked up his phone and called New Orleans, eyes closed as he sighed deeply. This wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.
“Benjamin Lafitte’s phone. How can I help you?”
“Tell Benny that Giuseppe would like to speak with him,” he said.
“Kindly hold,” the attractive young female voice said before jazz music filled Giuseppe’s ear.
“Giuseppe, this is a surprise,” Benjamin’s rich baritone gurgled down the line.
“Is it really? Your illegitimate daughter is here in Rome, with my son.”
Benjamin sighed, “Yes. I know.”
“You know? Is that all you have to say about this?”
“I thought I’d driven a wedge between them but that spawn of yours is persistent. I tried to offer him the casino he wanted but he wouldn’t take it. Perhaps you’d have more luck persuading him.”
“Ha. I tried to speak to him about it. He was very disrespectful.”
“The sad thing is that Travis Connell just wrested control of FaceChat from Jason Mitchell. He’s planning to expand it into an App Store to rival any of the big ones. He’s looking for investors. I was gonna cut a deal with him but Cora was central to it. I know she was genuinely in love with that guy. It would have been the perfect match.”
“Tell me what I can do to make it happen.”
“Persuade your son to drop her. Do whatever you have to. I’ll do the rest.”
“It won’t be easy. He’s a stubborn bastardo.”
“He is your son. You know all his weaknesses. Use them.”
*****
“You know your family isn’t so bad,” Cora said sounding unflatteringly surprised.
“What were you expecting? The Adams Family?”
Cora smiled but he noticed she didn’t contradict him, “I just thought they’d be…a bit more difficult.”
“Don’t count your chickens just yet. You haven’t met my dad.”
“True dat. But after surviving your Nona I’m not too worried.”
“My Nona is the best!” Paolo protested.
“Uh huh.”