Page 82 of Captive Heart: Armani
In a shocking turn of events, Mrs. Gallagher—soon to be Ms. Cassandra Sullivan once again—filed for divorce from Candi’s father and showed up on our doorstep a few weeks ago with plans to move into a women’s shelter and a lengthy, heartfelt apology for Candi. We set her up at the B&B temporarily, but she’d quickly formed a friendship with Mrs. Abbott, and the two have been inseparable ever since. Candi’s mother is now formally in training as The Inn’s assistant manager, and in the meantime she’s shadowing Mrs. Abbott and helping her with just about everything that needs to be done before the place officially opens to guests.
To my left, Frankie is deep in conversation with Charlie and Clayton about the latest real estate listings she’s compiled, located in and around Tuscany. At their feet, Lili is “helping” Gregory build a castle out of wooden blocks on the floor. Even though she’s mostly just making a mess, Gregory is getting a kick out of her antics. She only recently took her first wobbly steps, and I can only imagine all the trouble they’ll get into once they’re both fully mobile.
As for Marco and Karina, they’re off in the kitchen “checking on the turkey,” which probably means “having sex in the pantry” if I know anything about my little brother.
And then there’s Dante, standing by the fire next to Livvie and her very new boyfriend Tom, another equine studies major at the college. The kids stopped in to say hello, but they’re on their way to Tom’s parents’ house in Healdsburg—another quaint town known for its wine—for the next few days. Tom’s parents aren’t in the wine business, but they do own a farm, where they breed horses. Which I know because Dante had me run a full background check on the boy. He's clean. Absolutely no mafia ties of any kind.
From the looks of it, Tom is utterly smitten with Livvie, his blush visible even across the room. He also looks utterly terrified of Dante, who looms over him, interrogating the poor kid with the kind of uber judgmental and incredibly intimidating expression that clearly says, “If you hurt my sister-in-law, I will break all of your fingers.”
The only person who’s missing from the festivities is Juliana. Though I’m sure she’ll be here any minute. She group-texted us all earlier to say she might be running a little late.
Thank God she didn’t have to marry Orloff. She’s no longer a pawn, and she’ll never be one again. She’s free to live her life now, just like the rest of us. We’ve all invited her to join us on our various trips and travels, but so far she hasn’t committed. She’s been talking about doing her own thing for a few months, then meeting up with me and Candi afterward so she won’t miss the birth of her new niece or nephew.
The clock on the mantle strikes six, and everyone says their goodbyes to Livvie and Tom as Mrs. Abbott and the former Mrs. Gallagher bring out the bread and hors d’oeuvres. We’re still hopeful that Juliana will be here soon, but for now, we can get started.
“Tom didn’t seem so bad,” I say to Dante as I butter a hot roll for Candi.
“He’s fine,” Dante says. “But Livvie can do better. And the kid needs a haircut.”
“Oh, stop!” Frankie says, slapping his arm playfully. “I think he’s very sweet. Plus, I’ve never met anybody else who likes horses as much as my sister does.”
“He’s adorable,” Charlie chimes in. “Bit of a nerd, but maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
“Livvie can stand to be with someone who’s studious and focused,” Mrs. Abbott agrees. “She’s had enough upset in her love life already. I’m happy she’s taking it slow with this one.”
“They’ve only been dating a few months. We’ll see how long he lasts,” Marco says cynically. He’s the only person more protective of Livvie than Dante is.
Candi leans her head on my shoulder and whispers, “When should we tell everyone our baby names?”
“Let’s wait until dessert is on the table. It’ll make a sweet surprise even sweeter.”
She giggles. “I love it. I never knew you were so sentimental, Mr. Bellanti.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” I tell her, teasing my hand up her thigh under the table. “But I’d be happy to show you more of myself later.”
“In the bedroom?”
“Anywhere you wish.”
Soon, the main courses are brought out. We start passing the steaming dishes around the table, loading up our plates. Until suddenly, the sound of the heavy front door slamming has everybody looking toward the hallway.
“I knew it! Livvie changed her mind about spending the weekend with Tom,” Dante says with a smirk. “Let’s get an extra place setting for her.”
But it’s not Livvie who strides into the room.
It’s Juliana.
My sister is glowing, her dark hair swept up into a glossy ponytail, her ruby red lips matching her knee-length wool coat, her high heels clicking assertively on the hardwood floor.
“You made it just in time!” Candi says, waving Juliana over.
“I said I would be here,” Juliana responds coolly.
Her spot at the table is already set and waiting, right next to Candi’s. I start to pull out Juliana’s chair for her, but my sister waves me off as she studies everyone. With a little chuckle, she steals my glass of wine—a Bellanti red—and takes a long sip, then hands it back to me. We all watch her expectantly.
“Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Gallagher,” she says. “If I might have just a moment with the Bellantis. The adult Bellantis. Privately.”
The moms in the room nod, scoop up Lili and Gregory, and bustle off to the kitchen, insisting they were just about to take the pies out of the oven anyway. Clayton starts to rise, but Juliana motions for him to sit back down. I guess he’s a Bellanti in her eyes as well.
