Page 128 of Power
“If you’re forcing me here at gunpoint, I use one code. If everything is good, I use a different one.”
“Which did you use with me?”
“If four, armed security guards meet us at the fountain, you’ll have your answer.” In the darkening car, he flashed her a smile.
And damn if she didn’t find herself smiling back.
As she expected, they were alone at the fountain. He ushered her inside, then led her into the kitchen where Louis was working away, a pretty Black woman relaxing at the island with a glass of wine.
“Mr. Santini,” Louis said. “I hadn’t heard from you, so I’m making pan-roasted Halibut with a citrus beurre blanc, Inca red quinoa, and broccolini.”
Simone’s heart fell. Broccolini was the vegetable she’d served Frederica. The reminder felt like a sucker-punch to her gut and she flew out of the room. In the privacy of the bathroom, tears blurred her vision.
Get it together.
No matter how hard she tried, they flowed down her cheeks.
Tap-tap.
“Simone, you okay?” Luciano asked from the hallway.
She blotted her cheeks with a tissue, opened the door.
Concern filled his face. “What’s going on?”
Feeling embarrassed, she said, “It’s nothing.”
He hitched a brow. “Simone.”
“It’s stupid.”
He pulled her in his strong arms, held her close, and caressed her back. “Dimmi. Tell me.”
Feeling safe in his embrace, she urged herself to tell him. Heaving in a breath, she peered into his eyes.
“Fred came over for dinner before her mission and I served broccolini.” Another wave of sorrow hit. “It’s stupid, I know.”
“I got you.” He cradled her in his arms for the longest moment while she clung to him. “Grief sneaks in like a monster under our bed.” He dropped a loving kiss on her forehead. “Do you want to go upstairs and have yourself a good ugly-cry?”
She laughed. “Those are the worst… and the best.” Standing on her toes, she dropped a light kiss on his lips. “Thank you. I feel like an idiot?—”
“No. Never.” His encouraging smile helped chase away the sorrow.
After chugging in a deep breath, she said, “I’m okay.”
Back in the kitchen, he made introductions.
“Louis, Therese, this is Simone.” Simone shook their hands. “Chef Louis is the best in the DMV and his wife, Therese, is my lead attorney at Santini International.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Therese said.
“Good to meet you,” Simone replied.
“I’m having dinner with Simone and her family,” Luciano explained.
A smile danced in Louis’s eyes as he glanced over at Simone. “Very good, Mr. Santini. The meal will keep for you.”
“You and Therese enjoy,” Luciano said before disappearing into the next room, returning with a Santini gift bag. “Do your brother and brother-in-law drink?” he asked Simone.
