Scandal and the Runaway Bride (Heirs to an Empire 1)

“I’d have to be able to source at a lower price.” He named a number that was bordering on insulting. In fact, it was insulting considering their long history of doing business together. To concede to such a price would obliterate any profit margin for Baresi.

“Come now, Giacomo. You know that’s not possible. If you’re trying to negotiate up, that’s a very low place to start.” She held his gaze. The whole time she was thinking, What would Will do? She knew he’d stand his ground and do what was right for Aurora. And so would she.

“It is my offer,” he said firmly.

Gabi started to get mad now. Did he think she was stupid? She gathered up her papers to give herself time to decide what to say. Finally she folded her hands on top of the table, looked him in the eyes and said, “If my father were sitting here, you would never have asked such a thing. We both know it.”

“Signorina—” he started, but she lifted a hand.

“No, Giacomo. I am the head of Baresi Textiles right now. I am young and I am a woman, but I am not green. You know my father. You know he would not have entrusted this responsibility to me if he did not think I was fully capable.”

She said it, and then suddenly realized it was true, and she sat a little taller.

“On a short-term basis,” he replied.

“On any basis.”

Giacomo sighed. “Mi dispiace, Gabriella. But that is my offer. I’m hesitant to stay with Baresi with the instability at the moment.”

Her heart sank, but she wouldn’t show it. Instead she plucked a sheaf of papers from her stack and handed it over. “You won’t get the quality you want at that price, Giacomo. And if you start compromising there, your brand will weaken. Take this. Look it over. There are several options I’ve outlined here to, as I said, give you some flexibility and versatility. Baresi would very much like to remain your supplier. No matter if I’m sitting in the chair or if my father is.”

She stood and straightened her suit jacket, then tucked her files away in her bag. Giacomo rose, too, looking a little flustered. Did he think she would stay and negotiate away all Baresi profit? If so, he had another think coming. She was stronger and smarter than that.

“Let me take you to lunch,” he suggested. “We can catch up on family.”

That was the last thing Gabi wanted, after attempting to establish herself as a businesswoman. “Perhaps another time, and Maria could join us?” She remembered the name of his wife—the second wife—and then added, “Or when Papa is feeling better. I know he’d enjoy seeing you both.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

“Grazie.”

She left him with a smile and a handshake—no bussing of cheeks again. And now she had a choice. She could leave and go back to Perugia right now, or she could stay in Milan for a few hours and take an afternoon off. The hotel was already booked for tonight. Why not?

It was no contest. Taking the afternoon off won.

Corsetti was located right on the edge of the Quadrilatero della Moda—Milan’s fashion district. Gabi had spent hours here as a child and then a young woman, staring in the windows, admiring the fashions even though her Papa couldn’t afford to shop there. Instead it was his fabrics and, in particular, cashmere that graced the elegant windows. The Baresis had a good life. A very comfortable one, but not at this level. Not at... Pemberton level.

She had her flat and there was the family villa, which was very nice, but it was certainly no château or indeed the manor house in Surrey. Still, now and again she splurged on a nice piece. Shoes, for example, or the bag she carried today, which she’d bought as a Christmas present to herself two years previous and rarely used. Today had been an appropriate occasion.

The sun was warm on her face and she slid her sunglasses over her eyes, and then ambled along the street. Via Montenapoleone was home to the biggest brands on the planet, housed in gorgeous buildings with huge arched windows and stone balustrades above. She walked past giants like Vuitton and Versace, Prada and Hermès. The store she stopped in front of was Aurora.

It wouldn’t hurt to go inside, would it?

* * *

Three hours later, Gabriella had made her way out of the district and into a cab to a modest hotel. She carried a signature black-and-white bag with a splurge for herself—a soft pink cashmere sweater and a small bottle of perfume. Visiting Aurora had been fun, but it was time to get back to business.

The room was perfectly adequate, and Gabi ordered up a light meal and some wine. She set up her keyboard with her iPad and figured she might as well do some work. Her heart gave a little leap when she opened her in-box and saw an email from William.

Did you have your meeting yet? How did it go?

She wasn’t sure what to say. She felt she’d stood her ground, and she thought she’d handled herself well. But she was totally unsure of the outcome.

I don’t know yet. I was strong, though! He lowballed me and I told him he’ll pay the price in quality if he goes elsewhere.

She waited a few minutes, read a few other emails, then his answer came back.

Good for you. Baresi has a strong product. It’s why we’ve used you as a supplier for so long.