“I don’t think he’ll bother me again, Uncle.”
“Of course not. He won’t be able to,” he said, and she swallowed hard. God, she hoped he didn’t knock Vince off. How could she live with herself, knowing that she had something to do with his death?
“Get that fearful expression off your face. I didn’t get rid of him. I helped to see that relocating was a necessity to his health.”
She released a sigh of relief.
“So how is Bliss doing now? No problems? No threats?” he asked.
“No, Uncle. Everything has been great.”
“Really? And your heart? You still angry and upset with those two billionaires who hurt you?”
She looked toward the window and the clear view of the city.
She hadn’t stopped thinking about them. Not even after they had their friends investigate Vince and his family and prove that they were behind the threats. She even ignored their friends’ calls and insistence that Stone and Emerson never cheated on her with Olivia St. James. She didn’t want to hear it. It had been enough, facing her family, arguing with Vince about his lies and deceit, and needing her uncle to intervene before Mollicone and Saggaretti did something drastic. No, she decided a new clean slate was necessary, and a much-needed vacation as well. Her flight to Hawaii was booked, compliments of Uncle Vincenzo. Two weeks of relaxation, and then back to Bliss. By then, Stone and Emerson would have moved on to another venture.
She felt her uncle’s hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her. She closed her eyes and absorbed the strength of the man who reminded her so much of her father and grandfather. If her father hadn’t gotten caught up in gambling his life savings away and pissing off a loan shark, she’d have him to lean on now and to help her to run Bliss. But he was gone. Mistakes were made everywhere and she wanted to be different.
“You love them, don’t you, Antoinette?” he asked.
“What do I know about love, Uncle Vincenzo?”
He turned her around to face him. He was tall, about five feet nine, and he had an amazing smile.
“You know more than you think, and more than you’ve allowed yourself, because of fear. I feel partially to blame for this. I should have guided you further, but of all the nieces and nephews and my own kids, you have always been the one to be so independent and leap into things. It is why you own and operate Bliss. It is why you showcase some of your relatives’ famous family recipes, with your added touch. You succeeded on your own. But, there is more to life than money and success.”
She turned away from him.
“I know this. I’m tired of feeling hurt. I’m tired of not knowing who to trust and who might try to manipulate my mind. It seems like such a waste of time.”
“But Emerson and Stone complete you. They adore you and went to great measures to prove their love and commitment to you. Why have you turned them away?”
She was silent a moment, and the realization hit her. She knew why from the start. “I’m afraid.”
“You, afraid? Bahh. I do not believe this to be true. You were hurt. You were being lied to. You feared losing your business and trusting two men. It is not a traditional relationship, but I know people with whom ménage relationships worked perfectly. They were always happy. Do not let fear hold you back from happiness, Toni.”
“I wouldn’t even know what to say to them. I feel like we need to start over.”
“Then do it. Start over.”
“I wish it were that simple. But it isn’t. So tell me. How did you resolve the whole business with Mollicone and Saggaretti?” she asked, purposely changing the subject.
“Actually, I didn’t. In the days to follow the attempted assault on you, your men and their friends used their own connections to prove that Vince’s family and Vince were behind the threats and the drive-by. Whatever they did, your men and their friends got Saggaretti, Vince, and Mollicone to confess. Then I was called in.”
“What? You mean Emerson and Stone called you?”
“Their friends did. They have some balls, those guys. Let me tell you. But that story is for another day. You’re headed to the New York Chocolate Show today, right?”
She smiled. “How did you know?”
“I know that you attend every year with a new chocolate item to showcase with hopes of winning accreditation for Bliss.”
“I hope to win again this year. I’m entering the raspberry chocolate brownie bites with fudge center.”
“I love those. I ordered a bunch last month.”
“Uncle Vincenzo, why didn’t you just call me?”