“I think I like that.”
For a few minutes, we just lie there. Alina’s hand caresses my chest slowly, and I reflect on what we’ve just declared. Since walking through the door, I’ve gone from not knowing if she would be there at all to suddenly having an official relationship with her.
How the fuck did that happen?
It’s unexpected, but I welcome it. There is a lot still left unsaid, but it can wait. I feel like I’m in a protective bubble, and I don’t want to bring up anything that might cause it to burst.
I really want this to work.
Chapter 21—New Leadership
It’s officially done.
I own everything.
I lean against the Camaro and smoke just outside the attorney’s office where the reading of the will took place. Lele and Lucia are still inside. I have no idea what is being said, but it doesn’t matter. Everything is set in motion.
Lele will be moving back to Italy. As far as anyone knows, she’s adopted Felisa’s daughter. Lucia was given the deed to the house on the north side of the city. It was the only thing not moved into my name.
“All other properties, businesses, and the contents therein are to be transferred to Evan Nathaniel Arden.”
It’s all quite surreal.
Lele and Lucia exit the building as I finish my cigarette. I brace myself, not entirely sure what their reactions will be to the news. I know Lele will abide by whatever Rinaldo wanted her to do, but she may not like it. Lucia is a whole other matter. I’m not sure what she thinks about all of this.
Lele dabs at her eyes with a tissue and then rushes over to me.
“Oh, Evan!” she says as she wraps her arms around my neck. “I’m going to miss you.”
I close my eyes in relief. At least Rinaldo’s decisions haven’t left her angry with me.
“Don’t be surprised if I come and visit you,” I tell her. “I’ve never been to Italy.”
“Then you must come for the holidays, at the very least.”
“I’ll try.” The thought is appealing, but I doubt I will actually ever show up. If business calls for it, I may make the trip, but I plan on running this operation from the States. By the end of the day, the family will be out of the picture in one way or another.
It’s the only way I can protect them all.
Lele kisses both my cheeks, squeezes my hand, and then climbs into the passenger side of Lucia’s car. Lucia tilts her head, smiling as she walks up to me.
“Hello, Evan.”
“Hi.”
“We haven’t had a chance to talk since…since the funeral.”
“No, we haven’t.” I lick my lips and glance up at Lele in the car. “We should though. I want to make sure you understand.”
“I know what Daddy had in mind,” she tells me. “I’m good with it. We can live in the house in Wilmette. Most of my things are still there anyway.”
I’m a little surprised, but I don’t show it. I find it interesting she seems so amenable to the idea. Still, the muscles in her forearms are tight, and I know she isn’t completely happy about the whole thing. I’m sure she expected some of her father’s estate to end up in her name. At least for now, she thinks she’s going to get it through me.
There’s no reason to have her believe otherwise—not yet.
“We can discuss it later,” I say as I check my watch.
“Right—you called a meeting.”