“We need to talk about you working in Valentini’s tasting room.”
“Oh,” I repeated.
“I have someone from K19 looking for security footage from yesterday to see if we can identify the man on the street, but I’m not sure how long that might take. Even if we do, that doesn’t mean we can protect you in a place as public as the tasting room.”
“I understand,” I said, turning my back to hide the disappointment I felt. I knew it was silly, but I’d felt such a sense of pride whenever someone bought even a bottle of wine after tasting with me. When they bought a case, it was even more rewarding.
“I have an idea.”
I turned back to face Knox. “What?”
“Why don’t you spend the time you’d be working in the winery, painting Valentini instead? Maybe Pia would sell your artwork.”
“I truly appreciate your confidence in me, Knox, but you haven’t seen any of my work other than sketches.”
“All I’m saying is to give it a shot.”
“What am I going to tell Pia about why I have to quit?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
“I was afraid you were going to say
that. Everything I’ve come up with makes me sound like a spoiled brat.”
Had I really said that out loud? It was definitely how I saw myself, but since when had I become so effusive about sharing my innermost thoughts?
“Like everything else I said to you last night about how fabulously amazing you are, I have trouble with that assessment. I would use neither spoiled nor brat when describing you.”
“You’re more generous with me than others.”
“I’m going to make it my goal to help you see you are so much more than you believe yourself to be.”
My eyes met Knox’s when we heard a knock at the door. “I hope that isn’t Pia,” I whispered.
21
Halo
It was Pia, and based on the look on her face, Lucia’s assessment of her being oblivious to what happened in Tara’s casina, was far off base.
She looked over my shoulder and raced past me.
“Can you forgive me?” she said to a wide-eyed Tara.
“What for?”
“That someone broke into your casina.” Pia shook her head and looked down at the floor. “I do not understand the things that are happening at Valentini. I am not cut out for this.”
The last sentence, she murmured in defeat. Like Tara, Pia was criticizing herself for things she shouldn’t be. It was Tara, even myself, who’d incited the break-in, albeit as much unknowingly as unintentionally.
My eyes met Tara’s, and I pointed at my chest. She nodded.
“Pia, the last thing I want to do is make you feel worse for something beyond your control, but given that it appeared Catarina may have been targeted specifically, I’m going to suggest she take a few days off from the tasting room. The decision is, of course, up to the two of you.”
“I understand.” Pia dropped Tara’s hand.
The look on the two women’s faces crushed me.