Quiet Wealth by J.L. Drake

I found Mariano outside at his little breakfast nook by the pool.

“Hungry?” he asked, not looking up from his phone.

“Yeah, I am.” I took a seat and helped myself to a scone. He pointed to the espresso machine while he typed away on the screen. Carefully, I poured myself a cup.

“Are you feeling better from last night?”

“Yes, I think the wine went right to my head.”

“It’ll do that.” He finally set his phone on the table, but when he went to speak, it rang again, and he held up a finger, stepping away from the table.

Turning away from him, I sipped my espresso as I admired the grounds. My eyes went up to the grand house on the hill where the party was held. It was all very private. There were a few homes around, scattered in a circle pattern. I wondered who owned them all and why they chose to live there. One neat thing that Mariano had pointed out to me was if you stood on either the west or east side of the house, you could see a car coming miles away, so no surprise visitors.

I finished eating and pushed back my chair as I brushed the crumbs from my fingers then relaxed and continued to sip my espresso. I couldn’t deny it was a lovely place to be.

“A meeting came up that I can’t get out of,” Mariano reached for his keys, “so if you want to get out and look around the town, it’s not too far from here.”

That actually sounded like a great idea. I knew my head could use it.

“Sure. That sounds nice.”

“You’re so easy to get along with.” He grinned. “Oh, and dinner tonight with my parents?”

“Should I cook?”

He laughed. “No, we are eating at the Hill House. They have all the cooks we’ll need.”

“Oh.” I looked around, thinking it was a shame for such a nice kitchen not to get used.

“I’ll be back later. You have my number if something comes up.”

And just like that, he was gone, and I was alone in his house.

Wyatt: You are near a local market. See attachment.

That was just another of the reasons I loved my friend so much. He knew I would want and need to get out. I tapped on the attachment and was delighted to see the market was already open. I hurried to get ready.

“Keys.” I searched the bowl on the table in the entryway. “If I were keys, where would I be?” I opened the little drawer and spotted them. “There you are.”

I couldn’t help but notice a copy of Fab Magazine underneath them. My stomach twisted at my face on the front. The photographer had captured the depth of all the pain I held inside, and there it was for the world to see. Not to mention it opened me up for people to come to their own conclusions about who I was. It was exhausting to think about. I noticed that one of the pages was turned down, and I quickly flipped to it. Circled in pen was the line about me moving from Sicily to Florence and that I had gotten a job at the paper. Strange. Closing my eyes and feeling a little guilty for snooping, I tucked the magazine back in its place and stepped outside.

“Good morning, miss.” I jumped about ten feet in the air. “Sorry.” The driver from the party the night before smiled at me. “I didn’t mean to startle you, but would you like me to drive you somewhere?”

“Oh,” I was pleased to see Mariano hadn’t left me completely alone, “yes, actually. I’d love to go to the market if that’s not too much trouble. I was going to drive myself, but it would be nice to go with someone who knows where things are.”

“I don’t mind at all.” He opened the door. “I never miss an opportunity to get some of Miss May’s pastries.” I happily climbed in as he chattered about the delicious bomboloni.

“Do you live around here?” I enjoyed the small talk, and as there was only the two of us, it was easy.

“Yes, ma’am, I do.”

“Any kids?”

“No, I’ve been too busy driving to settle down and start a family.”

“Have you been working for Mariano for a long time?”

He paused for a moment then looked in the side mirror. “I don’t normally drive for Mariano, but I have been known from time to time to drive for the boss.”

“Boss?” I asked, but his phone rang, and I went back to my thoughts to give him some privacy.

I was suddenly glued to the window, marveling at the massive sunflower field that lined the opposite side of the hill. Nestled in next to it were rows and rows of grape vines. It was just like the postcard Cara had given me. True excitement coursed through me, and I could hardly contain it.

“Do you like sunflowers, miss?”

“I do. I really do,” I smiled wide, thinking of how long I dreamt of this very thing, and it was finally a reality spread out before me.

“You’re welcome to explore that property if you wish.”

“Really?” I couldn’t wait.

“Yes, and there’s a bicycle in the garden house next to the driveway if you’d like to pedal around.” His eyes lit up, feeding off my excitement. “Just let me know, and we can go there, and if you get too tired or too hot, I’m only a phone call away.”

“That’s very kind of you…” I waited for him to say his name.

“Vinni.”

“Vinni, thank you.”

I leaned back in the seat and made plans to visit there before I left the area. I was pleased I brought my camera on this trip. I couldn’t wait to share it all with Wyatt. Not long afterward, we arrived at the town, and Vinni handed me a cloth bag to collect my things in.

“I’ll wait here. Take your time. I’m not due to be anywhere else.”

“All right. Thanks.”

I wove in and out of each little display. Each was packed with fresh fruits, vegetables, and miles and miles of cheeses and wines. I laughed when a kid tried to steal one of the ladies’ cookies. When she turned her back, I handed one to him and winked, watching his eyes bug out. He quickly jammed the entire thing in his mouth and ran away.

“I’ll take one, please.” I pointed at the loaves of bread on the table near the cookies and paid her double the cost. I knew how hard it was to make a living. I wasn’t hurting now, but there was a time when I would have been willing to sell an organ just to get something to eat.

“It’s too much.”

I shook my head and smiled then moved on to the next section, soaking in the culture that came with a market. People earning their living by working hard and standing behind their products. There was something to be said for that.

I stopped when I came to a stall that carried my favorite wine. I picked up the bottle and studied the label.

“I’ll take two bottles, please.” I couldn’t believe it was here. I knew it was local to the area, but I had no idea it would be at the market.

“Have you tried this before?” the girl asked as she took the money.

“Many times. It’s one of my favorites.”

“He’ll be happy to hear that.”

“Yes, please do pass that along,” I smiled, but her gaze shifted over my shoulder.

“Good evening, sir.” She stood a bit straighter.

I turned with my arms full of treats and saw Piero, Elio’s father, standing behind me, looking impeccable in a business suit.

“Oh, my,” I whispered in disbelief.

“Hello, sweet girl.” He called me by my old nickname.

“Hello.” I felt my cheeks grow pink.

“Would you take a walk with me?”

“All right.” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to, but I would never be rude.

He nodded at someone who took my bags, then he tucked my arm through his and urged me to start walking.

I hesitated, but when I saw my driver, Vinni, take the bags from the other guy, I felt a bit better.

“It’s lovely to see you, Sienna.” He gave me that warm smile that made me feel like I hadn’t lost him years ago. “I’m sure the past two days have been a bit overwhelming for you.” When I didn’t respond, he kept going. “I’m sure you’re very confused and have a lot of questions, but Elio—”

“Not really.” I cut him off, not wanting to cave in public.

“Oh.” He gave me a quick glance, no doubt trying to read my mind. “Well, when or if you do have questions, I would hope you would come directly to us rather than speaking to Mariano. We like our privacy, and he doesn’t know everything, and we’d like to keep it that way.”

“Privacy,” I repeated as the word bounced around inside my chest, playing ping pong with the sides of my heart. “You wouldn’t want someone getting too close. I understand.” I couldn’t help my clipped tone.

He stroked his chin as he watched me intently.

“You really surprised Elio yesterday.”

I raised an eyebrow to express the feeling was mutual. He stopped and motioned for us to sit at a table near a fountain. He stared at me for a moment, and I felt my feisty side kick in because that was all I had for a defense system.

“How did you and Mariano meet?” He waited for me to answer and studied my face when I didn’t. “Sienna, please, put aside everything that has happened for one moment. Can I just say how much I missed you?”

Damn, that put a creak in my heart.

“You weren’t the only person who lost someone that day, Sienna.” He paused to gather himself. “I lost a daughter, too.”

I pressed my fingers to my lips to stop the quiver that threatened.

“Hate us if that helps.” He cleared his emotions from his throat. “I hate us too sometimes, but there are reasons for what happened. Just know that we never once stopped loving you.” He reached for my hand.

“Please.” I pulled away, not wanting to hear it. It was too much.

He reached out again and took both my hands in his and squeezed them gently.

“Sweet girl, I know we’re not worthy of it, but can I ask you for one favor?” My tear-filled eyes found his. “Please don’t let Mariano know your history with Elio or our family.”

I tugged my hands away when I realized they might be ashamed to be associated with me. The poor little orphan girl who fell in love with the rich boy was back, and perhaps it would screw up their image. I quickly dried a pesky tear.

“I need you to be careful, Sienna. He isn’t who you think he is.”

Confusion and hurt swept through me, and my backbone went up at the conversation. I stood quickly, and I knew he caught my mood.

“I have dreamt of the day I would once again see the man I considered my father.” I paused to choose my words carefully. “Never did I think he would ask me to pretend I didn’t know him.” I had more to say, but that was enough to make my point.

“It’s not like that.” He tried to explain, but I was done.

I turned on my heel and rushed away from him to where I knew Vinni was waiting.

“Ready?” he said as he opened the car door for me.

“Yes, I’d like to go back to the house now.”

“Of course.” He squinted at me then looked over my shoulder and gave a nod to someone.

I hated that my market trip was ruined, but I hated even more that after all these years of trying to make something of myself it was still not enough. Well, that was fine. It was enough for me, and that was all that mattered.

“Would you like to stop and see the sunflowers?” Vinni drew me from my thoughts.

“Perhaps another day.” All the joy the flowers had brought me had vanished.

“Very well.” He glanced at me and seemed to want to say something but thought better of it, and we drove in silence.

When we arrived back at the house, I put the food away and decided to forget about doing any work. Georgio could wait. I wanted to take an afternoon for me. I changed into my bikini and headed down to the pool. I spent the afternoon floating on the air mattress and reading one of my favorite books. I was completely swept away as the love story took over my mind. I was so absorbed in the characters, it took me a moment to hear the voices.

Using my hand as a paddle, I made my way over to the side and eased out of the pool. The tiles were hot, and I was thankful I’d packed my sandals and a silk robe and not something heavier.

I was curious to hear how Mariano’s day went, and I wanted to tell him I had bought ingredients to make us a dinner, perhaps for tomorrow night. Cooking was fun for me, and over the years it served as a stress reliever. Wyatt and I had taken cooking classes together, and we became quite good. Besides, I thought it might be a nice gesture since I was staying here for free.

I heard the voices and followed the sound down a long hallway. They became louder as I entered the library, and I came to a halt and took in the three men yelling at Mariano.

“His body was dug up! What were they looking for?” one man yelled.

Body?

I covered my mouth with my hands when they all turned at once, and I froze as they stared at me.

“I’m sorry.” What was happening here?

The man closest to me whirled around and pointed a gun to my forehead.

I screamed and tried to back up.

Oh, my God! My gaze jumped to Mariano for help.

“Stop moving, Sienna,” he ordered and looked at the man with the gun.

“How important is she to you?” The man’s voice was menacing.

“Come on,” Mariano laughed and eased himself onto a desk, “are we really doing this right now?”

“Mariano?” I felt like I was rooted to the floor or stuck in some nightmare. How was he so calm when all it would take to kill me was a flex of a tiny muscle.

Mariano sipped his drink like this happened every day. “Move the gun away.”

My panic took over, and I went to run, but the man with the gun lunged forward and wrapped his arm around my bare waist and pressed the hard steel to my temple.

My blood was like ice, and my heart pounded in fear.

“What were they looking for on my brother’s body?” The gun twitched as he spoke. “He was never a part of this!”

“I don’t know.” Mariano held his hands up. “Let’s just all relax and have a drink.”

“A drink?” The guy who was holding me laughed and smelled my hair like a snake taking in its prey. “I say let’s play with her instead.” His free hand started to move down my stomach.

“Don’t touch me.” My skin crawled under his touch.

“What did you say, pretty young thing?”

“I will chop off your sorry excuse of a penis and jam it down the barrel of your gun.” I tried to keep the fear from my voice.

The man laughed as I wiggled in his hold.

“It wouldn’t fit,” he whispered into my hair, and I wanted to vomit.

“That’s not what your sister said last night!”

His buddy smirked while I clamped my mouth shut in fear more garbage was going to fly out. Damn Wyatt for making me binge watch all those American movies.

The click of the hammer echoed in my ears as it was pulled back, and I knew it was time. I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the tiny bullet to wedge inside my skull, ending my hell of a journey in this life.

Suddenly, I was spun around and into a different pair of arms. It took me a half a second to know exactly who it was.

“Whatever the hell this is, it ends now,” Elio barked over my head while he held me protectively close to his chest. I saw that he held a much scarier looking gun in his free hand. “Get out.”

“Elio.” The man who had held the gun to my head spoke up with his hands in the air. “You need to control your friend.” He nodded at Mariano. “He’s stepping on dangerous territory by digging up my brother.”

“I won’t ask twice,” Elio snarled as the guys stared at Mariano for a beat longer.

“We know your face, and we know your name, little lady,” the creep said directly to me. “Let the games begin.”