Chapter-29 Announcement

Nico

Gianna was already here. I scowled as I spotted her car parked in the driveway. She didn’t forget to tell me about this. She didn’t want to tell me. Guess what? Too late for that.

I grabbed the bottle of champagne and stalked up the driveway. After the twins–Ares and Lucio–were born, Leo and Amara moved out of the gigantic Ammassari mansion to a much smaller but equally beautiful Mediterranean villa. This felt more like a home where you can raise kids. I hardly ever came here because it made me uncomfortable.

The life Leo and Amara have created here…it was everything I wanted with her. It frankly hurts. And as much as I adored Ares and Lucio, not that I have ever talked to them, seeing them kind of hurts, too. Because they too were a part of that dream—the one Leonardo was now living. I shook my head. No, tonight wasn’t about this.

Tonight was about Gianna and me and whatever lies she was working up.

I rang the bell and could already hear the kids shouting and squealing inside. I really don’t ever want kids anymore. A moment later, the door opened and Leo grinned at me before letting out a hiss as Ares or was it the other one, hit him with a ball.

“Come on in,” Leo grimaced. I stalked inside, and the moment the little dude spotted me, he ran inside. What? Did I look scary or something?

“What took you so long? It’s been almost an hour since Gianna arrived,” Leo muttered, taking the champagne from me.

Because your sister didn’t invite me…

I gritted my teeth and counted to ten in my head to calm myself down. “Got caught up with work,” I muttered as he led me to the living room. Their home was immaculate. I couldn’t believe Amara took care of it all on her own. The same woman who would crash on a pile of dirty clothes every night.

“How’s Domani now?”

“Recuperating.”

“Any more leads?” I sullenly shook my head in response.

“I got my men on it, too. We will figure it out,” Leo assured.

“Thanks. Appreciate it,” I muttered, bracing myself as he walked into the living room where I could clearly hear Gianna’s voice, laughing with the kids.

“Well, the last of our guests has arrived,” Leo announced. “Nico…” I stalked inside and couldn’t bother with anyone as my eyes darted straight to my wife, whose eyes widened in surprise.

She wasn’t expecting me at all.

“Nico,” Amara smiled. “Welcome. What took you so long?”

“I was waiting for Gianna,” I hissed, my eyes still locked on her. “I thought she would be coming with me. Why didn’t you, cara mia? I was waiting for you.”

“Cara mia…” Leo murmured under his breath. “That’s progress.”

“Uh…I…” It gave me intense pleasure to see her struggle. “I…I thought you might be a bit late. I wanted to get here early so I could play with Ares and Lucio.”

“I see,” I nodded, taking a step towards her, and at least she stood her ground. “Did you enjoy your time with them then?”

“Yes,” Gianna nodded, her face red.

“Good. Well, now I am here, so we can go home together,” I said sweetly.

“But my car…”

“I sent your driver away already,” I smiled, which of course Gianna knew was just a sign of the looming trouble for her, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Well,” Leo coughed, giving me a look. “Now that you’re here, maybe we can eat? And Gianna can tell us what big announcement she has.”

“Of course,” I nodded, throwing her a look. “Can’t wait…”

“I will set things up,” Amara said. “Ares, Lucio, did you say hello to uncle Nico?”

Uncle Nico…

“Hello,” the twins muttered in unison, crouching behind their mother. My anger melted for a moment as I glanced at them. They were literally the prototype of Leo and Amara and so…adorable.

“Hi,” I smiled, feeling like shit for not bringing them any gifts. “Sorry, I was in a rush and completely forgot to bring gifts.”

“That’s okay, aunt Gi already filled up the living room with presents, didn’t she?” Amara smiled. “I will get to dinner.”

“Let me help,” Gianna said quickly and scooted after Amara before I could grab her and demand answers.

All in good time.

“So, what’s the big deal, Gi?” Leonardo asked, halfway through dinner. “What big announcement do you have?”

“Yeah, you sounded so excited on the phone earlier,” Amara agreed, trying to keep Ares and Lucio from spilling their food all over the place.

“Yeah, tell us, sweetheart,” I hissed. “I can’t wait to hear it.” Gianna gave me a look and then exhaled deeply. I could see she was nervous.

“Uh…so as you all know, I was thinking of launching my own clothing line for some time now?” she muttered, fidgeting with her spoon.

“Yes, but you haven’t moved beyond thinking because you refuse to let me help you with the funds,” Leo rolled his eyes. “Please tell me you changed your mind?”

“I did,” Gianna nodded, and Leonardo’s eyes practically lit up at that. I wasn’t even sure why Gianna needed to take money from Leo in the first place. Our joint account has more than enough to help fund her business. A lot more than enough.

“Tell me the amount and I will write you the check,” Leo explained. “Oh, I am so happy! Finally, it’s happening.”

“Leo, wait,” Gianna grimaced. “Can you please let me finish first?”

“Yeah, hold your horses, Leo,” Amara agreed. “Tell us, Gi. What is it?”

“I…I have managed to secure funding for it,” she said.

“How?” Leo narrowed his eyes.

“Maximus Vanucci will be investing in my fashion line,” she answered. My spoonful of food halted midway in the air as her words registered.

Wait a minute. What did she say?

“What?” Both Leo and I exclaimed in unison, almost making both her and Ares and Lucio jump.

“Jesus,” Amara grimaced. “Guys, calm down.”

“What the fuck are you saying?” Leonardo demanded. I was so pissed that I didn’t even have words. How could she not tell me about this? How could she just fix it all up with that bastard and not bother to tell me at all? If I hadn’t shown up here, I would have never found out.

“Let me explain, please,” Gianna sighed, not even meeting my gaze. “Bellavanti has started a new initiative where they are investing in businesses launched by female entrepreneurs. Since Maximus heard us talking about my fashion line, he urged me to apply for the program. I did, and after evaluation by Bellavanti’s funding committee, I was finalized.”

“That’s…that’s great,” Amara smiled, throwing looks at Leo and me. “Really great, Gi.”

“Yeah. I will be launching my line in collaboration with Bellavanti this coming fall,” Gianna nodded. “I had a meeting with his team yesterday, and we are getting started with the paperwork. Leo, can you please give me Corrado’s number? I need a lawyer to go through the paperwork before I sign it.”

I was still processing.

So that’s why she was at Maximus’s yesterday. But why…why didn’t she tell me about this? Did she never plan on telling me, or what? And how the fuck was it that Maximus so conveniently had the very opportunity Gianna wanted.

How did he even get her number to reach out?

“So he just wants to invest in your business out of nowhere?” Leo grimaced.

Yes, Leo! Good…stop her!

“I told you, this initiative was already in place, and I just happened to collide with him at the right time,” Gianna said. “And I am not doing this alone. Teresa will be my business partner once we draw up the paperwork and discuss the profit share and stuff. She has the managerial experience I would need.”

“How long has this been going on?” Leo frowned. “How do you have it all figured out?”

“I have been planning for this for as long as I can remember, fratello,” she said. “But mainly since your party.”

“Well, I am happy for you,” Amara smiled at her. “This will be a great head start for your brand, to be backed by a brand like Bellavanti.”

“Thanks, Amara,” Gianna smiled.

“I am not sure about this,” Leo grumbled. At this moment, I really loved the guy.

“You’re thinking of partnering with him for your wine business, fratello,” Gianna pointed out. “You were swooning over him at the party, if I am not mistaken.”

“Really?” Amara raised a brow. “That’s interesting.”

“I was not swooning. He is kind of admirable,” Leo said, making a face.

“He is, and that’s why I am eager for this opportunity,” Gianna said. “I wanted to tell you first before I tell Xavier or Aria or even mom.” Leonardo scowled and glanced at me, but I simply had nothing to say. I was way too pissed to speak.

Gianna was going to be in a whole lot of trouble.

“Are you sure about this?” Leo demanded.

“I am,” Gianna nodded firmly and then she got up and took the empty chair beside Leo. I could see Leonardo’s approval meant a lot to her. “Trust me, I am checking everything out twice before moving forward with this. But fratello, you need to trust me. This has been my dream for so long, and you know it. And it’s finally happening, but I can’t move forward until I know you…you are happy about this.” Leo’s expression softened, and he let out a sigh before turning to her with a smile.

“Of course, I am happy for you,” he said. “I just don’t want you getting hurt, that’s all. But if you feel right about this, then…I am really excited and proud of you. Congratulations, Gi.”

“Thank you,” Gianna smiled, giving him a hug. “So Corrado…can I have his number?”

“I will talk to him and set up a meeting with you tomorrow,” Leo assured.

“Thank you so much,” Gianna said, squeezing his arm, making him roll his eyes. But I didn’t miss the glint of love in them for his little sister. Leonardo was a good man.

Amara did make the right choice.