Semua Bab Infernale: Bab 21 - Bab 30

I arrive at work as excited as a flea. I start printing out the files and brochures we've been making for months now. Henry joins me and puts an arm around my shoulders in greeting. He quickly removes the jacket from his midnight blue suit and loosens his black tie, rolling up his sleeves. "Okay, Lulu. Tell me what I can do to make it go faster." I push him away with one hand as he begins to lean over the pile of freshly printed papers: "You're not touching anything! You'll ruin my organization. Instead, open the folder on my computer and go through the documents and statistics!" Henry gives me a big smile and runs to stand behind my desk. I hear him furiously clicking, then silence. I look up at him as I bind the last few sheets of paper together. Henry is as excited as I am. His concentration is at its peak, and I know his photographic memory is taking over by the way his pupils start to move. I finally put the documents on my table and

Solar, one of the most exclusive restaurants in town. I wrinkle my nose as I realize what the place's name means before glancing at my driver. "Does the restaurant belong to your brother?" Santo lights a cigar before freezing for a moment. Then he rolls down the window and tosses it onto the pavement. "Not Elio's." I frown. "Questo ristorante è mio," (This restaurant is mine*)he replies almost shyly. I think I raise my eyebrows so high that they touch my hairline. "And you called it Solar?" "Si." (Yes*) "Come mai?" (Why?*) his fascination with his big brother is even crazier than I thought. "E perchè no? (And why not?)," he replies without looking at me. He seems to have seen someone further away and doesn't take his eyes off her. I quickly get out of the car, but I turn around and point in his direction. "This conversation isn't over, Santo." He merely makes a sweeping gesture with his hand to signal me to g

"Speak, woman," Henry suddenly orders me. I roll my eyes and signal the waiter to give me the same drink. However, Henry grabs my forearm and makes a cleaver gesture below his throat at the waiter. "I think we'll start with some proper explanations before you end up rolling under the table, Lulu!" he tells me, concern shining in his eyes. "There's nothing more to say. I know Jones, and Jones knows me. Period," I reply, making an exaggerated sucking noise with my straw. "All right. And can I ask how you even know him?" "No." "Did you go to school together?" he asks me, amused. "No." "Yes... he looks much older. Oh, I know! You were friends with his wife!" I nearly choke on my gulp and quickly grab my white napkin and come to rest it against my lips. I let out a sigh and lean my back firmly against my chair. "That's it. I'm friends with his wife." Henry suddenly frowns and straightens up, looking in the direction Jones has ta

Santo freezes, and I see the bitterness gradually creep over his features. "Yes, Lulu. And, instead of leaning on Matteo and me, you wanted the most dangerous of us. The only Ganovese who remains in the shadows. Elio Ganovese, the man in absolute control of his emotions. The man always in control of everything. Do you know how it felt the day he called you 'Luce dei miei occhi' (Light of my eyes*) without realizing it?" I slowly nod. Santo, Matteo, and I had a big fight the day they learned I was in a relationship with their brother. Since then, I hated Santo, who had been the most virulent against me. "You brought fucking light to a man who lives in fucking darkness all the time. We warned you that you would never be free again if you let Elio's love grow for you. We told you to stay away. You know our family's saying: Mangiare bene, ridere spesso, amare molto. (Eat well, laugh often, love a lot. *) We warned you that we would never oppose him, that we co

Elio steps back and lets me get up. I bend down to grab my clothes, thrown carelessly to the side, and I start to get dressed. He beckons me to come closer, and then he helps me to pull up the zipper of my white pencil skirt. "You could spend the night here," he says, watching me calmly. I look up at him for a moment as I button my jacket. "I could, yes," I whisper to him. And it breaks my heart to see the hope shining in his eyes. Elio runs his hands down my back and pulls me back to him. He spreads my legs enough so I'm kneeling on the couch right before him. Then he puts his hands on my cheeks and comes to press our foreheads together. "What more do I have to do to make you stay?" I frown slightly. I try to pull my head back, but Elio holds my neck firmly. "Sign the divorce papers." Elio lets out a sigh. "I refuse. You are mine. You agreed to be mine. You can't abandon me again. Especially not today. I can leave you your apartment, your business, amore mio. But I will neve