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Like most early summer mornings, I finish my two-mile swim by treading water. Morning swims are a form of meditation for me. On this particular morning, I soak in the scenery. The lake reflects a clear mirror image of the shoreline. Towers of some of the majestic icons of architecture are reflected, along with gently swaying trees. I absorb everything, bringing my body and mind together in harmony.
The past several days were very productive. GF and I had a great meeting, and all my suggestions were approved and my requests accepted. Mateo, as promised, had followed through with collecting an enormous amount of information regarding the Garza family. Sifting through the details allowed me to complete the plan I formulated to help get Lia out of debt.
This afternoon, we have a tour set up to visit Lion Whiskey Distillery. The best part of my week was I hadn’t had to endure Angelo’s ugly face and sarcastic remarks. He and Sam had taken off to Milan for the week. God only knows what kind of shenanigans they have been involved in. Before the afternoon tour with the Leonis, I need to finish tying up one loose end, so I end my swim and make my way into the boathouse to clean up.
Walking towards the garage later, I send Mateo a quick text telling him the time to meet me at the hotel, so we can drive together to the distillery. I’ve blown him off the last few days and feel a bit guilty for ignoring him and Josie’s wedding plans. Starting up my red Ducati, I pull out of the garage, passing Germano and giving him a quick wave. Since it was still early in the morning, there is no one on the road, enabling me to cruise faster than usual. Minutes later, I arrive in the middle of town.
Backing into a parking space in front of my favorite bakery, I notice the familiar car I was looking for parked just a few spots away, exactly where Mateo said it would be. Carrying my helmet, I walked past Krieg Bakery and continue two doors down to a new-age internet cafe. Going to the counter, I order my usual a coffee latte, along with a buttered jam roll.
Casually walking to the table in the corner, I join the two gals I made this trip for. Lia’s friend, the blonde-haired, pink-tipped pixie, was sitting next to another girl with long blue hair. Both were feverishly typing into their computers. Thumping my helmet on the table to get their attention, I smile and say, “Good morning, Pixie. How are you this lovely morning? I thought you would still be working at your parents’ bakery at this time of the day.”
Pixie’s head shoots up as though an alien had just sprung up in front of her. If Pixie’s eyes could really kill, they would have done me in on the spot. “What the hell are you doing here?” She spits out.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” I ask Pixie, while looking at the other woman. Laying on what I believe is my most charming smile, I look at her expectantly.
“No need to be introduced, Mr. Santos Ferrari,” says Indigo. “You probably shouldn’t be riding your red Ducati if you want anonymity.”
Reaching out my hand to shake hers, I say, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person Indigo, or should I say Maria.”
Looking at me in surprise, Indigo decides to ignore my outstretched hand as she looks back to her computer saying. “I can’t say the same. However, I am wondering how you found out my name. That is something not generally known too many.”
Krista is looking between us as though she was at a tennis match, trying to catch up with our conversation. She stands up abruptly, her face turning the shade of her hair tips. I continue nibbling on my breakfast, leaning back in the chair with one leg up on my knee. This is turning into quite the amusing breakfast.
“Why are you here, Playboy, besides harassing us?” Krista asks, looking at me as if she’s ready to pounce.
I hold up my free hand, waving it in a gesture of peace. “Easy, Pixie. I’m here for the free wi-fi, just like you!” I say jokingly.
“Fine, you said your hellos. Now, feel free to scurry along,” she says, flapping her arms towards me trying to shoo me away from them.
Ignoring her for the time being, I turn instead to Indigo. “I am actually here to offer your friend Indigo a rather lucrative job for a few months. You would work for me exclusively. Nothing illegal, just help with collecting information that others might find difficult to procure. Apparently, word on the street is that you are one of the best and actually have a code of honor towards those who use your services. I would also expect you to make sure my computer and those of my close colleagues cannot be hacked. You would check in with me regularly and always answer my calls. You would need to pay off your community hours by volunteering at the Krieg Bakery while in my employment. Also, I expect you to stay out of trouble along with your complete loyalty. Only to me!” I emphasize the last part. “For this, you would be very well compensated. Much more generously than the occasional jobs you accept.”
I let that sink in while I turn back to Krista, whose jaw is hanging open and ready to lay into me. Holding up my hand in a placating gesture, I quickly say, “Just hear me out, Krista. I know you don’t trust me, but your friend Lia does. I really would like Indigo to work for me, and you can act as a sort of guardian to her in order to assuage your distrust of me. I would also pay you well for this service.” Taking a sip of my latte, I see both girls trying to wrap their brains around what was just offered.
Indigo has finally stopped typing, instead studying me with distrust, yet I see a glimmer of interest in her face. Krista has managed to shut her jaw and is looking back and forth between us. I give them both the time they need to digest everything. If Mateo is correct about Indigo, I will reap the benefits of having a computer brainiac at my disposal without having to use any of my father’s people. Having someone that I can trust at my fingertips when I’m in the States will be priceless.
Indigo’s face is betraying her age, making her look years older than she is. The mask of makeup she is wearing doesn’t help, along living the life of an orphan on the streets. In another few years, it will catch up with her. Her record showed she’s been bounced around all over the country.
“So, what’s it going to be?” I ask. “A sizable amount of money for just a few months, or waiting around for the occasional job offer?” Finishing up my last bite, I stand up, winding up this little meeting. “I’ll expect your answer by midnight tonight.” Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket, I email her the documents that need to be signed to make it final. Hearing a ping from her computer confirms she received it. “I just sent you the legal job documents to be signed. I look forward hearing from you, Indigo. If you are as intelligent as I think you are, you will make the right decision.”
Turning to Krista and her stunned face, I say, “Pleasure seeing you this morning. I am looking forward to working with you.” Knowing it will definitely irritate her even more, I wink at her as I pick up my helmet and saunter out of the cafe towards my Ducati.
––––––––
SITTING IN THE PASSENGER seat of Mateo’s G-Wagon, we head towards Lion Whiskey Distillery. Between Lia’s fine whiskey and the heat we stir up between us, Italy should prove to be a lot more interesting than I had anticipated. Strangely, I am also looking forward to helping Lia ease her burdens.
Breaking out of my thoughts, I hear Mateo ask me something. “How did your early meeting go?” He asks, still cautious after our last conversation the other day.
Thinking of how I left both gals in complete shock at the internet cafe still makes me smile. The astonishment on both their faces when they realized I knew Indigo’s real name was priceless. Even the social workers didn’t have that. He really came through with spot-on intel. “Mateo, you really delivered the key information that I believe sealed the deal. The girl will no doubt be a handful, but I think she’s solid enough for what I need. Hopefully, she’s the genius they say she is. By the way, I included Krista in the package at the last minute. I know the two together might create some mayhem, but my gut sense told me that having Krista for an ally rather than a foe would work out better. We should be receiving the paperwork for the job offer later tonight.”
“Ahh, our sweet, thoughtful Sonny has returned.” Mateo jokes, breaking any awkward feelings between us.
“Shut up, or I’ll make you Indigo’s guardian.” I threaten with a chuckle.
He shakes his head. “Hell no, no brats for me. I told Josie the same thing. Marriage, but no kids.” The remaining drive is spent carrying on as old friends. We talk about his upcoming nuptials to Josephine, football, and just razzing each other.
“Shit, Sonny! This place is going to need a lot of work. It’s completely dilapidated.” Mateo says in disgust as we drive through the open gate to the entrance of the distillery.
The gate’s hinges hang off and are clearly rusted. Security seems non-existent which would leave any asshole free to enter any time of the day or night. The grounds look as though they had once boasted manicured gardens, but they are now overrun with weeds. Bushes and vines have grown alongside garden beds that were left to survive on their own. Shutters hang at angles, the peeling paint showing their neglect. Statues and fountains that once dominated the lawns with their beauty now stand as defeated, broken, and weathered sentinels. The gigantic stone barn, with its partially intact roof, looks like it will collapse with the next windy, thunderstorm.
I recall there were no landscaping expenses or outside estate repairs on the ledger I reviewed earlier. I just was not expecting such total neglect. They must be spending all their funds on only product development. Worry starts to unfold at what the inside must look like and has me hoping they aren’t giving many tours. If I wasn’t already aquatinted with Lia, I would have had Mateo turn around and not waste our time looking at an aged, dilapidated distillery.
“I can’t imagine them giving tours. Damn, at least their product is amazing.” Mateo states, mirroring my exact thoughts. While silently agreeing with him, I’m also realizing that this would definitely give my proposal the upper hand I need.
Reaching for the folder I had put together beforehand; we exit the vehicle. Walking towards the oversized double door entrance, one of the doors fly open. I see the lady of the estate herself is watching us approach her business. She’s wearing a short-sleeved, light weight knit dress that accents her every curve along with a pair of black stilettos. I felt myself harden. She has my favorite feature, her long black hair, once again in its signature, glossy braid. She stands proudly waiting and ready to welcome us.
“Welcome to Lion Whiskey Distillery, gentleman. Please excuse the grounds’ appearance as our groundskeeper is presently on holiday.” Lia says dryly.
Ushering both of us in, I can sense she is anticipating selling the Ferrari family quite a lot of premium whiskey to use in their hospitality venues. While I am all about being professional, I’m finding it difficult to not stare at her tightly muscled butt. It makes it difficult to think about anything other than backing her up against the wall and feeling myself in her.
Halting in the foyer to take in my surroundings, I’m stunned to see it’s anything but dilapidated. It is elegantly restored and tastefully decorated. The floor is a large mosaic of a huge male lion surrounded by a garden of abundantly bright flowers. The detail is beyond exquisite. Looking up to the ceiling, it’s accompanied by a gigantic crystal chandelier glittering against the light that’s streaming in through the oval stain glass windows. Wood and gold compliment the opulent decorations as finishing details. While my style is usually more aligned with Frank Lloyd Wright, modern and minimal, this design fits the mansion well. Like the Ferrari Grand Hotel, it’s a timeless architectural jewel.
Looking over to Mateo, he seems as mesmerized as I am. Lia begins to speak once again, bringing our attention back to the tour. “My brother will join us for the tasting at the end of the tour. Our first stop will be at the Grain Grading Room.” She starts walking briskly out of the entrance hall through a corridor. Holding real estate on the walls are many historical paintings in ostentatious but fitting frames. Lia begins telling us the history of how her grandfather had been a professor of chemistry. He started dabbling in whiskey as a hobby. He did quite a bit of reading on distilleries and the different techniques used in Scotland. Sadly, life took a turn for him when his wife became ill. After her death, he gave up his hobby and immersed himself in many long hours at the local university teaching and researching. Decades later, he suddenly resumed his interest in whiskey making. Len, who is also a professor of chemistry, volunteered to move from Milan to help their grandfather in the making of the world’s finest whiskey. Together they ventured to make a Leoni dream become a reality.
She opens a door and proceeds down the marble staircase. The first room we enter is set up as a laboratory. “In this room, we test numerous samples for moisture, weight, foreign materials, and damaged grain. The most important test we do is the organoleptic analysis, which is the smell test. Smelling the grain for mold is important to detect a bad batch. So far we have been fortunate to never have one.” She smiles proudly as she leads us to a set of wide, green, metal double doors “We only have two mash bills running at the moment. Each consist of combinations of corn; rye; molten barley; and, of course, a secret Leoni ingredient. It’s time consuming, but we wash a total of three times. The first time, we drain, while the next two times, we use the same water. Being in the basement, we are able to keep it a little cooler thus adding more consistency, compared to other more up-to-date distilleries.”
We enter the last room, called the Still Room. “Another reason that makes the Lion Whiskey process unique is that our fermenting is made out of Quercus frainetto, commonly known as Hungarian oak tree or, if you will, Italian oak. Eventually, we will restore the barn, so we can keep more wells.” She remains quiet for a few moments, allowing us to digest all her information. Mateo walks over to inspect the wooden wells.
I take the opportunity to walk closer to her, mischievously grabbing her braid and giving it a slight tug. Leaning in, I give her ear a gentle little bite.
“Mr. Ferrari, please behave,” she whispers, swatting me while looking to make sure Mateo didn’t witness my advances. Of course, he did, but it’s his job to pretend he doesn’t see anything. He’s leaning down, shaking his head, and rubbing the fermenting wood.
Lia takes a step away from me and gathers herself. “Do either of you have any questions for me?”
Smiling, I tell her that I have a question. “Is this the room where you use the Bung Flogger method?” As expected, her eyes go wide, and heat blushes her cheeks.
Pretending not to have heard me, she walks over to the other side of the room where there is a second entrance to stairs. “Well, this completes the tour, gentlemen. We prepared sampling stations upstairs for you.”
I seize this as an opportunity to have a moment with her. “Mateo, please head upstairs. We will follow in a few moments. I need to speak to Miss Leoni alone for a minute.” I hand him the folder, and he heads up without a word, leaving Lia frozen in place. “Miss Leoni, we don’t have much time, so it’s going to be hard and fast. And to be clear, this is not a raincheck.”
Stalking towards her, I notice her body instantly tenses in sexual reaction. I reach for her, grabbing her head with one arm and hips with the other. I slowly walk her up against one of the stone walls, then swiftly turn her around. “Put your hands up against the wall.” I tell her hoarsely.
As I slide the hem of dress to her waist, I can feel heat of her sex wafting off her. Desire is gripping her and slams through me as my hips buck against her, letting her know how badly I want her.
One hand descends to the middle of her braid and tugs tightly, while my other hand presses against her core. Her moans and desire intensify. “I really love your lingerie choices.” I mutter out loud to myself.
“I enjoy when you rip them off of me,” she murmurs, turning her head to me give me a sensual look.
Bending down, I give her a wet, open kiss; our tongues dueling with each other. With a quick tear, I once again easily rip off her panties and put them in my jacket pocket. Giving her braid one last hard tug, I unbuckle my belt and undo my trousers. She lets her head fall back against my chest with a satisfying moan as I spread her slowly from behind, penetrating her swiftly.
“Remind me again if this is the room the Bung Flogger method is performed in.” I whisper.
A short time later, I head upstairs to track down Mateo and Len, letting Lia clean up and put herself back together with composure. A large round wooden table and ten chairs are placed in the middle of the room where we are sampling their whiskey. Two smaller tables are to the side that display sampling bottles and empty glasses, waiting for attention.
Len is looking out the window in deep thought, while Mateo is casually sitting at the large table. He looks at me and smiles, shaking his head. Raising my eyebrows, I let him know now is not the time to get into this. It’s all business right now. I nod my head towards Len, and Mateo shrugs his shoulders.
“Mr. Leoni, I believe Mateo briefed you on our proposal. It would, as you know, secure Lion Whiskey financially while protecting your sister and you going forward. I will never insult her riding capabilities, as she’s one hell of a rider. However, the crowd she has indulged in while pursuing the sport is extremely dangerous.”
Len suddenly snaps away from the window, pointing at me. “You son of a bitch, you are just as an evil as the Garzas. To be clear, I wasn’t aware she was racing. The story she told me was that she had secured a loan with a bank suggested by one of her colleagues.”
Picking up the folder, I walk towards him. “Len, I’m the devil who will protect you and your sister while keeping your business legit.”
His outburst cost him most of his energy. His frail body seems to deflate right in front of me.
Handing him the folder, I press on, knowing if Lia returns too soon our talks will end immediately. “You will be receiving the paperwork for phase one of the proposal. Once that is signed, completed, and returned, we will continue with the merger.”
Len looks up from the folder with cloudy eyes and says in a reedy, serious voice. “This is going to end whatever you two have once Lia finds out about this arrangement. I won’t keep this from her.”
I acknowledge the information. “I suggest you be honest with her, as will I. But we should also make her see the sense of this deal. Mr. Leoni, to clarify, any personal relationship I might have with your sister has absolutely nothing to do with you.” This piss ant will not dictate my physical involvement with his sister. “I have every confidence that you will make the right choice, Mr. Leoni. If not for yourself, then for your sister’s sake.”
At that second, I hear the sounds of Lia’s heels echoing behind me. I turn and see she’s composed but has a questioning look as she observes all three of us. “What right choice does my brother have to make, Mr. Ferrari?”
Before I can answer her question, her brother walks over to Lia and hands her the folder. “Mr. Ferrari was kind of enough to give me information on experimental Parkinson treatments in New York City.” He gives me a defeated look, knowing I’m the better evil to choose, and walks back to the window.
Lia flips through the pages, absorbs the information quickly, and then looks up at me.
“My mother is an honorary board of director at the New York hospital. I told your brother she could set up an appointment for you both to meet with the research doctors.” She is clearly stunned by my invitation.
Walking over to me, she gives me a light peck on the cheek. “Thank you. I don’t know how we can ever repay you.” Taking a deep breath, she directs me to sit. “Shall we continue? We will start with the original Lion whiskey, which is ninety proof. The second sample, which you are familiar with, is the Lioness. The third is from my grandfather’s private collection of which there are very few barrels left. You are among a very privileged few to experience it.”
Len excuses himself midway through the tasting, not being able to endure the remaining social tour while digesting the information he had been presented with earlier. Half an hour later, Lia walks us out, giving both Mateo and I small favor boxes of whiskey.
“Miss Leoni, thank you for the tour. Your knowledge was very stimulating.” I say, giving her an intense look. “I look forward receiving a quote proposal for the limited-edition copyrights to sell at our Ferrari hotel here in Italy and eventually at our United States brands.”
“We will put something together by next week that is mutually beneficial for both parties, Mr. Ferrari.” She looks between both Mateo and me. “Gentlemen, thank you again for taking time from your busy schedule.” She says, giving me a quick glance then looking away. Mateo gets into the car and shuts the door. I walk over to her and give her lips a slow perusal. As usual, I can feel the sparks between us.
Walking slightly past her, I point to the barn and grin. “I know an architect who could help transform that pile of rubble into something magnificent.” I repeat her words regarding my boathouse. “Oh and, Miss Leoni, don’t forget I’m looking forward collecting my brunch raincheck this Saturday.”
As we pull out onto the road, Mateo immediately starts in on me. “You know her brother is right. She is going to freak out once she finds out what you’re up to.”
Most of the time, this honesty is a quality that makes Mateo’s company so enjoyable. He’s to the point with facts. No patronizing or tell me that I shouldn’t do something.
Shrugging, I simply tell him. “Say something I don’t know, but I’m only trying to protect her. Eventually, she will see reason, and if not, well, it’ll be fun while it lasts.” Personally, I hope this fling will last at least until I go back to Vegas. I’m liking her mind as well as her body.
I quickly type Lia a text. Meet me Saturday 10:00 a.m. on your sexy machine at Krieg Bakery. I have a surprise for you.
I turn to Mateo saying, “How about calling Josephine and telling her there will be dinner and boating at my place tonight?”
Agreeing with the idea, he gives her a quick call to let her know he will drop me off and pick her up after work.
Pulling into the driveway, I see two familiar females that look more like they should be at Comic-Con rather than loitering in front of my residence.
Mateo whistles. “Shit, they both look like angry little she-devils. They must have balls of steel showing up here.”
Just as he finishes his comment, I see Germano walk over to them with a silver tray which holds some kind of refreshing beverage. Got to hand it to Germano for taking his job seriously. I’m hoping his presence defuses their temperamental attacks.
“Oh good,” Mateo chuckles. “You have back up. I’m out of here. Going to go pick up Josie and be back for dinner.” He gives me a shit grin.
“Traitor asshole.” I say getting out of the car.