Decadent

“Alessandra di Baroni. She is the winery’s CEO and the only living Baroni heir.”

“And does this Alessandra have no sense of adventure? I think playing up the Medici angle would be a sensational tourist trap. You’d sell more wine that way.”

“We do things differently here at Castello di Baroni. It’s not always about the sale,” Mia said, politely chastising me for such a crass suggestion. I probably came off as typically American. I’d done enough traveling throughout Europe to know that Americans were often disdained for our lack of tradition or sense of ritual.

“I agree, the way you’re doing things is better. Obviously, when you’ve been around since the thirteen hundreds, you’ve got a firm handle on how to succeed.” I winked to show that I was capable of listening to subtle cues. She rewarded me with an approving smile. I sensed a deep appreciation for Alessandra, which was interesting. While Alessandra may seem the hardnose, she must truly value her staff as Mia wasn’t about to say anything that threw her boss under the bus.

There was no one I would consider loyal in our employ. I had no doubt that any of the executives who sat in the boardroom at Donato Inc. would sell their own grandmother if it meant getting ahead. That was just the nature of business. I didn’t hold it against them, but I wondered what it would be like to be the recipient of Mia’s brand of loyalty. A world without fake smiles, ass-kissing and backstabbing as the norm.

Right, like that place existed. Appearances were deceiving. For all I knew sweet Mia could be sleeping with Alessandra’s father behind closed doors or embezzling from the company.

“Tell me more about the castle,” I prompted, steering the conversation to ground where Mia felt more comfortable. “I find it all so fascinating.”

“Oh, it truly is. The castle survived the devastation of World War II without so much as losing a pebble in her foundation, whereas other castles in the area weren’t as lucky. Some say the castle is blessed.”

“And here I thought castles were supposed to be haunted. Surely there are a few ghosts rattling around the stones. Please don’t ruin all my European castle stereotypes.”

“Perhaps one or two,” she said with a conspiratorial wink. “There is a story about an old groundskeeper who can be seen walking the vines from time to time, but he seems to be the helpful sort of ghost, not the scary kind.”

“No wailing lady in white to be found?” I asked.

“Not that I’ve heard but you’d have to ask Alessandra. She grew up in the castle and if there’s anything ghostly, she’d know.”

I let that information sink in for a moment. “Grew up in the castle? Wow, that’s not something you hear every day. The only people I’ve ever heard of living in a castle are the Windsors.”

“Well, Windsor Castle is older than Castello di Baroni and impressive as well. Have you been?”

“Not much of a touristy traveler,” I admitted. “But I see now that I’ve been missing out. I think I need to start seeing the world through a different lens, which definitely includes a few castle tours. I’m bound to find at least one with a wailing lady in white, right?”

“The odds are in your favor,” she said, laughing. “Actually, you seem like someone who might be interested in a special event the winery holds each year to celebrate the harvest,” she said, reaching beneath the counter to produce a five-by-seven invitation printed on thick card stock with gold filigree. “A man of your tastes might find tonight’s event worth your while.”

The woman was good. Without being obvious, she’d sized me up quickly and determined I had the pocketbook required for such an event.

I accepted the invite, flipping it over to read the details of the black-tie event. “Una Notte Magica,” I murmured, and I knew I’d been given an excellent chance to learn more about Alessandra even if she didn’t welcome me with open arms. “Will the Baroni family be in attendance? I’d love to meet the people behind such an esteemed winery,” I said.

“Oh yes, it’s a big event for the family. They take great pride in their annual event. It’s a Baroni tradition and they are very approachable, very generous with their time.”

Perfect. “Forgive my ignorance but…how does one family run this operation so seamlessly?” I asked, pandering to the woman’s pride in her employer. “I’m surprised Castello di Baroni hasn’t been snapped up by a corporation by this point.”

“Oh no, signor, the Baronis are very close, very dedicated to keeping the business going privately and family operated as it always has been. Tradition is everything to them. They treat their employees like family, unlike those operations owned by bigger entities. We are very proud to be Baroni employees.”

Ah, that explained the loyalty.

“That’s amazing. American business could take a lesson in Baroni employment retention tenets,” I said, playing along. “So, Alessandra is the sole heir? She handles all of this on her own? No other family to help?”

“No, sadly, it is only Alessandra Baroni running things. Enzo, her twin brother, died when he was young, and everything fell to Alessandra. But she has more than risen to the occasion, wouldn’t you say?”

“Absolutely,” I said, seeming impressed. “She must be a powerhouse. A real modern woman.”

The woman giggled. “Oh yes, Alessandra is all that and more. She is bringing Baroni into the future even if her father is a little more reluctant to be so progressive. The wine industry is slow to change but Alessandra is a force of nature. She does not need anyone’s approval to make the big decisions. We are all so proud of her and what she’s doing.”

Realizing she may have said too much, the woman straightened with a quick smile. “I talk of things that are of no interest to you. My apologies, signor.”

“Not at all. I love hearing about the winery’s history,” I said, putting her fears to rest. I’d have to stop giving my younger brother shit for always using the Donato charm to get his way. I had to admit Nico was right, it was efficient. I smiled for Mia’s benefit, adding, “Will you be at the event?”

She blushed and shook her head. “Not this time. I have other plans, unfortunately.”

“More’s the pity,” I said, letting the innuendo drop between us before drawing a regretful breath and pocketing the invite. “Do you work on commission?”

Her cheeks pinked a little. “I receive a small bonus for sales,” she admitted.

I grinned and tossed down my black Amex card. “Then, I’ll need to buy a case of your Riserva. I know my father will go nuts over it.”

She flushed with pleasure and nodded as she prepared the paperwork to finish the sale. I had the case shipped to my father with the simple message, “A preview of your newest obsession,” and then with a smile left the gift shop with a plan forming.

I needed to get closer to Alessandra and this event tonight was just the venue I needed to make my move.

There were certain things in life that were irrefutable:

1) In spite of the recent spate of flat-earthers squawking to the contrary, the earth was, in fact, round.

2) No matter race, religious background or gender, everyone had a price.

And finally…

3) Women couldn’t resist a Donato in a tuxedo.

I chuckled at my private wisdom and headed for my hotel room.

CHAPTER FOUR (#ufbdd0d0d-2d12-5251-9bb9-b17cb72311f0)

Alessandra

UNA NOTTE MAGICA was an event my family held every year to celebrate a successful harvest. We spent a lot of money to ensure the attendees remembered the Baroni name. It was advertising at its most obscene. I tolerated it because business was more than just making sure your product was superior, it was also about making connections within your community and circle of influence.

It just so happened my circle of influence comprised old white men stuck in their ways, and suffering a night of their condescending snobbery was a waste of my precious time.

However, I wasn’t so foolish as to believe that I didn’t need their influence, particularly with the launch of Uva Persa around the corner, so I would play the game a bit longer.

My best friend, Sophia Russo, zipped my dress as I held my hair up. “Suck it in,” she advised with a laugh as she shrink-wrapped me into the black formfitting gown. I squeaked a little as the final stretch of zipper found its home and I slowly let out my breath as I turned to face Sophia. Her smile was radiant, if not a little sardonic. She quipped, “I hope you didn’t plan to eat tonight because not much else could fit in that dress.”

“Of course not, I’m too on edge to eat anyway,” I said, turning to put the finishing touches on my makeup. My thoughts should’ve been on tonight but my brain kept stubbornly throwing Donato into my mental theater, which was a fresh irritant to my already taut nerves. “If Alberico is there and tries to pressure me to dance with him, I’ll grind my heel into his insole.”

“His family expects you to marry him,” Sophia said. “Your pedigrees match up. It’s not a terrible idea, you know. He’s not ugly and he stands to inherit a sizable fortune. Plus, his family descends from the House of Medici so he has royalty in his blood.”

“Well, perhaps if the Italian monarchy hadn’t ended in the forties that might be something to crow about. Today, it’s simply colorful conversation and it means nothing. Besides, I’m not looking for a man to lend his influence. I’ve had enough of that nonsense and it’s time to make a change.”

Sophia sighed, shaking her head. “Always trying to change the world,” she said. “Enzo would be proud.”