When the SUV came to a stop, I couldn’t believe there was a tiny red carpet and some paparazzi outside. In my mind, I wasn’t a celebrity or a socialite. But in their eyes, I was the daughter of the late Edoardo Caruso, and the wife of Leandro Neretti. That made me worth knowing about.
Their flashes blinded me as Guilio helped me to the door. Once inside, I went about checking to make sure everything was going well with the caterers and the champagne was ready to be served.
As time started ticking down to the official opening, my stomach twisted in knots. But then my tribe began arriving. Callum and Caterina came in from Boston while Rafe, Maeve, and Gianni came from New York along with Bianca and Yuri.
Vittoria looked stunning in her evening wear as did Adamo in his tux. Audrianna’s dress had a slit in the side that I would be giving her a talking to about when I got her alone. She was now fourteen going on twenty-one, and with Father gone, she was testing the waters.
To my surprise, my mother arrived with Antonio. “What a quaint little place,” she remarked before grabbing a flute of champagne.
“Thank you, Mother.”
She gave me air kisses on both cheeks before spotting someone she knew. Antonio merely gave me a nod. “I can’t say I agree with what you’ve done, but at least it’s impressive.”
“I appreciate it.”
Finally, the two men I’d been searching for all night arrived. Leo had anticipated the flashbulbs upsetting Luca, so they’d come in the back door. “There’s my handsome men!” I cried as I hurried over to them.
Luca looked absolutely adorable in his little suit and tie while Leo appeared edible in his tux.
“What a crowd, D,” Leo said, with excitement in his eyes.
“I know. I might actually sell a painting or two tonight.”
“Seriously? I think they’re going to buy us out.”
Excitement radiated through me. “Wouldn’t that be amazing?”
“Da!” Luca called to someone over Leo’s shoulder.
“Um, excuse me, little man. I’m the only Da around here,” Leo replied.
When I looked to where Luca was staring, I covered my mouth with my hands. “Oh, my God!”
“What is it?”
“He’s looking atSubmission.”
Leo’s eyes widened before he whirled around. That made Luca turn his head to point at the pictures of Leo on the wall. “Da!”
For the first time ever, Leo Neretti actually blushed. Covering Luca’s eyes, he replied, “You don’t need to be seeing your dad like that.”
While I giggled, Luca huffed and tried wriggling his head away from Leo’s hand. Leo shot me a look. “I need to get him the hell out of here.”
“How about a drink?”
“That’ll work.”
When we got to the bar, Luca was craning his neck to try to see the back wall, which just made me laugh all over again. “Seriously, Drea.”
“I can’t help it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you blush.”
“Yeah, well, I hope that series sells tonight, so I don’t have to run the risk of him seeing it again.”
As Leo downed some whiskey, I said, “Why don’t I do a new installation of the two of you to replace Submission with?”
Leo appeared thoughtful. “I would hate to see it go. I mean, my body is like a masterpiece in those.” He patted his stomach. “I gotta get back to the gym.”
“Oh please. Like you still don’t have the body of a god.”