by Calista Fox
Gian glanced up from his laptop. “I was wondering when you’d stop by. How was the deep-sea fishing?”
Rogen fought a wince over the lie he’d told. “Yielded excellent results. We have the scotch.” Why beat around the bush? He could tell by his father’s steely gaze he knew what his boys were up to.
That steely gaze slid from Rogen to Vin. Then landed on Rogen again. “In your back pocket?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. It’s with Jewel,” Rogen said. “Until you agree to honor your handshake.”
Rogen’s father let out a sharp laugh. “I will admit that I’m impressed by her resourcefulness. But why are you helping her to acquire land that’s rightfully yours as well, Rogen, by inheritance?”
“Because it’s rightfully mine, by inheritance. And I have plans for it, since you and Anthony haven’t come to terms with developing the property. As it happens, Jewel has a purpose for it, too. Both of our ideas complement each other. So we’d like to go into business together.”
Gian stared. Hard. For several incredibly long, incredibly uncomfortable moments.
Finally, he snapped the lid of his computer closed and stood. “I believe I’ve made it abundantly clear that there will be no more Angelini-Catalano joint ventures. Business or otherwise.”
Rogen sighed with exasperation. “With all due respect, you can’t dictate what transpires between Jewel and me personally. Or professionally. Not when we’ve agreed to use our own funds for the entire transaction and leverage our lines of credit outside of Angelini, Inc, and Catalano Enterprises for the inn and winery.”
His father looked taken aback. “An inn and a winery?”
“Those are the plans,” Rogen told him.
Gian gave this consideration, then nodded. “Very intelligent decisions.”
Some of Rogen’s tension eased. “Then you’ll release the land so she and I can move forward?”
“No.”
The tension returned full force. “No?”
“No,” Gian confirmed. Took his seat. Opened his laptop.
Anger flashed though Rogen. Why was his father being so damn obstinate? It couldn’t possibly just be over Anthony Catalano wanting to build a marketplace that would have brought in more profits than Gian’s desired concept for all that acreage.
Rogen said, “We’re willing to buy the property—not even asking you to deed your portion outside of the trusts. You’ll make a nice chunk of change on property that’s just sitting there, costing you taxes and county assessments every year.”
“I’ve already explained my reasoning. Don’t ask me again.”
Now Rogen stewed. His temper flared. “Then the decanter stays with Jewel. Angelini scotch in the hands of a Catalano.”
He whirled around and stalked off. Knowing his father would stew over the parting shot.
* * *
Vin took a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Said to Gian, “They really do have a solid theory. They discussed it on our little adventure to get the scotch. Laid quite a bit of groundwork. Mapped out a strategy. Consulted on finances.”
“All with your help?” Gian challenged.
“I stayed out of the conversation. Only answered legal questions. I told them it was a conflict of interest for me, so I didn’t pen any agreements for them.”
“I appreciate your loyalty,” Gian commented. “Though I’m not pleased to know that you do have an involvement with their endeavor.”
“I didn’t think you would be,” Vin admitted, his gut coiling. “But my presence on the trip has no bearing on Angelini, Inc., operations. We went for the scotch, as Jewel had told you she’d acquire it for you.”
“And Rogen told her—and you—that I intended to keep the decanter, compensate Jewel for it, and end our arrangement there?”
“Yes, sir.”
With a shake of his head, Gian said in a disgruntled tone, “That girl always was good at wrapping him around her finger.” He let out a harsh breath. “Rumor has it, she has the same effect on you. Something I’m also not pleased about.”
Vin’s jaw set. He walked a very fine line with that loyalty he clung to. Considering all the gray area he’d dabbled in in the past week and a half. He said, “They have a sound business model. I happen to agree with it. I’d like to see them follow through and build their own legacies. It’d also be good for the community’s economy and put River Cross more on a par with Sonoma and Napa Valley, bringing in more tourists and providing more venues for events and festivals. From every angle, I see it as a win-win.”
“Except that I don’t want my sons associating with Jewel Catalano.”
It was a low blow for Gian to use the plural. Yes, Vin knew that Rogen’s father also thought of Vin as a son. Even before Vin had come to live at the estate, because he’d spent so much time there with Rogen and Jewel as kids. Rose-Marie had treated Vin like family, too, doting over him because her own son was off in Manhattan and her daughter was buried in the River Cross cemetery.
Despite Vin’s devastation over his parents’ deaths and his subsequent black moods, he’d actually latched on to the support and affection given by Gian and Rose-Marie. There had always been an underlying current in the mansion, after Vin had moved in, that had almost made him feel as though they were all given a fresh start. It was that particular connection that had made them close. And had gotten them all through the horrific tragedies they’d experienced.
As he thought about that time of his life, something elusive percolated in the back of his brain. But it was only a tiny notion, not strong enough for him to dissect or ruminate over. So he shoved it aside.
He told Gian, “Rogen and I both have deep affection for Jewel. In this instance, I don’t think the sins of the fathers should be visited on the heirs. She has nothing to do with the family feud. Nor do Rogen or I.”
“Understand that I once held Anthony and Sophia in high regard as well. They deceived me.”
Vin’s tightrope became a thin strand as he cautiously, though relevantly, asked, “And the answer is to sabotage their daughter? In the process keep Rogen from his dream as well?”
Gian shrewdly told him, “I didn’t hire you as Chief General Counsel solely because you were a part of this family. I did it because you’re a smart man. Logical. Practical. Someone who thinks things through before acting. I know it hasn’t always been that way, but since you decided to forgo San Francisco State for Yale you’ve really stood on solid ground. I have deep respect for you, as I do for Rogen.”
“But…?”
“But”—Gian speared him with a resolute look—“trust me when I tell you my intentions are neither misguided nor unwarranted. If you take my counsel, the two of you just might come out of this ‘little adventure’ unscathed.”
* * *
When Jewel arrived at the Catalano estate, she left her suitcase and laptop bag in her suite and locked the scotch in the safe in her dressing room, where she kept her most expensive jewelry.
She caught up on e-mails, then sought out her parents, since Cameron had informed her that Anthony was working from the mansion for the remainder of the week. She found him, along with her mother, on one of the patios, having lunch.
Jewel strolled along the pavers under a huge awning. Her mother glanced up at her approach, her fork midway to her mouth. Sophia dropped the utensil on her salad plate. Shoved back her chair. Stood. And marched off.
Jewel gaped.
Her gaze flitted to her father. “What was that all about?”
Anthony reached for his iced tea and took a drink. Then he said, “Give her a little time to digest.”
Jewel’s stomach knotted. “You’re obviously not speaking of the food. She barely made a dent in that salad.”
“She was in town this morning for coffee with her friends. They delicately gave her an earful of River Cross’s latest gossip. Scandal, if you will.”
Oh, Christ.
Jewel slipped into a seat across from her father at the round glass-
topped table. “What’d she tell you?”
“That word on the street is you, Rogen, and Vin are spending your evenings together. And that is the delicate terminology.”
“It was one evening at Rogen’s house—just the two of us. I didn’t even stay over,” she huffed. “And how the hell would anyone know what we were doing, anyway, when we’ve been on a plane the last several days?” As an aside, she added, “By the way, I have the scotch. According to Rogen, his father is going to try to do exactly as you suggested. Keep the scotch and the land.”
“Where is it now?”
“My safe.”
“Excellent. And congratulations on pulling off the acquisitions.”
“Thank you.” She was pleased with her coup, too. But that didn’t stop the churning of her stomach.
Her father tactfully asked, “Are you three … reunited?”
Jewel let out a soft laugh, despite her tension and the sensitive topic of conversation. “Daddy, I’m twenty-eight years old and we’re not currently amidst polite society. It’s acceptable for you to ask if we’re all sleeping together.”
Oh, but hearing those words out loud ratcheted the roiling of her insides a few notches.
“I’m not exactly interested in learning the gory details, Jewel. Just answer the question, so I know what we’re dealing with here.”
“I’m not sure exactly what Mother’s friends told her, but Scarlet informed me of the rumors and I can verify that the gory details are fact. For the most part. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some embellishments. But Rogen, Vin, and I are sort of … dating.”
“All at once?”
“Yes…?” She cringed.
Her father set aside his glass of tea. He said, “Appearances are very important to your mother, Jewel. You know this. She doesn’t like gossip that involves our family.”
Now Jewel turned a bit exasperated. “Daddy. Your feud with the Angelinis has practically burned the rumor mill to the ground over the past fifteen years. Especially of late, with Rose-Marie hosting parties and making it publicly known Catalanos aren’t invited. Gian gets a kick out of shunning us and having it come across as though he’s sparing his guests from the bad apples.”
“Yes, well.” Her father let out a long breath. “In some respects, we are bad apples.”
Very cryptic. Her brow knitted.
Anthony got to his feet. He hadn’t finished his meal, either.
Jewel was running her family off?
“Daddy, stay and eat,” she said as she pushed out of her chair, emotion swelling in her throat. “I’ll leave.”
“No, Jewel. Have some lunch. I have work to get back to.” He gave her a quick kiss and sauntered off.
Jewel’s heart sank.
Damn that Holly McCormick and her big mouth.
But then again, what had Jewel expected?
No, she really hadn’t thought the threesome through beyond their international excursion. Now that they were in River Cross, what was to become of their new relationship? And exactly how were they supposed to justify it to everyone?
Not that Jewel typically subscribed to the need to explain herself. Yet her family did hold a high standing in the community, in River Cross society. As well as in San Francisco society. And yes, image was very important to her mother. Sophia was a very meticulous person who served as trusted friend, gracious hostess, dedicated volunteer, and a one-woman welcoming committee at the visitor’s bureau numerous hours a week. That was all when she wasn’t mingling with the tourists who stopped at the Catalano winery.
How must it look for someone like Holly McCormick, somewhat new to town since she’d reportedly been in Savannah the past several months, to be relaying tidbits about Jewel’s love life? And outright claiming Jewel, Rogen, and Vin were engaged in a three-way sexfest?
Likely her mother feared for not only Jewel’s reputation but also her own—and that of the family and the winery.
Fuck.
Jewel bypassed lunch and went in search of her mother, finding her on the tennis court, aggressively taking swings at balls flying out of the machine twenty feet away. Jewel waited off to the side while her mother got some of her angst out. Then Sophia pulled the tiny remote from the pocket of her white skirt and turned off the machine. She hadn’t quite broken a sweat yet, but Jewel brought her a towel.
“Daddy told me you’ve heard the gossip about me,” she said without preamble. What was the point of dipping a toe in? Might as well jump in with both feet, because she couldn’t dispute what she’d learned thus far of Holly’s ramblings.
“You realize we don’t approve of you seeing Rogen.”
“I’m a little too old for that directive, Mother,” she gently said. “And neither of you ever took exception to him prior to the feud erupting. You were also both very fond of Vin.”
“That was a long time ago.” Sophia dabbed at her neck with the towel.
“They’ve turned out quite nicely. Very upstanding and handsome, and pretty much everything you’ve ever wished for me when it comes to a date.”
“Jewel.” Her arm lowered and she glared. “What I heard this morning isn’t that you have casual flirtations going on. It is specifically implied that the three of you spend your evenings together.”
Jewel’s ire sparked. “Okay, that absolutely cannot be validated by anyone other than me, Rogen, or Vin. Just because Vin took Holly home and didn’t follow her inside, instead returned to the Angelinis’ gala, doesn’t mean he joined me and Rogen. No one knows anything about our relationship besides the three of us. Well…” she amended, “Scarlet and Bay now know. But that’s it!”
“I just don’t … understand how…” Sophia shook her head.
“And you don’t have to, Mother. You don’t have to speculate or ponder the mechanics or the sleeping arrangements, or anything other than the fact that we all care for each other and we’ve just had a really hard time, since the night of the party, staying away from one another.” She inhaled deeply and added, “Oh, and Rogen and I want to go into business together.”
“You did not tell your father that?” Sophia questioned. Insisted?
“Didn’t come up.” That was a cowardly excuse. But … one crisis at a time. “Though I did procure the scotch.”
“We won’t allow—”
“Mother, please. Rogen and I are not asking to just be given the land. We’ll purchase it with our own capital. We’ll both be responsible for the endeavor. Its success or failure. We won’t be a burden on anyone, because we’ll hold full accountability.”
“I’m not suggesting you’d be a burden.” Sophia walked over to the towel bin and dropped hers in. Returning to Jewel, she said, “I’m not interested in any sort of repeat performances, history repeating itself, call it what you want. I don’t believe it’s wise to go into business with Rogen Angelini, and I most certainly do not want to hear anything further about you, him, and Vin seeing each other.”
Jewel simmered, yet she forced some calm into her voice as she said, “Then I suggest you stop engaging in conversation with women who enjoy gossiping.”
She spun on her heel and headed back to the house.
TWENTY
“I don’t get it,” Jewel said to Vin as she layered a lasagna for dinner. They were at his house and she loved his gourmet kitchen almost as much as she loved hers. But that was mainly because she couldn’t find anything in his, not yet knowing the placement of it all. “What purpose does it serve for Holly to spread rumors about us?”
Sitting across from Jewel at the wide island, Vin sipped wine and said, “What does it matter?”
“Uh, because my parents are freaking out? And I’m sure Rogen’s are as well.”
Vin nodded. “Yeah, you got me on that one.”
She added flat noodles, ladled her homemade sauce over them, topped them with ricotta cheese, and repeated the process a few more times.
Vin said, “So Holly’s not happy that I lost interest in her. I’m sorry
for that, but … not exactly a reason to spout off to the world.”
“Christ,” Rogen interjected as he suddenly joined them in the kitchen, having told them he needed to run some errands on his way over. “Everywhere I went in town, people were staring and whispering. I even got a few pats on the back.” He grinned mischievously. “Had to tell a couple of guys I don’t go for Vin, so they haven’t got the wrong impression. No offense, man.”
Vin scowled.
“Rogen!” Jewel’s eyes widened. “You did not say that!”
“Relax, sweetheart.” He rounded the island and kissed her. Then asked, “Where’s your Beamer?”
“I had Vin open the garage door and I snuck in.” She lifted the baking dish and popped it into the pre-heated oven. “Very covert-like, just in case someone’s keeping tabs on us.”
“So, how’d your parents take the news?” Rogen asked.
“Not well.” Her heart wrenched at her mother’s initial reaction to seeing Jewel. “Mom actually got up from the lunch table and walked away the second I arrived.”
Vin winced. “That’s harsh.”
“We spoke later and, of course, she had grave warnings. Tons of misgivings. Pretty much wanted to lock me in a tower far, far away from the two of you.”
“Yeah, my father would actually appreciate that gesture,” Rogen lamented.
“This just keeps getting worse and worse,” she said with dread in her voice. “And I don’t know what we’re supposed to do about it. Move to San Francisco? Or go have lunch at Bristol’s tomorrow so that we’re totally out in the open?”
“Lunch is a start,” Vin offered. “Good suggestion.”
“I think I was joking,” Jewel mused. And reached for her wine.
Rogen poured himself a glass of the merlot and said, “The hot topic of our three-way aside, we’re not making any progress on procuring that land.”
“I don’t know,” Vin quipped. “After that bombshell you dropped on your father this morning, I’d say he might actually put some thought into how he can maneuver the deal. Still to his advantage, but I saw the look on his face when you told him his scotch was in Catalano possession.”