An Apartment in Venice by Marlene Hill Page A

down the steps to her table. He leaned down to give her a kiss—she’d thought—but instead, he lifted her out of her chair into a big bear hug. And, of course, she laughed and hugged back.
    “Ah, you are as beautiful as ever, piccolina. Now, what are you having? Prosecco?”
    She held up her glass to show him its ruby liquid. “A local Valpolicella, Ripasso style, but this one’s not too sweet. Try it, you’ll like it.”
    “Is that an order?” he said grinning.
    “Of course not.”
    “Who’s buying?” he asked.
    “You are.”
    He burst into laughter and went to the bar to request his order then joined her again. “Allora. Why are you upset with your old nonno?”
    “You didn’t keep your promise. You told Signor Botteri I was your granddaughter. Don’t try to deny it. The way he leaned over to stare into my eyes was a dead giveaway.”
    “But I’m proud of you and also wanted to make sure he would trust me.”
    “Why do you need me for him to trust you? ”
    “This is my first time to deal with him—he’s a big dealer in the region. I heard he’s a family man and thought sending my own granddaughter would convince him.”
    “Well, you blew it. He may never trust you again since I didn’t have eyes like yours or dark curly hair.”
    He sighed. Short of apologizing outright, he took her hands and held them to his heart. “You are strong, piccolina. How did you get that way?”
    “Life, Nonno Tony. Life.”
    “ La mia dolcezza, my sweetie, did someone break your heart?”
    Thinking of Jason’s lies, she sighed. “A long time ago.”
    “That’s lucky for him or I’d break—”
    “No need for rough stuff. He said one thing, I believed another.”
    He nodded. “Now. Tell me how your life in Vicenza goes. Surely with all those young stalloni at the base, you’ll find your Signor Perfetto.”
    “Hunh. They’re too much like my brothers.”
    “The officers?”
    “Maybe. When I’m ready. But Nonno, do you know much about this jeweler, Botteri? I fear he may deal with human beings more than diamonds.”
    “ Dimmi, dimmi, tell me, tell me.” Nonno leaned close, cupping his hands around her face.
    “Let me back up. Before classes started, I walked into town and stopped into Bar La Ville. He’d been sitting in the back and sent a drink to me via the barista. I sent it back and left.”
    “ E cosi? And so?”
    “Last Monday, I remembered where I’d seen him.”
    Tony nodded, “And?”
    “After I gave your gems to him and was walking out of the hotel, an elegant woman stopped me and invited me for tea. Seemed strange, but I was curious. Turns out she was a solicitor for an escort service. If I agreed to join her service, a certain gentleman, who had noticed me earlier, wanted to be my exclusive client!”
    Nonno sat back astonished.
    Finally, he’s taking me seriously. “I think your big-man jeweler is more than a gem dealer. Nonno do you want to be il mio ruffiano, my pimp?”
    “ Dio mio, ” he groaned. “No! I cannot believe this.” He scooted his chair next to hers, pulling her into his arms. They stayed close a few moments.
    “Good,” she said. “I knew so, Nonno. With all my heart I knew so.” When he released her, they both had tears in their eyes. She trembled. He pulled her close again, moving his hands in soft circles on her back as he had done long ago when she’d been afraid of shadows in her attic room.
    “I will ask around about this man. Of course when he first saw you, he didn’t know you were mio angelo. And not being blind, he was attracted to you.” He kissed her forehead.
    She shook her index finger at him. “But I told you,” then she poked him twice in his chest, “that I’d wear a disguise.”
    “You did,” he said grasping her finger. He kissed it and hung his head like a school boy caught in a lie. She wondered how often he was contrite like this with Nonna. “I admit, piccolina, I didn’t take you seriously.”
    “By the way, I didn’t