Cleo Coyle - Espresso Shot

“I have considered this. But I have also decided that it is still not a good enough bargain. I have had second thoughts on what was agreed to.”

“What are you taking about?”

“My deal with Breanne Summour. She is publishing the big profile on me and my work and my new jewelry line. And I give her the wedding rings in trade. Lending Lover’s Spring was part of this deal. But now I think this is too much to allow without further payment. I think I am owed something more…”

“Wait, back up. You’re telling me that Breanne bartered editorial space in her magazine in exchange for free wedding bands from you?”

Nunzio sighed. “I thought you knew this. I am soon opening boutiques in Rome, Paris, London, Tokyo, Beverly Hills, and on New York ’s Fifth Avenue. Trend will feature me and my work and also showcase the rings I designed for Breanne’s wedding. Next season, I will be selling that same ring design in my stores.” He glanced down at me and smirked. “Place your orders now.”

“Oh, my God.”

“ Volagare, si? But I need the income. As you can see…” He laughed. “I do enjoy living high.”

“Yeah…” I felt a little dizzy all of a sudden. “Fifty-three floors is awfully high, all right.”

But it was this revelation that had thrown me off balance. Matt often told me about wonderful items Breanne received from her designer or artist friends. But he-and I-assumed these were gifts, freely given. I had no idea the woman was making backroom deals. Now I wondered: Could one of those deals have backfired on her? Could someone have felt cheated? Cheated enough to want her dead?

“She is doing this with others, Clare,” Nunzio went on. “I am surprised you did not know. The flowers, the cake, her gown-Breanne told me all of this. I was part of a group, part of her grand plan. She is using her position to get many goods and services gratis for her wedding.”

“I didn’t know.”

“That woman dresses like aristocracy, but she acts like a peasant in the way she wheels and deals and threatens. You know, my grandfather had a saying: ‘For the quiet falcon, her feathers are enough. It is the braying donkey who needs the silk shawl.’ ”

“The braying donkey…”

A cartoon animal image entered my mind and fixed itself there. I saw Breanne as a donkey, Stuart Winslow riding her, ranting about how she’d struggled financially when she’d started out in New York. I hadn’t thought much about that stuff when Winslow had spewed it. He was high at the time, and Breanne’s public bio, online and elsewhere, clearly stated that she’d come from money. It even included a long list of her upper-class associations. But now I wondered… Nunzio’s revelation about backroom deals certainly didn’t add up to a woman with a typical patrician upbringing.

“My sweet one, let’s you and I not speak of these things any longer…” Nunzio had switched languages. He was now cooing to me entirely in Italian. “You are here. I am here. I know you will enjoy my touch.”

He’d been standing close; now he stepped even closer. I felt the front of his legs brushing the back of my robe, and then his muscular forearm was snaking around my waist, his lips were pressing against my neck.

“Don’t do that,” I said in plain English.

“Perhaps we can make a simple little trade of our own, bella ? You enjoyed my touch the other day. You would enjoy feeling my hands on more of your body, no?”

“No!” I broke away, stepped clear.

Nunzio folded his arms, looked down at me, his patience obviously wearing thin. “But you want the fountain, si ? And what would I get in return?”

“The satisfaction of knowing you were displayed at the Met!”

“I’d like something a little more satisfying tonight, and I think you would, too?”

He stepped toward me again. I backed away-a lot farther this time. I strode all the way to the bathroom, locked the door, got dressed in my dried-out clothes and shoes, and headed for the suite’s front door.

I paused in the sitting room to collect my tote bag. Nunzio was back on his sofa. I met the man’s eyes.

“I’m sorry you won’t change your mind.”

He shrugged. “Likewise.”

I was about to turn and go when I realized I had one last card to play, a piece of information Otto had given me.

“I’m sorry, Nunzio. Then you leave me no choice. I’ll have to go to Tio.”

“Tio?”

“Yes, the up-and-coming Spanish sculptor. You’ve heard of him, right? Well, his famous Trellis is in town, an amazing work. He begged Breanne to use it for her wedding, but she’d already committed to displaying your sculpture. Janelle will be disappointed. But I think we can make adjustments in our tablescape to highlight his piece instead.” I turned and headed for the door. “He’ll certainly be thrilled to see his sculpture displayed at the Met-and prominently featured in the same issue of Trend where you’re profiled-”

“No!”

“Sorry.” I reached for the door handle. “I really have to get going.”

“Wait!” Nunzio was on his feet. “Wait, signorina! Wait, wait, wait!”

Ten minutes later, I was downstairs, waiting for the doorman to hail me a taxi. Lover’s Spring wasn’t very large-just a tabletop fountain-but it was gold-plated and heavy. The sculpture was disassembled into a single base with nesting bowls, all packed expertly into an easy-to-handle wheeled suitcase.

Afraid the sculptor would change his mind, I insisted on taking it right up to the Metropolitan. I invited Nunzio to come with me, but he waved me off.

“My sculpture is well insured,” he said as we stood on the sidewalk, watching the doorman and taxi driver load the Pullman into the trunk. “Of course, Clare, should you lose it, you will owe me something. And then, bella , I won’t take no for an answer.”

Nunzio bent to kiss me on the lips. I turned my head, giving him my cheek instead. He laughed then kissed the other cheek, as well.

Ciao, bella.

“Yeah, pal,” I muttered as I firmly shut my cab door. “ Arrivederci to you, too.”

I should have been relieved the second my cab door closed, but I held my breath all the way along Central Park South. When we reached the horse-drawn carriages across the street from the Plaza, I finally exhaled. The glittering glass towers of the Time Warner Center had faded from view at last, and I was home free.

Well, almost. Given Nunzio’s warning, my virtue wouldn’t be fully secure until I delivered his priceless fountain to the Met.

I massaged my temples, trying to release the built-up tension. After everything I’d gone through, I certainly hoped there’d still be a wedding Saturday. I had no doubt Breanne would show, wearing her gorgeous Fen gown. The only wild card now was the groom.

A sweet tune played in the cab as we turned uptown on Madison: “Edelweiss,” my favorite song from my favorite musical. I answered my cell, but the melodic ringtone was a far cry from the state of the voice on the other end of the line: “Mom! Thank goodness! You’ve got to help!”

“Joy! Are you all right?”

“It’s Dad. He’s back, and-wait a minute.” I heard a struggle, and Joy cried out. “No, Dad, don’t-”

A loud crash sounded, followed by Joy getting back on the line. “I hope you weren’t too fond of that Chippendale end table.”

“What the heck is going on down there?!”

“Dad’s back, and he’s crazy drunk. He’s yelling about canceling the wedding and cursing in, like, six languages.”

“Are you alone?”

“Koa’s here, but he has to leave soon. So do I, Mom. I’m meeting some old friends from culinary school. I have to be in the East Village in, like, ten minutes-”