Chapter 6 - The Woman He Couldn't Forget
Alio waited two weeks.
Birdie called him a coward on day four.
Matteo started placing restaurant menus on his desk by day seven.
On day fourteen, Alio finally called.
Adeline answered.
“Hello?”
“It’s Alio.”
Silence.
Then:
“Did something happen?”
“No.”
“Is Birdie okay?”
“Yes.”
“Matteo?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you calling?”
Alio stared out his office window.
This was ridiculous.
He had negotiated with men who controlled ports, unions and half the political machinery in the state.
Yet one maid from Queens had him choosing words like a teenager.
“I’d like to take you to dinner.”
Silence again.
“Adeline?”
“I’m here.”
“You can say no.”
“I know.”
Another pause.
“Friday?”
Alio smiled.
“Friday.”
Dinner became coffee.
Coffee became walks with June.
June quickly decided Alio needed improving.
“You need sneakers.”
“I own sneakers.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I exercise.”
“In those fancy shoes?”
“No.”
“Prove it.”
Adeline laughed.
Three months passed.
Then six.
Alio never tried to replace Adeline’s independence.
She began working for a nonprofit that helped domestic workers recover unpaid wages and challenge unsafe working conditions.
Alio quietly funded it.
When Adeline discovered this, she stormed into his office.
“You promised.”
“I promised not to give you money.”
“You donated half a million dollars to my organization.”
“That isn’t you.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been told.”
“Cancel it.”
“No.”
“Alio.”
“Adeline.”
She glared at him.
He calmly returned the stare.
Finally she laughed.
“I hate arguing with you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You’re very confident.”
“I’m usually right.”
She walked around the desk.
“That must be exhausting.”
“Not particularly.”
Then she kissed him.
Alio froze.
Adeline pulled back.
“What?”
“I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Would you like me to apologize?”
His expression softened.
“No.”
“Good.”
He touched her cheek.
“Because Birdie would kill you.”
Adeline smiled.
“She might kill both of us.”
Alio kissed her again.
This time, neither of them pulled away.
But trouble hadn’t disappeared.
Raymond Thorne was eventually charged with financial crimes connected to the old Vicaro accounts.
Camille left New York.
And one evening, Alio received a letter.
No return address.
Inside were four words.
She will never belong.
Matteo read it.
“You want security increased?”
“Yes.”
“For the estate?”
Alio looked toward the window.
Adeline and June were outside.
June was trying to teach Birdie how to throw a football.
“Not the estate.”
Matteo understood.
“Adeline.”
“And June.”
Matteo nodded.
Alio picked up the letter.
There had been a time when threats against him meant nothing.
Now he had something he could lose.
That frightened him.
It also clarified everything.
He walked outside.
Adeline noticed his expression immediately.
“What happened?”
“Nothing you need to worry about tonight.”
She folded her arms.
“That answer stopped working about five months ago.”
Alio sighed.
Then handed her the letter.
She read it.
June shouted from across the lawn.
“Alio! Catch!”
A football sailed toward him.
He caught it one-handed.
June cheered.
Adeline looked from the threatening letter to her daughter.
Then back to Alio.
“You’re scared.”
“Yes.”
She seemed surprised by his honesty.
Alio took her hand.
“But I’m not running.”
“Neither am I.”
He squeezed her fingers.
May you like
“Good.”
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