Design for Love ((Women of Landry's Landing and The Fabrizio men) (10 page)

London glanced around the table at her family then turned her gaze to Gabe and smiled. “Oh, its official he’s mine, and I’m his and that is the way it shall stay unless he wants to die a slow painful death. I did not wait all this time for him to come to his senses for nothing.” London said.

“
Spoken like a true Landry woman, little sister.” Indy said with a smile.

“
All I can say is…it’s about damn time. I was beginning to think you two would never get your acts together.” Asia said.

“
Well, I for one am very happy that the two of you are finally together, and I hope that both of you will be as happy as the rest of us.” Gio said with a smile.

“
Yeah I’m happy for you too and congratulations to both of you.” Luc said.

“
Who are we congratulating?” Serafina asked as she and Guiseppe walked into the conference room.

“
Hi mom we were just telling Gabe and London how happy we are that they’re finally officially dating.” Pierce said with a smile.

“
Finally, my prayers have been answered.” Sera said smiling happily.

“
That’s wonderful son. I figured you’d come to your senses sooner or later.” Guiseppe said as he escorted his wife around the table to their seats.

“
Does everyone in this room think I was being stupid for taking so long?” Gabe asked as he glanced around the table.

“
Yes!” They all said in unison.

“
Now that we’ve established what an idiot Gabe was we can get this meeting started.” Pierce said teasingly. “First, Gabe why don’t you and London give us an update on the production meeting you had yesterday.”

“
Well London handled most of the meeting I was mostly here for support. I did read the statistics report that was done by the independent survey company. And it seems that most women in this area a very interested in having a line of intimate apparel that fits not only their budget but women of all sizes.” Gabe said as he explained findings in the report.

“
Yes, that’s why we decided to add a line of intimates to Designs by London, only I like to call the additional line Design for Love by London. What do you think?” London asked hoping that they like not only the idea but the name she’d come up with.

“
I think it is a wonderful idea, and the name is perfect, dear.” Sera said before turning to say something to Guiseppe in Italian. He smiled before replying to her also in Italian.

“
It’s a great idea do you think that you can design a whole new line before the debut that’s just a few weeks away?” Guiseppe asked a bit worried that it may be too much for her to handle.

“
Actually dad she already has close to a complete line of intimates designed, it was something she’d been working on for a future expansion to the line. Now we don’t have to wait so we can begin production on them along with the rest of the line.” Gabe said with pride.

“
That’s wonderful. I'm sure that will increase the sales figures for London’s division to ensure a successful debut.” Guiseppe said with a bright smile.

“
Gio and Indy we know that the baby will be here soon so don’t worry about rushing to finish that new flavor that you’ve been working on, because the numbers for your wine's division have been through the roof.” Pierce said.

“
What are you talking about we finished developing that flavor three days ago, we just have to give it a name.” Indy said as she rubbed her stomach.

“
Yeah, you see Indy wanted to make certain that we didn’t leave any work undone when the baby comes so we worked hard to get it done. So now she won’t have to worry about it, and I don’t have to worry about her worrying about the wines.” Gio said attempting to explain why they finished the latest flavor so quickly.

“
Okay, that brings us to the café and the Inn.” Pierce said as he turned his gaze to Asia.

“
Well if you’ve seen the figures for the cafe,é then you know it’s doing great, the master chef we hired is working out wonderfully. And the staff is finally healthy again after this flu epidemic. I’ve added several new dishes to the menu, and the bistro is thriving as well with the younger crowd.” Asia said.

“
I am going to need all of you to help me keep an eye on Asia. The doctor said that she shouldn’t overdo it, especially since we’re going to be having a baby.” Luc said with excitement.

Sera let loose a flurry of Italian as she laughed and cheered, she reached over and kissed her husband on the lips she was so happy. Guiseppe laughed with his wife before turning to the others. To explain in his heavily accented voice.

“
In case you cannot tell ‘
mia moglie’
uh sorry, my wife is extremely happy for this news.” He said happily.

“
We all are little brother, and for you, Asia.” Pierce said with a smile. “Let’s get passed this final piece of business, so we can celebrate all the good news we’ve had for the day.”

“
The new manager we hired for the Inn is working out fine, he and his family are quite happy here, and they love the newly renovated apartment.” Gigi said giving them an update on the Inn before adding. “And I have planned a number of family-friendly events for guests staying at the Inn, I’ve also added several vacation packages.”

“
I noticed that the Inn has been booked to capacity since reopening, we may want to think about expanding a bit.” Guiseppe said pleased with the direction that his sons have taken the company, he’s entrusted them with.

“
We’re already working on it dad.” Pierce replied.

“
Good I figured you were, but I just thought I’d mention it.” Guiseppe said. “Now, I think it’s time for us to celebrate.”

“
You got it dad brunch should be set up for us in the private dining room at the café.” Asia said happily.

“
Well, what are we waiting for let’s go eat.” Luc said as he escorted his wife to the door.

Sera and Guiseppe followed them out as did Indy and Gio. Pierce and Gigi stopped near the door.

“
Are you two going to join us or what?” Pierce asked glancing back at them.

“
Yeah we’re coming.” London said just as Joan buzzed for Gabe. There was a problem in human resources that needed his attention.

“
Dolcezza, you go ahead with Gigi and Pierce, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He said kissing her on the forehead.

“
Okay, I’ll see you in a bit.” London said as she turned to leave with Gigi and Pierce.

“
Hey we need to stop by the house and pick up Dante.” Gabe heard Gigi saying as they left the room.

The call Gabe had to take didn’t last too long at all after about twenty minutes he’d taken care of the problem and was about to leave the office when his cell phone rang. What he thought was his cell phone but turned out to be London’s phone and not his. He must have picked up the wrong phone this morning it was hard to tell the difference, since they had the same phone.

Gabe glanced at the caller ID and saw the name Toni and any hesitation he may have had about answering her phone disappeared.

“
Hello!” He said.

“
Hello, I’m sorry I was trying to reach London Landry.” The person on the other end of the phone said.

“
This is London’s phone, who may I ask is calling?” He asked.

“
Uh huh, first you tell me who this is then I’ll decide whether or not I’ll tell you my name.” The person said.

“
This is Gabriele Fabrizio, now may I have your name?”

“
Wow, I’m actually talking to a Fabrizio heir to the Fabrizio Empire.”

“
Yes, now may I have your name please?”

“
Oh sorry, my name is Toni. London is my legal guardian. Well, she was my legal guardian. I’m an adult now, but I wasn’t when she took me away from my abusive stepfather. He’s in jail, well he was in jail he’s out now, and he’s been looking for me and London. That’s why I’m calling, I need to tell London that I’m scared that he’ll find me, and since she’s not here I don’t know what I should do.” The girl barely paused to take a breath as she continued to tell Gabe about everything London had been trying so desperately to hide.

“
Are you London’s boyfriend? You sound really nice, did she tell you about me? Did she mention to you that she saved my life? Actually, she’s saved quite a few lives here in New York that’s why no one wanted her to move back home. Everyone is going to miss her so much, everyone but me. I won’t miss her because I’ll be moving there with her, as soon as she’s settled. She wants to tell her family about me first. And she also wants to be sure my stepfather doesn’t follow me down there he’s psycho, and she doesn’t want to put her sisters in any danger.” When Toni paused to take a breath this time he seized the opportunity to speak.

“
Toni, do you mind if I ask how old are you?” Gabe asked, curiously.

“
Oh, I’m nineteen I’ll be twenty next month. I’ve lived with London, since I was sixteen she adopted me when I became a ward of the state. So I guess you can say she’s my mom, but we’re more like sisters.”

Gabe heard Toni gasp followed by loud banging and then shouting. “Oh no he’s here, he’s going to kill me. I really need London right now.” Toni yelled franticly.

“
Calm down Toni, I need you to listen to me. Now can you get out of there safely?” Gabe asked.

“
Yes, but then what do I do? I don’t have any place to go.” Toni said as she went into the back bedroom and bolted the door. She went to the bookcase on the far wall and shoved it aside. Behind the door was a hidden staircase she quickly made her way down it and out the back of the building. “Okay I’m out of the building now. Where do I go?”

“
Is there any way you can get to the airport?” Gabe asked as he turned to his laptop while talking to her. “If you can’t get to the airport, then I want you to go to the nearest police station.”

“
There’s a police station a few blocks from here, what do I do when I get there?” She asked is a bit panicked.

“
You let me worry about that, you just stay on the line with me and when you get there give the phone to whoever is in charge okay?” Gabe said calmly hoping that his voice would help to calm her down.

“
I’m walking into the police station now.” She said.

“
Good now ask to speak to the person in charge, but first listen very carefully and repeat what I tell you okay?” Gabe asked to make sure she understood him.

“
Okay.” Toni replied.

“
Say what I say word for word. I am here on behalf of Fabrizio Industries, and I have a situation that I need someone with authority to take care of.” Gabe stopped talking to listen just as she finished saying what he’d told her to say to a desk officer, she began speaking to him again.

“
Uh, Gabe there is a really big guy standing in front of me, what do you want me to do?” Toni asked nervously.

“
Stay where you are and hand him the phone.” Gabe replied as he sent an urgent message to one of the pilots whom they always kept on stand-by.

Toni did as he said and waited while he spoke with the man for several minutes before he handed her the phone back.

“
Toni, are you there, can you hear me?” Gabe asked.

“
Yes Gabe I’m here, and I can hear you now what?” She asked.

“
The man standing in front of you is detective Cooper he is going to take you to the airport. I want you to get on the plane that’s waiting for you the pilot is going to bring to Landry’s landing okay?” Gabe said to the young woman.

“
But I left all my stuff back at the loft the only thing I have with me is my purse.” Toni said as tears began to roll down her cheek.

“
Don’t worry about that you can go shopping when you arrive, I‘ll see you when you get here alright?”

“
Alright, thanks Gabe you are the best and tell London I can’t wait to see her.” Toni said before disconnecting the call.

Gabe looked at the phone and frowned. “London’s probably not going to be too happy about this.”

“
London’s probably not going to be too happy about what Gabe?” London asked as she walked into Gabe’s office.

Chapter Eight

London stood on the opposite side of Gabe’s desk and stared at him through narrowed eyes before folding her arms below her breasts. She didn’t look too pleased with him at the moment.

“
What’s going on Gabe, what is it that I won’t be happy about?” She asked moving closer to his desk.

“
Hi dolcezza, I thought you were having brunch with the others?” He said as he stood and walked towards her.

“
I was and then I got a phone call only it wasn’t my cell phone it was yours. So I come back to the office so that I could switch phones with you. Now, let’s try this again either you answer my question, or I’m going to start breaking things, and you’d better hope that I don’t start with your knee caps.” London said through tightly clenched teeth. “So you might want to start talking or that Fabrizio fortune is going to be split three ways instead of four.”

“
Whoa, calm down baby, I’m sure once I explain what happened you’ll be very understanding.” He said as he reached for her, but she stopped him with an open palm to his muscular chest.

“
Slow your roll lover, don’t you dare touch me until you tell me what it is that I won’t be happy about. And you might want to talk fast because my patience is wearing thin.” She said not sounding at all happy.