The Villa

massage table. "Make them, like, exclusive so people are dying for them."
    "You're a clever girl, Madeline. But no business tonight. Tonight is for female ritual. We're the handmaidens."
    "Do we get to talk about sex?"
    "Of course. This isn't about exchanging recipes. Ah, there's the woman of the hour."
    "Sophie." Already in her long white wrap, Pilar circled the pool house. "I can't believe you went to all this trouble."
    Various stations were set up, with lounging sofas and salon chairs. The evening light shimmered toward sunset while scents from the gardens clung to the air. Tables held abundant platters of fruit and chocolate, bottles of wine and sparkling water, baskets and bowls of flowers.
    Along the wall, water spilled down the brass sculpture and into the pool to add sensuous music.
    "I was shooting for a Roman bath thing. Do you like it, really?"
    "It's wonderful. I feel like a queen."
    "When you're finished, you'll feel like a goddess. Where are the others? We're wasting pampering time."
    "Upstairs. I'll get them."
    "No, you won't. Maddy, pour Mama some wine. She's not to lift a finger except to pick up a chocolate strawberry. I'll get everyone."
    "What kind do you want?" Maddy asked her.
    "Just water for now, honey, thanks. It's such a lovely evening." She wandered toward the open doors, then laughed lightly. "Massage tables on the patio. Only Sophie."
    "I never had a massage before."
    "Mmm. You'll love it."
    As she spoke, as she looked out over the garden, Pilar ran a hand absently over Maddy's hair, left it lying on her shoulder. The gesture made everything inside the girl go warm. And made her sigh.
    "What's wrong?"
    "Nothing." Maddy passed Pilar the glass. "Nothing's wrong. I guess I'm looking forward to… everything."
     
    "You're bluffing," David said around the cigar clamped in his teeth and tried to stare Eli down.
    "Yeah? Put your money up, son, and call me."
    "Go ahead, Dad." Theo had a cigar, unlit, in his teeth as well, and felt like a man. "No guts, no glory." David tossed chips in the pot. "Call. Show 'em."
    "Three little deuces," Eli began and watched David's eyes gleam. "Standing watch over two pretty ladies."
    "Son of a bitch."
    "A Scotsman doesn't bluff over money, son." Eli, jubilant, raked in his chips.
    "The man's scalped me so many times over the years, I wear a helmet when we sit down to cards." James gestured with his glass. "You'll learn."
    Linc's head came up at the knock on the door. "Somebody ordered a stripper, right? I knew you guy's wouldn't let me down."
    "It's the pizza." Theo leaped up.
    "More pizza? Theo, you can't possibly want more pizza."
    "Sure I can," he shouted over his shoulder to his father. "Ty said I could."
    "I said he could order it for me. He inhaled the last order."
    Linc sent Tyler a sorrowful look. "You couldn't arrange for a stripper to deliver the pizza?"
    "They were all out of strippers. Shriners' convention."
    "Likely story. Well, I hope he got pepperoni at least."
    " My God, Sophie , this was a brilliant idea."
    "Thanks, Aunt Helen." They sat side by side, tipped back with purifying masks thick and green covering their faces. "I wanted Mama to feel relaxed and completely female."
    "This'll do it. Can you see Tereza and Maddy over there getting pedicures and arguing."
    "Mmm," Sophia mused. "They disagree about the name for the beauty products we don't even have yet. I don't know if it's Maddy or the concept, but it's boosted Nonna's morale."
    "I'm glad to hear it. I've been worried about her, all of you, since we talked last. The idea of Rene trying to make Tony a hero and you a villain over the Cardianili business; it fries my cookies."
    Sophia tensed, deliberately relaxed again. "It was a stupid move. DeMorney's behind it, and it's one of the first truly stupid moves he's made. He's cracking."
    "That may be. But it caused more upset." She held up a hand. "And that's all I'm going to say about it. Tonight's not about problems. It's about indulgence. Where's Pilar?"
    Don't think about it, Sophia ordered herself. Think pure thoughts. "Treatment Room B—otherwise known as the lower-level guest bath. Full-body facial. You need to be near a shower."
    "Fabulous. I'm next."
    "Champagne?"
    "Maria." Sophia roused herself enough to sit up. "You're not to serve. You're a guest."
    "My manicure's dry." She showed off her nails. "I have a pedicure next. You can bring me champagne then."
    "That's a deal."
    Maria glanced over as Pilar, looking soft and relaxed,