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“I understand.”
“We’re going to control Palermo, then Sicily. The moon itself is within our grasp. And from now on, you’reDonRoberto.”
Roberto smiled. “And you are...?”
“Who I’ve always been.”
“God?” Roberto shot back.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Palermo’s prison was a massive fortress of stone block with thick turrets and a high, crenellated wall. Gaetano was put in a cramped cell with nine other men, and the air was thick with argument, heat, and body odor. Gaetano had written to Maria using Carmine’s address, without telling her he was here, and he still thought about his investigation. His failure to find the kidnapped boys plagued him. He questioned inmates accused of kidnapping, but had earned only punches for his efforts.
It was dinnertime, and his cellmates surged to the window, which had crisscrossed iron bars and was set high in the wall, so they had to stand on a wooden box to reach. Their families were bringing them food, since it wasn’t provided by the prison. Carmine brought him lunch, and Gaetano subsisted on one meal a day, so by dinnertime his stomach growled with hunger. He lay down on his bed and began to doze off, but was awakened by someone shaking his shoulder.
“Gaetano, something came through the window for you.” His cellmate thrust a small packet at him, wrapped in white tissue paper. He opened it to find his tiger’s-eye rosary and a picture of Saint Paul, which could only have come from one person.
Gaetano jumped to his feet, hurried to the window, and climbed onto the box. Maria stood below, and his heart soared to see heragain. Her dark hair glistened in its braid around her head, and she had on his favorite dress, the coral brocade. Her face was lovely, but her dark eyes agonized as she looked up at him.
“Gaetano!” Maria reached up for his hand. There was usually a box outside to stand on, but the guard must have taken it away. “I knew something was wrong. I could tell from your letters.”
“Maria, I’m sorry.” Gaetano reached down, but only their fingertips could touch. “How are you? And the boys?”
“I’m better, and they’re fine, too. I brought you dinner, but they took it. I’ll come every day and night to bring you meals.”
“Maria, no. I’m going to be here for a long, long time. Fifteen years.”
“It doesn’t matter, I’ll wait.”
“No, you can’t.” Gaetano ached, wanting her to leave and wanting to look at her forever, both at once. “You should go back to your family—”
“Youaremy family. I’m where I belong, right now. Pray the rosary, Gaetano, and I will, too. We’ll pray until the day we can be together again.”
Gaetano felt tears filling his eyes. “The boys will be grown, I’ll have missed everything. Please don’t wait.”
“Don’t say that, darling. We vowed to remain husband and wife, before God. That vow can’t be broken. It’s sacred, and we’ll keep it until the day we die.”
“Yes, my love,” Gaetano told her, a tear slipping down his cheek.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Franco hurried inside the convent of Saint Caterina and made his way to the visiting room, which was empty and quiet. He was hoping to change Violetta’s mind, assuming she was still here. He was going to convince her to marry him, now that he had everything in place.
Franco knocked on the door next to the decorative iron grates. “Excuse me, I’m here to see Baronessina Zito. Is she here?”
The door opened, and the same old nun glowered at him under her stiff wimple. “You! You’re not her brother. You lied to me.”
“I’m sorry, Sister. Is she here? Please, let me see her.”
“Yes, but you can’t see her. You’re not family.”
“Please, we were almost married. Just tell her I’m here.”
“No. Goodbye.” The nun started to close the door, but Franco stopped it with his boot.
“Sister, I know your Order raises money for the poor. If you’ll tell her I’m here, I’ll make a generous contribution.”
The nun arched an eyebrow. “How generous, exactly?”
