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I gave a shrug. “I think he wants to return to the race. Or maybe he’s in the mood to kill someone. With Nevio, you never know.”
Dad narrowed his eyes at me. “What’s going on, Aurora?”
I sighed, buying time to come up with a reply. “When I helped in addiction care, I felt reminded of Nevio. He’s not addicted to drugs, but to the thrill of the kill, and I thought I could help him with it. But he’s untreatable, and I’m just sick of his antics. I want to help people who really want and need my help.”
Dad nodded, but his suspicion remained. “I could have told you that before. Nevio’s disposition is permanent and will probably make him a feared Capo one day. If he manages to control himself on occasion, maybe even a respected one. But you need to take care of yourself, not him. Your mom and I are worried. Changing plans on short notice isn’t your style, Aurora.”
“I feel like my life is up in the air. So far, every step ahead was clear, but now that I finished school, uncertainty has entered the picture. It’s difficult for me because I want to know what lies ahead, but I don’t.” It wasn’t even a lie. Nothing seemed decided yet. I wasn’t sure what I’d do in the future, but at the same time, my options were limited as the daughter of a high-ranking mobster.
Dad nodded, then he cocked an eyebrow. “We could arrange a marriage, then one thing would be certain.”
I could tell he wasn’t serious. “You would have a harder time giving my hand away in marriage than me.”
He chuckled. “True, and I don’t know any man who would be worthy of you.”
I smiled. “I suppose he would have to be a high-ranking Camorrista.”
Dad shook his head. “He would have to be a good man willing to treat you like a queen, and a Camorrista.”
“Which means I’ll never marry,” I muttered. While Nevio fit the latter to a T as future Capo, he definitely wasn’t a good man, not even by my dad’s standards, and he was worlds away from treating me like a queen.
Dad wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me toward our house. Mom was already waiting for us in the doorway. “Your mom wants to talk to you about your move again.”
After an initial attempt to have me stay with them for a few more weeks, I got them to agree to me moving into my place today. Mostly because I pretended that Carlotta would be heartbroken if I bailed on her now.
I only had to pack my clothes and care products since the apartment was already equipped with everything else we might need. Dad entered the security code into the elevator so it started moving to the floor where Carlotta’s and my apartment was. There was only one more apartment on the floor, but it was empty. I had a feeling that wasn’t a coincidence because the apartments on all the other floors were occupied. Normalcy was difficult if your father was Enforcer for the Camorra.
Diego and Carlotta were already in the apartment when we arrived. I hugged Carlotta, excited to share the place with her, but at the same time anxiety over having to take care of Battista dimmed my excitement. Carlotta didn’t even know yet, and I could only imagine how she’d react. She regarded me closely, her eyes narrowing. “Everything okay?” she whispered.
“Later,” I mouthed back. I didn’t want Dad to think my worry was related to living on my own. He’d jump on that wagon without hesitation and insist I live at home instead.
Dad and Diego walked through every room of the apartment—two bedrooms, a shared bathroom and a living room with open kitchen—to check it for any security concerns yet again. Every inch of the entire complex had already been checked by them in the weeks before. The security guards were probably already sick of Dad’s criticism and suggestions for improvement.
Mom went into my room with me. She helped me put on sheets and hang up a few photos from our family and Carlotta and me. Once everything was in place, except for my clothes, which I wanted to sort into my closet later, Mom let out a sigh. “Wow, this really hits me harder than I’d thought.” Tears glistened in her eyes.
I went over to her and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m only a ten-minute car ride away, and you still have Davide.”
Mom nodded, but I could tell that she wasn’t really consoled. I felt a bit sad too, but I simply wanted to have my own place with Carlotta. I wanted to be responsible for cooking, for housework… and now a child.
Dad came in. He wrapped an arm around Mom, and she leaned into him. “She’s safe, Leona.”
“I doubt Mom’s crying because of safety concerns,” I said with a laugh.
Mom laughed too, but it sounded a bit choked. Dad frowned at her, and she swatted his arm lightly. “I’m fine. Go give her the lecture, you surely have in mind.”
“The building is closely guarded, Aurora. Don’t give the security codes to anyone.”
It was why Nevio would smuggle Battista into the apartment and then the poor kid would probably have to stay inside for a while until he and I came up with a plan how to get him in and out without anyone noticing, or until we found an explanation for a kid visiting me, or better yet, until Nevio told his parents and they’d figure out a final solution for the boy. He needed a forever home, a forever family, and that could only be the Falcones.
“I know, Dad. I know where every single emergency button is in this building. I know the names and faces of every security guard on the premises…”
I trailed off at the look on Dad’s face. “I’m going to be okay.”
Fifteen minutes later, Carlotta and I had finally managed to usher her brother and my parents out of the apartment. The moment the door closed, Carlotta sighed, grinned, and rushed over to the sofa, where she flung herself down with widely spread arms. “Freedom!”
I grinned. “Not quite but better than nothing.” I quickly messaged Nevio that the coast was clear. As the Capo’s son, no guards would stop him from entering the premises. I just wondered how he’d get Battista into the apartment.
I sank down beside Carlotta, trying to come up with the gentlest way to break the news of our new house guest to her. “Will you have Massimo over now that your brother isn’t breathing down your neck anymore?” I asked instead.
