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“Mom, the men that want to hurt me, they want to use you to get to me,” I said. “They want Uncle Fazio’s money and his property. But I don’t want to give it to them. They’re bad men, Mom.”
“And this one’s better?” She jerked a hand at Luca. “You think they’re the good guys?”
“It’s complicated,” I said.
“It’s not,” she said. “It wasn’t complicated for your father at least. He thought he could play with these animals, and now he’s dead.”
“Mom, not everything is about Dad.”
“When it comes to the family, yes, it really is.” She shook her head and crossed her arms, her face frustrated. “How have you forgotten everything I’ve told you so fast?”
“Because you don’t know everything,” I said. “I know Dad died and that was really hard on you, and I know you’re angry at the family for that. But this isn’t the same situation. Really bad men want to hurt you, Mom.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“We found a file on you,” Luca said. “In one of their safe houses. They’re going to target you sooner or later, I can guarantee that.”
“This is insane,” Mom said. “How is this happening to us?”
“Just come with us,” I said. “Go upstairs, pack a bag. We’ll keep you safe.”
“No,” Mom said.
I stared at her, mouth open. “Mom, this isn’t a game,” I said. “They’re going to hurt you. And they’re going to use you against me, which will be even worse for both of us.”
“I won’t do it,” Mom said. “I’m not getting in bed with these men again, Clair. You can’t ask that of me.”
“Mom, you’re being unreasonable.”
“No, you’re being a selfish little brat,” she said angrily. Her tone was harsh and acid and she glared at me like I was some impetuous little teenager again. “I know what these men are and I know what’ll happen to me if I stay. But I also know what’ll happen if I go. I’m not about to sell myself out to them like you did.”
“I didn’t—” I started, but she interrupted me.
“You did,” she said, her voice low. “You want that money from Fazio, that’s fine, I can’t blame you. But you could just give it all away and save yourself all this misery. Instead, you get into bed with these bastards, and you expect me to do the same?” She looked half hysterical, like she was on the verge of something. “It’s horrible, it’s too much, and I won’t do it, Clair. I just won’t do it.”
“That’s enough,” Luca said, pushing himself off the counter. “Stop talking to your daughter that way.”
“Who do you think you are?” Mom asked Luca, staring at him, her face screwed up in a mask of outrage. “What do you know about me and my daughter?”
“I know your daughter’s trying her best to keep you safe,” Luca said. “She’s done nothing but try to keep her morals intact while trying to stay sane. And now you act like she’s selling herself out and you’re treating her like garbage. We want to protect you, and you’re throwing it back in our faces. I don’t care if you treat me like that, but you can’t treat your daughter like she’s some animal.”
Mom’s mouth worked for a second and I turned to Luca, holding up a hand.
“That’s enough,” I said, looking up into his eyes. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but let me talk to my mother alone, please.”
“Fine,” he said. “Two minutes and we’re leaving. I’m putting my shoes back on.” He turned and left the kitchen.
I turned back to my mother. “Luca’s right,” I said. “And you’re so far over your head, you have no clue.”
“I can’t do this, Clair,” she said. “I told Luciano he can go to hell. He won’t ever help me now.”
“Uncle Luciano will do whatever he has to,” I said. “He’s not so stupid that he thinks he can just let you get hurt. I promise, you’ll be okay, just come with us.”
She stared at me for a long moment then leaned back in her chair. “Do we have to leave now?”
“Yes,” I said. “Please, Mom. I’m begging you.”
“I won’t just do whatever they tell me,” she said. “And the minute this is over, I’m leaving. I’m not getting sucked into that world again.”
“That’s fine, Mom. Just go get packed.”
She stood up, stared at me, opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, then just shook her head instead. She walked out of the kitchen and I heard her go up the stairs to her bedroom and shut the door.
I rubbed my face as the teakettle began to whistle.
I got up, took it off the heat, turned the burner off. When I turned around, Luca was there, leaning in the doorway.
“Is she coming?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “Reluctantly. You thought I was bad, but she’ll be worse.”
