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“What did you say?” She studied my face.
“Tomorrow night. Elio, Vinni, and Niccola will all be at the north end of Fiano Romano.”
“How sure are you?”
“Sure enough that I brought it to you.” I remained relaxed, as in that moment I had the upper hand, and she knew it. All I had to do was hope they showed up.
“Very well, I will pass the information along.” She went back to reading, then stopped. “Sienna, where is your phone?”
“At the house.” I wasn’t prepared for that question and knew I couldn’t lie. It would have sounded suspicious to say I didn’t have one.
“I would like to see it when we get home.”
“And why would that be?” I didn’t like where this conversation was going.
“Do you have something to hide?”
“Do you have something to ask me?” I knew I needed to tread carefully, but she wasn’t getting my phone.
Her lips tightened, and I could tell she was thinking over her words.
“No, I suppose not.” She suddenly shifted gears. “I think it’s time we left. We can’t be late.”
“Late for what?” I stood and gathered my things.
“We are celebrating your return home this evening. Everyone who is anyone is coming, so you’ll need to look your best.”
Oh, Lord. Kill me now.
“That really isn’t necessary.”
“Of course it is. It is very important, especially to the family.”
My stomach rolled at the thought, but I knew it was an important part of establishing my position as a possible Donna. My mind spun as we drove, and I wondered if I was ready for where all this could lead.
Nonna Rosa was out of the car and up the steps before I could even open the car door. She certainly was spry for someone who needed a cane. The driver opened the trunk for me, and I looped as many of the shopping bags over my arms as I could and headed up the steps. I entered the house with the driver behind me struggling with the rest of the bags. We piled the things on the table inside the door.
I smiled my thanks, but he simply turned and left without a word.
A woman approached briskly and began to gather up some of the bags. She headed up the stairs with them, so I grabbed the rest and followed her to my bedroom.
“The guests will be arriving in a few hours. Mrs. Rosa insists you are to be ready and at the top of the stairs by six, no later.”
“Well, if she insists.” I tried to hide my intrigue. I liked the idea of people knowing I was here and ready to step up to the plate. The more people who knew about me, the harder it would be for me to disappear if a certain nonna didn’t get her way. If this was what it was going to take to dig deep into the lives of these people, then bring it on. Besides, I was really getting good at putting on a great performance. I caught my smile in the mirror and relished it, straightening my spine. Oh, yes, tonight would be divine.
I didn’t hear his footsteps come up behind me, but the moment he spoke, I broke out in a cold sweat.
“Do you really think you can come into this family after all these years and take over, just because you hold a melted piece of gold on your finger?”
I felt my face heat and my heart race. It was time to put my dear cousin in his place.
“No,” I kept my back to him while I pulled a petal off the bouquet in front of me, “I’ll take over this family because I’m better at it than you.”
He chuckled then cleared his throat. “Even if you did manage to work your way up to gaining the uncles’ trust, you have to get through her.” His fingers played with a piece of my hair, and I tried everything not to cringe and pull away. “Let’s be honest, Sienna. We all know who pulls the puppet strings around here.”
“Stefano!” Rosa made me jump, but her evil eyes were cast his way not mine. “Move it along.”
“See you around, Sienna,” he muttered before they both left me alone.
