AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Elio?” Mama was in the doorway of my bedroom. I didn’t even know she was here. She looked concerned as her hands tapped the doorframe. This was going to be a big play within our family, and we all knew what it might mean if it didn’t work.
“She’s here.”
“All right.” I looked away and concentrated on gathering a few more items. I checked the clip in my handgun and tucked it in my waistband.
“How is—”
“She’s fine.” I cut her off, not needing Sienna in my head any more than she already was.
“Good, good.” She nodded. “What’s this?” She pulled the journal Elenora had dismissed off my nightstand. She cracked open the spine and let out a little hum as she read the start of it. “You really meant a lot to her, even back then.”
“We all did.” I ran my hand through my hair but stopped, annoyed. “I offered it to Elenora. I thought she might like to answer some of the questions that Sienna had asked in there.”
“That’s a lovely thing to do.” She smiled warmly at me.
“Too bad she wasn’t interested.” I grimaced. “How can someone like Sienna come from someone like her?”
“Well,” she slowly sat on the corner of my bed, returning the journal to its place, “I get the impression that Elenora likes to dwell on the negatives, while Sienna chooses to see the positives. I also think Sienna learned very quickly that life is what you choose to make it.”
“Maybe,” I muttered, looking at her. “Regardless, she doesn’t deserve to have her as a daughter.”
“Perhaps not, but Elenora did bring her into this world, and if she hadn’t done what she did, you wouldn’t have met her and fallen in love.”
“Yes, that’s true. I only wish now I didn’t have to go fake it with someone else.”
“It isn’t the first time you’ve faked it.” She lifted an eyebrow with a smile. “Now, come on. Go save your date from Niccola.”
Oh, Lord.
Carina looked nice in her lavender dress with her hair pinned up in a low bun. I held open the car door for her, and she slipped in. I looked back and saw Niccola wrap an arm around my mother and pretend to wipe a tear away. I shook my head at him and gave him a polite finger before I joined Carina in the car.
We barely spoke a word as we made our way over to my uncle’s villa. We both had a lot on our minds, so making small talk wasn’t necessary.
“Nice.” She looked up at the vines that hung over the stone wall as she walked beside me. “It’s very pretty here.”
I didn’t respond; I didn’t think much of this place.
The door swung open, and to my surprise, there was Aunt Noemi dressed in her riding gear. Her boots were dusty, and it was obvious she’d just come back from a ride.
“Elio?” She looked over my shoulder at Carina. “What are you doing here?”
“He’s here for this.” Vinni handed me a cell phone right on cue. He made a quick face when he gave it to me. “It’s all charged, and no calls came in.”
“Thanks.” I held it up and turned to leave when my aunt spoke up.
“I’m still in just as much shock as you must be.” Her voice was sad, but my fingers curled as I slowly turned. “I wanted to call or visit, but,” she looked visibly shaken, “she just seemed so sweet.”
“You had no idea?” I could barely get my words out because this conversation wasn’t supposed to happen now. Nonna was the one I wanted to see us. Vinni was supposed to have her in the living room.
“No.” Her face scrunched at me. “How could I have known? I’ve never met her before.”
“No?” I saw Vinni come into view, his face confused over my sudden change in plan. “But you knew her mother, didn’t you?” Her face fell and the color drained away. “I saw the two of you at Vinni’s party. There was an exchange between you two.”
“Elio, you must be confused.”
“Am I?” I spoke a little louder, hoping to draw some attention to us.
“I thought she was someone else.” She folded her arms to put some space between us. “It took me a little while to realize she wasn’t who I thought she was.”
