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“This is going to kill Niccola and Vinni!” he roared, and I felt terrible knowing it was true. They both loved their mother, and though they might get past that she’d once dated the enemy, they might not once they heard she was still talking to Rosa Coppola. The past was the past. You couldn’t judge that, but the fact that she was still in contact with them was just wrong.
“I know, and I’m sorry.” I tried to get him to calm down. “That’s why I’m telling you this now.”
“Where was this before?” he shot back.
“I only just found out the last part.” I used the same harsh tone he used on me. “This puzzle that you and I are piecing together is way beyond what we thought. Haven’t you noticed that yet? Everyone has a piece of the story.” I paused for a few beats to let him think. “Elio, you have to admit, it’s pretty ironic that our story was woven together even before we were born. Maybe we were meant to be together, or maybe we weren’t, but regardless, we have a hell of a lot more to get through before we can stand back and see this storm for what it is!” I took a moment to catch my breath. “So, get mad and throw things, but don’t point your anger at me anymore. That’s pushed me away enough times already, and it stops now.” I headed for the door and yanked on the handle. “I need to get back. Who knows what—”
Slam. The door shut.
I turned to find him vibrating with anger and his eyes cast on the floor.
“I may have a temper,” he ground through his teeth, “but it only comes out when it comes to you. I just can’t believe all this, this stuff that’s happening. I want you home, by my side, where I know you’re safe, not chasing leads, living in a house full of snakes, and acting like you’re looking for a husband.” He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “However,” he looked straight in my eyes, “I know that’s not something that can happen right now. I’m trying. I really am, and I want to tread carefully not to lose you again.”
“Okay.” I shifted, happy for that, at least, and knowing he’d heard me.
“God, my own aunt. I’ll put a tail on her.” He shook his head then cleared his throat. “Has there been any talk of where Mariano is?”
“No.”
“Okay.” He nodded and took a deep breath. “I’ve something to tell you, too. We killed Bria and Roberto.”
“What?”
He ignored that and continued his story. “It was time. We had to clean house, and every day that went by only made it harder. Now we need to make some moves here. Anything at all you think is worth me knowing, big or small, tell Ugo, and he’ll contact me.”
“I understand.” I shrugged. “Kind of wish I was there for it, though.”
He smiled, and his eyes lit up. It must have been glorious. I had a few fun ideas of my own that I needed to work up to.
“Look, you need to tell the Coppolas that Mariano’s the one who took you tonight. I can’t havethemprotecting him if he shows up. We need to flush him out, not give him a place to hide. Stefano’s already tired of him, and the uncles are nervous of him since he’s been with us for so long. Besides, they all know he’s using. He’s too unpredictable.”
He went on to tell me what I needed to say, and I listened carefully to all of it. I secretly wondered what would happen once we parted ways. I only hoped he wouldn’t go after Noemi. As scared as I was about what information she had to tell me, I was also painfully curious to know what it was.
“Is there anything you’re not clear on?”
“No, I think I got it all.” I checked the time on his watch and knew I needed to get my head in the game.
“One more thing.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out something. “I know why you gave it back to me, and it worked that her soldiers saw it, too, but I miss seeing it on you.” He held up the necklace I’d left in the envelope. The crow looked up at me as it rested against his palm. “I also understand you might not be seeing clearly right now, but you’re a Capri before anything else. For now,” he opened the clasp and slid the crow off the chain, “I’ll hold on to this for you, until you return home.” He slipped the chain over my head and pulled my hair through the rest. I’d missed my necklace terribly, but I didn’t feel it was mine to take when I left. I held up the little teddy, thinking how lonely it looked without the crow.
“Thank you.” I felt a sense of sadness wash over me. There was a part of me that still wasn’t sure if I’d ever see it again. What if our plan didn’t go as hoped and his family decided they were better off without me, or if Nonna Rosa just shot me then and there right on the street?
He cupped my face and kissed me roughly. I knew he didn’t want to say goodbye. “You need to go.”
He walked me outside the room. Vinni and Niccola were playing a card game on the hood of the car. When they spotted us, they both jumped quickly back into work mode, and the cards disappeared.
“Ready?” Vinni grinned as he picked a bit of fluff off my sleeve, clearly showing they’d both known full well what we’d been doing.
“Yeah,” I answered as I felt a tug on my arm. I looked up at Elio.
“I love you.”
“I…” I paused as my words froze in my throat. My heart held them back, defending what little control it had left over me. I did love Elio, but the scars inside were still raw, and that part of me needed a little more time to heal. Elio was explosive, and after his temper reared its head back there, I’d felt uneasy. “I love you, too.” I gave him a little smile then disappeared into the car.
I’d seen the frustrated expression on his face as he stepped back. Yes, I’d hesitated, but I did say the words because it was true, I did love him. I was just still a little wounded.
“You good?” Niccola asked as he joined me in the back.
“Yes,” I replied and reached down and ripped the side of my dress. Then I flipped forward and ran wild fingers through my hair, letting my own anger soar. “Hand me that, please.” I pointed to the water bottle, and he watched, fascinated as I wet my fingers and smudged my mascara. Then I sat upright and tightened my jaw. “Now, let’s see just how well I can sell this.”
