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“The last time we spoke, you tried to threaten me.”
“You gave her power,” I seethed at her.
“To a syndicate of ashes and soot.” She snorted. “She won’t last long. She’s being sniffed out as we speak. Like a fox on a hunt. I may not have seen Alessia coming, but she’s a good Donna who pivots and adapts to the unknown.”
“You ran her right back into Elio’s arms.” I leaned over, bracing my hands on my thighs and feeling the world crumble around me. I had no one. “He’ll protect her.”
“Let him.” She struggled. “I just tossed a grenade at the Capris’ front doorstep,” she replied calmly. “The uncles found out I was Mikey. It was only a matter of time before they realized I’d been funneling money and they were broke. I had to do what was best for me.”
“I can see that.” I snickered.
“Since Michael’s and Theo’s deaths, our syndicate’s been failing.” She continued to rattle on, not at all seeing I was close to losing it. “Stefano was nothing more than an easily manipulated boy with a ring, and the uncles were only powerful because of who they used to be. The fact that there were three of them made it harder, but I handled it. I was the one who carried the family name until Alessia showed up. I knew it was time to make a change, anyway. I’ll still rule just in a different way.”
“And what about me?”
“What about you?”
“I was the only one who truly loved your son for who he was.” I stabbed at my chest. “The one who sacrificed everything to be with Theo, even though you married him off to her!”
“Oh, please, Noemi, you’re being dramatic.”
“Dramatic?” I laughed. “What did she have that I didn’t?”
“Elenora may have had nothing, but she could get pregnant just by looking at a man. I didn’t want Theo in love. Men in love only listen to one thing.” She stepped closer. “I needed him to have a son. The rest was disposable.”
“Disposable?” I couldn’t believe her choice of words.
“Careful,” she warned as I flirted dangerously close to her dirty little secret.
“What am I supposed to do?” I dropped my arms, needing some sort of direction.
She tapped her cane as she looked away then cleared her throat. She walked outside onto the street, and I followed.
“You go home and act like nothing happened. There were no witnesses, correct?”
I shook my head. “No, but I know she would have told Elio, and if she knew anything about my past, she’d have shared it.”
“It’s her word against yours. You’re Niccola and Vinni’s mother, who are well placed in the family. You’ve been in that family a lot longer than she has. You just need to convince your sons that she’s a liar if you’re accused of anything. The only thing that might make you look guilty is if you don’t go home.”
I rubbed my face, unsure of anything anymore.
“Don’t cross me again, Noemi.” She stood shoulder to shoulder with me, sending a chill across my skin. “Remember, I have a talent for making things disappear.”
I held my breath as herconsigliereopened the door to a car and helped her inside, then he put several suitcases in the trunk. He didn’t look at me as he slipped behind the wheel, and they left, leaving me to watch them drive away. I got back into my car and sat for a moment. My pounding head flopped back against the headrest, and I fell into a memory.
Nonna Rosa woke me up from a dead sleep in the wee hours of the morning and ordered me to quickly pack an overnight bag. We got into a car with Elenora, and the three of us flew to New York while my head spun with unanswered questions.
“Where are we going?” I asked as I sat, still bewildered, on the edge of the bed in the hotel room while Elenora was in the washroom.
“You are staying here.” Nonna swiped her finger in some eyeshadow and dragged a heavy line across her lid. All that did for her was intensify the cold look in her black eyes.
“Where are you going, then?” I was disappointed. I had never been to New York, and now I was here I really wanted to see Times Square.
“Eleanora and I have to be somewhere. You need to stay here.”
“Can’t I go out and sightsee by myself?”
“No.”
