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Angels…
They have to be a good sign, right? Nonna says I’m always trying to find the good in the bad, the hope in the dark. I run a finger over the knob, tracing the wings of a tiny, long-haired angel.
“You’re my good luck,” I say.
The door swings open. I step back, snapping my hand away. An angry looking man about my age stands in the doorway, his dark hair hanging over one of his bright green eyes.
There’s a growl in his voice. “You’re late.”
“Am I?” I glance down at the watch on my wrist, a delicate oval on a thin tan leather band. A gift from my grandmother. It’s nine a.m. “I’m right on time—”
My words cut off as a glint of silver catches my eye. He looks right at me, dragging the sharp end of a metal hook down the frame of the door.
The hook is the man’s hand.Deep breaths.I drag my gaze from the hook to meet his eye. So, the rumors are true.
“Antonio?” I ask.
He gives a grunt in reply.
I hold out my hand to shake his remaining one. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Kylie. I did a phone interview with your father? He hired me, told me to be here at nine, and here I am.” I repeat, “Right on time.”
He looks at my hand and dismisses it with a deeper grunt. I pull it away.
“Kylie?” he says. “What kind of name is that? American?”
I shrug. “My mom lived in the States for a long time. She gave it to me.”
His nose wrinkles with distaste. “You sound American too.”
“I lived there till I was ten. Then…umm…” My voice feels shaky, and I pause to steady it before I speak again. “My mother brought me back here to live with my grandmother.”
“I know. It’s a small village. Everyone knows everyone’s story.” He eyes me. “And your mom is gone.”
Okay, the tales of the Accardis’ oldest son having no manners are also true. I try to smile. “Yeah. I heard something about that.”
“My mother is gone too.” Pain tugs at the corners of his eyes as he speaks. “But you know that. Everyone does.”
“I guess we have that in common,” I say, finding the perfect time to start forming that layer of protection I’m hoping for. “Motherless, and we both hate the Meralos.”
“You hate them?” A nasty grin curls at his lips. “You don’t look like you could hate anyone. Even after what they’re doing to you.”
“Maybe not.” I don’t want the story of my uncle getting back to Nonna. I hold back, giving a question as an answer. “What have you heard?”
His green eyes study my face. “Heard they got your uncle hooked on some nasty shit. Then stuck you with the bill.”
So, people are talking. Does everyone already know? How can I protect the one person I love from finding out? I think of the notes. One every afternoon for two weeks now when I got home from the pharmacy, making demands of me.Your family owes us. You know what we want.
My stomach sinks. I try to keep my feelings off my face. “Yep. That’s about right. But please. Don’t tell anyone. If word got back to my grandmother, she’d be crushed.”
His jade-green eyes flash. “Guess you’re hoping for some protection along with that fat paycheck. Aren’t you?”
Ice trips down my spine as he exposes my truth. My tongue feels tied.
“Well, am I calling it like it is?” He stares at me.
My answer is a whisper. “Yes.”
He gives a nod.
