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“Please.” I snort. “Where do you think I’ve lived my whole life? Under a rock?”
“You’re the don’s granddaughter. You should have spent your days browsing magazines, shopping, and going to spas.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint. Spas were never my thing.” I shrug. “And because I am the don’s granddaughter, I’ve been groomed for my role since I was ten.”
“And what role would that be?”
“The wife of a capo,” I say and take a croissant from the basket.
“Who should do nothing but go shopping and to spas and browse magazines.”
“Well, I didn’t expect to be married off to a chauvinistic grump, but it is what it is.”
Across the table from me, Damian chokes on his coffee when he bursts out laughing. “Sorry I just...” He snickers. “Chauvinistic grump.” He laughs again.
I turn my head and find Luca watching me through narrowed eyes. “I want you to stay in your room this afternoon,” he says.
“Why?”
“Simona is coming to take Rosa, and I have a meeting I need to attend. I don’t want you two confronting one another, especially when I’m not here.”
I reach for the milk and fill the glass for Rosa. When I went to see her earlier, she said she’s not feeling well and decided to stay in her room. “You’re afraid I’ll bite your ex or something?”
“I’m not concerned about whatyoumay do, Isabella.”
Oh. He’s concerned about what his big, bad ex will do to his delicate young wife. How sweet of him. I wish I were drunk again so I could allow myself to throw something else in his face.
“I’ll take Rosa her breakfast, then make sure I’m locked away safe in my room when your ex-wife comes.” I grab the plate I’ve prepared for Rosa, turn on my heel, and march toward the stairway.
Damian’s laughter rings out behind me.
* * *
“Do you want me to get you tea or something?” I ask Rosa.
“No,” she mumbles into her pillow.
“Maybe we should call a doctor.” I put my palm on her forehead, but it doesn’t feel like she has a fever. “Did you eat something strange yesterday?”
“No.”
“Diarrhea? Do you feel like vomiting?”
“No, just my stomach hurts. I’m okay.”
I sit on the edge of her bed and lightly squeeze her shoulder. “So, this has nothing to do with the fact your mom is coming?”
“She wants me to call her Simona,” she says. “And I don’t want to go with her. She always takes me to a mall. It’s boring.”
“Well, can you ask her to take you to the park? Or to see some movie? How about that?”
“She hates parks because I get dirty. And she says she doesn’t like movies because her eyes hurt. I want to stay here.”
“You’ll be bored here, too.”
“I won’t. I can call Clara. She said she’ll bring Tomas next time she comes.”
“Who’s Tomas?”
