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Looking like the perfectly put together mother to the don that she is, Mamma comes into the living room, her heels tapping with each rapid step. "Connie, I believe the chef has some chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven she wants Neri's opinion on."
Realizing immediately that my mother wants to talk to me without my son present, Connie jumps up and says, "What about it, Neri? Are you up for taste testing some cookies?"
"Yes!" Neri starts running toward the kitchen.
"No running," my mother mildly rebukes.
While I say, "Keep it to a walk,ometto."
Neri slows down. Barely. And is soon out of sight.
"What is it?" I ask my mother in a quiet voice. Just because I can't see my son, doesn't mean our voices can't carry.
"Carlotta and her sister were attacked on their way back to Long Island."
I jump to my feet. "Are they okay?"
"What happened?" Lara asks, coming to stand less than a foot away.
"They are fine physically." Mamma shakes her head. "Their attackers shot out a tire on their car and forced them off of the road. Both bodyguards were wounded, but they managed to take out three of the four assailants."
"What about the last one?"
"Catalina shot him." My mother's tone is laced with shock.
I'm not surprised though. Catalina has a depth to her that is lacking in her younger sister. Whether it is the six years difference in their ages, or simply a matter of temperament, I don't know.
"But they are both alright?" I ask.
Mamma nods. "Nevertheless, we should send a care basket to them."
"Good idea. I'll arrange it while you are at your tea."
"Severu insisted I cancel my engagements for this afternoon and evening. He doesn’t want either of us leaving until he's determined the motive behind the attack."
"I have my appointment with the OB tomorrow," I say. "I cannot miss it, but I'll take extra security with me."
"I'll arrange details with Matteo," Lara says, mentioning Severu's head of security. "We have a team of four with us and will need four additional men from the don."
I don't argue over the size of detail she wants to take. It wouldn't do any good if I did, but in this instance, I agree that more is better.
I don't want any of my guards ending up wounded, or worse, because we aren't ready for an attack.
RAFFAELE
I read the text from Lara with disbelief. My brother-in-law's fiancée and her sister's car was forced off the road. Both women are fine, but Severu has yet to determine who is behind the attack and what their motivation is.
A quick look through my notifications confirms that my wife has not called or texted in the hour since Lara sent her message. In a meeting with one of my capos, I did not see the text until now because Lara didn't use urgency protocols sending it.
I will discuss that oversight with her later.
There is also a voicemail from Miceli and I listen to it. He gives a few more details than Lara's text and tells me that Severu has the house on lockdown.
However, there is no text from my wife. I know better than to expect a missed call from her.
The first couple of years we were married, Giulia used to call me whenever she had a question, or wanted to tell me something. When she went to New York, she would call me each night.
I didn't always answer. When her message didn't require any response on my part, I didn't return the call either. I thought I was being efficient.
