AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It's the first time anyone has acknowledged to me aloud what my father does. Zia always pretends to think I'm clumsy. Though it has been a long time since she's had to patch me up. I've gotten very adept at avoiding Papà. Carlotta is either completely unaware, or she too chooses to tell herself my injuries are somehow self-inflicted.
But Zio has said the painful truth and my heart nearly bursts with all the feeling that acknowledgement provokes. I give him a spontaneous hug, squeezing him really tight. "Thank you, Zio."
"You know I would stop it if I could."
"I know." Like he said. He may live here, but he's not part of the New York mafia. Not really.
And my father is the don's consigliere. Even if my uncle went to the don, Zio's word wouldn't be taken over my father's. And if it was, the only thing that would happen would be for the don to remove my father from his position. That would devastate my father, but it would not protect me, or my uncle, from his wrath.
"He hardly hits me anymore," I reassure my uncle.
"You intimidate him because you don't cower."
I think it's more because I'm good at staying out of my father's orbit, but I don't mind my uncle believing I am stronger and more influential than I am. It feels good to have someone believe in me.
~ ~ ~
I remind myself of that belief in my strength after I sneak into my father's room while he is showering before dinner. I use Carlotta's birthday to unlock his phone and quickly memorize the don's number before dropping the phone and leaving the room as silently as I entered it.
It's the next day before I can call the don to talk to him about Carlotta.
"Yes?" he barks in an unfriendly tone when he answers.
I don't let that deter me. He wouldn't recognize my number. "Hello, Don De Luca, it is Catalina Jilani."
"Catalina." He sounds shocked. "If you are looking for your father, he is not with me."
"No, I called to talk to you."
"About?" He sounds wary.
"My sister. She's nervous about the wedding."
"This sounds like something for my mother to handle."
Is he kidding? No wonder Carlotta is finding it so difficult to get to know him.
"She's not marrying your mother," I say, trying to keep my voice even, but unable to keep my annoyance out of it completely.
"I am aware of that," he says in an even tone.
The lack of anger in his voice gives me the courage to continue. "She needs to get to know you better. She still sees you primarily as her don and not as her fiancé."
"I do not see the problem with that."
"You don't?" I ask, having difficulty keeping my voice respectful as I know I should. "She'll be your wife soon."
"Is there a point to this phone call, Catalina?"
The way he says my name sends shivers through me and they are not from fear. It's a good thing I'm running after the wedding. If his voice can do this to me, I have no business remaining anywhere in his and my sister's orbit.
"You need to take Carlotta on some dates."
"You want me to court her?" Incredulity infuses his tone.
"Is that so shocking?" I demand. "You are her fiancé."
"Exactly. We are already engaged. There is no point in a courtship."
