AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I remember that I still have my phone and fumble for it, trying Romano’s number once again. This time, it tells me that that number is out of service. I drop my head into my hands and wail with despair.
“Did that motherfucker marry me only to abandon me?” I growl to myself, imagining several scenarios where he is sitting around, laughing at me with his friends.
Suddenly I think of someone I can speak to, who will tell me the truth about everything. With a sigh of relief, I call my aunt Ludovica.
“Ohbambina…” are her first words to me and they are not encouraging.
“Zia, do you know what happened?Papàandmammaare telling me that Romano has been banned. That heshot Tiziano. How could he do that when he was withmeall night? And now he’s left town? And I’m here and my parents are saying I should marry Patrizio!” I am hyperventilating as I speak.
“Calm down child. All is not lost. I have spoken to the priest, Father Lorenzo and he has told me that Eric is the one who told Romano to leave town at once. He did not know about you – that you were on your honeymoon, how could he? – so he was very insistent that Romano leave at once. He took his phone.”
“Oh…” I sniff. At least I know why Romano hasn’t been in touch. “So, he’s really been banished? Forever? But what about us?”
“Not forever. Just a little while. He is to go to the old country, but Father Lorenzo tells me he hasn’t left yet. I think he’s trying to find a way to see you first.”
I put my hand to my chest, feeling relieved. “Oh. Good… that’s good.”
“So, calm down. We’ll get this sorted out.”
“Why did he shoot Tizzy? Did he have to?”
My aunt sighs, “Mark Salvatore was Romano’s best friend. To expect him not to retaliate when Tiziano killed him would have been naïve.”
“Mark… his best man?
“Yes.”
“What was Tiziano thinking?
“As usual… he wasn’t.”
“Arghhh! This is such a cluster fuck.”
“Why don’t I arrange a meeting with the priest? Perhaps he’ll have some idea where your husband is now.”
I blow out a long breath. “Yesmadrina, could you please? I need to know what’s happening.”
“Yes, I’ll take care of that. In the meantime…”
“Relax. I get it. Keep calm and carry on.”
“That’s right. Can you do that?”
“Do I have a choice?” I ask unhappily. This is just all so… unnecessary. I say goodbye to my aunt and then strip off my clothes and walk into my shower naked. I put the water as cold as it will go and just stand there, letting it beat on me like a penance. By the time I get out, I’m freezing cold, but my eyes are not as red and swollen as they might be. The cold water has helped ameliorate the effects of my tears.
I slip into my bed without bothering to dry off and close my eyes, praying that sleep will take me away from all this, just for a little while. Luckily for me, my exhausted body gives in to my need for rest and I know no more that night.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
I’m supposed to be in Sicily, getting to know the land my ancestors left behind until Eric sends a message that it’s safe for me to come back. Instead, I’m hiding out at a charming Airbnb in Connecticut – the last place you’d ever expect to find a mobster. I registered under the name Underhill just because I love The Lord of the Rings and I’ve been keeping a low profile. As far as anyone knows, I’m a stock broker, in town on business.
Honestly, I expected people to be more standoffish than they are, and I don’t like having to explain myself at all. So, I try to be charming but boring – unmemorable. My first order of business is to get myself a burner phone. I get on eBay and purchase myself a second-hand device.
It’s delivered to the Airbnb two days later and then I realize my second problem. I don’t have Giada’s number memorized.
“Fuck!”
I only have two numbers I can call – my father and Father Lorenzo. Obviously, Father Lorenzo is the logical choice.
