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They glance at each other.
Uncle Nico takes the lead. He supports his weight with a palm on the edge of the table as he goes onto his knees with a groan.
I hold out my right hand. He takes it between both of his, faltering for a second, but then he presses his lips on my family ring. “I swear my allegiance to you, Angelo Russo.”
It takes him even more effort to straighten.
The expression on Uncle Enzo’s face is crestfallen as his turn follows. Like his brother, he kisses my ring and promises to obey me. I don’t help him to his feet. I let him struggle, let the message sink in. One hand washes the other. As long as they watch out for me, I’ll watch out for them. However, I won’t hesitate to chop off a hand that goes astray.
They stand with their arms folded behind their backs, watching me like reprimanded schoolboys.
“Let’s get one thing straight.” I push to my feet. “No one questions my decisions or motives, least of all when they concern my wife.”
They exchange another look.
“Are we clear?” I ask loud enough to make them jump.
“Yes, Angelo,” Uncle Enzo says, sounding wounded.
Uncle Nico adds his two cents’ worth. “We were just trying to help.”
I get into their faces, making them cower. “From now on, just do as I say.”
Uncle Enzo flinches. “What do you want us to do?”
“Send Toma and Gianni to watch the new house. They’re to stand guard twenty-four-seven. If they can’t be there, I trust you to personally step in.”
It’s a low blow, a dishonorable demotion, but putting them on guard duty is part of the lesson they have to learn.
“Guard the house?” Uncle Nico exclaims. “I thought your mother’s family moved out.”
I clench my jaw both at the reminder of my mother as well as how spectacularly I failed not only her but also her family. My father tried to warn me, but I thought I could civilize them with running water and electricity.
“It’s not for them,” I say. “It’s for Sabella.”
Uncle Nico blinks.
“She’s staying there now?” Uncle Enzo asks.
I turn my back on them, pick up my cup, and carry it to the window, hiding my expression lest they see something in my face they shouldn’t. The smallest sliver of doubt. “Yes.”
Uncle Enzo’s bafflement carries in his voice. “For how long?”
I grind out the word. “Indefinitely.”
Schooling my features, I turn around. “Do you have a problem with that order?”
“No.” Uncle Enzo pinches his eyebrows together. “Of course not.”
Right answer. “Nobody goes near her but me. Nobody lays a finger on her or that man is dead. If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you responsible. I’ll punish you personally. Is there any part of that instruction you don’t understand?”
They shake their heads in unison.
“Good.” I finish my coffee and leave the cup on the table. “Then you can go back to your second breakfasts. I want daily reports.”
They nod their agreement as they backtrack out of the room as fast as they can. Who can blame them? They’ve seen firsthand who I am. Even though I’m family, blood of their blood, they can’t hide the spark of disgust that always lurks too shallowly in their eyes. It’s the same way they used to look at my mother, the same way everyone looks at me. Except for Sabella. There was a time—very, very long ago—when she looked at me differently. But that ship has sailed, and there’s only one course left now. Full sail ahead.
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