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Her brown eyes grow round.
“It’s a big house with a garden and a swimming pool,” he continues. “There’s even a beach.”
She jumps to her feet, knocking the bowl with the popcorn to the floor. Clutching the doll in her hands, she looks ready to bolt.
“Sophie,” I say in a soothing tone. “Mr. Russo won’t hurt you. He has a very kind housekeeper who cooks delicious food.”
She sprints to me and jumps behind my back, locking her arms around my legs. “I’m not going. I don’t want to.”
Angelo says in a stern voice, “You can’t stay in a cave. That’s not an option.”
“I want to stay here.” Her voice quivers with tears. “With Sabella.”
“Jesus,” Angelo says under his breath, clenching his hands into balls.
“She can stay,” I say, beseeching him with a look. “I don’t mind. In fact, I think it will be the best plan given the circumstances.”
He opens his mouth and shuts it again. Holding out a hand, he says, “Come on, Sophie. Don’t you want to see my house?”
“No.” She hurls the words at him. “Beatrice doesn’t like you. She doesn’t want to live in your house. She wants to stay with Sabella.”
“For God’s sake,” he mutters, dropping his arm at his side.
“It’s all right, sweetheart.” I turn and crouch down to hug her. “Everyone wants what’s best for you and Beatrice.” I glance at my husband. “Isn’t that true?”
“Fine,” he grunts, wiping a hand over his brow. “Let her stay here while I work out a solution.”
I don’t ask what kind of solution. I don’t want to spook Sophie more. At least she’s staying. For now. Whatever Angelo comes up with, we’ll handle it when the time comes.
“On one condition,” he says.
I make big eyes at him. He shouldn’t blackmail the poor child. He just gave her his word. If he changes his decision, she’ll never trust him.
He advances to us. His expression is soft when he addresses Sophie again. “I want you to show me where your brothers are staying.”
“Why?” she asks, sounding scared.
He glances at me with an uncertain expression. He opens his mouth, but before he can utter a word, I say, “Because I’m going to cook a big, delicious meal, and I’d like to invite them.”
“With chicken?” she asks. “Like the ones that turns around and around in the machine outside the supermarket?”
“Yes.” I brush a hand over her hair. “With grilled chicken and chocolate cake for dessert.”
She lifts the doll to her ear. A moment passes as she pretends to listen, and then she says, “Beatrice says you’ll need three chickens and two cakes.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Beatrice is a little gourmand, isn’t she?”
Sophie scrunches up her face. “A what?”
“Someone who likes to eat a little too much.”
“Oh, no.” Sophie shakes her head. “I have three brothers, and they eat a lot.”
“Ah.” I catch Angelo’s gaze. “Three chickens can be organized, can’t it? I’ll take care of the cake.”
“Of course,” he replies, staring at me with a strange light in his dark eyes. His voice scrapes in his throat as he clears it. “I’ll let you settle Sophie in then.”
“Thank you,” I say, meaning it.
