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“You can cry, too,” I tell Luca. “It’s all right. No one will judge.”
Luca lets his tears come as he runs from the table. While holding Lucia, Mom watches in anguish as he leaves. Mia and Cecilia are both quiet. They might not know all the horrible things Franco did to Mom, but they know how much darkness he brought to the family after our dad died.
Dinner ends early as Mom goes to comfort the twins, leaving Mia, Cecilia, and me alone at the table. The moment Mom leaves with Lucia, Mia gets up and is already on her phone. “Happy you’re home, Antonio,” she says without taking her eyes off the screen. Though she does give me a quick hug before heading off to her room.
That leaves just Cecilia and me … and Theo in the corner.
I give him a nod. “We’re fine here for the night.”
“It’s my duty to guard your family,” he replies in a deep voice. Cecilia smiles slightly, but when she catches me looking at her, she blushes.
“I understand that, but I’d like to talk to my sister alone.”
Theo nods once and leaves the kitchen. He’s probably just standing outside the room, but whatever.
I turn to Cecilia. “You still like him?”
She blushes even more if that were possible. “I know I shouldn’t,” she says, clutching the cross around her neck. “He’s not someone I’ll ever marry. Mom told me I’ll have to marry some high, political power or something.”
“That’s right. A bodyguard isn’t a suitable husband for you.”
She frowns. “Oh? And you know what makes a suitable husband, do you? You haven’t been here, Antonio.”
“Which wasn’t my fault.”
“I know,” she says, deflating. “But still. You don’t get to tell me who I get to marry.”
“I do, actually. I’m the new head of the family business, which means … technically speaking, I’m your boss. I’ll have to find a suitable husband for you and soon. I’m in a new, unsteady place where I’ll be proving myself. I’ll have to make smart alliances, and a marriage between you and someone influential could provide me with a strong alliance.”
She eyes me critically. “I don’t know if I’m prepared for this new side of you. You don’t sound like my best friend right now. You don’t even sound like my brother.”
“Who do I sound like?”
“Like Father. Like … Franco,” she whispers his name.
“I am not Franco,” I snap, standing up.
“I know, Antonio. I know. But you’re already talking about making alliances. It’s something I’ve overheard Franco talking about for years now. That’s just what it takes to be the leader. Just tell me you won’t lose the part of you I love so much.”
“Which is?”
“Your kindness.”
My breath hitches at her words. Kindness. That was how Nina described me when we first met.
I haven’t been kind to her at all.
“I have to go,” I say suddenly.
Cecilia blinks. “Go where?”
“To save my marriage.” I squeeze Cecilia’s hand. “You know I love you. We’ll talk more about this, ok? I don’t want to force you into something you don’t want.”
She relaxes slightly. “I appreciate that.”
“But I really have to go.” I pass Theo on my way out the door. I turn to him and say, “Be careful with my sister.”
Theo’s stoic face barely changes. “I’m always careful with your family. It’s my duty.”
