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"I can't wait," I murmured and finally tore myself away from the railing to return to the terrace. My path led me purposefully toward the pool, where I sat on one of the sun loungers close to Carlotta and Amedea.
I did not interrupt their conversation but was content to listen to the two of them. As difficult as my sister could be at times, in the crucial moments, she somehow always managed to pull herself together and be a warm personality.
She didn't welcome anyone with open arms, but she got used to every new family member that anyone unexpectedly brought along.
Sometimes I wondered if she would actually take the step of revealing her identity to all of the mafia or if she would leave it and enjoy the anonymity and freedom that came with it. She paid a high price, but maybe it was worth what she got in return.
"Batuffolo," she scolded, bringing me back to reality. "You could at least make yourself useful and get me something to eat. And something that doesn't contain disgusting non-Italian alcohol."
Now her behavior seemed much more familiar. I raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you find someone else to do it?"
"Because you're sitting right next to me, we have a certain relationship… and I don't trust anyone outside the family with my food."
Amused, I responded to how she wanted to make an argument that I was her brother without actually saying it.
"You could send Natale. Or pay the kitchen a visit. I'm sure Fiero won't tear your head off if you help yourself."
Carlotta rolled her eyes, looking at Amedea significantly. "You see. He never does what I ask but expects you to do everything for him.”
I grinned. "We both know that's not true."
"We also both know how bad Emilio is at planning parties. He forgot the catering, and poor Fiero gets criticism for it." Of course, she wasn't really sorry it was just a way of getting me to fulfill her wishes.
"Knowing you, you're in the mood for some damn specific dish or restaurant. On the other end of Naples."
Carlotta blinked in my direction. So I was right. "If I had to guess, this time it's the burgers from this little place that no one else knows about."
The radiance on her face proved that I was right.
Sighing, I rose and reached out my hand to her.
Skeptically she looked at me. "What?"
"You come with me," I said, holding out my other hand to Dea.
Unlike my sister, she grabbed it without comment and let me help her to her feet. A few seconds later, Carlotta let me help her up as well.
"You're here with the Sián, aren't you?"
Confirming, I nodded, so she extended her other hand in Natale's direction, who tossed her the keys to his car without comment. She caught them in mid-air.
Seeing that she hadeveryonewrapped around her finger was always reassuring.
18
Amedea
Icould hardly believe it, but Enzo had left me alone in the villa for the first time since I had moved here. No babysitter to watch over me and keep me company. It still amazed me how quickly he had become a different man. At least he was well on his way because there was no denying that he was struggling with his old behavior patterns.
Nevertheless, there was a slight difference because since the day of the party our quarreling had reached a new level. They almost always ended in a legendary way.
Which, admittedly, was a lot more pleasant than not seeing him for half an eternity or looking at his scowl, which told me quite clearly what he thought of my latest attitude.
I took advantage of the alone time to do what I had been planning for some time: to take a quiet look around the house. I could have done that the last few weeks, but as long as he was present, it certainly didn't go down too well if I took a closer look at his office or the other rooms he claimed for himself.
Well aware that he could later see what I had been up to on the surveillance tapes, I headed straight for the office where he spent so much time.
Fiero and he had managed to limit the damage, but the remnants of his tantrum were still clearly visible. The windows had been taped up with cardboard, the TV was unusable, and his desk had been given a new top and a kitchen chair.
