Page 118 of Promised to the Don of Naples

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"Play, bella mia."

"Why?"

"Play until he leaves the house."

"Luca…"

"I'll tell you later."

I felt my heart start to race, but I'd already said va bene to the nonna half an hour before.

I went back to the keys and started the Chopin again.

Somewhere in the second repeat, I saw the nonna standing in the doorway of the room. Later still, Donna Beatrice came down the hall, stopped a second in the doorway too, and went on.

At eleven forty, Acquaviva passed by the door of the room. Luca appeared thirty seconds later.

He took my right hand, the one with Marta's ring, and kissed it. Then he kissed my mouth, long, over the white keys.

"Brava," he murmured against my mouth.

"Luca."

"Tonight."

"Va bene."

In the afternoon I went down to the south cellar with the nonna. Matteo stood up when he saw us.

"Nonna."

"Matteo Rossi."

He lowered his head.

The nonna sat down in the chair Acquaviva always set near the door.

"You gave yourself up for your mother in August of 2015," she said.

Matteo lifted his eyes.

"Sì, nonna."

It was the first time in seven years he'd called anyone nonna. I saw his hands tremble at his sides.

"Lucia told me in October of that year." The nonna was in no hurry. "It was the last time I spoke with her."

"I know, nonna."

The nonna rested both hands on the head of the cane.

"You'll be getting out of here soon, Matteo Rossi. I'm going to ask for it."

I felt a knot in my throat, and my brother closed his eyes.

"Sì, nonna."

"Brava to Valentina, bravo to my grandson, bravo to you. In that order."

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