Page 106 of Urgent Vows
It hasn't been an issue until now because I always have a bodyguard with me, usually Aldo.
"In the unlikely event that you do not have one of us with you, yes. You need to tell the house security detail where you will be."
"No."
He looks at me like I've just spoken Latin."It is a matter of your safety. If you need to be evacuated, my men cannot waste time looking for you."
"Then put a tracker on me but I'm not going to ask for permission to use the restroom like a child in school."
"I will speak to don about it," Aldo replies stiffly.
He's upset with me. I can't make myself care.
I'm terrified for my uncle.I know whatbeing questionedmeans in the mafia. Severu plans to have the one person who sees me as a treasure tortured.
My bodyguard says, "The don wants to talk to you in his study."
Is Severu going to tell me about Zio Giovi? How will I react to it if he does? At least then, I could plead my uncle's case, but if Severu knows I know, he'll be watching to make sure I don't warn Zio.
Would I do that? I wish I knew. I am no traitor, but family is family and Zio is my true family.
Chapter 34
SEVERU
Catalina is tense when Aldo brings her into the study.
She stands before me in a black dress with diaphanous sleeves. It nips in at the waist and falls in a full skirt around her calves. Her shoes are simple black pumps. She wears no jewelry and has her hair pulled into a low chignon at the back of her head.
She looks every inch the don's wife, and I am proud of her, though I prefer her hair down. Hell, I would rather see her naked than wearing this forced mourning when she has more reason to celebrate than grieve.
Though I doubt she sees it that way. She is not grieving the loss of her father, but that does not mean she is glad for his death either.
She's biting her lip and I cannot deny she is under stress. We will bury her father today. Whatever their relationship, this will be hard for her. If for no other reason than for the sorrow so many others will express to her and expect her to share.
"What is it, Severu?" she asks, her tone tense.
"Carlotta will be at the funeral mass today. If she behaves, she will be allowed to attend the graveside service as well and go to the mansion afterward for the gathering of the mourners." I would keep her locked in the safehouse until I'm ready to deal with her except for the optics.
Her attendance at the funeral will dampen gossip about her disappearance.
Catalina's mouth drops in astonishment. "You found her?"
I nod. "Yesterday."
"How?"
"The YouTube channel." I am surprised she does not ask why I did not inform her as soon as her sister was found.
My wife winces. "So, it was her. I'd hoped…"
She doesn't have to spell it out. Catalina hates the idea that her sister violated her privacy so badly.
"Is she alright?" Catalina asks after a moment of utter silence. "I should have probably led with that."
"Do not." I grab my wife and pull her close, needing to touch her. "You will not feel guilty for anything. Your sister made her own choices. She will now live with them."
"You said she would be allowed to go to the cemetery if she behaves. Is she not being reasonable about returning home?"
