Page 97 of Urgent Vows
Aria, Guilia and little Neri are still at the table when I come into the dining room for breakfast. It took me a little longer to get ready this morning because I refused to let Severu do anything for me. Including blow-drying my hair.
I'm not surprised he isn't at the table. He was in a foul mood when he left our bedroom. Neither Raffaele, nor Miceli, are here either. They're probably having a meeting to try to figure out which of my family is the rat, or discussing the likelihood that I am.
Have they told Giulia and Aria their suspicions about me?
Neither woman seems perturbed to see me. Both smile when I sit down, but that doesn't mean anything. We were all taught to hide our true feelings when necessary.
I'm not going to dwell on what might be. As long as they treat me the same, I'll do likewise. I enjoy breakfast, mostly because of Neri. I'd only seen him at the wedding. This is the first time I've seen him at the table.
When I mention that to Giulia, she says, "My brother didn't want to risk Neri being in one of his boisterous moods yesterday and maybe bumping you."
It's hard to believe I only got married a couple of days ago. So much has happened since.
I see what she means about Neri's rambunctiousness, but his antics make me smile. Giulia doesn't seem to mind them either.
Neri falls off his chair and starts to cry. Giulia jumps up and comforts him. It's a beautiful sight.
Once Neri is back in his seat and munching on a piece of bacon, Aria gives her daughter a pointed look. "He's going to be don one day. He needs to learn self-control."
"He's only three, Mamma. There's plenty of time to train him to be stoic."
"Severu knew how to suppress his tears by this age." Aria looks unhappily at her grandson. "I wish it wasn't necessary, but you know it is. A don cannot show weakness."
"But a little boy can. Enough, Mamma."
In the mafia, we all eventually learn to control our tears when necessary, but three seems awfully young. What else did Severu learn to repress at such a young age?
Clearly done with the conversation, Giulia smiles at me. "How did you sleep last night?"
Other than her brother waking me to grill me about being a spy for the mafia's enemies? "Fine."
"Good. Are you up to shopping today?" Aria asks.
"I would prefer to go tomorrow." I'd rather not go at all, but I know that's not an option. "Today I want to meet the staff and learn the layout of my new home."
Giulia gives me a commiserating look. "How are your ribs?"
"Manageable." I shrug and manage not to wince.
"That's good to hear," Aria says. "I'll introduce you to the kitchen staff after breakfast."
I nod, but Emilia comes into the dining room just as I finish eating. "There is a Giovi Revello to see Signora Severu." The housekeeper looks at Aria.
"It is my uncle. Let him up." I don't wait for my mother-in-law to answer. She told me yesterday that this was my home, and that this level in particular was mine and Severu's.
A surge of longing for the familiar washes over me. Zio Giovi would never suspect me of being a traitor. And he won't expect me to pretend a grief about Papa's death I do not feel.
Zia Lora is probably shopping in the City and Zio Giovi is using the time for a visit. Excited to see him, I jump up and hurry to the foyer to wait for his arrival.
But the moment he sees me, my uncle's face fills with fury."Thatgod dammed bastard. I knew he forced you to take the spoiled princess's place."
His words halt me in my dash forward to give him a hug. I'm not used to Zio Giovi being angry. In fact, I don't ever remember seeing this dark, dangerous expression on his face before.
"Come into the living room." I lead the way, not surprised that Aldo follows, but so does another bodyguard.
Is it because I have a guest, or because that guest is from my family?
I go to sit on the sofa and change my mind at the last second, taking an armchair.
