Page 26 of Secrets of the Brother
Cesare frowned. “Enzo, this isn’t your fault.”
I looked up at him.
My younger brother.
My closest friend.
The idea that my choices nearly cost him the love of his lifeandhis childtore at my insides like acid.
“Yeah, it is. I may not have been the one to kill her, but this whole disgusting mess is definitely my fucking fault. It was my 'doomed from the start' wedding.”
My father pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. Without opening them he asked, “Is that why you let us believe you were responsible?”
I threw my head back and stared at the ceiling, letting out a bitter laugh. “One more stupid choice. I thought it was what I deserved for all the pain I’d caused to Milana, to Bianca, and to my family because of my actions and choices. To have everyone think I was capable of beating a woman to death with my bare fists. I was wallowing in my own self-pity when Aunt Gabriella pointed out the flaws in my plan in her usual blunt way.”
Papà clasped his hands together. “So if you didn’t kill her… who did?”
I leaned back in my chair. “That’s the thing. I assumed it was some lover she pissed off. I never touched her after that first night.”
Cesare nodded. “Sounds plausible. We know for a fact she was playing with fire with the Agnellos as well. She probably just pissed off the wrong person. Fuck knows she was good at pissing people off.”
Papà shook his head. “We’re missing something.”
“The third man.” Aunt Gabriella sauntered into the room wearing an emerald-green and gold silk caftan.
Cesare checked his watch. “It’s barely nine a.m., what are you doing up?”
She pointed at him. “Don’t be cheeky! Your brother knows why.” Papà rose to make her an espresso.
“Aunt Gabriella pointed out—”
“Helpfully,” interjected Aunt Gabriella.
I corrected myself. “Aunt Gabriellahelpfullypointed out that by focusing on all the reasons why someone would want to kill Renata—”
“Of which there were many,” quipped Cesare.
“—we lost focus on why she tried to kill Milana.”
It was as if someone sucked the air out of the room.
We all sat in silence for a moment.
Cesare broke it by muttering, “Fuck.”
Aunt Gabriella nodded sagely. “The third man.”
Papà turned in his seat and looked at her before repeating, “The third man.”
Cesare leaned back in his chair. “Of course. It makes sense. We were getting close. Renata must have been involved that day at school. She must have been the female.”
Papà looked at Cesare. “Does Milana remember anything from the day Renata attacked her? Anything at all?”
He shook his head. “No. And I don’t want to ask her. You know her. She’s stubborn as fuck. It bothers the hell out of her that she can’t remember. She suspects that Renata must have said something to her before locking her inside and it is driving her crazy that her mind is blocking it out.”
Papà let out a frustrated sigh. “We’re not going to mention this to her or Amara. I don’t want either of them upset. I want them focused on Milana’s health and the baby.”
We all nodded.
