Cosa Nostra

by Emma Nichols

  She shuddered.

  Simone stepped out from behind a pillar, and Maria went to her. She registered Simone’s dishevelled state of dress. Her lip was swollen, bruising was beginning to show on the cheek under her left eye, and her shirt was torn. Maria removed her jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She took her by the arm and guided her out of the cathedral. Without speaking, she led Simone to her car and helped her into the passenger seat. She got in the driver’s seat, turned the engine, and switched on the heat when she noticed Simone shivering.

  Simone remained focused on the windscreen in front of her.

  “Alessandro?”

  One name and a flood of tears streamed down Simone’s cheeks, falling to the torn white shirt at her chest. Maria’s nose flared, and she locked her jaw. She blinked several times and took a deep breath to calm herself then shifted the car into gear and slowly applied pressure to the accelerator.

  12.

  The trembling hadn’t subsided on the journey from the cathedral to the gated villa. Haunted by Alessandro’s wild eyes and the anger in his sharp tone, Simone sat in silence staring out the windscreen. His hands were clumsy because of the alcohol, so thankfully he hadn’t been able to get a proper grip on her. She just hadn’t moved quickly enough when he lashed out and caught her face. If it hadn’t been for Beto coaxing him away, he might have come for her again. He was strong and when angry, dangerous.

  The metal gates slowly opened, and the villa came into view. On the inside of the secure complex, Simone breathed more easily. Maria stopped the car on the driveway, and she continued to stare out the windscreen, a new kind of stress seeping into her muscles. This response had everything to do with Maria’s scent and proximity. Another tremor passed through her, and she clenched her fists to stop it showing in her hands. Maria was watching her intently. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  Maria squeezed Simone’s hand. “Come inside.”

  The kindness in Maria’s voice brought tears to Simone’s eyes, and the warmth of her hand and the pressure of her grip was comforting. “I feel such a fool.”

  Maria shook her head. “This is not your fault. Come.” She got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and held out her hand.

  With weakness affecting her legs, Simone staggered to her feet. The sadness she saw in Maria’s eyes made her own burn, and she looked at the villa behind Maria to avoid locking eyes with her. The intensity with which Maria looked at her would lead her to sob, and she didn’t want Maria thinking of her as fragile and needy. Yes, she was concerned and shaken from the events of earlier in the evening. Alessandro was unpredictable and more aggressive, and Patrina was doing nothing to control him. No, she had never feared for her safety as she did now. And, she wasn’t alone in that fear either. She had seen it in the eyes of others who served Alessandro, including Beto. But feeble and needy she was not.

  She looked around the villa as she followed Maria. Impressive. The air was pleasantly warm and sombre lighting cast shadows over various artefacts positioned around the room. In front of her were two large

  windows either side of a glass door that overlooked the beach. The glass frontage framed the giant cliffs beyond the beach and the deep cove shrouded in darkness. Beautiful. Two low backed, leather couches defined the lounge space to the right of which a breakfast bar indicated the start of the kitchen area. Behind her was a corridor with three doors leading from it.

  Maria was watching her closely. She could still see sadness in her eyes, but there was something else there too. Caring?

  Maria smiled. “Please, come through.”

  Simone continued to the breakfast bar. Maria went into the kitchen, opened a cupboard, and retrieved a green box with a white cross on it. She put the box on the table and opened the lid.

  “Please, sit.” Maria pointed to the box as if to ask permission to tend to Simone’s wounds.

  Simone sat. She looked around, taking in the objects in the U-shaped kitchen; a professional coffee machine that would have dominated her whole kitchen was entirely in keeping with the expansive surface that ran from the breakfast bar around to the sink. The pristine black hob formed a feature on the furthest wall, an extractor fan above it tucked against the wall like a piece of art. Her eyes settled on Maria, who was staring at her.

  Her racing heart made it hard to breathe. “You have a beautiful home.”

  Maria removed the antiseptic wipe from its wrapper and handed it to Simone. She gently administered it to her lip. It stung, and she winced as she wiped the clotted blood from her mouth. Her hand started to shake, and tears welled suddenly, and then she started crying.

  “Hey.”

  Maria closed the space between them. Slowly, she eased the wipe from Simone’s hand and dabbed the cloth gently to her lip. She tilted her chin upwards and stared into Simone’s wet blinking eyes. Maria took a slow deep breath, lifted the loose strands of hair from Simone’s face, and repositioned them at the side of her head.

  “You have a bruise developing here.” Maria pointed to Simone’s cheek.

  No wonder my face hurts. She watched Maria’s frown deepen as she checked the side of her face. She melted at the warmth of Maria’s fingertips against her skin, moving lightly along her neck, and then the way Maria glanced at her breasts, revealed beneath the gaping shirt, caught her by surprise, and she struggled to breathe.

  Maria tilted Simone’s head to the side and continued her inspection.

  Her eyes narrowed. Her skin looked darker, and her jaw was clamped tightly. Her lips formed a thin line and then she swallowed.

  “Did he touch you?”

  Maria’s tone sent a shudder down Simone’s spine. There was detachment in Maria’s gaze and a chilling void that revealed her disturbed thoughts. What if Alessandro got to Maria first? A gasp resonated deeply in her throat.

  “Did he?”

  Simone shook her head. It was the truth. He hadn’t touched her, not in the way Maria implied.

  Maria’s jaw slowly relaxed though she didn’t smile. “Are you okay?”

  Simone shook her head. No. She closed her eyes as Maria reached out and touched her cheek. She sighed at the warmth of Maria’s palm against her skin, and then moaned when Maria’s thumb tenderly caressed her damp cheek. Then her skin became cool, and she opened her eyes, disappointed at the distance lying between them.

  Maria smiled softly. “Would you like a drink?”

  Maria moved away before Simone responded. Simone noted her tone was deeper, her voice quieter.

  “Coffee okay?”

  “Thank you.” She watched as Maria selected a blend of beans and diligently measured them, placed them into the grinder, and flicked the switch. She admired the strong shape of her as she glided around the kitchen, sourcing the cups, spoons, milk, and sugar. And then the aroma of fresh coffee filled the room and comforted her. Then the vibrations began in her stomach again, subtle at first, building and flowing through to her hands, and her teeth chattered as she trembled.

  Maria turned to face the muffled sounds coming from Simone, then rushed towards her. She held out her arms and slowly closed them around Simone’s convulsing body. Simone leaned into Maria and tumbled from the seat. Maria held her tightly. Simone’s eyes closed as Maria’s hot breath reached her scalp. Simone inhaled deeply in the comfort. The tenderness eased the trembling, and then Maria moved away from her and a chill passed through her.

  She stared into Maria’s eyes; her mind awash with confused feelings. The event with Alessandro paled by comparison with the turmoil that Maria’s presence elicited in her. She knew now that she had never been caressed before. She had never been held, not like Maria just held her. And that was more frightening than the threat of Alessandro. Need, desire, and want were in the throes of a battle against her fear of a broken heart. Her chest thumped, and her thoughts conflicted.

  Maria’s eyes conveyed deep concern. “Would you like to rest on the couch?”

  Simone nodded.

&nbs
p; “I’ll fetch the coffee over. Would you like sugar and milk?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She went to the couch and sat. Leaning back, the shivering returned.

  Maria took the coffee to the couch. She handed Simone a cup and sat next to her.

  “You’re staring at me.”

  “You look like you’re in shock.”

  Yes.

  Maria reached out as if to touch Simone, then stopped. She cupped both hands around her drink and sipped. Simone sighed. She wished Maria had swept her into her arms and kissed her. She sipped her drink, the caffeine and sugar instantly providing a surge of energy. She toyed with the idea of heading home but didn’t want to leave. She sat in silence, trying unsuccessfully not to think about Maria, and drank her coffee. She stared out the window into the darkness, the cove and the giant cliffs that defended it, aware that Maria was watching her. The heat that rose to her cheeks was a pleasant respite from the shivering. She finished her drink and resting the cup in her lap. I should go home. Her heart sank. She continued to look out the window. “It is very beautiful here. Peaceful.”

  Maria smiled. “It is,” she whispered.

  Simone’s throat constricted. Maria’s considered tone caressed her like silk against her skin. “It feels safe here.” She turned her head and looked into Maria’s eyes.

  “It is. It’s what drew me here. The sea is an excellent defence, and the cliffs are impossible to climb from the other side. CCTV is helpful, of course.” Maria smiled.

  Warmth tingled across Simone’s skin.

  “I have always felt safe here,” Maria said. “It’s a sanctuary.”

  Maria’s eyes lit up as she talked with fondness about her home. She looked different and unguarded.

  Simone sighed. Had she ever felt truly safe? Staring at Maria, she reflected on the time since her parents had died and before then. She had felt safe as a child but no longer felt the same security since she had returned from university to look after Roberto, and not recently since Alessandro started playing a bigger role in the Amato business. It was he who insisted she move to Café Tassimo and take care of the front-of-house.

  She had been content working in the kitchen in their smaller restaurant on the other side of town. Patrina hadn’t fought for her then either.

  Maria bit her lip and lowered her head. “What happened this evening?”

  Simone looked away and back to the window. “He had the crew with him at the café and was high on coke, and he’d been drinking a lot. He always drinks too much. I had just finished my shift and was about to leave when he made a pass at me. I fought, he grabbed me and ripped my shirt, then he hit me. I hit the ground hard. Beto distracted him, called him for another drink, another snort, and the promise of more interesting women he had lined up for later. Alessandro fell for it, and I ran.”

  Maria stared at her hands as she wrung them together in her lap, cracked her knuckles, and flexed and curled her fingers. “Okay.”

  Simone saw Maria’s back stiffen and bit her lip. There was never a good time to say what she needed to say, but Maria needed to know. “They were talking earlier.”

  Maria lifted her head and looked at Simone with a slight frown.

  “Talking?”

  Simone took a deep breath before continuing. “About a car that had been released by the police.”

  Maria sighed. “My father’s car.”

  You know. Simone swallowed. “Alessandro was talking about it as though he had gotten away with something. He intends to bring you and your family down.”

  Maria reached out, took Simone’s hand, and smiled. “Alessandro’s eyes are bigger than his belly.” She chuckled at her joke.

  There was a distance in Maria’s eyes that Simone couldn’t fathom, thoughts that Maria concealed even though she jested about the fat boy. It

  was the unspoken that lodged inside Simone. “What will you do?”

  Maria wrapped her hands around Simone’s. “He will bite off more than he can chew one day, and he will pay the price. It’s what fools like him do.”

  The comforting touch didn’t release Simone’s discomfort. “I’m sorry.”

  “Simone?”

  She looked into Maria’s eyes, gripped by the kindness she saw there, and when Maria smiled at her, her heart gushed love and bathed her in a warm glow.

  Maria’s eyes narrowed. “Can you go back to work at the café?”

  Simone’s stomach dropped as hard as a stone, and her heart flooded her in a different feeling; terror. As she gasped, Maria stared at her with a look of concern.

  “I know, it’s difficult. But if you don’t go back, they will come after you.”

  Simone felt reassurance in Maria’s firm grip. Maria was right. They wouldn’t think twice about coming after her. I do trust you.

  “I’ll have one of my men keep an eye on you. If Alessandro makes a move again, my man will stop him.”

  Simone nodded.

  “I’ll get you out of there, Simone.” Maria took Simone into her arms and held her. “I promise. I need a little time, but I promise.”

  Simone moved away from Maria and held her head in her hands. “I am sorry to burden you. I should go home.”

  Maria wetted her lips and cleared her throat. “You can stay here tonight. I’ll have a car collect you first thing, so you can be ready in time for work tomorrow.”

  Simone shook her head. As much as she didn’t want to leave, if she got too comfortable in the safety of Maria’s house, she would never leave.

  “I would prefer that you stay here tonight,” Maria said softly.

  “My brother will worry if I’m not at home when he gets in.”

  Maria tensed. She turned to look out the window.

  “He will be expecting me.”

  Maria frowned.

  “Can you not send him a message to tell him that you are staying with a friend?”

  She stared at Maria with a blank expression.

  “You can’t tell him you are with me. He could be compromised.”

  Simone still looked confused.

  “You work for Amato. Any association with me is a threat to them.

  It would be better if he didn’t know that you were talking to me. For his safety, and yours. Silence is golden.”

  Simone knew that. She rubbed her forehead.

  “Let’s get you to bed.” Maria stood and held out her hand.

  Simone stumbled and swayed as she stood. “I don’t feel well.”

  Maria put her arm around her waist and led her down the corridor to one of the guestrooms. “Can you undress yourself?”

  Simone slumped onto the bed, willing her legs to regain their strength. Maria came to her, lowered to her knees, and stroked her cheek with tenderness. Simone saw sadness in Maria’s eyes again, and then it had passed.

  “Please, Simone, I need you to be strong,” she whispered. “I’ll run a bath. You will feel better.”

  Maria entered the en-suite. The sound of running water and the gentle aroma of jasmine wafted over Simone. She inhaled the soothing scent, stood, and walked slowly into the bathroom. She would be strong for Maria.

  Simone started to undo what was left of her shirt, and her fingers fumbled with the small buttons.

  Maria turned away from Simone and closed the taps. “There’s a nightshirt in the top drawer if you would like one. I’ll leave clothes on the bed for the morning, and I’m in the room next door if you feel scared.”

  Simone looked up as Maria’s eyes lifted from her partly exposed breasts. Simone’s breath caught and heat prickled her skin. Maria looked away.

  “You are safe here, Simone.”

  Simone could barely breathe, and her heart pounded. “Thank you, Donna Maria,” she whispered.

  Maria left, and the door clicked softly closed.

  13.

  Maria stifled a yawn as she gazed through her office window. The city of Palermo hadn’t changed overnight. But she had. Sleep had evaded her. She’d listened for t
he slightest movement from the guest room, and hoped that Simone would come to her, then hoped that she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t be able to resist the warmth of Simone’s body lying next to hers.

  The scent of her had lingered. She had imagined it on her pillow, and her body had come alive with energy. When her thoughts shifted, the pain of loss slipped tension into her muscles. Her father’s shell of a burnt car. The accident that wasn’t an accident. Surely, Patrina hadn’t ordered a hit on her father? That didn’t make sense. In anger, she had paced the room for the best part of the night.

  Now exhaustion threatened her as her adrenaline waned. She turned back to her desk, opened the desk drawer, pulled out her Smith and Wesson, and slid it into the holster on her left side. She put her jacket on and buttoned it closed before returning to the window and looking out over the city, the new movie of her father’s assassination running in repeating cycles.

  She turned as the door opened. Giovanni, Vittorio, and Roberto approached her desk. She moved towards them and focused her attention on Roberto. She was impressed with the stillness in his posture, the straightness of his spine, and the angle at which he held his head with his chin slightly raised but not so much that he would look like an arrogant teenager. He looked like a young man who knew how to remain inconspicuous in a crowd. His eyes were clear, bright, and alert, making it clear he didn’t use drugs. Excellent. His jaw remained steady and strong, neither tense nor slack. He looked her in the eye without flinching and without threat as she looked at him. He was perfect for the work she needed him to do. “Roberto, I have an important job for you. Do you think you are ready for an important job?” She asked the question though she knew he was. She knew her men’s strengths and weaknesses. When she asked them a question it was to test how they responded, and to read their body language or spot any incongruence that would become a problem.

  “Yes, Donna Maria.”

  His response was quiet but carried conviction. She liked that.

  Respect and confidence. He was like Giovanni. She could see aspects of herself in him too. “Good. You are sure, Roberto?”