by Tara Oakes
“Come...” he beckons us. “Let’s have a drink and sort this all out.” Before he takes another step, he addresses me. “You can put that away. I’m not going anywhere. I’m tired of running.”
~*~
The shady grove tree spreads its expansive branches low enough for us to have to duck to take a seat at the rickety table and chairs under its cover. I keep Theresa by my side.
I have half a mind to send her back to the car and tell her to go back to hotel, but know I have better odds getting a damn cat to do cartwheels. I can see by the hungry look in her eyes she’s not leaving this place until she’s satisfied.
“How did you find me?” he asks, setting out a couple of wine glasses and an old bottle of vino.
He listens as he pours each goblet halfway.
“Dom,” I answer. “He stumbled upon some old paperwork and followed the paper trail to this place.”
A drink is placed in front of each of us. Theresa moves to take hers, but I grab her hand quickly. I can see the old man’s eyes widen as he witnesses my caution. So, he raises his glass and takes a healthy sip before nodding to me.
I release her wrist, satisfied that the drink is not a danger to her, as he’s just sampled it.
“I’d never hurt her,” he adds. “She’s my Goddaughter afterall.”
I press my lips into a tight smile. “No offense, but trust isn’t something you should go looking for right now.”
The wine leaves a deep purple stain on his dry lips. “You have a lot of questions, I’m sure. I’m not sure where to begin.”
“Start at the beginning,” I suggest.
And so, that’s where the mystery begins to unravel.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think, being here. I can probably say now, looking back, I got greedy. There was a lot of temptation around in those days. It was somehow easy to just want… more. It was never enough. More ships. More business. More money, houses, bigger trust funds for my children. Cars. Vacations… there was no end.
“The only way to get the capital we needed to expand at the rate we did, was to borrow and get in deeper with some of the other families. Your father,” he nods to Theresa, “well, he didn’t approve of the kind of involvement they all wanted in return for collateral on those loans. So, I had to hide what I was doing. But, eventually it caught up to me.
“Somehow, Moretti had gotten on the FBI’s radar and they traced some cash transfer to me. Back then, we were considered small fish compared to who they really wanted… the commission. They knew I had enough info on all of them to take them down. At least temporarily. But, I wouldn’t snitch. I wouldn’t budge.
“So, they started to play hardball. Started planting rumors and fake evidence that I was going to turn, to corroborate. They were forcing my hand and backing me into a corner.
“They knew that by making me out to be a rat, they were making me a target. Not just me, but my family, too. They were putting everyone at risk. On the one hand, I could give in and give them the info they wanted, enter some sorry excuse for witness protection, and cost my family everything, not to mention yours,” again he nods to Tre.
“Or, I could stand firm and refuse to testify. In that case, they had enough evidence to send me away, Alfonse, too, by association, for a very long time. The commission would probably take us both out anyway, not risking that we’d sacrifice ourselves and them for our families.
“It was a lose-lose situation. There was no viable way out. Until your father came up with one.” He takes another sip of the full-bodied wine.
“He secured the safety of everyone we cared about, by going to the commission and seeking the permission to take me out. In their eyes, this proved his loyalty to them… to do what needed to be done. But, he set conditions, an out. All affiliation with them, died with me. If he was going to take care of their biggest liability, me, he wanted assurances that both of our families would be free to decide whether of not they would continue in that life.”
“The commission agreed, and the deal was set. My best and oldest friend in the world would have me murdered. Moretti had his doubts, though. So… he set up his own deal behind the scenes. If he could get to me first, he would take my stake in everything, including ATH. We found out about it and knew we had little to no time. So, your dad set up a car bomb… well, what looked like a car bomb. He made it look convincing by having me roughed up and paid off an E.R. doc that was in deep to us for a nose candy habit to sign off on a death certificate.
“I was wheeled down to the morgue and met by your dad who set up a fake name, passport, and one-way ticket here. I bought this place and made a little something of it. Your dad would send enough money every few months to keep it up and running. He was the only one who knew. When he passed--” Guiseppe swallows hard, choking down some emotion for his long lost friend, and reaches for Theresa’s hand.
“When he passed, it was the last connection to my old life. He made me a promise. One that I knew he’d keep, and he did. He took care of the one thing that ever really mattered to me. The most precious thing… my family.”
Theresa moves to wipe a falling tear from her eye. “But, you just left them? How could you? They all think you’re dead. Murdered. My brother has killed for it, Carmine.” She looks to me. “Has taken a bullet for it. You can’t let them go on thinking that.”
The old man that was once a legend to me, sets his glass down.
“They have to, Theresa. The only way to keep them safe is to leave Guiseppe Lombardi six feet deep. There’s no telling what damage would be done if anyone found out.”
“It’s true,” I add. “But it’s not our call. The boss decides.”
The ghost of a man is startled by the term.
“Boss? And just who is the boss?”
Theresa and I lock eyes.
He doesn’t know.
I relieve her from having to break the news. “Dom. Your son-in-law.”
~*~
DOM
I watch her.
She sleeps soundly, her bountiful chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. I want her to stay like this… safe, happy, loved. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for her.
Long before I fell for her, I knew I was meant to protect her. I remember the conversations with my father late at night. Just he and I, in his study, on the boat, or around the kitchen table after everyone else had gone to bed.
He taught me so much. How to be a man. How to handle my responsibilities. And one of those responsibilities, he would explain to me one night after V’s father has passed… would be to take care of that crying little girl who now needed our protection.
I’d known for a few years before that, the old traditions from our home country had more than a little something to do with arranging a union between our families - one that resulted in the little baby sleeping in her belly now.
I’d thought it trivial, stupid, to impose something so archaic on either one of us. But, just one look at the sad, broken little girl sitting in the church pew behind her father’s coffin had convinced me that no matter what, I would at least protect her as best I could. With every ounce of strength until my last breath.
I just felt something deep... something that told me she needed me, although I was nothing more than a kid myself back then.
But I got older. And so did she.
Her eyes changed. They would look at me and I’d wonder if they would ever be able to see something more than what they had. If they’d ever be able to look at me with the love that was growing in my own for her.
And they did.
Arrangement aside, I wanted nothing more than to spend my life with her. I almost lost her, though. When the secrets started to come out, it nearly cost me everything.
But, she was able to forgive. She was able to move forward and trust in me to always be truthful with her from that point on. It’s been an adjustment for me, not something I’ve taken to easily as it’s an old habit to break… thinking I’m protecting her b
y keeping things from her.
Things that could hurt her.
Things that could damage what we have.
But, she’s proven her strength. She’s proven to me that she’s not that same weak, helpless child. She’s strong. She’s fierce… and she’s loyal. That’s the core of everything.
Loyalty.
But it’s not given blindly. It has to be earned. And as I sit here, knowing the love I feel for her… I feel ashamed.
I haven’t earned it. Not in the way I should have.
But I can….
“V,” I snake my arm around her shoulders. “Wake up, baby.”
I kiss her cheek, her forehead, her nose.
She stirs. “Again?” she asks sleepily.
I laugh. No, twice was enough last night.
“Baby, I have a surprise for you,” I coax her.
I can see her eyes fluttering but she’s fighting it. I know she’s more tired these last few weeks and I’ve left her to sleep in. But, then I got the call. The call that’s going to change everything.
“Remember what I said to you last night?” I kiss her bare shoulder as the sheet moves free, slipping down as she tosses mildly.
She breathes in deep. “Which part?”
I can see sleep tempting to reclaim her. I lean forward and gently swipe the tendrils of hair from her ear before whispering.
“That you come first. That you always come first.” I kiss the lobe I leave behind.
She smiles into her pillow. “I do remember that, yes. I also remember you showing me, too.”
“Both times, too.” We both smiled wickedly at the memory of both of her eruptions last night.
Don’t get distracted, I tell myself. Knowing she’s lying there naked with nothing more than a sheet is doing things to me.
I close my eyes and get back on course.
“Well, I’m going to prove it to you again. To make up for everything. I’m taking you away. A vacation… a second honeymoon.”
Her eyes shoot open. “What? Where? When?”
I smile at her reaction. Seeing her happy is everything.
“Tuscany. Tonight. You should probably get up and pack.”
~*~
Her laughter flies around with the wind as much as her hair does.
“Dom, you know I can’t drink!” She points to her midsection.
I squeeze her hand as it rests on her upper thigh. “I know, baby. We’re not going there for the wine. We’re going for the company. It’s an old friend of my dad’s.”
“As long as it’s in this beautiful place, I don’t care what we do.” She closes her eyes and slinks down in the passenger seat, stretching her neck back and basking in the late afternoon sun and airy breeze.
The convertible top is opened, allowing the fresh country air in.
“I could stay here forever,” she calls out breathlessly.
I pick her fingers up and bring the tips to my lips, placing tiny kisses on each of them.
“We’ll see what we can arrange.”
She turns her neck to watch me.
“I know that look,” she warns. “The last time you had that look, we had a new summer house.”
I shrug my shoulders.
The road is narrow, winding and sparsely occupied as we head out into the countryside. The main vineyards are left far behind, as we travel further off the beaten path.
I can see the advantages of the isolated location.
I’ve been in constant contact with the current visitors of the vineyard and know for certain that the business is closed down for the day. Both for convenience for the planned meeting, but also for everyone’s safety.
I’m not sure exactly how this is all going to play out, and the man I’m going to meet today may not be the same man, the mentor, I knew.
I follow the directions I was given to the one-lane dirt road that splinters off to the left.
“Uva Malvagio,” she recites the small vineyard’s name from the sign as we pass. “Wicked grape?” she asks me.
I nod. We may not speak our family’s native tongue often, but her translation is on point.
We pass the deep-colored grapes on either side and pull to a stop next to the tiny red rental car. Carmine and Theresa have been in town for three days now, splitting their time between here and the hotel I’ve set them up in, in two separate rooms I might add, although I’m positive they haven’t made use of the second reservation.
Turning the engine off, we ready ourselves to leave the car. V slips her little feet back into her sandals, takes hold of her purse and pulls the door handle. I get to her in time to help her stand and shut the door behind.
“It looks quiet,” she notes. “Are you sure it’s even open?”
I reach my hand around her waist and snuggle her in close. “I made arrangements for it to close for the day.”
The wooden door with tiny glass windows opens, Theresa runs out, arms outstretched.
“You finally got here!” she calls to V, who leaves me behind in the dust.
The two women embrace and laugh excitedly.
“What are you doing here?” my wife asks, surprised.
Theresa smiles to me from over V’s shoulder. “Dom sent us on a little vacation.”
“Us?” My girl doesn’t miss a beat. “Who else is here?”
Now it’s my turn to answer.
“Just Carmine. I had some business I needed him to see to, so he took Theresa along.” I reach the women.
“You? Sent both of them here? Together?” She’s astonished.
I wink at her. “What can I say? I’m a romantic at heart.”
Theresa rolls her eyes, knowing full well how I truly feel about their relationship.
“We’re waiting out back,” Tre invites us. “I set out some drinks. You should see it, it’s so beautiful.”
V nods and moves to follow, but I hold her back.
“We’ll be right there.” I signal for my sister to go on ahead.
“I can’t believe you’re OK with them being here together!” V wraps her arms around me. “I’m very impressed.”
“I need to tell you something,” I steer the conversation to a more serious place. “You told me a long time ago what you needed from me. Love. Honesty… no more secrets. It’s been hard for me to keep those vows sometimes. But, you’ve been patient. I want you to know I’m trying. That’s why you’re here. Because I love you, and I can’t bear to keep this from you.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “What’s going on?”
I kiss her on her perfectly smooth forehead. “Come on.”
She keeps pace behind me, letting me lead. We walk around the side of the white building, following a worn stone path to the back of the one-story dwelling. Two men, one in black, one in white, sit under the shade of the large trees in a patio area. They both stand as we approach.
Carmine steps aside to meet my sister. I growl under my breath as the two reunite. V catches me and tugs at my hand, discouraging my gut reaction. Carmine senses my distaste and is smart enough to maintain some composure, knowing he’s dangerously close to my bad side.
With only the older, grey-haired man left ahead, I can see him fidget nervously. The closer we get, the more details I’m able to make out. The loose, light, cream-colored lined shirt and matching trousers are clean but old—well-worn. His brown loafers lift and settle as he paces in place.
His hands move from settling in his pockets, to wringing anxiously. He blinks softly, eyes welling with tears as he watches us approach. He assesses me quickly but spends most of his time on V, taking in everything from the bounce of her hair, her height, her hand clasped in mine and finally… her bump.
That’s when he begins to cry. Silently, shoulders shuddering with emotion.
V stops short. I can tell things are starting to register as I turn to her. She stares at the man in disbelief. Then at me. Then back to him.
“Pappa?” she whispers.
I know he’s not nearly c
lose enough to hear, but somehow he understands her.
He nods.
Somehow, I know what’s about to happen and my outstretched hands are able to reach under her just before she falls to the ground.
CHAPTER NINE
VINCENZA
This can’t be real.
I’ve fallen, hit my head, and now I’m delirious. That’s the only explanation.
“Dom?” I call out.
I feel my hand warm as it’s squeezed.
“Baby? I’m right here. You just fainted a little.” His voice is burdened.
I manage to laugh under my breath, “A little? Help me up.” I reach for his heavy arm to help steady me as I lift myself. “I don’t know what happened. I-I thought I saw my father.”
“Well…” I pick up on the edge to his voice. “You did.”
My eyes fly open.
“What?” I yell louder than I planned.
“Now, V…” he helps me rise. “Relax, OK. If you can’t handle this then we’ll have to do it another time.”
I shake my head and stand to my feet. I can feel the spectators all hovering over me. “No. No, I’m fine. Really. I just need to sit down. And water, maybe some water, too.”
“I’ll get it!” an unfamiliar voice from over my right ear calls out.
I see him scurry off. Once he’s out of earshot, I turn to my husband.
“What is going on here?” I whisper loudly to the three people left in my protective little circle.
I’m half-carried over to the nearest lawn chair before I get a response.
“V, it’s best that your dad answer that.”
That’s the first time Dom’s sounded as if he doesn’t have an answer for me. And it scares me. No matter what, Dom always has the answer.
“Here.” A glass of cool water is placed in my hand. I keep my eyes low, unable to lift them to his.
“Thank you,” I reply politely.
“Let’s give them some privacy,” Dom suggests to his sister and Carmine.
The strange man clears his throat nervously. Once we’re left to ourselves he takes a seat across from me. I sip the water and use it to occupy myself.