by Reilly, Cora
Her face lit up. “Of course, if Rocco allows it.”
Already now I found it incredibly weird that both her husband and her son were called Rocco. This had been a common practice in the mob in the past but it just showed how obnoxious Rocco Scuderi was, and he really didn’t have the slightest reason to be.
“I can’t imagine him having anything against you meeting with the Capo’s wife and son,” I said with a smile. Fabiano headed our way. He had grown and was as tall as me. His boyish features had become harsher, vigilant and as I’d noticed before he walked as if his ribs hurt him. I’d have to have another talk to Dante about this. Making the boy strong for his future tasks was one thing, but abusing him was another.
“Do you want me to take him a bit?” he asked Maria.
She bit her lip. “You know your dad doesn’t like that.”
Fabiano’s mouth tightened but he nodded.
“How about you hold Leonas, Fabiano? Then I can cuddle with Rocco for a bit.”
Fabiano nodded and took Leonas from me. It was obvious that he’d held his little brother often in the last two months because he made sure to support my son the right way, even though Leonas was already way more mobile than Rocco.
“Can I?” I asked Maria who nodded, a look of gratefulness passing her face. I cradled her son in my arms and his eyes zeroed in on me. “Is it okay if I freshen up and grab a drink while you take care of him?”
“Of course,” I said.
Maria left quickly, not looking back. I felt pity for her.
“How are things with your initiation?”
Fabiano looked up, startled. “Good, I suppose?” Caution filled his eyes. “Am I allowed to talk to you about it?”
I let out a small laugh at his confusion. He was such a teenager. “Well, I’m the Capo’s wife.”
“Yeah…” He shrugged. “My father expects a lot from me before he wants to allow me to become a Made Man and take the tattoo.”
It was so typical of the Outfit to keep up the tattoo rumors among initiates and people who weren’t Made Men when Fiore had stopped the tradition a long time ago. The Capo in the Outfit had never taken a tattoo, only his soldiers, but even that had been small in comparison to the ones from the Famiglia and Camorra, only a tiny chrysanthemum at their neck hidden by their hairline. It was supposed to show that the man had already been marked by death and didn’t fear it because chrysanthemum were funeral flowers in our tradition. Fiore then decided that it was better not to show their association with the mob in any way, which was also why insisted in calling himself Boss, not Capo. Many people still called Dante the Boss even though he’d switched back to Capo.
“Maybe it’s a good thing that you’ll be older. It’s a tough life.”
Fabiano grimaced and looked back down at Leonas who was trying to squirm out of his hold. “He isn’t happy on my arm.”
“He isn’t happy on anyone’s arm right now. He wants to crawl.”
Rocco Jr. on the other hand had fallen asleep in my arms. He had the dark eyes and hair of the Scuderi family, not Fabiano’s lighter looks inherited from his mother’s side of the family.
Rocco and Dante headed our way. Fabiano became tense at once but I only smiled.
“What’s going on?” Rocco asked pleasantly. That tone was one he used because Dante and I were around. I had a feeling his words would have been harsher if he’d been alone with Fabiano because the look he gave the boy was chilling.
“I asked Maria if I could hold your son for a little while, because he’s such a cute baby, and Fabiano had to help me with Leonas in the meantime, which he generously agreed to do. Right, Fabiano?”
Fabiano nodded. “Yes.”
Rocco frowned. “Where’s Maria?”
“She went to the restrooms. Oh, I asked her if we could meet once a week so our sons could grow up together. I hope you agree.”
The stern look was replaced by pride. “Of course.”
“I can take him now,” Dante said to Fabiano and took Leonas from him. Leonas briefly stopped his fussing but then he tried to get to the floor again. “He’s got his own head,” Dante said with a chuckle.
“You can give me my son now too, Valentina. I’m sure you’d like to grab a drink,” Rocco said politely, stretching out his hands. I had to stifle a snort. When I handed Rocco Jr. to him it became apparent that he didn’t hold him very often and only tried to imitate Dante. I didn’t comment.
Rocco knew what face to show to Dante and me, but I also knew how he was behind the closed door. When I’d still been in contact with Aria, she had admitted it to me.
I didn’t trust him one bit.
Eight months later
Leonas stormed out of his room before I could grab him, completely naked. I rushed after him, laughing. “Freeze!”
He didn’t of course. It was his newest hobby to tear down his clothes and diaper, and run through the house until someone caught him.
My heart almost skipped a beat when he stumbled down the staircase. He was already very steady on his legs at seventeen months but steps were another matter.
Anna poked her head out of her room with wide eyes, a crayon in her hand as usual.
Leonas laughed even louder as he half fell down the stairs. Luckily Dante stood at the base of the staircase, probably alerted by the noise and snatched Leonas up before he could make a faceplant.
I caught my breath halfway down the staircase. “He’s quick.”
Dante scanned Leonas with an exasperated smile. “You have to listen to your mom and you need to keep your clothes on.”
Leonas giggled as if that was the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
Dante in his posh three-piece suite holding a butt naked Leonas was an adorable sight.
I was sweaty from trying to wrangle our son into clothes three times in a row.
Dante took one look at me then said. “How about I get him dressed?”
He walked up the stairs until he reached me then kissed my mouth, lingering a bit longer, the look in his eyes telling me he wished we had some alone time. I wasn’t sure what he found sexy about my sweaty look but didn’t care.
“Good luck,” I said. Leonas obeyed his father better than me but at the moment, he was testing his limits. “I’ll check on Anna. Her piano teacher comes over in thirty minutes and I have a feeling she hasn’t practiced her song yet.”
“Drawing again?” Dante asked as we walked up the stairs beside me. I was glad he worked from home often so he could be there for our children. Many fathers were mostly absent from their offspring’s life but that wasn’t something I wanted. Anna and Leonas both loved spending time with him.
“She’s talented. Maybe we should consider getting her an art teacher as well.”
Dante nodded. “That might be a good idea.” I gave Leonas a small wave before I headed into Anna’s room. As expected she sat at her desk, hunched over a piece of paper, drawing a flower field. She was only four but already focused and driven when it came to art.
She briefly looked up when I came in and squatted beside her. “This is beautiful, love. But did you practice your song for piano lessons?”
She smiled sheepishly as she peered up at me through her thick dark lashes. “Once.”
Her little keyboard lay discarded on her bed.
“Is that a fib?”
Her smile got even more sheepish.
I stood and held out my hand. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs and practice at the piano. I’ll help you.”
Anna set down her crayon, took my hand and followed me outside. Dante wanted our kids to learn a musical instrument, like he and his sisters had done. He considered it a lesson in perseverance and patience. I’d learned to play the piano when I was a girl too, but hadn’t played in years until Anna had started taking lessons a little over a year ago.
The beautiful Steinway piano stood in the center of the library and seeing it always made my heart sing. Anna and I sat beside each other. I wasn’t a very good
musician and like Anna, piano lessons had always meant duty not joy. Still I tried to make our piano time a fun adventure for my girl, so she’d maybe discover her love for the beautiful instrument soon. We played a few fun melodies before we started to practice the song her piano teacher had given her as homework.
“Mommy, will daddy be sad if I don’t play the piano?” Anna asked softly.
I paused. “No. But he loves listening to you play. And it’s like learning to write or to count. One day it won’t be difficult anymore and you can just do it without thinking about it.”
Anna considered that then nodded. “Luisa is really good at playing the piano. Much better than me.” I could hear a hint of jealousy. Anna wanted to be the best at everything she did.
“Luisa loves the piano, like you love art. You are the artist, and Luisa is the musician. Everyone’s good at something. That’s wonderful, don’t you think?”
Anna tilted her head and smiled. “Yeah.”
The bell rang. “Wait here. I’ll get the door.”
Anna kept playing as I walked out of the library and toward the front door. Gabby had already opened it and Luisa and Bibi entered. I stroked Luisa’s head. “Why don’t you go ahead to the library?”
She nodded excitedly and dashed off, her dark pigtails bobbing.
I grinned at Bibi. “You look radiant. Dario’s a magician.”
Bibi turned red.
I laughed. “That makes you blush already? He must be even better than I thought.”
“Val,” Bibi said, giggling.
We didn’t get the chance to continue our conversation because the bell rang again. “On time as always,” I said as the piano teacher Mrs. Gatti, the wife of one of Dante’s soldiers, stepped in. After a small curtsey, which she refused to forgo despite my begging, she headed straight for the library to teach Luisa and Anna.
I led Bibi into the living room for our bi-weekly macarons time. We sank down on the sofa. “Have you thought about the homeschooling?”
Bibi nodded. “Yes. I’d like Luisa and Anna to be taught together.”
“Perfect. I’ll arrange everything.” Dante wanted Anna to be homeschooled until she was ten or twelve because the current situation worried him and I wanted Anna to have her friend at her side. Being around adults all the time wasn’t good for a child her age.
Bibi looked at me as if she was holding something back. I knew her secretive expression. She really wasn’t good at keeping things from me.
“What is it? Are things not going well with Dario?” I couldn’t imagine it being the case. They appeared happy on the outside but I knew sometimes appearances could be deceiving. Still, Bibi would have told me if something was the matter.
“I wanted to wait a bit longer to tell you, but…”
“You’re pregnant!” I said.
Her lips fell open then she nodded. “Only nine weeks along.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “Oh, Bibi, I’m so happy for you and Dario.”
Dario didn’t have children yet, and Bibi wanted more so I had expected Bibi to become pregnant.
We chatted for more than an hour. Anna and Luisa had gone up to play after their lesson and we used the time for us.
But when Dante stepped into the living room with a forced calm expression, words died in my throat. Something in his eyes set off my alarm bells.
“Good afternoon, Bibiana.”
Bibi got up and glanced at her watch. “I should be going. It’s already late.” It wasn’t later than usual but I appreciated her consideration. I accompanied her to the door. “Anna! Luisa!”
Both girls came down a few minutes later. After a short goodbye, Luisa and Bibi left. Dante held Anna in his arms, listening to her recount of today’s piano lesson. I could tell his mind was far away even as he tried to give Anna his full attention. I walked up to them. Leonas was still down for his nap but he too would be awake soon. I searched Dante’s eyes, wondering what was wrong, but he gave a tight smile. “Let’s have dinner at our favorite place.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. I want us to have a family night out. We can talk later.”
“Okay,” I said with a smile. “I’ll dress up. What about you, Anna? You want to get pretty?”
“Yes!” she shouted.
“Can you make Leonas presentable?”
Dante gave me a look as he set Anna down. “I’ll try my best. He’s given me trouble today.”
I laughed then took Anna’s hand. “The girls need to get ready now.” Anna and I hurried up the stairs and into my walk-in closet where I also kept some of Anna’s prettier outfits.
“I want to look like you!” Anna said.
I bit my lip. Anna loved to wear matching outfits. Many people in the Outfit thought it strange, but I tried to ignore their negative voices. “Okay. Let’s see what we can do.”
I picked a plaid dress for Anna with cute black boots and chose a plaid costume for myself. That way our outfits were similar but didn’t scream twins from afar. Then I braided Anna’s hair. I wasn’t as good at the French braids as Mamma but I tried my best. I let my own down and put on some makeup, then we headed to Leonas’ room.
To my surprise, Dante had managed to dress Leonas in Chino pants and a cute button-down shirt as well as sneakers. He was talking quietly to him. Dante seldom raised his voice at our children and even then he never screamed. Anna had always been an obedient child, so we’d never had reason for strictness, but Leonas was already testing our patience on a daily basis. I wondered how long Dante’s calm approach would work with our son.
I leaned in the doorway, smiling as I held Anna’s hand.
Dante caught me watching then scanned Anna and me appreciatively. “We’re heading to dinner with two beautiful ladies, Leonas, we need to be on our best behavior.” Leonas didn’t pay attention, too distracted by the task of fumbling with Dante’s cuffs.
Our favorite restaurant was an elegant but cozy place with the best steak in town. We got our usual table in a nook where we were shielded from attention.
Leonas and Anna were on their best behavior, as they were most of the time when we were outside. Even Leonas’ tantrums usually happened in the safety of our home.
I could tell that Dante enjoyed our family dinner despite the lingering tension in his expression.
Later that night when we lay in each other’s arms after sex, I asked, “What happened today? You seemed shaken.”
Dante let out a deep sigh that let his chest vibrate under my cheek. “It’s Fabiano. He’s gone.”
I lifted my head to look at Dante’s face in the dim glow of the bedside lamp. “Gone?”
“He’s run off. That’s what Rocco said at least.”
“That’s ridiculous. Fabiano wanted nothing more than to become a Made Man. Why would he run away from that?”
“Rocco thinks he might have followed in his sisters’ footsteps and fled to New York to join the Famiglia.”
I shook my head slowly, but part of me thought maybe Rocco was right. Fabiano loved his sisters, even if their relationship had broken off due to the war. His feelings toward his father, on the other hand, were probably less fond. The man had been treating him even worse since Rocco Jr. had been born. “What do you think?”
Dante ran his fingers through my hair then down my arm and waist. “I fear Rocco might be right. Luca would take Fabiano in if Aria asked him to do it.”
Dante’s lips pinched like they always did when he talked about them. Despite the photos, Luca and Aria still seemed to be going strong. For a while I’d been worried Luca had hurt Aria because she’d completely disappeared from the public, but then we’d found out that she’d given birth to a daughter and had gone into hiding for protection.
I propped myself up on Dante’s chest. “He’s only fourteen, Dante. Have you sent people to look for him?”
“Rocco did. He’s his son.”
“And what happens if they catch him?”
Dante let his head f
all back against the cushion and stared up at the ceiling. “By our standards, he’s an initiate, Val. He’s not a child anymore.”
I closed my eyes. Since I had a son, the rules of our world worried me often. Leonas was a little rebel and I honestly hoped he would choose his battles wisely once he was older. “It’s strange though, that Fabiano chooses now to run away. Why didn’t he follow his sisters when they took Liliana in? He could have gone with them. But he tried to stop them.”
“Maybe he didn’t. Maybe it was all staged. You know how I’ve been suspecting we have a mole in the Outfit?”
My eyes opened wide. “You think Fabiano was the mole? But he isn’t even a Made Man yet. His knowledge is limited.”
“His direct knowledge, yes. But he might have overheard many things in the Scuderi mansion.”
“You really think Luca would have used a boy as a spy?”
“If you think Luca would have qualms to put a teenage boy in danger, then I can assure you he doesn’t. And in regard to Fabiano’s worth, I assume his information was better than nothing.”
“But how can we know for sure? What if something happened to the boy?”
“Rocco’s got a few loose contacts to local motorcycle gangs in Luca’s territory. We hope they might pick up something and share information with us in return for goods.”
“Don’t you think it’s horrible how Rocco drove all of his children away? The thought of losing Anna and Leonas like that? It tears my heart out.”
Dante cupped my head, his eyes conveying absolute certainty. “We won’t lose either Anna or Leonas. We’re trying to give them everything they need. I know they’ll always be bound by certain rules and be limited by certain restrictions but I’ll make sure they can have as much freedom as our lifestyle allows. And your love will give them the roots they need.”
“Your love too. Leonas and Anna are always so happy when they get to spend time with you. They love you so much.”
Tenderness flickered in Dante’s eyes. “I’m trying to be a better father than my own. I don’t know if I’m always succeeding.”
“You are,” I said firmly. “How can you even consider comparing yourself to your father. He and you are nothing alike.”