Savage Pride

28

“Dad wasn’t all bad, but he wasn’t always a good man, either. Now that he’s gone, I hope his influence will fade. He’s the one who set in motion the plan for Zeno to marry the boss’s daughter. Although Z will probably go through with it to honor Dad.” He shakes his head incredulously. My steps falter. “Christiano? That boss?” It’s a stupid question—there’s no other boss to speak of—but I’m so surprised that the words tumble from my lips. “That’s the one.” “Huh.” The news is so shocking that I have no emotional response. None. Only confusion. What did it mean that there was a plan for him to marry someone? Was there an actual arrangement, or was it more of a matter of vague hopefulness? Surely, the two aren’t in a relationship. She would have been at his father’s funeral, and I never saw him with a woman —not in that way. “Yeah. I can’t say I envy him. I wouldn’t want Christiano breathing down my neck every day of my life.” “The only time I’ve ever met him was briefly yesterday at the funeral.” I didn’t form the greatest initial impression, but I’ve tried not to let a quick conversation at a funeral color my perceptions. “Consider yourself lucky. He’s one ruthless bastard.” “Nevio! He’s your boss. You can’t talk about him like that.” I can’t help smiling a little, though. It’s just like him not to care about protocol and speak his mind.

“It’s the truth.” He grins. “So, are you working at the house today?” “No, I just need to talk to Gia. Any idea where she was when you left?” The reminder of my original purpose drops a wet blanket on any lightheartedness I’d found on our walk over. My steps are suddenly leaden as we walk up to the side entrance nearest the kitchen. “No clue, but I’m happy to help you look.” My lips thin as he opens the door for me. “Actually, I need to talk to her in private. It’s sort of a family matter.” He raises his hand. “Say no more. I don’t need to intrude.” I appreciate his understanding and am relieved to find Gia in the kitchen, irradicating any need to go searching for her. “Hey, you two,” she says warmly. “What’s up?” “Mom here?” She tends to spend her work hours talking with Cecelia in the kitchen, so I’m surprised to find Gia instead. Her absence makes me wonder where Livia and Marca are as well since they weren’t at home when I woke up. I’d been too inundated with chaos to question the matter until now. “Dad had some appointment to go to, and Mom dropped the girls at the mall before going to lunch with a friend.” The mall. Great. I’m freaking out about how to pay Mom’s debts, and the girls are at the mall. “Gotcha.” My eyes cut to Nevio, who gives the back of my neck a gentle squeeze. “I’m going to make a couple of calls, but I’ll see you later, right?” “Yeah, sure.” I smile half-heartedly, and when my gaze drifts from his retreating form to Gia’s bulging eyes, I shrug. “It’s been a seriously crazy morning.” She dries her hands on a dish towel and removes her apron. “I need details.” “Oh, you’ll get details, but not the kind you’re hoping for. Where can we go where we won’t be overheard?” “I know the perfect place. Come on.” She leads me to the old chapel—a tiny prayer room that’s rarely ever visited. Two small benches are centered in front of a podium holding a gold cross backlit by a vibrant stained glass window. The room is good for the devout Catholic or a game of hide-and-seek, but that’s about it. The air is musty, and only one of two lights flicker on when we enter. Gia closes the door behind us and stares at me expectantly. “Start talking, lady.” “I needed to talk to you, but it’s not about Nevio. I have no clue what’s going on there. He indicated he had feelings for me when we were growing up, and they’ve come back. I’m not sure what to think, but none of that is important at the moment.” “It’s not?” she gawks, confused. “You know how you were worried about Mom selling stuff?” Her lips thin, and wariness hardens her gaze. “Yeah?” “Well, a guy showed up at the house earlier demanding money. She owes ten freaking grand to a bookie,” I hiss the last part, my anger reigniting. Gia’s jaw falls open. “No,” she breathes. “Please tell me you’re joking.” I shake my head sadly. “I wish. She knew he was in town for the funeral and was avoiding him. He wants his money. I told him I’d help find a way to get it paid if he’d give me until the end of the week.” “Luisa, where the hell are you going to find that kind of cash?” “That’s why I needed to talk to you! I’ve got some, but I was hoping you could help too. This guy is a Mafia bookie. If we can’t find a way to pay him, the debt falls on Dad.” My sister visibly deflates, overcome with dismay. “What do we do?” she whispers, eyes searching mine for answers. “I don’t have that kind of money, Isa.” “You don’t have anything saved?” She lives at home with hardly any bills. How could she not have any money? She chews on the inside of her cheek, eyes dropping to the floor. “I used a bunch of my savings when I bought my car a year ago. Then there was an incident. Mom told me their credit card got hacked, and someone had spent a bunch of money on it. She said the credit company was demanding they pay for it and was going to file criminal charges. I had the money, so I gave it to her. I’m wondering now if she may have lied. I’ve barely put anything away since then.” “What’s barely?” “I have two thousand in savings.” She grimaces. “I could sell my car, I guess.”