Bruno's Smile
1132 Words
The bell above Lina’s shop rang for the third time that morning.
Lina looked up from the shoes in her hands.
Coming.
She wiped her hands on her apron and went to the counter. She thought it was a customer.
It was Bruno.
Her stomach dropped.
He stood by the door in a dark suit, calm, smiling like nothing was wrong.
Good morning, Lina.
She didn’t smile back.
What are you doing here?
Bruno closed the door.
I came to check on you.
I’m fine.
I can see.
He looked around the shop. The two guards outside were easy to see through the window.
Vito has increased security.
Lina gripped the cloth in her hand.
You should leave.
Bruno laughed softly.
You really don’t like me.
No.
I respect that.
He walked to the counter. Lina stepped back.
Why are you here?
I told you. I wanted to check on you.
You already did.
Yes.
Bruno picked up a shoe and turned it in his hand.
You do good work.
Thank you.
Vito likes things that are well made.
What does that have to do with me?
Everything has something to do with Vito these days.
Lina stayed quiet.
Bruno was not like the other men. The others tried to scare people.
Bruno just smiled. That was worse.
You are quiet today.
I’m working.
Of course.
He looked toward the back.
You work alone?
I have guards.
Those are Vito’s men.
Yes.
So you still work alone.
Lina frowned.
What are you trying to say?
Nothing.
You keep saying that.
Maybe I enjoy talking to you.
I don’t.
Bruno laughed.
You remind me of someone.
Who?
Your mother.
Lina froze. The cloth fell from her hand.
What did you say?
Your mother.
How do you know my mother?
He looked at her for a long time.
She was a good woman.
Did you know her?
Yes.
How?
Bruno didn’t answer. Lina stepped closer.
Tell me.
I don’t think Vito has told you much.
What does Vito have to do with my mother?
Ask him.
Lina got angry.
You came here to confuse me.
No.
Then tell me the truth.
The truth can hurt.
I can handle it.
I don’t think you can.
You don’t know me.
Maybe not.
Bruno reached into his jacket. Lina stepped back.
Relax.
He took out a small white envelope and put it on the counter.
What is that?
Something for you.
I don’t want it.
You haven’t looked.
I don’t care.
Open it when you are alone.
What’s inside?
A little piece of your past.
Bruno walked to the door.
Tell Vito I stopped by.
I won’t.
I know.
Then he left.
Lina waited. She stared at the envelope. She knew she shouldn’t open it.
But his words kept ringing.
A little piece of your past.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
It was her mother. Young. Smiling. Standing outside an old building.
Beside her was a man Lina didn’t know. But his face felt familiar.
She turned it over.
Four words were written there.
Ask Don Rocco why.
Lina’s fingers went cold. She dropped it.
No.
Her mother always said to stay away from Don Rocco. She never said why.
Lina picked it up again.
What were you hiding from me?
Across town, Vito was in Don Rocco’s office.
You are distracted, Don Rocco said.
I’m working.
Are you?
Don Rocco picked up a file.
Two million dollars are still missing.
I’ll find it.
You keep saying that.
I will.
Don Rocco studied him.
And then there’s the girl.
Leave Lina out of this.
There it is.
That look.
You are becoming protective.
She has nothing to do with the money.
Maybe.
But she has something to do with you.
Vito said nothing.
You should be careful, Don Rocco said.
I am.
No, you’re not.
He opened another file.
Her mother.
Vito looked at the file.
What about her?
You already looked into her.
I wanted answers.
Answers can be dangerous.
What do you know?
Enough.
Tell me.
No.
Don Rocco closed the file.
You have more important things to do. Like finding my money.
Vito stared at him, then walked out. He knew Don Rocco was hiding something.
Lina hid the photo under the counter. Every few minutes she pulled it out again.
Her mother looked happy. That was strange. Lina barely remembered her smiling.
She remembered one night as a child. Her mother grabbed her hand and told her to stay quiet. There was shouting outside. Then a car drove away.
When Lina asked what happened, her mother said,
Some people don’t know when to leave us alone.
Lina had forgotten that. Until now.
The bell rang. She quickly hid the photo.
Vito stood there. He looked tired. Sleeves rolled up. Hair messy.
You’re here.
Of course.
Bruno came, she said.
When?
An hour ago.
What did he want?
He gave me something.
She handed him the photo. Vito’s face changed the moment he saw it.
Where did you get this?
Bruno.
Vito held it tightly.
Do you know the man beside your mother?
Vito didn’t answer.
Vito.
Yes.
Who is he?
Vito looked at the photo again.
Young Don Rocco. Standing beside Elena.
And Bruno was behind them.
Vito looked at Lina.
Stay away from Bruno.
I need answers.
I know.
Then give them to me.
I don’t have all of them.
But you know something.
Vito stayed quiet. Lina’s eyes filled with tears.
Everyone knows something about my mother except me.
I will find out.
When?
Soon.
That’s not enough.
I know.
Vito reached for her hand, then stopped. He lowered it.
Bruno is trying to get in your head.
He already did.
I won’t let him hurt you.
You can’t promise that.
I can promise I’ll try.
That’s better.
Vito’s phone rang.
Boss, we found the man watching the shop, Marco said.
It’s Salvatore’s man.
Vito looked at Lina.
I have to go.
Be careful.
He paused.
You too.
He left.
Lina looked at the photo again. Her mother’s secret was coming back. And Bruno was in the middle of it.
---
That night, Bruno sat alone with a glass of wine. His phone rang.
Did she see the picture? Don Rocco asked.
Yes.
And Vito?
He knows.
Good, Don Rocco laughed.
She wants answers.
Let her look.
And if she finds out?
She won’t.
Bruno stared at the same photo on his table.
Vito will protect her.
I know.
He’ll fight anyone who comes near her.
I know.
Bruno smiled.
That makes this easy.
Exactly.
The call ended.
Bruno’s smile faded. He had his own plan.
And he didn’t just want to use Lina.
He wanted to break Vito too.
No matter who got hurt.
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