SALVAGE PRIDE

17

“People have to formulate their own opinions when questions go unanswered.”

Zeno’s arctic eyes collide with mine. “And that is an unfortunate consequence over which I have no control.”

“It’s not in your control to correct them?” I should stop and leave him alone. His father died, for Christ’s sake, but words leap from my mouth without my consent.

“No,” he bites. “It’s not.”

A sweltering tension descends between us, making my skin too tight for my body. Only Cora is left standing with us, and she fidgets as though our exchange has made even her uncomfortable. Seconds tick by in silence until someone swoops in and saves us.

Nevio, the antithesis of awkward discomfort, uses his superpower of congeniality to lift the oppressive tension from around us. “I saw you three from across the way and thought I’d join your little conversation, but now, I’m not so sure.”

I flash him a relieved grin. “Oh no, now that you’re here, you’re stuck.” His levity is exactly what we need.

Nevio drapes his arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side. “I can’t think of anyone I’d be more delighted to be stuck with. Right, Z?” He’s being sweet, yet I get the sense he’s also goading his brother.

My smile falters a touch.

Zeno’s lips never even twitch. “I’m sure you’d love to catch up, but I believe Luisa has responsibilities to tend to.” His dismissal stuns me. I’m not even a paid employee, and we were encouraged to mingle tonight, but he’s sending me to work? Is this some kind of reminder that I’m beneath him after I challenged him before?

“Well, then”—Nevio’s tone is laden with defiance—“I’ll just have to help her with whatever she needs to do.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work. Too many important people are here who we need to talk to.”

Nevio chuckles darkly. “You’re the one poised to fill Dad’s shoes, brother. I’m nothing but a mere soldier in this organization. You’ve seen to that. Nothing I say to anyone here will be of consequence.”

“We are not discussing family matters here.” Zeno’s words bite like the end of a whip. He’s growing noticeably more agitated, and I am increasingly more uncomfortable being used to come between the two men. This is not the time or the place.

I pull out from beneath Nevio’s arm and rest my hand on his chest. “There’s no reason to argue. I’ll be here for the rest of the week, and these people are only here tonight. I wouldn’t be comfortable keeping you from them. Do what you need to do, and we’ll catch up later.”

His eyes are as dark as the starry sky overhead and equally as fathomless. Nev may be more charismatic than his brother, but both are endlessly complicated. I can’t tell if he’ll push the issue further, and my nerves fray with the uncertainty.

Eventually, he offers a regal bow. “As you wish.” His nod to my absolute favorite childhood movie, The Princess Bride, earns him a beaming smile. I can’t even believe he remembered. Nevio winks, allowing me to relax, then follows his brother’s lead into the crowd.

As soon as they go, I escape toward the kitchen, breathing a deep gulp of cleansing air. The tension from multiple awkward conversations has seeped into every part of my body, including my lungs. I’ve been taking shallow, measured breaths like a rabbit caught between two wolves. The replenishment of oxygen makes me slightly dizzy. I smile at the feeling. Maybe it’s the champagne. Or a little of both. Either way, I’m free for a moment, and that’s a relief.

I coast slowly past the refreshments table on the way inside to assess what needs to be restocked. When I enter the kitchen, Cecelia has retired for the night, and the place is empty. I load up a tray with provisions and make my way back to refill the food table. Once I’ve returned to the kitchen and rinsed the tray, I drift to the window where I can watch the party rather than rejoining the guests. It’s peaceful in the kitchen. I can only hear a faint murmur of voices over the hum of the refrigerator. The lights strategically placed throughout the landscaping make a stunning nighttime scene. There aren’t any houses right on the waterfront, so the lake disappears in the dark, especially when the moon is new as it is tonight. It’s a perfect evening for a gathering. The stars are extra vibrant in the black velvet sky, and the evening air is a comfortable reprieve from the heat of the day.

At least one-hundred and fifty people are scattered about the flagstone plaza. I’m pleased that so many of Silvano’s friends and family could come together. A man who impacted so many people should be honored properly. I recall a time when I was maybe six years old and had wandered over to the De Rossi house in search of the boys after Gia and I had gotten into a fight. Nevio and Z weren’t home at the time, but instead of returning to my own house, I wandered onto the Hardwick plaza to entertain myself. I wasn’t ready to go back and face my sister, so I used water from the stone fountain to finger paint fading designs on the flagstone. Silvano must have noticed me playing alone, which was unusual when so many kids lived nearby, and joined me by the fountain.

“I believe there’s chalk in the garage somewhere—that way, your drawing doesn’t disappear quite so quickly.”

I’ve heard Mr. De Rossi yell at his boys, so I know he can be scary, but right now, his voice is calm and soothing, so I’m not worried. If anything, I’m surprised he’s come out since he’s usually busy with work.

“I like the way it fades. That’s the cool part,” I tell him.

He nods as though he understands now. “What are you drawing?”

“A house for myself without my sister where I’m the only one who gets to play with the toys. She says I mess up her doll’s hair and won’t let me play with it, but I don’t. I always brush her hair carefully.”

“Ah … now I understand.”

“Gia’s just being mean cause she’s older than me.”