They’re also extremely loyal. And friendly-ish. But I’m starting to wonder if their kindness has anything to do with my shadow.
Pietro, the goldenest retriever of a man I have ever encountered jests around with Rico some more. It’s blatantly obvious he lives to press the buttons of any living soul. But it’s all in good fun. There’s no malice or ill intentions. Just light entertainment and levity to bring light in every room he enters.
While he may be a dangerous killer he’s also a light hearted man.
And he’s a man who genuinely loves his Famiglia. Theatrics aside, even I could see Rico ignoring him for the past week upset him deeply.
As they converse with one another, more like Pietro talking Rico’s ear off, I wander the living area. All the while Rico’s eyesstay on me. They’re like a second skin. I would feel bare without them.
In the middle of the living area is a grandiose beautiful skylight. Since it’s midday the sun's rays beam through. I feel its warmth the moment I step underneath it. Maybe if I close my eyes I can imagine myself in the warm embrace of my ma.
God, I miss her hugs. Her voice even more so. I absolutely hate how the last she saw of me was a gun pointed to my head. She didn’t deserve that. Not when all she wanted was a happy life for me. One of a love I decided.
“It won’t find you.” A melodic voice tells me.
I open my eyes to none other than Donna Carina Donati. The ruler alongside her husband of The Donati Famiglia. Some even dare say she’s more vicious than him.
She’s insanely beautiful. While pictures showcase her beauty it compares to nothing by seeing her in person.
Ebony hair waves down to her mid back. A fairer complexion with rosy cheeks. Emerald eyes that shimmer and gleam.
If I were an insecure woman I would feel spiteful jealousy.
“Excuse me?”
A crimson painted finger that matches her lips points towards the skylight. “Believe me, the warmth you are seeking the skylight will not provide.”
“You speak as if you know from experience,” I say.
She smiles bitter sweetly. “I do. Many nights I sought out its warmth. Hoping it could reach me. Cleanse me even.”
I raise a brow, my interest piqued. “Why?”
A click of heel as she takes a step forward. I do not move. Another click and another until she stands beneath the skylight with me. She tips her head backwards, her hand coming to rest on the base of her throat.
After a moment of basking in its light she meets my eyes once more. “I had thought for the longest time I possessednothing but darkness. And I had desperately sought for the sun to not only bestow upon me its warmth, but to also light my soul. Maybe then I could be considered worth saving. I could be someone who was good.” She lowly laughs at herself. “I was foolishly naive.”
“How so?”
“It took my husband for me to see the truth.” A fondness touches her lips and softens her face. Adoration glitters in her eyes. “What I had been desperately searching for I had within me all along. I was never evil nor a dead woman walking. Despite my actions I possess both. Darkness and light. Sin and goodness. My soul isn’t damned, Imogen. And even if it was, my husband would love me anyway.”
“Sounds like you harbored a great amount of guilt,” I surmise.
“Mamma was a devout Catholic. While I never believed in God it was difficult to not feel the guilt as she did. Perhaps that was the only Catholic thing about me.”
“I wouldn’t think you were.” She raises a brow at that. “Opening fire in a church on your wedding day proves you don’t think much of the Catholic religion.”
“Ah,” she muses. “Everyone involved in that church were heinous sinners.”
I think of my pa and my late brother. Both of them were in that church. They both had managed to escape until Niall was caught. It then led to his death.
“You’re including my brother and pa,” I say with a sharpness.
“Interesting,” she simply says, completely unbothered by my hastiness. “You consider them not?”
“If I were religious we’d all be sinners. No one follows God the way it’s written. Each person takes his words and twists it to their own narrative. But my pa and brother are not evil. And my brother didn’t deserve to die for being loyal to his family.”
“I see your point, Imogen and I’m certainly not disagreeing. But your brother didn’t die for being loyal, he died because he had tried to kill my husband and myself. And if anyone tries to kill my husband I will not hesitate to kill them.”
