“After my dad was killed, she started working a lot. Sometimes two jobs, seven days a week, to keep us going. She said she didn’t want a penny of their blood money. I’ve had a good life, but she’s bitter, and I never got to know my dad. Even when he was around, he was never around, if that makes sense. There are no happily-ever-afters in that life, that’s what my mom always says.”
Brooklyn became quiet when Nunzio opened the door and offered her his hand. She stepped out, and I noticed when she tried to let go of him, he held on a second longer than he should have.
“That is depressing,” Anna said. Then she stepped out.
The restaurant was packed, but we were seated right away. No matter where we went, we were always seated without a reservation. Not that we went out a lot, not after the scorpions, but when we did, it was almost like the red carpet was rolled out.
Mari was waiting for us when we entered the same room Corrado and I had been seated in the first time we came.
“I love it here,” I said to Anna, even though my attention was elsewhere. Brooklyn had reinforced the scene with Ele this morning, and it weighed heavily on my heart. “The food is really good.”
She did the nose thing, like I was lying.
“You will see,” I said. “It tastes familiar. That’s why I thought you would enjoy it.”
Anna and I took turns hugging Mari. I knew her a little better since I had lived with her in-laws in Modica for a while, and she would visit with Amadeo. Then we introduced her to Brooklyn. We all took our seats, looking over the menu, and then we ordered.
Conversation flowed as Anna and Brooklyn got to know Mari better. We chatted about Saverio, Ele, the aunts, the chocolate shop, Bella Luna, and then Brooklyn’s date again. Before any of us realized, we were finished eating.
“The food is so good,” Anna said, patting her stomach. “I think evenmammawould approve of this place. I am stuffed! Anyone want to take a look at the bar area with me? I need to walk.”
“I will!” Brooklyn stood. “I’ve always wanted to see it up close.”
I sighed after they left, setting my fork down. I looked up and found Mari staring at me.
“This life is romanticized a lot,” she whispered. “But it’s a little different when you’re the one in the story, am I right?”
“How did you know?”
She shrugged. “I hear things. I know things.” She toyed with her napkin for a second before she looked me in the eye. “My dad was…connected to that life, at one time. I was only five, so I don’t remember much, but he worked for the Scarpones. He tried to kill his boss. From what I’ve learned, Arturo Scarpone was greedy, and he was barely paying the men, even though he was making a lot.”
She waved her hand. “Anyway. My dad would get ideas in his head, or so I was told, and once they got stuck, he couldn’t get them out. He was so focused on killing Arturo that he basically ran us into the ground. My entire life up until I met Amadeo was spent in hiding.” She sighed. “So I understand, whatever you’re going through, more than you know.”
We both became quiet. She had her thoughts and I had mine.
“Alcina…” She hesitated. “Did Amadeo tell you that about me?”
“No,” I said. “He does not talk much.”
We both grinned.
“He doesn’t,” she said.
“It’s familiar, though. I have heard similar stories. One as fresh as just a few minutes ago.”
“Ah,” she said. “Brooklyn.”
I nodded.
“There’s no room for family in that life,” she said. “Onlythefamily, and basically nothing else. It splits actual families apart.”
“Yourmamma…she left?”
“Yeah.” She took a sip of her water with lemon and then set it down. “Arturo had her killed.”
I grabbed her hand and squeezed. She squeezed back.
A knock came at the door. We both turned to look when it opened. I sat up straighter in my chair when Rocco walked in.
