Charlotte was low enough to break something of Scarlett’s because her life wasn’t panning out—all because Scarlett had ruined her life by inheriting Maja’s talent.
No doubt she blamed Scarlett for her husband’s infidelities because she stole her dream of becoming a star of the ballet. And if Pnina had reprimanded her for tripping Scarlett, there was no telling what she had done to the room, searching for something valuable to break.
A Poésy in the throes of madness wasn’t to be trifled with. I had been around the women too long not to learn a lesson or two.
“Fratello.” Romeo grabbed my arm before I got too far. He gave me a look that conveyed the warning.
Taken and noted, mine answered in return. I instructed him to stay with the women, and then I disappeared behind the house. Cigar smoke drifted in sweet clouds from the back. Since Everett had given them up since his heart attack, I knew who it was. Just the boy I wanted to see.
Whenever Charlotte visited for long stretches of time, he flew in whenever his job allowed. This gave him more time to screw his mistresses without being caught.
He didn’t notice me at first. He sat in an iron patio chair blowing smoke rings in the air, not a care in the world. Once he heard the snap of a twig purposely stepped on, he stood abruptly, eyes wary.
The first punch sent the cigar flying through the air. It landed on the ground with a sizzle that staunched it. Gut punch, then another, and then one to the face that sent his head back; blood exploded from his nose. His lip next. I would have gone for his ribs, but I decided not to.
I had to keep myself in check. He was a decent-sized man, but he couldn’t stand against me. I had been designed to seize, to destroy, and if my temper went wild, he’d end up in the morgue.
He put his hands up when I ceased the attacked. “What the fuck!” He spit out a wad of blood. “What goes on between my wife and me isourbusiness!”
I laughed, mirthless. It was taunting. “You think I’d fight you over Charlotte?”
He blinked. “Why else?Fuck!” He spit again.
“You’re about to find out.”
I took a step forward, and he took a step back, his hands still in the surrender position. I grabbed him by the collar, forcing him toward the house. He stumbled but didn’t fight. Good choice. I trembled with suppressed rage, and one wrong move and we’d go another round. This time, I wouldn’t go easy on him or stop myself.
Once inside, I shoved him, and he stumbled before finding his footing. He wiped at his nose with a sleeve.
The house was suddenly alert, doors opening, shadows stretching before they became solid forms. Everett came out of his office. Eunice came from the kitchen. Charlotte stood at the top of the stairs, a sharp-nosed wannabe queen, looking out over a kingdom that wasn’t even hers.
Her eyes narrowed before they widened in shock. “Why!” she gasped. “You—”
“I’m done talking.” I rolled my shoulders. “Consider this a warning. What I did today wasn’t even a warm-up. If my wife gets another bruise, even a scratch, because of your wicked temper, your husband will face me again. I won’t be as forgiving next time. Unlike some people, my word is as good as my blood. I mean what I say.”
“You’re going to jail, Brando Fausti!” Charlotte screamed. “You’ll rot too, if the sheriff has anything to say about it! How dare you put your hands onmyhusband!”
Everett met my eye, shook his head, and the door to his office shut with a click.
“Ah.” Guido cleared his throat. “If the police shall be called, we must tell them the entire truth. You tripped Scarlett and almost killed her. On purpose.” He held Jet’s carrier, the cat inside hissing and striking at the metal bars to be freed so that she could cause damage.
“Sì,” Nino agreed, shaking his head almost sadly. He adjusted the bag on his shoulder. “The truth is the truth, no?”
An ancient ashtray whizzed through the air, and Guido was fast enough to push Nino to the floor before it sailed past the area where his head had just taken up space. It collided with the wall with an echoingboom!One fragment flew off, but other than that, the piece was still in good form. The plaster had a dent in it. It would’ve killed Nino.
“Gesù!” Nino shouted from the floor, as other things flew past. “Mamma!”
Pnina flew through the door, screaming in Slovenian at Charlotte, who had gone berserk. Scarlett peeked her head in, and I ordered her out. Guido and Nino took this time to retreat, sprinting for the exit, heads ducked low. Nino had a bag behind his for extra protection.
“Questa è guerra!” Nino panted.This is war!
I hesitated before I left, meeting Travis’s eye—almost feeling sorry for the son of a bitch. I nodded once, and then I left him to his wife.
* * *
Forgiveness wasn’t given overnight; it took time for me to serve the penance. Scarlett had seen Travis’s face, and she was terrified that her sister was going to call the police. The four of us—Guido, Nino, Romeo, and me—assured her that this wasn’t the case, but at the first sounds of a car pulling into the drive, she tensed.
“The least you could’ve done was get all of our things out first!” She threw her hands up in frustration.
