I sent everyone out of the kitchen. They scrambled with their plates before they found spots in other areas to eat. Even Lola disappeared.
On the other side of the kitchen, three of Rocco’s younger men sat on the sofa, laughing at the TV.Walker, Texas Ranger.They started to hit each other, copying whatever they were seeing for the first time. Livio thought that he had become Walker this morning.
I whistled at them. The group paused for a second, looked behind, and then straightened up.
“Bring me my wife,” I said in Italian.I had no idea how long this was going to take with Dario.
They hustled off, eager as puppies.
Carmen threw herself at me, knocking the fork out of my fingers, and hugged me with more strength than she seemed to possess. She kept thanking me for saving her.
I lifted my hands, unsure what to do. I caught Dario’s eye, though he seemed to be worlds away, and he finally pried her off. She hugged Rocco after me. He patted her back, but confusion plagued him too. Romeo came next, getting egg in her black hair.
Dario removed it and then stood straighter, pulling Carmen closer to his side. He took her left hand in his. “I would be honored to marry Carmen.”
Tick. Tock. The silence stretched.
Rocco cleared his throat and then he threw his napkin down next to his plate. “When did this happen?” he snapped in Italian.
Carmen moved closer to Dario, her eyes averted. Our middle brother stood straighter, challenging, his eyes solid on Rocco’s, and then pulled her hand to his lips, giving her a tender kiss. “Carmen,il mio amore, would you care for something to eat?”
I’d never admit it to them, but the gesture moved me.
“No—”
“We have plenty,” I said.
Eunice came in then, a black sweater folded in her hands.
“Eunice?”
She halted and looked between the five of us.
“This is Carmen. After she has something to eat, show her to Dario’s room.” She looked like she desperately needed a hot shower and some alone time. “Find some clothes for her too. If not—” I looked to Dario for permission and he nodded “—have Donato get one of the men to buy her some.”
Eunice took her under her wing, making her a plate and then showing her out.
Dario spoke before we had the chance—all in Italian. “I went back for her. Without permission.”
“Marry her, brother?” Rocco said, his voice not hiding his shock. “You do not even know her! Love her!”
“In the same manner you love Rosaria?” Dario challenged.
The growl from Rocco’s chest seemed to rip. I put a hand to his shoulder and he sat, but he prickled with energy. “What if she is a snake disguised as a woman?” Rocco said.
Dario was smart enough to hold his tongue. Not that Rosaria was a snake, but she had tendencies that Dario and Romeo didn’t care for in a woman.
“I spent the night holding her in my arms,” Dario said. “She is mine. Snake or no.”
“Why do you want to marry so suddenly?” I said.
“She is with child,fratello. She has a good heart. She has never had a man of her own. I will protect her. I will use my body as a shield in honor of hers. No other man will tarnish her, not when she is mine.”
I nodded, rubbing my bottom lip, thinking all of this over.
“Will you be able to love the child as your own?” Rocco said, still on the defense.
“Sì. Just as I will learn to love her.”
