It seemed like every day, I vowed something new to her, whether I spoke the promises out loud or not. Some of them were meant for me only. Vows that I would aspire to keep, only her happiness my reward for keeping them.
“Did you like that song, Stella?” Mia asked.
Stella nodded. “I’ve never heard anything like it!”
Mia smiled. “Want to listen to it again?”
“Yes!”
“You got it, baby girl,” Mia said, turning the song back on for her. “I love this one too!”
Stella looked over at me with a huge smile on her face, and I touched her chin before she started to move her shoulders and sing with Mia.
“That’s it, baby girl!” Mia encouraged. “Sing it louder for the people in the back!”
It warmed my heart that my sister and the love of my life were getting along. Though it would take the spawn of a devil not to want to be friends with Mia. She was so open and caring, just overall a good person. Unless someone dared to cross someone she cared about. Then she turned into a fierce lioness. She had alot of Fausti running through her blood, and she wasn’t afraid to tap into it if someone she loved was hurting or in danger.
By the time we arrived at my parents’ farmhouse in Siena, I knew every word to the song, because Mia had it on repeat. She did that sometimes if she really loved a song. She’d beat it to fucking death until she knew the lyrics better than the singer. After we stepped out, Rio looked at me and stuck his fingers in his ears, shaking them a bit. I grinned at him, but I knew things were about to get serious.
Luca Fausti was waiting in the villa, and even though he loved women, he still expected a certain behavior from all of us. Like, we had to dress out of respect. That whole wearing pajamas out in public movement was still a sore spot for him. If it weren’t for his iron will to live, he might have allowed it to fester and take him out. My grandfather was big on romance and respect. Two of the values we, as Faustis, lived for.
Saverio and Mia both straightened and started to make their way toward the villa. Children laughed in the distance, and opera music crooned at us from the speakers mamma had papà install years ago.
Stella was gazing at the villa, her eyes telling me she was already in love with it. But I could tell she was nervous and feeling out of place.
“You belong wherever I am,” I said, bringing her hand to my heart. Her skin was cold, even though the temperature was warm.
She turned and met my eyes. “I can’t believe how beautiful this place is, Matteo.” She looked toward an area of wildflowers rolling with the hills. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now. Did you say you grew up here?”
“Partially,” I said. “Nonno has a walled village in Lucca, and my parents have another home in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Also New York. And London.”
“Anywhere else?”
“We enjoy Fiji. There’s an island there. It’s special to my parents. To us.”
“I was just kidding, but…” She kicked a rock with her heel. “This is a lot.”
“Only in the beginning. You’ll get used to it. You’ll find a rhythm. You’ll find what makes you comfortable.”
“And then?” She squinted at me, and I made a mental note to buy her sunglasses.
“Then I’ll create the world you want.”
She nodded. Took a breath. Breathed it out in a slow push. “Remind me again. What’s about to happen? Ineedto get this right.”
“You’ll meet my grandfather first. He’ll want to take you on a walk around the property. Then…everyone else.”
“Your brothers? Mariano, Marciano, and…Maestro.”
“Bene,” I said.
“Okay,” she said almost to herself. “At least I got those right. And you have…three uncles? Rocco, Dario, and…”
I exploded with laughter, and she jumped a bit. I pulled her in by the head and kissed her forehead, speaking an apology in Italian for scaring her. Then I said, “Romeo. You won’t forget him once you meet him. He won’t allow it. And if he knew you just did, he would be deeply wounded.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m already making mistakes, Matteo!”
“Because you haven’t met them yet. Once you see faces, get to know personalities, you’ll remember in no time.”
