39
JULIUS
Ilove this shit. Not lunch. I’m not bothered about where I eat as long as I do. The company is good, and I’m including Morgan in that. She will be a worthy adversary to practice my skill of intimidation on, and I am upbeat as we step into the car waiting to take us to lunch in the city. As always, we don’t travel without our usual convoy, and as Mom sits opposite us in the car, I note the happiness in her smile.
“Tell me about Sister Agatha, Rose.”
Rose smiles. “She was more like a mother to us. The fact I didn’t know mine made it special.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your mother. It must be hard to live with.”
“You can’t mourn somebody you never met, just the memories that have been denied you.”
I am angry on her behalf and reach for her hand because a second’s pain in Rose is a lifetime in me for what she went through, and that surprises me. I want only happiness for her, and yet how will that happen? She is marriedto me, the fucking antichrist, not the decent man she craved when she closed the convent door.
“Sister Agatha is incredibly kind and always has been. Not in the usual way, just a comforting presence who was wise and taught us to consider our problems rather than be demonized by them.”
“How did she do that?”
Mom is fascinated, and I kind of get why because I have never met a woman like Rose in my life, and I’m guessing that is the same for Mom.
“She taught us to think rationally. For example, is it really so bad to be annoyed at someone and hold anger? It’s normal to feel anxious or to dread something you have no control over. Does it matter if you missed out on something or somebody upset you with their words? None of it really matters because it passes as quickly as it came. To forgive is to move on without the weight dragging behind you. Accept that not everything goes your way in life and be grateful for the one you have. Strive to be better, but not at the cost of your inner peace. Protect that, and nothing can hurt you. It was a valuable lesson to learn.”
Mom nods, with an interesting expression in her eyes. It’s almost one of amusement, and I wonder what she is thinking.
My phone vibrates, distracting me from their conversation, and I note the text from Eddie.
She’s here alone.
We are two minutes away, and I prepare myself for battle. One I am so ready for, relishing the thought of in fact because going up against the woman who made Rose’schildhood a misery, will be an extremely good use of my day.
We walkinto the restaurant like an approaching army. Cool, detached, emotionless and powerful. The Ravera family has always stood tall in the faces of their adversaries, and I do not dismiss the one we are about to face in the slightest. Mom is right. Women like Morgan are not to be underestimated, and as we approach, she stands, her gaze lingering on Rose with quiet confidence.
Mom approaches, her hand outstretched.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Morgan, if I may call you by your Christian name.”
Morgan nods, her smile painted on because there is no warmth in her expression.
“Of course. I am pleased to meet you, Sophia, if I may also have the privilege of addressing you that way.”
“Of course.”
Morgan turns to Rose, and her derision is obvious as she glances at the rings on her wedding finger.
“I see you have been busy since you absconded from Canton House.”
Rose stiffens and merely nods, not giving Morgan the satisfaction of any greeting or words at all.
Morgan sweeps her gaze in my direction, and her lip curls. “I wasn’t aware you were invited, Julius.”
I shrug, fixing her with my darkest gaze. “Unlike my mother and my wife, I prefer it if you would address me as Mr. Ravera because we are not friends and never will be.”
If anything, a satisfied smirk fleets across her expression, and she nods almost respectfully. “Of course. You mayoffer me the same courtesy and address me as Miss. Sorcusi.”
“I will not address you at all. I am a silent observer here to support my wife and mother.”
I hold out Rose’s chair and, leaning down, whisper in her ear, “You can do this, baby. I’ve got you.”
