“I have a suggestion, but it’s not relevant to fixing the drama with her family, and you aren’t going to like it.”
I chuckle. “For some reason, I’m tempted to say no without even hearing the idea first.”
He smirks as we continue walking in the dim hallways.
“Plan a party. Or a trip. I know you despise small talk, but you’ve lacked visibility after taking on your new role. And this will be a way to solidify your… dynamic shift with Sofia. It’s important they get the memo that she is to be treated like a queen.”
He’s right. And he’s also correct that my impulse is to say no. I hate parties. But a trip? We can take one of the yachts out. I can spend time with people in short bursts and then retire to my cabin.
“I’ll consider it.”
We part ways, and I head over to my wing—it’s starting to finally feel like a home to me rather than Marco’s place. It’s not just the change in decor from a taxidermy and cigar-smelling hellscape to a professionally furnished home. Having Sofia around has something to do with it. Having someone to wake up next to, tocome home to. It’s the highlight of my day, and that only makes me feel guilty about how I acted early on in our marriage.
I pass through the barracks before walking past the hospital. I expect a mundane walk back, but Elena exits Vincenzo’s hospital room, nearly bumping into me.
“Hey,” I say. “How are you?”
I’m not terribly surprised to find her here after I looked through that scrapbook. I never talked to her about that: how it seems like she got along with Vincenzo and Marco more than she was letting on with me. I suck at bringing sensitive things like that up. But right now seems like the perfect time to squash this awkwardness between us.
“Hi.” She brushes her hair behind her shoulder.
I nod towards Vincenzo’s bed. “I’m sorry about what happened. I realize that I never checked in on you after he got shot.”
“Thanks.” She says that as if it were a question, her brow furrowing.
“Was that why you weren’t acting like yourself after the wedding?”
“No,” she answers quickly and then looks down at the ground. “I…”
“It’s okay. I found a scrapbook in Marco’s office. It had pictures of the three of you in it, looking happy. I suppose I was too self-centered to realize that you might have thought of Vincenzo as much of a brother as me.”
“I don’t think of him like that.” She shakes her head. “You’re my only brother. But… we did get along. And I miss him.” Her jaw is set, and she looks away from me, tears forming in her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat, and look towards Vincenzo’s room. “Any news on his condition?”
She shrugs. “His finger was twitching a few days ago. Doc said not to get my hopes up, though.”
Fuck. I force a smile. After killing Marco, my initial impulse was to immediately pull the plug. But having Elio’s respect is too important. If he turned on me, a lot of others would as well. So, I put him in charge of Vincenzo’s health decisions. I’ve been hanging on to the hope that Vincenzo dies naturally soon. Now, those feelings are complicated. I don’t want to see Elena become even more depressed.
We start walking towards our wing of the castle and away from the beeping machines.
“How’s Sofia?” Elena asks. “Seems like you two are getting along.”
“We are.” As usual, when the Sofia topic comes up, I feel a wave of excitement but also nervousness. I’m sure Elena can see that clearly on my face because she smirks.
“I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah, well. Just give it time. I’m sure it’ll all go to hell soon enough.”
And I’m dreading that day.
“You aresopessimistic. Don’t you ever get exhausted?”
“It’s the only reason that I’m alive. Always assume the worst will happen, then you’re never unprepared. Optimists are fucking idiots.”
She laughs, and we continue talking on our way home. It feels like old times. Maybe this wall she had up is finally coming down, and we can get back to normal.
Chapter 26
