I stare at the slip of paper Maeve shoved into my hand in the hallway like it’s a contagion before quickly tossing it out the window of Faro’s Mercedes. His head swivels around from my sudden movement but, thankfully, Aurora needed another ride today, so he’s been distracted by his wife.
“Looking forward to the reception, Frankie?” Aurora asks, brightly.
“Uh… sure.” Her eyes flash up to meet mine in the rearview, full of concern.
“I hear there’s a concert planned later,” Faro says.
I nearly swallow my tongue at the mention of a concert. Did he see the slip of paper after all? Then I realize what he means. “I’m not sure you can call it that, but the girls have been asking.” Carlo’s sisters are coming over this afternoon to hear me play the piano and sing some of the songs I’ve been working on. Giulia will be listening in her own way. I hope she enjoys it. “Can you come play, too, Aurora, or are you still grounded?” I ask to wheedle my bodyguard a bit.
“Oh, I think I managed to make amends for my latest mischief at last.”
Faro scowls at us both before he reaches for his wife’s hand to kiss. She murmurs something to him I don’t catch because guilt and worry are busy hollowing out my stomach, thinking of the beautiful butterflies that always come to life whenever Carlo kisses my hand. He may never kiss my hand so tenderly again if he finds out, but if I don’t go, Ronan might grow even bolder. He might do something really stupid or suicidal to see me. I have to try.
36
Carlo
Itext Faro to tell him I’m coming up before turning to Luca. “This is the best tip we’ve had since he went into hiding. You know what this means to me.”
Luca clasps my shoulder, meeting my hard gaze. “Beppe was your godfather, but we all loved that old man. I’ll find Donnelly for you.”
It’s not the only reason I want the rat dead, but it’s one he understands. Satisfied he’ll do his best, I watch my brother climb onto his motorcycle and tear out of the building’s underground garage before heading to the elevator.
Loud, discordant notes from the piano and feminine laughter reaches me as I arrive at the top floor. Strange how what was once a place where I sought solitude brings me a stronger sense of peace now that there’s someone to share it with.
Stepping into the foyer, I find more females in my home than I can count on one hand. Faro’s wife is curled up in my favorite chair while he’s retreated to the terrace, studying the box garden out there either to give the girls their privacy or to spare his ears. Dinora is in the kitchen baking something savory, the only woman who notices my entrance. Bianca and Anna are lounging on the sofa, munching on snacks that will likely earn them a reprimand from our mother later when they have no appetite for dinner.
But my focus locks on Francesca and Giulia, sitting side by side at the piano. Giulia lays her head on the Steinway, banging away on thekeys. Anna and Bianca laugh but not unkindly. It’s been a long while since I’ve witnessed them having fun together.
Then Giulia glances at Francesca who guides the child’s smaller hands with her own. The reckless banging of keys becomes low clear notes blended with a somber melody I recognize – ‘Moonlight Sonata.’
“He wasn’t an Italian,” I comment, surprising them all and causing Aurora to violently fling herself out of my seat when she sees me. “Sit back down.” She hovers over the chair, torn between running away and obeying my clipped command. Faro says his wife has made much progress since they married, but it seems she’s still as terrified of other men as ever. I’m fucking glad Frankie doesn’t react to me that way.
My wife’s pretty blue eyes twinkle as she gives me a smile. “The brilliance of Beethoven begs we forgive him for the flaw of not being born in Italy.”
She’s doing her best to sign those words (or something close) so Giulia may follow the conversation, though sarcasm can be difficult to convey. Regardless, Frankie’s progress with ASL over such a short timeframe impresses me greatly and makes the warmth in my chest burn a little brighter.
Giulia turns toward me and signs,“Did you know he was deaf?”
“I did, bella,”I sign back.“He worked hard to create his music even when he couldn’t hear it the same as others.”Though mentioning Beethoven was able to hear throughout his formative years and young adulthood wouldn’t encourage her to… to do what exactly?
I give Francesca a questioning glance and her pert smile softens. “Anna and Bianca wanted to hear me play and sing. Giulia did, too.”
“She wanted tohearyou?” I murmur, my brow furrowing.
“Let’s show your big brother what we mean, girls,” my wife says.
Anna and Bianca hop off the sofa to join them by the piano. She signs directions to Giulia who lays her head on the Steinway again and begins playing a few notes, something a little closer to a tune this time. There’s a guide laid down above the keys, labeling each one. Francesca is teaching her to play, and what touches me more is Giulia appears to be having a marvelous time learning.
“See, Carlo? She can feel the vibrations of the instrument. Most anyone can create and enjoy music,” Bianca informs me with a haughty tilt of her chin. As the oldest girl, she strives to act mature, but her childish pleasure in being the know-it-all of our family hasn’t faded yet.
I smirk at Bianca until Francesca straightens, signing something I can’t catch before Giulia rests her head against my wife’s chest and presses her hand to Frankie’s throat. Anna signs the words for Giulia when Frankie starts to sing. It’s a song from that musical we attended, something all of them seem to know, and Giulia’s answering grin is one of pure joy when she feels the vibrations from the music ringing out loud and clear from my siren.
Dinora leaves her station by the oven to watch, and Aurora finally reclaims her seat as Bianca joins in on the harmony. A house full of females to protect but there’s no heavy sense of duty attached to that for once. Only peace and pleasure in the moment. My feet are compelled to carry me closer to these little sisters of mine and my wife who leaves me more and more spellbound every single day.
37
Carlo
