“I wish Lissia would let business go.” He opened the dishwasher. “She expects an update every night before bed.”
“Hmm…” I dried the pots Marchello had washed as he loaded the plates into the dishwasher. “Would it help if we began the club renovation? She was really excited about that when we mentioned it before you left for Miami.”
“That would certainly keep her busy.”
“It could be something she and Sable work on together.” Renovating the club might be a fresh change of pace for Sable. “It would keep her mind off everything we’re dealing with.”
“A distraction for both of them could work for both of us.” He rinsed the rest of the plates before piling them into the dishwasher. “We’ll know where they are and Lissia can stay out of trouble.”
“That’s a tall order.” I wiped down the countertops. “But it’s worth a shot.”
“We both need to be prepared for what’s heading our way. If we can’t get the other cities to side with us, it’s going to make this fight much harder with Medina.”
“We have to make sure they choose the right side, even if we have to nudge them in the right direction.”
“It could get bloody,” Marchello said.
“Doesn’t it always?”
Antonella went to the refrigerator and took out her famous Italian Rum cake. The aroma had filled the fridge all afternoon, tempting me every time I opened it.
“What’s the occasion?” I asked. “That cake is usually reserved for birthdays.”
“Well, we’re celebrating.” She set it on the counter. “The two of you have made excellent decisions when it comes to your love lives. I thought the cake would be a nice way to welcome them both into this house.”
“That’s sweet of you.” I winked at Sable, who had now changed her seat to be closer to my dad as he held court for her and Lissia. They both hung on his every word. “I appreciate you looking after Sable.”
Marchello went back to the table, pulled Lissia out of her chair, and guided her into his lap. She didn’t miss a beat as she settled in; all the while she kept talking. The more animated she became, the faster her hands moved. A trait we all possessed around here.
“She suits you, you know,” Antonella said. “Your mother would be proud of her boys. You’ve grown into strong men, just like your father, but you have her capacity to love deeply.”
“Thank you.” I dried the last pot. “I wish my mother could be here to see this.”
“She can see it.” Antonella took a knife from the drawer to cut the cake. “I’m certain of that.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I’m always right.”
“I can’t argue with you.”
Ricardo came into the room holding a package. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said. “But this was just delivered to the front gate.”
“At this time of the night on a Sunday?” my dad asked. “What could be so important?”
“Who is it for?” I held out my hand for the package. “Does it say?”
“It’s addressed to Sable,” he said.
“Me?” She looked at Ricardo. “Who would send me something?”
“I’ll let you know after I open it.” I glanced at Marchello.
“Ricardo,” Marchello said as he scooted Lissia off his lap. “Take Lissia and Sable to the home theater and watch a movie with them.”
“But the package could be from Chance.” Sable got up and came toward me. “Let me see it.”
“It isn’t from Chance.” I took her hand. “I need to meet with my father and brother now. I’ll come up when I’m finished.”
