“And you have other men?”
She shrugged. “I know who I married. I knew it then, and I know it now. I love your father. Maybe it doesn’t seem that way, but we have mutual respect and look out for each other. That’s more than I can say about many couples who supposedly married for love.”
“How do you think my marriage will be?” I asked quietly.
“It will be however you want it to be.”
“I don’t want it at all.” I looked at my empty plate. “Adriano is old and I’m so not attracted to him.”
“Older men are experienced.”
“And they die faster,” I mumbled, making Mom laugh loudly. I fought a smile as I looked at her. “I’m serious.”
“I know you are.” She returned my smile. “Let me know when you want to go to Naples for a couple of days and regroup. You’ll have the beach, room service, massages, and whatever else you’d like. You just can’t tell anyone about it, especially not the girls.”
“I won’t, but even if I did, they wouldn’t say anything,” I said. “Cat, Isabel, and Rosie are trustworthy and loyal. They can keep a secret.”
“Absolutely, but they’re loyal to their husbands first,” Mom said, and then she paused to think about something. “I would say they’re examples of great marriages, but they’re all so obsessed with each other, and I don’t think that’s healthy.”
“They’re in love.”
“Nora.” Mom shot me a look. “These kinds of men don’t fall in love. They become obsessed.”
“Like Dad.”
“Dad’s a little different. Your dad may love and respect me, but I don’t think he’d take a bullet for me.” She paused, deep in thought for a moment. “Those boys would die for their wives. No questions asked. No hesitation.”
“Would you take a bullet for Dad?” I asked.
“No.” She scowled. “I’m not an idiot.”
We laughed again.
“Listen, when you’re ready to get away, text me the words ‘Idk if I can do this.’” She looked me square in the eyes. “Do not text that to me unless you’re ready. I’ll text back the words ‘You’re stronger than you think,’ and when you get that text, you’ll go to this address.” She scribbled an address on the back of a business card and slid it to me. “It has to be those exact words because your father may notice that you’re missing, and when he does, he’s going to check everything.”
“So it has to look natural,” I said. “It has to look like I ran away.”
“You ready for that?”
“I think so,” I whispered.
“Do not tell the girls.”
“I won’t.”
“I’m serious, Lenora. The last thing you want is for them to send a Russo or Marchetti out there to ruin your days of peace.”
My heart skipped. “You mean Rocco?”
“Dean, Rocco, or Michael.” She shrugged. “It’s all the same. They’re hunters, you know, but it’s not animals they hunt.”
“What does that mean?” I asked quietly.
“It means you better lie low, enjoy yourself, and make sure no one finds out you’re gone.”
“But Rocco’s so nice,” I said, stuck on the hunter thing. “He’s always smiling and laughing.”
“The charming ones are the most lethal.” Mom took her last sip of coffee.
