Angelos’ quiet sniffling gnaws at me.
I want to go to him. I want to hold my boy in my arms and tell him everything will be okay, even if it’s a lie, but I’m afraid he’ll turn away. Afraid I’ll see the same hatred in his eyes that I saw before the gun went off. I know he blames me. They all do. They’re probably right. My presence here fuelled everyone’s anger.
More people filter out of the room and the only sound is the clock ticking on the wall and the occasional sniffle from my son, but the throb in my temple is loud enough to drown out everything.
“Angelos, have you eaten today?” My voice comes out rough.
He shakes his head, wiping his nose on his sleeve, too exhausted to speak.
“Want to get a snack from the machine?” I nod towards the corridor and the vending machine.
Elio stands. “I’ll take him.” His eyes narrow as he walks past me and Angelos follows.
I watch them disappear, then drag a hand over my face and collapse into the chair beside Lucia.
Her frail hand pats my knee. “He’ll come around.”
I swallow down the lump rising in my throat. “You knew, didn’t you? About Angelos.” I gaze into her eyes, red with tears, her temples wrinkled with worry, but she gives me a warm smile, her eyes softening. “When you said he looks just like me, you meant Angelos.”
"Yes, I knew. But when I said he looks like you…" She touches my cheek like Rose did before she passed out, her palm warm. "I meant your father."
My spine bristles. “You knew my father?”
Her eyes glaze over with fresh tears as she nods. “He was a good man.” She lifts her mask to her mouth to take a deep breath, then pulls it back to her chin. “I’m sorry about what happened to your mother.” Her rosary beads rattle as she makes the sign of the cross.
I nod and say a silent pray, hoping my mother can hear me.If you’re up there, Mother, send me a miracle. I need you now more than ever.I close my eyes, praying to anyone who’ll listen. Just help Rose pull through this.
Angelos returns, clutching a chocolate bar and a can of pop. He looks up at Elio. "Uncle Elio… I feel sick."
"Just eat," Elio says gruffly, shoving the food towards him. "You need to keep your strength up for your mamma." His eyes flick to me, full of accusation. “This is all your fault, stronzo.”
My hands curl into fists. Why my father made me promise not to kill this fucker, I’ll never know. "If I recall, it was you who told him to pull the fucking trigger."
Elio’s face twists as he grips my shirt, forcing me back inthe chair, spitting his fury into my face. “It’s not the first time my sister’s saved your miserable life. I should’ve finished the job when you were unconscious after your accident, but she made a deal for you.”
The words clang in my skull. “What are you talking about? What deal?”
He shoves me farther back in the chair, my head now resting on the wall. “You didn’t deserve her then, and you don’t deserve her now.”
I push up from the chair, my fists in his shirt, my rage barely leashed. “And if she dies, Elio, I swear you’ll wish I’d killed you today.”
He snarls back at me. “Whether she lives or dies. I’ll make sure you pay for everything you’ve put my family through.”
“Enough!” Lucia’s voice shouts through the tension. “Nobody is killing anyone.” She coughs, her hand flying to her chest. “Will you both sit down? You’re scaring Angelos.”
Her words slice through my anger. Angelos cowers behind Lucia, his eyes wide and brimming with fresh tears.
Reluctantly, I release Elio and adjust his collar like I haven’t just tried to rip his throat out. "What happened to the USB stick?"
“It’s at home. Safe.” He clenches his jaw, pushing me out of his space. “What was on it, anyway?”
“Your beloved brother-in-law has been playing you. He’s working with the Messinas.”
“I don’t have any beef with the Messinas.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You will when you open the drive. I told you, they’re stealing your shipments. It’s all on the drive.” I rub the stabbing pain in my forehead, making it difficult to think straight.
“How do you know?”
