"Fine," I say. "Thank you for asking."
Kristen's eyes soften. She sees through the lie. I can tell. But she doesn't push.
"The first few nights are always strange," she says. "New place. New people. It takes time to adjust."
Nico sits beside her. His gaze moves between me and Bruno.
Another man appears in the doorway. Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair too. He nods at the room before taking a seat at the far end of the table.
I saw all of them yesterday. At the church. During the brief reception that wasn't really a reception. But names and faces blurred together. I was too focused on Bruno.
"I'm sorry," I say. "I know we were introduced yesterday, but I'm still sorting out who everyone is."
Pietro sets down his coffee cup. "Of course. Let me help."
He gestures toward Nico and Kristen. "Nico is our brother as you already know. He handles security for the family. Kristen is his wife. Kristen has a daughter," Pietro continues. "Lily. She's five. You'll meet her soon. She'll love you."
A child. Something warm flickers in my chest. Children are simple. Honest. They don't play the games adults play.
"I'd like that," I say.
Kristen smiles again. "She's with the nanny right now, but she'll probably find you before lunch. She's curious about everyone new."
Pietro points to the man at the end of the table. "That's Valentino. Our cousin. He usually manages things in Sicily, but he's staying here for a while."
Valentino lifts his coffee cup in acknowledgment. "Welcome to the family."
His voice is warmer than Nico's. Less guarded. But there's still something watchful in his eyes.
"Thank you," I say.
"My wife Nora is resting," Pietro continues. "She's pregnant. The first trimester has been difficult for her, but she wanted me to tell you she's looking forward to meeting you properly."
Pregnant. Resting. I remember Vittoria mentioning something about that yesterday.
"Please give her my congratulations," I say.
Pietro's expression softens. "I will."
"Vittoria lives with her husband Dmitri," he adds. "And Lorenzo and Sophia are married as well. They live in another house."
I try to map the family in my head. Pietro and Nora here. Nico and Kristen here, with Lily. Valentino visiting. Vittoria and Dmitri nearby. Lorenzo and Sophia separate.
And Bruno.
Bruno, who sits three chairs away from me. Bruno, who hasn't said a word since his strained good morning. Bruno, who keeps staring at me like I'm a problem he doesn't know how to solve.
"It's a large family," I say.
"It is." Pietro's voice carries something like pride. "We look out for each other."
The implication is clear. I'm part of that family now. Whether I like it or not. Whether Bruno likes it or not.
I glance at him.
He's still watching me. His jaw is tight.
I look away first. Reach for my coffee again. The cup is almost empty, but I need something to do with my hands.
