“And, Silvio, when are you going to settle down,bello mio?” one of the women asks. “I have a beautiful granddaughter, Giorgia, who is coming to visit in a couple of weeks. I’d love to introduce you.”
“I can tell you already, ma’am, that I am not good enough for your precious granddaughter.Besides, I am married already to the sea and devoted to my beloved sailboat,Evelina.”
Ma says to the women, “It’s true, my lovelies. I never saw a man more committed to sailing than my dear Silvio. He’s a wonderful son and an excellent sailor, but he would make a terrible husband, I am sure.”
They shake their heads and tsk at Ma’s words, and I shoot her a grateful smile. She knows I’m gay and that Giovanni is my lover, that Valentin and Gio were lovers as well. She may have even seen our dungeon, though if she did, she’s never mentioned it to me. My mother has come a long way in accepting my sexuality and my lifestyle, and she loves Gio like a son. These lies are cumbersome, but in a small provincial town such as this, they are somewhat necessary.
“You didn’t tell me you were considering the priesthood,” I say to Giovanni as we make our way home on foot. His hand dangles close to mine, and I resist the urge to hold it.
“They wouldn’t leave me alone about their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and cousins, twice-removed,” he grumbles.
I chuckle. “Do you think I could pull it off as well?”
He glances over and shakes his head, a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. “Definitely not.”
“Am I not pious enough?” I press my palms together in a gesture of worship.
“Sir, no offense, but you are like sex on a stick.”
“Sex on a stick? This must be an American saying. Give me an example.”
He plucks at my shirt, which is only half buttoned due to the heat. “This started out fully buttoned, but now, as if by magic, you’re practically undressed.”
I smile. “You can hardly blame me for the humidity of the island.”
“And this,” Giovanni says, running his hand lightly through my hair. “A full head of thick, luscious hair, your fine muscular ass, not to mention your monster cock that is clearly outlined by your obscenely tight pants.”
“My pants are not tight, they are fitted. This is the style of my people.”
He rolls his eyes. “Sir, you are dead sexy. You know that you are. But if you were a priest, I would attend church faithfully every single Sunday, and I’m sure the tithes would skyrocket.”
I walk a little taller. “I can see the priesthood suiting you,” I tell him.
“Really? How so?” He looks shocked, my pretty baby.
“All the time you spend on your knees,” I say with a wink.
He shoves me merrily and I grab hold of his hand to give it a quick squeeze. “You know if I had my way, we wouldn’t have to hide our affection.”
He shrugs. “I don’t care what other people think. I never have. The only person whose opinion matters to me is yours.”
Mine and your Master’s, that troublesome voice reminds me.
“I am charmed, Giovanni.”
His smile is prettier than the sun peeking through the clouds.
5
“Silvio, you need to come home. Giovanni is… not well.”
I’ve just finished a meeting with my finance team and am checking my voicemails when I hear this harried message from my mother. I try her phone, but she doesn’t answer, so I call Giovanni. Again nothing. Finally, I call Anthony.
“He’s having a hard time, Boss,” he says soberly.
“Is he hurting himself?”
“Not yet.”
