As always, my mother, Carmen, sits with the poise of a queen, perfectly composed beside her daughter-in-law. This woman lives in her own little world. A whole year has gone by, and she hasn’t called me once, not even out of courtesy. I doubt anything resembling a heart beats inside her chest. Not that it bothers me. I can’t even recall the last time we exchanged words.
But that’s going to change today. Today, I’m having a conversation with my dear mother. A very important one.
“How are things going with the senator?” Don Fernando asks again.
I place my glass back on the table and answer him. “He gets his money and keeps our business secure. We’ve got the local cops on payroll too. Everything’s running smoothly.”
He offers me a genuine prideful smile, raising his glass. “I knew you’d conquer Chicago, but I must admit, I didn’t think you’d rise this fast. Cheers to you.”
I clink my glass against his. “Cheers, Uncle.”
***
After lunch, I make my way to my mother’s room. She’s applying a dark shadow to her eyelids, clearly preparing for one of her shopping sprees. Catching my reflection in the mirror, she pauses to glance at me.
“So now that you’re the crime lord you always wanted to be, you remembered your mother exists?”
I lean back against the plush chair, crossing one leg over the other. “I never forgot I have a mother. One who’s irresponsible, selfish, money-obsessed, and couldn’t care less about her kids.”
She shoots me a glare through the mirror, clearly not used to anyone, aside from her husband, talking to her with such disrespect.
“Oh, have I offended you, dear Mother? You can’t deny it. When’s the last time you even spoke to Brando? He’s not halfway across the world, he’s right here, under your nose.”
She picks up her mascara and coats her pale lashes.
“It’s not my fault I have such ungrateful children.” She sounds bored.
“No, it’s not. They only inherited your delightful personality.”
She slams the mascara onto the vanity and turns to face me. “Just spit it out, Tony. What do you want? Surely you didn’t come back after a year just to visit your cold-hearted mother.”
“I have to admit, that’s one thing I admire about you; always straightforward and business-minded.”
She lets out a heavy sigh, her frustration evident.
I chuckle softly, getting straight to the point. “I need to speak with Lucia.”
That annoyed look gives way to an incredulous stare.
“Alone,” I clarify, making my intentions unmistakable.
Her eyes narrow with focus, scrutinizing me intently.
“Tell me you’re not such a fool to set your sights on Carlo’s pretty wife, Tony,” she says after a long, loaded silence. “You know that monster would skin you alive and toss your remains to his black dog, if luck’s on your side, that is.”
Every vein in my body strains against my skin. How dare she try to scare me off with Carlo? Still, I mask my anger, keeping my composure, and respond coolly.
“He can’t do a damn thing.”
“I can’t help you. Even if I wanted to, it’s impossible.”
“You can.”
She gives me more bullshit.
“Lucia lives like a prisoner in this house. She’s forbidden to talk to me, can’t bond with the staff, and isn’t even allowed to eat anything Carlo hasn’t personally approved. She doesn’t leave this house without his permission, without him knowing. And I’m not even allowed to step into their wing.”
“I know you’ve got some staff snitching for you; even know exactly who they are. I’m not asking for much, just get her to the library. I won’t keep her long.”
