“Bodyguards are one thing, but I want you to be able to defend yourself and the children if it ever comes to that.”
“We practiced yesterday with my knife.”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t have to get that close. You could easily be overpowered by a stronger opponent with training. And killing with a knife, that’s very personal.”
“My brother is right,” Dante says. “The movies might make you think one little prick will end a little prick. Don't count on it. It takes skill to make one cut do all your work. Poking an enemy full of holes up close is not the same as pulling a trigger from a distance. Could you do it?”
Staring at the imposing pair, knowing how they both favor the more personal kill to using guns, I shrug, uncertainly. “I am my father’s daughter, but I suppose I will not know until…”
“I hope you never have to know. Try shooting the target again,” my husband repeats. His hand rests at the small of my back, making me wish we could be alone instead of at the enclosed firing range.
Blowing a few loose strands of my hair out of my eyes, I concentrate and aim at the target, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my arms still as I squeeze the trigger. “Did you see?!” I yelp when the round hits the target, though admittedly lower than I’d hoped.
“No man would get back up from that in a hurry,” Dante concedes, chuckling over the groin shot.
I smile brightly at Nico, but he only nods before turning to address Ugo. “I’ve got to leave, but my wife can practice however long she wishes and then take her home. You are to give her verbal instructions only.”
Ugo grunts, and my lips twitch over Nico making it clear he’s not to assist with my technique physically. He and Enio are gruff men, and their company wouldn’t recommend them anywhere socially, but they wouldn’t dare touch their Capo's wife inappropriately.
Turning us so that his broad back shields our interaction, Nico’s fingers trail over my wrist where the bracelet rests. Goosebumps race up my arms at the simple touch. “Practice a little longer for me. I’d like for Maddalena to learn as well if she’s willing. I’ll be home in time for dinner.”
My husband starts to move away until I pucker my lips. He hesitates for the space of a heartbeat before dipping forward to give me a quick peck. With that, he and Dante leave, leaving me pleased but not quite pleased.
We’ve only been married a short while, and Christmas is the day after tomorrow. After the first tumultuous day, Nico has done better,yet it’s obvious he holds part of himself back from me. Will that ever change? He told me he’d give me anything but love. I need to get the message through to my hopeful heart. It’s suffered enough this past year. I have a home and family now. That’s what I wanted most when I came to this country, wasn’t it?
But he doesn’t face me during sex unless the light is off. It leaves me wondering if he’d rather pretend I’m someone else which hurts. A lot. And asking him about it when he might confirm the terrible thought makes me too nervous to do so.
However, Nico’s insistence that I train with weapons gives me a strange sort of comfort, knowing how much he cares for my safety and the children’s.
Growing tired of practicing with only Ugo’s company after a while, we return home.
Unfortunately, we're just in time for me to receive company – Cosima Barzetti.
She dragged Giacomo’s wife along, too. Considering my husband chopped off one of her husband's fingers, I expect her to despise me, but Vera barely says a word.
If only Cosima would follow her lead.
"It's close enough to teatime, isn't it? We've been eager to pay our respects to the Capo's wife."
With a quiet sigh, I call for Nunzia, who quickly whips up a tray with pastries and hot beverages. I am the Capo's wife, there are expectations for this role, and I know Nico doesn't need me causing problems with the wives of his men.
It's a miserable half hour, and she keeps saying things about Margareta’s beauty and style, muttering about her son’s disfigurement, and asking prying questions about my marriage.
"I noticed Nico's still using those Neanderthal bodyguards to make sure you stay in your cage. They were Margareta's, too," she mentions just when I have hope she'll leave soon.
"They do their job."
"Is it just the two of them?"
"Yes. Do you have bodyguards?"
"Yes, but mine aredifferent. I've had the same men for years, men my father trusts, and Antonio has accepted them as part of our arrangement."
Arrangement? "How are they different?"
Cosima only smiles, and Vera drops her teacup unexpectedly. "You are so clumsy, I swear," her mother-in-law grouses. "Let's leave the Capo's wife to tend his babies. She's new to motherhood."
"I have been taking care of them for many months now."
