Page 22 of Texting My Mafia Boss

“We have no more information than when we walked into that bar. And the police, Mark, the goddamn police… you know, I’ve never changed anything in Vera’s bedroom.”

“The grief must be tough.”

“It’s not grief. It’s proof. I think one of these days, I’ll get an idea. Something will come to me, a sign of who killed her. Mydaughter’s mother was taken from her, and the police lied to my face.”

Mark sighs. I can feel him looking at me.

Without facing him, I grunt, “Speak your mind.”

“Itcouldhave been an accident,” he says.

He’s right. Maybe. But also, everything in this life comes down to mob ties.

“Keep digging,” I say. “Maybe he’s telling the truth. Or perhaps the person really behind this is trying to provoke us into going head-to-head with the Cartel. I won’t make any rash moves until I have more information.”

That’s the plan I’ve got to stick to now, and not just with the mob. With Mara too.

No rash moves.

CHAPTER 9

MARA

I’m staying in the guest room tonight. Livia has a migraine, so she reluctantly asked me to stay, clearly bothered by having to make the request. I try to think about what Ettore said. She’s not as cold as she seems? Well, she’s doing one hell of an acting job.

In bed, I look at the last text I sent to Ettore.

Mara: I read Sylvie her favorite story then knitted until she fell asleep.

Ettore reacted with a thumbs up, but there’s no reply. I noticed some distance at breakfast. It made me feel silly for getting up early and applying that extra makeup, straightening my hair. I don’t know what I was thinking. I just wanted to feel pretty. Not for him, exactly. Or notcompletelyfor him. I felt hot when he stared at me with that complete, hungry captivation.

Tonight, maybe because there’s some distance between the intensity on the porch and now, I’m able to push away some of those fantasies. Just a little. But he’s still there, a persistent presence in my mind.

My phone vibrates. I snatch it up immediately.

Ettore: Are you awake?

It’s him.

Mara: Yeah, why?

Ettore: I’m sorry I couldn’t be home for dinner tonight.

I almost tell him it’s not me he should be apologizing to. The fact he’s even apologizing is shocking.

Ettore: I’m going to tell Sylvie tomorrow. And I know what you’re thinking. Sorry isn’t enough. I should’ve been there. Believe me, I know. But sometimes, there are things I have to do, things which can’t wait.

Mara: Running a business can’t be easy.

Ettore: I would never put money before my daughter.

I’m not sure what to do with that. Isn’t that what he does every time he decides to stay late at work? I understand, as the boss, he must have a lot of responsibilities. People are relying on him for their salaries. But he could delegate. He could set clearer work-life boundaries.

Mara: Did you talk to Sylvie about the picture?

Ettore: What can I say about that?

Mara: Maybe that you want to spend more time with her, or even that you’re going to. If you say the second bit, though, make sure you don’t break the promise. There’s nothing more painful for a little kid.