Page 34 of The Fall Affair

The smile hadn’t left her face since we’d started, and the inside of my chest felt warm knowing I was the one responsible for putting it there. Allegra and I switched places on the scooter. The only time I’d ever let someone drive me on the back of anything was a few years ago when things went to shit with Izzy, and I’d gotten piss drunk at the pub and had to be driven home by one of my buddies. I was definitely looking forward to holding on to this driver more than I had Vincenzo.

Allegra hit the gas, and it turned out to be a damn good thing I’d actually put my arms around her because otherwise my ass would’ve been on the pavement.

“Sorry!” she yelled. “I guess I need to turn the throttle slower.”

“Just be careful.”

We drove about a kilometer before we came to an intersection. When we did, I pointed to the right.

“Turn here.”

Allegra steered the scooter through quieter side roads for the next ten minutes. She actually did better than I’d expected after seeing how she handled the Fiat. The road we were on led to a dirt driveway, and Allegra slowed as we approached.

“Keep going.” I pointed ahead. “We’re going to the house up on da hill.”

She navigated up the drive, dirt kicking up in a cloud behind us as we went. Once we got to the top of the driveway, I lowered my feet and skimmed them over the ground to make sure we stayed upright as she came to a stop. “Park it anywhere.” I reached around her for the key and killed the engine before taking off my helmet. “This is your great-aunt Anna’s house.”

Allegra hopped off the scooter and removed her helmet. “How did I do?”

“Not bad.”

She grinned. “You’re full of shit. I did really good!”

I hid my smile under my helmet as I pulled up the seat and removed the letter her grandmother had written. Then I took her helmet and hung it from the handlebars before slipping off my own.

The front door was open, so I knocked on the bottom metal part of the screen.

“Anna, sono Matteo Lucchese. Sono qui con la tua pronipote, Allegra.” It’s Matteo Lucchese. I’m here with your grandniece, Allegra.

“Entra,” a voice yelled from inside. Her tone grew more stern. “Ma se è la parente del traditrice, lasciala fuori.”

I frowned and looked at Allegra. “She wants me to come in but leave you outside.”

“Really?”

I shrugged. “That’s what she said.”

“All right. Well…” She extended the letter to me. “I guess just give her this and let her know where I got it.”

“Will do.”

The rickety screen door creaked open, and I found Anna sitting at the kitchen table. She had on a housecoat and a pair of glasses with lenses thicker than a Coke bottle.

“Come sta?” I asked. How are you?

She pursed her lips. “Ho novant’anni. Non esiste più il bene o il male. Sono solo qui.” I’m ninety. There is no more good or bad. I’m just here.

I smiled and held out the letter. “Ho qualcosa da parte di tua sorella.” I have something for you, from your sister.

Anna pursed her lips, turned her head, and spat on the kitchen floor. “Per me è morta.” She’s dead to me.

I didn’t think it wise to point out that Sophia was dead to everyone. Ninety-year-old, four-foot-nine Italian women who’d survived Mussolini and World War II were better at nailing you in the head with a shoe than a marksman.

“Che ne dici se te lo lascio sul tavolo?” How about I leave it on the table for you?

She pointed to her glasses. “Non ci vedo più un accidente. Leggimelo prima che lo bruci.” I can’t see shit anymore. Read it to me before I burn it.

I shook my head. How the hell did I get myself into this?