Page 42 of Roman

“Found it?”

“Yeah.” I showed it to him.

“Pretty.”

“Sentimental.” I slipped the small box into my pocket.

“Sometimes sentiment is more valuable than money. Vi loves my mother’s ring more than the big diamond I gave her. I thought she’d want that, but she prefers the little pearl ring. She says it means more.”

“She wears the big diamond.”

“Of course she does. I gave it to her. But check out her hands when we’re at home. The pearl ring is on her finger all the time. The diamond is in the safe.”

As we were walking past the bedroom, Aldo stopped. “Should you take Effie some of her own clothes while we’re here? She might feel more comfortable.”

That was a good idea, and I was pissed I hadn’t thought of it.

In her room, I found a small bag and stuffed some things from her dresser into it. I opened her closet, adding some shirts and a couple of dresses. I hesitated, then opened the top drawer, staring down at the lacy items it contained. It appeared Effie had a thing for pretty lingerie.

I fingered the silky material of one of the camisoles, then with a low curse, shoved the entire contents into another bag I found. As I was closing the zipper, I saw the frame on her nightstand, and I picked it up. It held two photographs, one of her as a baby with a woman I assumed was her mother, and another taken a few years ago. She resembled her mother, her eyes similar but the color more vivid. She had the same dark hair and smile.

Aldo came up behind me, and I showed it to him. “I wondered if she might like to have that with her.”

He nodded. “I think she would.”

I added it to the bag.

Nonna was thrilled to see us. She hugged Aldo as hard as she hugged me, cupping his face and nodding in satisfaction. “You look happy.”

He grinned. “I am, Nonna V.”

“Good.” She side-eyed me. “Maybe you can talk some sense into this one.”

He laughed. “He has never listened to me before.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stubborn. Just like his mother.”

I ignored them, walking ahead. I sat down at the table, waiting for them to join me. Nonna went to the kitchen to ask for refreshments, and I glared at Aldo.

“Thanks for having my back.”

“I do. But I agree with Nonna V. You need someone.”

“For fuck’s sake. Not you too. Nonna, you, Luca. Love and babies. Blah, blah, blah. None of that is for me. Aside from my family, I have no feelings except for hate.”

“Uh-huh.”

“It’s true. I have no interest in it either.”

“Uh-huh.”

I shot him a look as Nonna sat down. She opened her hand. “Another little cookie in the bag.”

I leaned forward and took it, sliding it into my pocket.

Aldo began to grin. I didn’t like the look of it and decided we were going to make this a short visit. Very short. But before I could open my mouth, he leaned close to Nonna, his eyes dancing with mischief and spoke.

“Nonna V, did Roman tell you he is seeing someone?”