"One does that in ten years." She says, but immediately lowers her gaze as she realizes her tone.
"Signorina!" Amelia's outraged voice chides.
"I know I've been gone a long while. But now I'm here. And I'll do my duty for this family."
"Really?" Venezia snaps at me, her eyes narrowing. "Like you did with my sister? Tell me, will you send me away too?"
"Signorina Venezia, your brother meant well." Amelia tries to interject, but Venezia does not stop.
"He meant well when he called her a Devil's child and gave her away to a convent?" Her voice is full of malice as she emphasizes Devil's child. I have to briefly close my eyes at her accusation. How does she even know? Venezia's tirade continues, and I know I have to do something about it.
"Enough!" My voice booms, and both women are quiet, their eyes wide as they stare at me.
"Last time I checked you are under my guardianship, Venezia. And now I am the head of this family, so you will do well to respect my authority. You're right. I sent your sister away. It would be quite easy to do the same to you." Venezia opens her mouth to say something, but I continue. "How much easier would everything be if I didn't have to worry about you..." I say musingly.
Venezia pales as she realizes that I might be serious, and she mumbles something.
"After all, I find your manners quite lacking. Maybe a finishing school would do just the trick."
"You can't do that!" She exclaims, coming closer. I can tell she's fuming at the notion.
"It's up to you, really." I try my best at seeming disinterested in her fate as I list her options. "But then again, if you behave... we can all get along, can't we?"
She looks at me defiantly for a second, before admitting defeat.
"Yes."
"Yes what, Venezia?"
"Yes, sir." She adds meekly before running up the stairs.
I turn to Amelia, but she's looking at me with disappointment in her eyes.
"I thought you were different. Sir." She says before she too leaves.
All alone in the great hall, I take a deep breath.
I thought I was different too...
Until I wasn't.
THE HOUSE IS STILL as I remember it... And that's the problem.
I bring a small luggage into one of the guest rooms on the ground floor, thinking this would do for now. I don't own a lot of things. It's been a habit since the day I ran away. I unpack the luggage and take out a few shirts and pants, and a small bag of toiletries to put in the adjoining bathroom.
The urge to flee almost overwhelms me, but I have to remind myself I'm doing this for my sisters. I have to ensure their safety, especially since a power void like Tino's death would make them bargaining chips in a potential takeover. With Venezia so young, and Assisi still a novitiate, the odds of them being in danger are just too high. Never mind the plan that Vlad suggested...
But there are things to be done. No matter how much I may dread my current position and what it entails, I also need it for its resources. To kick start the succession plans, I'd met with Tino's lawyers and accountants and they'd forwarded me the documents to look over. I'd also been given a list with all the people previously under Tino's command.
Being Capo doesn't only mean taking charge of the business side of the famiglia, it also means earning the respect of the people in the famiglia. A lawyer by profession, I'm no stranger to the legal aspects of running a business. Although I'd focused on criminal law most of my career, I have some experience with the corporate side, which should prove useful. It's the latter part that worries me. I must summon an official meeting within the famiglia and introduce myself as capo to make them accept me as the new authority. Tino had taken care of everything, though. He'd known his end was near and had made sure there were enough loopholes in the succession order that I would be the most viable option as capo. That doesn't mean there won't be opposition.
As I pore over the list of names involved with the famiglia, I can't help but spot my uncle, Nicolo, as Consigliere... He may not have been the monster my father was, but he was no angel either. And I'd have to watch out for him.
I'm lost in my thoughts when a knock snaps my attention. The door slowly opens, and a reluctant Amelia looks at me for approval. I nod, and she enters the room.
"Signor." She starts, her hands fidgeting in front of her. She probably already thinks I'm like my father. As much as I'd like to disabuse her of the notion, I can't. I'm not as naïve as to think that there aren't any ears in this house. I need to maintain a strong front, and if they think I'm a cruel self-serving bastard, then so be it. It's not as if it's too far from the truth, even though my motives are not that self-serving.
"Yes. Speak!"
"I..." She takes a deep breath before continuing. "Please excuse Signorina Venezia. She's young and willful, and she's never had a guiding hand before. She did not say it out of malice."
"I understand her having an opinion about my absence. That doesn't excuse her tone and lack of manners. Who's been in charge of her education?"
"That's just the thing Signor... no one."
I frown.
"What do you mean, no one?"
Again the fidgeting, as if she's trying to spill some secret but can't decide yet if she's going to do it or not.
"Signor Valentino was never the same after Signora Romina died... He closed himself off, and left Signorina Venezia on her own."
"That was eight years ago." I add. "You mean to tell me that no one took charge of her since then?"
"Yes. That is correct." Amelia looks away, clearly disapproving of Venezia's treatment. "I've tried to take her under my wing, teach her some things... but Signor Valentino did not like her getting overly friendly with the staff. There was only so much I could do."
"What exactly are you implying?"
"Signorina Venezia's a little mischievous, but it's only because she's always wanted some attention, and because no one taught her differently."
I purse my lips, considering this for a moment. I never expected that. Sure, I didn't think Tino would be a spectacular parental figure, but he'd always been warmer than any of our other relatives. That explains why she was so upset at my absence. In her mind, I'd just been one more person who abandoned her.
"Thank you for your information. I will see that she receives a proper education from now on."
Amelia looks as if she's about to add something, but then she just nods and exits the room.
I guess I must see about a governess too, since I don't feel comfortable with Venezia going to school on her own. At least not now, when the stakes are too high.
After finishing unpacking, I get out of the house. Getting into my car, I drive around, needing the distraction. It's a few miles away that my phone rings. Initially, I tell myself to ignore it, but a glance at the caller ID has me pulling over and answering it.
"Vlad." I reply, curious to see why he's calling.
"Marcello," he starts, his tone serious. "I thought I'd let you know of a rather sudden development." He pauses briefly, probably to make me even more curious.
"Well?" I ask.
"All the entry routes through NJ have been stopped."
"All?"
"Including mine." So that's why he's s so serious... He's pissed. This doesn't bode well. I hope no one is in his immediate proximity.
"I assume ours too, then." The Lastra family has had a long-standing partnership with the Russians from Brighton Beach, my father being a good friend of the former Pakhan's. And they both mainly deal in the same things—drugs.
"Yes." Vlad's answer is clipped.
"The Irish?"
"Unconfirmed. Maybe." That is unusual. Vlad is in the loop about everything. Either he truly does not know, or he doesn't want me to know.
"If not them, then who?" I inquire.
"Cartels. Jimenez's death created a power vacuum. There are too many factions fighting for power. It's hard to pinpoint which one did this." He takes a deep breath b
efore continuing. "But I will find out. And you will help."
"I will help?" I ask, almost amused. But I already know what he's going to say.
"This will be the perfect opportunity for you to prove yourself to the famiglia. Clear the way for the merchandise, win their favor. Simple."
"So simple." I repeat mockingly. Vlad chuckles.
"Come on, it will be like old times." He adds with a little too much enthusiasm. That much is true. I'd ran away while Vlad had succumbed.
"It was worth a try." He pauses and changes the subject. "How's the famiglia treating you so far?"
"I have yet to meet most of them. But there was no homecoming party."
"Did you expect one?"
"No." I add drily. Sobering, I ask something that's been nagging at me for a while "How safe is Sacre Coeur?"
"Safe enough. For now. Are you thinking of taking your sister home?"
"If that's what she wants... but I highly doubt it."
"Don't worry about that. She's not the only principessa hiding there."
I grunt and hang up. I have a visit scheduled with Assisi tomorrow to inform her of Tino's death. Although I doubt she'll want anything to do with me.
I sigh. I don't think I can ever make amends for everyone I've hurt.
SACRE COEUR IS UP NORTH, half an hour off Albany, in a remote area.
I pull off the road and I try to find a parking spot. Since it's a place that does not allow casual visitors, the premises do not have any parking. After I make sure I'm not likely to get towed away, I leave my car and head for the main gate.
There is only one word that can describe Sacre Coeur—massive. Built like a fortress, its gothic architecture gives it an unwelcoming feeling. It's also eerily similar to the Met Cloisters, but magnified in size. A two-meter concrete wall separates the convent from the outside world. Almost everywhere in sight there is a CCTV, and at every entry point there are guards. If you didn't know what this was, you'd think it was a prison. There's even barbed wire on top of the walls—a little too extra. But now I get what Vlad meant when he said it was safe. I wonder what made them invest in so much security. I can't imagine a bunch of nuns trying to jump fence to escape...
The guards demand to see an ID and they check me against a list of approved people. After they are satisfied, they make me remove my shoes and go through a metal detector. Yeah... extra. I'm thankful the inspection ends there, and that there isn't anyone to pat me down. That would not go well.
I am then told to wait for Mother Superior.
"Mr. Lastra." An older woman attired in the typical black and white garb addresses me. Her skin is pinched around the corners of her mouth, making her sport a perpetual scowl.
I incline my head. "Mother Superior."
"I understand you're here to see Sister Assisi?"
"Indeed." I reply, but she continues as if I didn't.
"Such a charitable girl, Sister Assisi. And she will take her vows with us next year. She's on a path of light. I hope your visit will not jeopardize that."
"I am merely here to convey some news. She will, of course, continue with her vow ceremony as planned."
"Good." Mother Superior replies, watching me surreptitiously.
We walk through a tunnel comprising a series of low pointed arches, before reaching an open clearing. There are green spaces, and nuns are walking around, deep in conversation. Right in the middle of the clearing, there is a square stone outline encasing rows of well-tended flowers. In the center of the square, there is a replica statue of Michelangelo's Pietà, but in bronze. I am admiring the view, almost in awe at the tranquility of the place, when Mother Superior motions me to take a seat on the square outline.
"I will get Sister Assisi for you. Please stay here."
A little girl running around grabs my attention. She's dressed in a gray uniform-dress and wearing a white headdress. But as she comes closer to me, I can see that her eyes are a stunning green. I'm almost startled by the intensity, and the similarity to another pair of green eyes. Caught in the memories, I barely have time to react when she plants herself in front of me and regards me curiously.
"Who are you?" She gazes at me as if I'm a novel species.
"I'm Marcello." I give her half a smile and she reciprocates.
"I'm Claudia." She proudly proclaims. Just then, a loud voice calling her name echoes through the courtyard.
"Oh no!" She whispers, waving goodbye at me and dashing towards the source of the noise.
Somehow I wonder if Assisi was like that too. Playing and running around the courtyard. Maybe giving her away wasn't that bad of a decision. It was better than the alternative.
From the corner of my eye, I see Mother Superior coming towards me with a younger girl right behind her. The mark above her right eyebrow identifies her as Assisi.
"Mr. Lastra, Sister Assisi. You have one hour." Mother Superior says in a stern voice before retreating.
Both me and Assisi are staring at each other. Her eyes move over me and she blinks rapidly.
"Marcello?" She finally asks, and when I try to respond, I find my throat dry and hoarse.
"Assisi." I finally reply.
"It's really you." Her voice is full of wonder, and I can see what she intends to do the moment she takes a step toward me, and then another. I quickly put my hand up and try to keep some distance between us.
Assisi's face falls at the rejection, but she gives me a sad smile. I feel compelled to let her know it's not her fault.
"It's not that I don't want to... I just can't." I don't expand, and she doesn't ask. There is some tacit understanding in the way she regards me that I can only motion to the stone I'd been sitting on just moments before.
Assisi takes a seat as well, leaving some space between the two of us.
"I didn't think I'd see you again." She says brightly.
"And I didn't think you'd remember me."
"Of course I do. You're my brother." Her face is so warm, so full of... forgiveness.
"I'm sorry." I just add.
"Why are you here?"
"Valentino is dead." Assisi gasps at the news, her hand going to her mouth.
"Dead?" She repeats, and I nod. "How?"
"Suicide." Her eyes widen in horror.
"Suicide?" She whispers as if it's the worst way one could die. I guess it is... for the Catholics.
"He was diagnosed with a degenerative disorder. He was already dying... but slowly."
Tears gather at the corner of her eyes, and she uses some of the material from her headdress to wipe them away.
"I didn't know... He came to visit a few times, but he never spoke of that."
"I don't think he wanted to burden you."
"Maybe. How is Venezia?"
"She's... going to be fine. Maybe I'll even bring her to visit sometime." The moment she hears my words, her face changes completely.
"Really? You would do that?" There's so much awe and optimism in her voice that I can only nod.
"That would mean the world. Thank you!" She leans forward to hug me, almost out of instinct, but pulls back the last minute. Instead, she gives me a smile.
Assisi may have that mark on her face, but she emanates such radiance that you don't notice any flaw on her face.
For the first time, I think I made at least one right decision in sending her to Sacre Coeur.
We talk a little more and I tell her about my career as a lawyer and how I've been away from the family. She tells me about her mother figure and best friend, and how she is really happy where she is. The more I talk to her, the more I realize that she has no idea what our family does for a living. Mother Superior knows, going by the way she received me. But Assisi has no clue. And that makes me entirely too happy.
Mother Superior interrupts us, telling us that our time is over, and we say goodbye.
"I'll come again." I promise, but I can see in her eyes she doesn't believe me, even if she nods in agreement.
"God Bless you!" S
he comes over to me, still keeping some distance, and does the sign of the cross with her hands over my body.
"Thank you, Assisi."
"Sister Assisi has other duties." Mother Superior interjects, leading her away.
With one last glance, I leave.
Chapter Four
"CLAUDIA!" I PUT MY hands together in an O, trying to yell as loudly as I can. I know the nuns frown upon that, but I don't care.
That little troublemaker, though? I have no idea where she's run off today. I just hope she won't come across Mother Superior. That always seems to end with both Claudia and I being reprimanded for our behavior, mainly me, because I didn't raise my daughter properly. I mentally scoff at the notion. They should try giving birth first and having a child and then criticize my mothering skills.
It's not as if I'm not used to this. I mean, who am I kidding? I knew from the get-go what I was signing up for, but I compromised for Claudia's sake. That doesn't give these self-righteous nuns the right to berate my child. There have been so many instances over the years when other nuns would make snide remarks about Claudia and me for her to hear.
There had been that time when she'd asked me what whore meant because that's what other nuns refer to me. How can you explain that to a child? I'd made something up, of course, but Claudia is unusually perceptive. She'd realized by herself that it was a negative word.
I go towards the cloisters graph, thinking I'd find her there. She likes open spaces a lot. We have only one room, and I feel terrible when she gets cooped up inside, so I indulge her whenever I can.
Of course, I was right that she'd be in the graph.
I come to a stop and watch as she's running around, to the chagrin of the other nuns. I'm enjoying too much their discomfort to stop her now, but then she suddenly runs towards a foreign man. I frown. Who's that?
I go a little closer and see him smile down at her, his mouth forming some words that I can't understand.
That's it!
"Claudia!" I yell again, and this time my voice has an effect on her as she scrambles back and dashes towards me.
Morally Blasphemous (Morally Questionable Book 2) Page 3
