by Cora Reilly
When Enzo took me home at night, I always checked the street for a sign of Frank, but the only person I saw regularly on the sidewalk was an elderly woman walking her Yorkshire Terrier. By now, I’d almost convinced myself that I’d imagined seeing him. Maybe my mind was unconsciously missing Antonio, and conjuring up Frank had been a way to cope with it. Dante wasn’t the presence I wanted him to be in my life. He took me every night, mostly in the dark, and always with my back to him, sometimes with me kneeling, sometimes lying flat on my stomach. Not that I was complaining. He always made sure I came at least once while he was in me, but I was starting to long for something else. This felt too much like mere fucking, almost like I was nothing more to him than a way to relieve tension; but whenever Dante’s hand slipped between my legs at night, I promised myself to talk to him next time, too desperate for his touch.
As usual my eyes wandered over the sidewalk when Enzo steered the car through the gates to the house. But tonight I saw him again. Frank was strolling along the sidewalk across the street, trying to look as if he was only catching some fresh air. He wasn’t succeeding. He looked suspicious to me, so I didn’t dare to think how he would appear to Dante’s guards. I would have to find a way to send him away. It was too risky for him to be here. I headed straight up to the guest bedroom that allowed me to view the street, but like last time, Frank seemed to have disappeared.
My phone rang and for a moment I was sure it was Frank, but he knew better than to call me. There was no saying who was tracking my calls, after all, and I’d changed my number a few months ago. The screen flashed with Bibiana’s name. I picked up. “Hey, Bibi.”
“Val,” Bibi said in a whisper. Her voice was shaking. She sounded terrified. “Can you come over?”
I tensed, turning my back to the window. “What’s wrong?”
“Tommaso, he…” She sniffed. “He was in a foul mood today.”
“What did he do? Is he still there?”
“No, he left because of a meeting with Raffaele, but he’ll be back soon. Can you come over? I’m scared of what he’ll do when he comes back.” My eyes darted to the clock that said it was almost nine.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes, Bibi.”
I rushed out of the guest bedroom and down the stairs. I wasn’t sure where Enzo was. It probably would have been easy to find him, but I wasn’t in the mood to explain myself. Instead I grabbed the keys from the hook in the garage and took the SUV. Before the doors had glided up all the way, I pressed the gas and shot out of the garage, the car roof missing the bottom of the door by inches. I slowed only as I waited for the gate to part for me. Dante would be furious.
As I turned around the corner at the end of the street, I spotted a familiar back and hit the brakes. Frank jumped, and threw a panicked look over his shoulder. He had his phone pressed against his ear but ended the call when he saw me. I checked our surroundings before I rolled down the window and gestured for him to come closer. “What are you doing here?”
He crept closer, eyes darting around nervously. I understood his anxiety only too well. He was risking too much by being here. “I need to talk to you in private.”
I frowned. “About what?”
“About Antonio, about the Outfit, about everything.”
I checked the rearview mirror again. “I can’t talk right now. Meet me tomorrow around five thirty.” I explained the way to the street where the storehouse was that hid the casino, but didn’t tell him what was inside.
“That’s where one of the underground casinos is, right?”
I stared. Antonio had told him? Damn it. Why couldn’t Frank have stayed away? “We’ll talk tomorrow.” I let the window slide back up and pulled away. Nobody seemed to have followed me, or at least I didn’t see anyone. I hoped I could sneak out of the casino tomorrow undetected. I needed to clear things up with Frank. But what if he really wanted to blackmail me somehow? I knew he’d leave me no choice but to tell Dante about it if he did.
Why did today have to turn into such a mess?
It took me less than ten minutes to arrive at Bibi’s house. As always a guard was sitting in a car in front of it. He gave me a curt nod when he saw me getting out of the car. I almost ran toward the door, but Bibi opened it before I even got the chance to ring the bell. I had to stifle a gasp when I saw her face. Her lower lip was busted open, and dried blood stuck to her lower chin and her shirt. A bruise was already forming on her left cheek, and the eye above it was starting to swell shut. She ushered me in, then quickly shut the door. Before I had time to say something, she threw herself into my arms. I embraced her, but she winced when I touched her ribs and I loosened my hold on her. I pulled back to look at her face. “Why did he beat you up?”
Bibi shrugged, then winced. I didn’t even want to know what her body looked like under her clothes. Finger marks bloomed bluish-red on her throat and her collarbone. “He’s been in a foul mood all day and when I told him I still wasn’t pregnant, he lost it.” Something tickled at the back of my mind, but I pushed it aside for now.
“Maybe it’s his fault. Maybe the old fool is infertile,” I muttered. I didn’t like the word “hate” or the sentiment behind it. Hate always led to more hate, but I definitely hated Tommaso. Dante wasn’t sure I was capable of taking another person’s life, but I was.
“He can’t be. He got a few of the whores in Club Palermo pregnant.”
My eyes widened. Bibi had never told me. “So he’s got children with other women?”
“No, he forced them to get an abortion. Nobody wants to fuck a pregnant whore, that’s what he said.”
“I’m so sorry, Bibi.”
“I feel so bad for calling you away from Dante on Valentine’s Day.”
I’d completely forgotten about that. Not that Dante had given any indication that today was special during our breakfast together.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You know I’m always there for you. What can I do?”
A small sob escaped her and she clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes huge and full of fear. She lowered her hand. “I don’t know. I just don’t know, but I was so scared and didn’t know who else to call. You are the only one who seems to care.”
“I do care, Bibi. You know that.”
“I’m scared of when he returns. He told me it wasn’t over. And he’s always more brutal after he’s spent time with Raffaele. They are both disgusting sadists. Oh, Val, the things Tommaso sometimes does to me, the things he forces me to do, I can’t even tell you.”
I grabbed her hand. “Come. Spend the night at my place.”
“I can’t run away from him. You know they’d never let me. They’ll always force me to return to him no matter what he does.”
I knew. How could I have felt self-pity for my loveless marriage when Bibi had it so much worse? “I know, and I didn’t mean that you should move out. But you could spend the night with us so Tommaso has some time to cool off, and tomorrow after breakfast I’ll take you back home.”
Bibi nodded slowly. “Are you sure Dante won’t mind? I don’t want to impose on your time together.”
I almost laughed. “He won’t mind, don’t worry,” I said. “Do you want to leave now?”
She shivered, her thin arms coming up to wrap around her middle. There were bruises on her wrists too. If my fury alone could have killed Tommaso, he’d be dead now.
I helped Bibi pack a few things before I led her out of the house. The guard looked up, then started, obviously unsure of what to do. Tommaso had probably told him Bibi wasn’t allowed to leave the house, but I was the wife of the Capo, who was his main boss. Bibi tensed in my arm but didn’t stop walking. Not even when the guard picked up his phone and called someone, undoubtedly Tommaso. I felt the childish urge to give him the finger, but I’d passed the age where I would have considered acting on it. Bibi plopped down into the passenger seat and I slipped behind the steering wheel. “You are without a guard?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t want t
o waste time looking for Enzo or Taft.”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me,” she said miserably.
I started the car and pulled away from the curb. Bibi’s guard didn’t try to follow us. He knew where we were going anyway. “I won’t.”
“Does Dante ever beat you or force himself on you?”
“No. He’s not violent. Well, at least not in our marriage. Of course I know that he’s perfectly capable of atrocious acts. He told me he doesn’t believe fear or hatred belong in a marriage. That’s probably why.”
“He’s a good man.”
“I wouldn’t say that. If you want a good man, you have to go looking outside of the Outfit.”
“Remember when we were young and dreamed about finding our Prince Charming and marrying him? I was obsessed with Disney princes. They were all so gallant and good.”
I smiled at the memory. “We were young and stupid. I’d give everything to be that clueless again, if only for a few hours.”
“Yeah.”
It was almost ten when we finally stepped into my home. “Do you want to grab something to eat, or would you like to try to get some sleep?”
“I’m not really hungry,” Bibi said hesitantly. “But I don’t think I can fall asleep right now.”
“We could sit in the library and talk a bit. Or I could run you a bath so you can relax.”
“I think I’d rather talk. I don’t want to be alone.”
“Okay, I…” I trailed off when I saw Dante heading our way. Bibi stiffened beside me, her terrified gaze darting to me. I wasn’t sure why, but I positioned myself between Dante and Bibi. He noticed, of course, and gave me a searching look. “Good evening, Bibiana,” he said politely.
“Evening,” she said quietly. Dante’s cool blue eyes scanned her bruised face and arms briefly before they fixed on me. “Tommaso called me to ask if his wife was here. He said you’d picked her up at their house without his permission.”
“His permission?” I hissed. “She’s not a dog. I don’t need to ask him permission for anything.”
“That’s what I told him,” Dante said calmly, startling me.
“You did?”
Bibi watched us with wide eyes.
“Of course, you are my wife. If you want to have a word with one of the wives of my soldiers, you have every right to do so.”
We both knew that wasn’t the reason why Bibi was here. Dante wasn’t blind. I hoped he could see how grateful I was for his support. “So he’s okay with her staying the night?”
“I didn’t know that’s what you’d planned, as you didn’t inform me,” he said simply. I could hear the hint of a reprimand in his tone. He knew I’d left without a guard—again.
“I didn’t have the time,” I said. “But I think Bibi should stay here, so Tommaso can calm down.”
“If he comes here and asks for her, it would be against our traditions to deny him. She is his wife.”
Bibi nodded. “He’s right. I shouldn’t have come.” The defeat in her eyes and voice almost brought me to my knees. I shot Dante a pleading look.
Dante pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed it against his ear. After two rings, I could hear a deep voice on the other end but I couldn’t hear the words.
“Yes, Tommaso. I want you to accompany Raffaele when he checks out the new goods. I trust your judgment, and Club Palermo could use fresh blood. I want your report tomorrow.” Dante listened to something Tommaso said. “My wife and Bibiana have plans. Don’t worry. She’s safe here. I’ll have my driver take her home tomorrow.” Dante lowered the phone and put it back in his pocket.
“Thank you,” Bibi said in a shaky voice. I stayed silent, overwhelmed by Dante’s kindness.
“You realize I sent your husband out to sleep with our new prostitutes, but I suppose you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t. I’m waiting for the day when he finally finds a mistress he prefers to me.” Bibi clapped her hand over her mouth, obviously shocked by her own words.
Dante inclined his head. “I understand, but you should be more careful what you say in public.” Bibi gave a submissive nod. Then his eyes found mine. I tried to send him all the gratitude I was capable of with that one gaze. I was quite sure he could see it. “I’ll return to my work. I’m sure you and Bibiana have a lot to talk about.”
He turned around and strode back to his office, disappearing from our view. I linked arms with Bibi, who was gaping at me. “I can’t believe he did that for you. He must really care about you.”
“He tried to help you. He saw your bruises.”
Bibi laughed. “He did it for you. It was written all over his face.” She paused, then quickly added, “Not that I mind. I’m just glad that he got rid of Tommaso for now.”
“Come on, let’s go into the living room. I’ll put in a movie and we’ll have a glass of wine. You deserve it. Do you need some Tylenol with it?”
Bibi grimaced. “Yes, please. I feel sore. I think Tommaso bruised my ribs.”
That was the last mention of what had happened with Tommaso today. We spent the rest of the night remembering our childhood and teenage years, laughing, and getting drunk.
* * *
I regretted last night’s wine the next morning when a splitting headache woke me from sleep. I sat up, groaning. Pressing a palm against my forehead, I took a few deep breaths, hoping it would help with the nausea. Something red caught my eye. A small parcel lay on Dante’s side of the bed. I snatched the card propped up against the parcel.
I would have given this to you last night but I didn’t want to wake you, was written in neat script on the card. Delighted, I grabbed the present and unwrapped it. Inside the small velvet box rested a delicate white gold necklace with an emerald pendant. I stumbled out of bed and hurried toward my vanity, holding it up against my eyes. The emerald had almost exactly the same color. That couldn’t have been a coincidence. I sank down on the chair and fastened the necklace around my neck with shaking hands.
* * *
I probably wouldn’t have gone to work at all that day—Leo could take care of everything without me—if I hadn’t told Frank to meet me there.
After we’d dropped Bibiana off at her house and I’d made her promise to call me the moment Tommaso was home, Enzo drove us to the casino and we went inside as we always did. Luckily for me Raffaele was screaming at one of the girls, which wasn’t a one-time thing either, but today it was the distraction I needed. I turned to Enzo. “Could you please have a private word with Raffaele and make it clear that I don’t appreciate him manhandling our girls?” Enzo looked only too eager to comply.
He headed straight for Raffaele and shoved him into one of the private rooms. Leo was making a beeline for me, but I shook my head and told him that I was busy. He seemed confused but didn’t try to stop me when I stepped into the elevator. Guilt almost stopped me in my tracks a couple of times. My secret meeting with Frank could be construed as a betrayal of Dante’s trust. After this morning’s considerate gift, the idea of going against him like that made me feel even worse. He seemed willing to try, and I was risking it all because of Frank.
Three minutes later, I hastened away from the storehouse. I glanced around my surroundings nervously; not only because I worried about being followed, but also because this was a deserted and creepy area. It was already getting dark, which didn’t help my anxiety at all. At least I was wearing ballet flats so I could run if someone attacked me. In the distance, leaning against the wall of another empty warehouse, I could make out a tall figure. I hurried toward him, then slowed because it was hard to make out much. “Frank?” I whispered. “Is that you?”
He took a step away from the wall, looking as nervous as I felt. “Hey, Valentina.”
I bridged the remaining distance between us. “What’s going on? Why do you keep showing up in front of my home? Do you want the Outfit to find out about you?”
Frank rubbed his hair, his eyes darting around. “Of co
urse not.” His obvious nervousness was making me anxious in turn. “I need to talk to you.”
“Then talk. I don’t have much time. Don’t you realize what kind of risk we’re taking by talking right now?”
“I think it’s dangerous that you agreed to marry Dante Cavallaro.”
I was taken aback. That wasn’t what I’d expected when he’d told me he wanted to talk. “Why do you care? Your connection to the Outfit died with Antonio.” I realized a moment too late how insensitive that sounded, but Frank didn’t seem to notice. He was busy checking our surroundings, especially the darkness spreading out behind us.
“Can you stop that?” I asked impatiently. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Sorry. I’m not used to sneaking around in dark alleys. That’s Antonio’s thing.”
Was he still not over him? His words made me believe it. Maybe that was why he was here. Maybe he couldn’t let go of his former life and I was the only connection he had to it. “It wasn’t my decision to marry Dante. You should know that marriages in our world are often decided by other people for reasons of power or strategy.”
“You don’t love him.”
“I’m not going to discuss my feelings with you, Frank. What do you want?”
“Did you tell Cavallaro about Antonio and me?”
“I told him that Antonio was gay.”
“Why did you do that?” Frank asked angrily, taking a few steps in my direction, startling me with his outburst, but not enough to back away. I was used to other kinds of men. Frank really wasn’t scary enough.
“That’s none of your business.”
“But you promised Antonio to keep his secret!”
“I know, but he’s dead, Frank, and I’m trying to move on. If Antonio were still alive, I’d take his secret to my grave, but the truth can’t hurt him anymore. And Dante won’t tell anyone in the Outfit anyway.”
“He won’t?” Frank asked hopefully. “What about me? You didn’t tell him my name?” The anxiety returned to his face with full force.
