"So am I." She smiles, and this time, her eyes light up with genuine pleasure. "And not only because it means I’ll be allowed out of the house, but because I do actually like you."
I laugh, "I like you too." I rub her slightly chilled hand between mine, "When was the last time you ate? Why don’t I get you something? I—"
There’s a knock and Cassandra shoulders open the door. In her hands, she carries a tray piled with plates of food. "I thought the two of you could do with some refreshments.
"You’re a mind reader," I exclaim, "and the food is most welcome."
She walks in, places the tray on the table, then removes the covers. Delicious smells fill the room and my stomach growls. She steps back, "Enjoy." She smiles and turns to leave.
"Cassandra," I call out, "why don’t you join us?"
She turns and glances between us, "Oh, no, I couldn’t."
"Oh, please," I wave a hand in the air, "there’s no one else in the house—"
"Except Christian," Aurora corrects me.
"Christian?"
Aurora nods, "He picked me up and dropped me off at the door. He’ll wait for me to finish and accompany me back."
"Wow, so they really are making sure that you don’t escape."
"I have no intention of even trying," she mutters. "If I did, the Capo would not spare my family."
I bite the insides of my cheeks. She’s talking about Michael, my Capo. The father of my child… The man who has pleasured my body and brought me to orgasm countless times. The man who is so concerned about the wellbeing of my child that he refuses to have sex with me. The man who puts my needs before his. The same man who, I know, is also capable of killing if the need arises.
Yeah, Michael wouldn’t spare her family. He won’t take betrayal of any kind lying down. That, I know, first-hand. I blow out a breath. "Well, I am glad he allowed you to come see me."
Aurora glances at the food and her stomach rumbles loudly.
I chuckle.
She laughs, "Oops, sorry. Not that they are not feeding me. Actually, I’ve been quite comfortable where I am, except for the fact that I can’t leave the place or see anyone."
"I know how that feels," I murmur as I reach for a plate and offer it to her. "Please, help yourself." I turn to Cassandra, who’s still standing, "You are joining us, aren’t you?"
"Um," she shuffles her feet, "I—"
"Please," Aurora glances up at her, "it will be so nice to listen to the voices of others instead of those in my head."
Cassandra laughs at that. "Fine, but just until lunch is over."
"And then, I still have to examine you." Aurora looks me up and down, "Not that you don’t look good. In fact, you are positively glowing, but I need to make sure that you are completely okay."
"There’ll be time after we eat."
Just then, Andy slips through the half open door and patters over to me, purring loudly. He brushes his body against my leg and I laugh, "You just ate, and this food isn’t good for cats, I promise."
He tosses his head, and walks away toward his bed.
"The life of a cat," Aurora muses. "If only we could all be as single-minded about our needs."
"Speaking of," I turn to the food, "I know what I am going to be single-minded about for the next little while." I reach for a plate and pile mine high with helpings ofArancini(creamy risotto rice),Caponata(fried eggplant filled with celery, onion and tomatoes, and flavored with capers, pine nuts and raisins), andBusiate al pesto Trapanese(a fusilli-like pasta with pesto).I reach for another pasta dish and pause, "What’s this?"
"Pasta a laNorma,"Cassandra explains. "It’s one of Sicily’s most famous pasta dishes. It’s made with local tomatoes, eggplants, garlic, basil andricotta salata, or saltedricotta cheese. It’s calledNormaafter the nineteenth century opera of the same name. Both the dish and the music are regarded as true masterpieces."
"You really like to cook, don’t you?" I observe.