Back at the house, I examined the purple sun dress I had decided on in the mirror, then threaded a favorite pair of dangly earrings through the tiny holes in my earlobes. I headed downstairs to the kitchen with my stomach in knots. I wasn’t sure what events would come along with the company tonight. I leaned over the counter and lowered my head to suck in a deep steadying breath, trying to calm my nerves.
“Knock, knock.” Andrea stood in the doorway, looking very pretty in her slacks and pink blouse. “They’ve arrived. Will you join us out back?”
I nodded, but as she turned to leave, I called her back. “Andrea?”
“Mm?” When I couldn’t seem to find the right words, she smiled warmly and moved closer.
“You know how much you mean to me, right?” I blurted, just to have it out there.
“Sienna,” she gathered my hands in hers, “no matter who comes in and out of your life, you will always be the daughter I’d dreamed of having. Perhaps even one day, my daughter-in-law?” She winked, and I let go some of my tension. Regardless of what might be heading my way, I had the Capris to ride out the storm with me.
She tucked her arm through mine as we walked toward the French doors that led outside. “Surely, it can’t be all bad,” she whispered.
“And if it is?”
“I’ve been known to hide a body or two.” She chuckled darkly, and I smiled at her humor. Elenora spotted me and rose from the garden chair where she sat. Her men nodded politely at me as I approached but kept their distance.
That’s right, keep your wolves on their leashes.
Taking in my surroundings, I spotted a few more of her men by their cars and a couple more down the driveaway. Suddenly, I felt my heartrate speed up. Why so many of them? Where were Piero, Niccola, Vinni, and…
“Andrea?” I started to panic.
“He’s here,” she squeezed my hand, “you just have to let yourself feel him.”
I nodded once and squeezed back.
She stopped and gently removed my white-knuckled grip on her hand. Elenora was once again dressed to perfection in a white blouse and flowy skirt.
“Welcome to our home,” Andrea greeted her. “Please take a seat.”
“Thank you.” Elenora kept her eyes on me as she eased down into her seat, and I mirrored her actions.
“I will just go and get us something cool to drink,” Andrea offered and smiled. Then she gracefully walked back toward the Hill House.
“Sienna—”
“Do you know where my father is?” I didn’t want the pleasantries. I wanted—no, needed—answers.
“Yes,” she nodded, “I do.”
I wanted to ask where he was but held off on that, as I guessed the answer would come later.
“You told me you left because you were in danger and that you’re back now because of the article I did, but,” I blinked back the hurt, “did you ever even check on me?”
She cleared her throat as she mulled over my answer. “I knew where you were.”
“How?”
I watched as her gaze swung over to Francesco, who was now standing by a lounge chair. I couldn’t fathom that he’d known things about me that I didn’t and that he’d never once breathed a word to me in all the time I had been at the Capris’ home. I would address that later. Right now, my mother needed to understand that forgiveness wasn’t about to come easy. She needed to see how her actions had affected my life.
“After I finally ran away from the terrible family I had been placed with, I had to live on the street. I had to sleep in alleyways. I went days without eating. But you say you knew where I was.” I tilted my head to look at Francesco. “Apparently, you both did.”
“You blended in. It was a good thing.”
“I was alone. I had no one.”
She leaned forward, resting her arms on her thighs, and hung her head. “I just…” Her voice cracked, and I found myself full of emotion. “I just needed you safe.”