Oscar opened my door while Ugo retrieved my luggage from the trunk.
“Welcome back, Ms. Violetta.” The doorman tipped his hat at me. “I’ll have some hot tea sent up to your room.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t break my stride as I headed to the elevator and pushed the button for second floor.
“I’m good from here.” I took my bag from Ugo and nodded for Oscar to stand post at my door. Once inside the dark room, I took a deep breath and let the stress fall away, just needing a moment to myself. That was until I felt a strange prickle up my spine, alerting me I wasn’t alone.
“You could call for your men,” the calm voice said. I scanned the room and found a pair of expensive shoes in the moonlight. “But by now they have been drawn away from your door and out into the stairwell.” The wooden rocking chair squeaked as she started to rock. I didn’t have to turn the light on to know who it was. We had met once before, and the fear in me ran deep.
“Given your silence, you have connected the dots.” That voice.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Good, then I will make this very easy for you.” The clicking of the rosary beads made my stomach churn. “Just like years ago when you tried to burrow yourself into Francesco’s life, I give you the same warning. But this time,” she paused and stood, just as agile as I remembered, “this will be your last. Take your daughter and leave here. Because if you don’t, I will expose the truth, and something tells me no amount of forgiveness will be given after that is shared.”
The door opened, and Abramo, her right-hand man, stood tall in the doorway. She brushed by me, leaving me alone in the dark, with nothing but a chair still slowly rocking in the moonlight.
I grabbed a pillow and covered my face while I let out a long, frustrated scream. My life had always been controlled by puppet strings. Everyone always telling me what to do and who to be with. The fight for power over my own life hadn’t been easy, and skeletons from my past showing up in my room made me shrink down two sizes.
I grabbed my bag and pulled out the file I used to remind myself of what I was doing and why. Pulling the article out, I read the headline.
Remains of two bodies found in field. Authorities conclude they are the bodies of a mother and daughter who went missing…
A knock at the door. I shoved the paperwork under the pillow.
“Come in.” My voice betrayed me.
“Everything okay in here?” Oscar looked around.
“Yes,” I lied, needing a moment to gather myself before I shared what had happened. I could tell he didn’t believe me, but he knew better than to push.
“I’ll be right outside.”
“Thank you.” I waited for him to leave then curled into a ball on the bed and remembered the last time I’d seen Greta Capri.
“I’m sorry, I can’t stay for dinner, Elenora. I have to go deal with a situation.” Francesco spoke quickly as he kissed my cheek in the lobby of the restaurant.
“Seriously?”
“I’m sorry, but you know when the Don calls, I answer.”
“And when the girlfriend calls?”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you later on tonight.” He winked.
“Fine,” I huffed in disappointment but understood. He took his job seriously, and I was trying to respect that. “I’ll see you later.” I waved and headed inside where I spotted my brother, Angelo. He had a beautiful woman next to him. They both rose to greet me.
“Noemi, this is my sister, Elenora, and her boyfriend…”
“Just cancelled, but he sends his apologies.” I hooked my purse on the seat next to me.
“That’s no problem.” Noemi smiled as she took her seat. I noticed she reached for Angelo’s hand and gave it an excited squeeze. “I’ve heard so much about you, Elenora. I feel like we’re going to be good friends.”
“I think so.” My brother beamed, and I couldn’t help matching their excitement.
“Tell her.” Noemi wiggled in her chair, and I looked at my brother, puzzled.
“I know Papa and Mama haven’t met Noemi yet, but things have been happening so quickly, and, well,” he grinned at her, “we’re moving in together.”