Mama’s face fell, and she stepped back like I had just stung her.
“Elio,” she shook her head, “really? You think your father and I didn’t vet her way back when you were kids or again when she arrived here?” She let out a long breath. “You have never disappointed me before, until now.” She turned on her heel and headed outside.
“You’re slipping.” Papa stood at the other side of the hallway with some papers in his hand. “You promised this family that your alter ego Zazzero was finished.”
“What are you talking about?” I grew instantly annoyed. I hated to openly talk about the time Tieri and I went dark.
“We let it slide at the time because you were grieving from a broken heart, and what you did benefitted the family, even though I didn’t always agree with your tactics.” He came closer. “But now, you have her back, and here you are pushing her away, questioning her. You actually have the gall to ask what her results were? Do you really think I’d still have her here if she lied?”
“You do have a reputation for trusting the ones you love.”
His expression flared then turned to stone. “And what’s wrong with that?” He nearly vibrated, and I knew I pushed him too far. “What’s wrong with loving that sweet young woman, who I know loves my son? Who put everything she’s built over the last ten years on hold to be with you? We raised you better than this, Elio, so whoever or whatever is causing you to behave this way, it needs to stop. The family has too many things to deal with right now for you to be this goddamn selfish.”
“It’s not just for me, Papa. I’m only trying to do my duty as an underboss.”
“This is not part of that. And she’s clean, Elio.” He sighed, shoving the paperwork at my chest. “But the damage is done, and only you can clean this mess up.”
“Sienna?” Elenora tried to get my attention, but I was lost in thought about Elio.
I stared at his text all night long, wondering if I should answer, but the truth was I didn’t want to fight. He was on a business trip, and I didn’t need to be distracting him.
“Sienna?” This time her hand squeezed mine, and I blinked back to the present. “You have been distracted since you arrived here. I may not have been there for most of your childhood, but I know when something is bothering you.”
“Sorry,” I forced a smile, “I just have a few things going on.”
She eyed me then nodded for Oscar and Ugo to leave us. We were sitting on her private patio. They were her ever-present shadows, and I was getting used to having them nearby. It surprised me a little that she sent them away.
She pushed her empty lunch plate aside and smiled warmly. “Let’s pretend for a moment that we’ve had a lifetime together of happiness and love. That we’re mother and daughter having a weekend together because we both need it. This would be the time, as we sit here on this patio enjoying a lunch, that I would say, ‘There seems to be something bothering you. Would you like to talk about it?’”
“I’ve pretended this moment for years, so you’d think I’d be better at it.” I chuckled darkly.
“Can you try, for me?”
“Under one condition.”
“Name it?”
“You don’t judge or flip out.”
“You have my word.” She folded her napkin and waited for me to start.
I wanted to blurt everything, but it was hard when I knew how she felt about the Capris. I felt so twisted and jagged inside maybe it would help to get it off my chest and get some motherly advice.
“Elio is,” I reached for my glass and took a few sips of water, “acting differently all of a sudden, and I’m not sure how to navigate it.”
Her lips twisted as she thought.
“How is he acting different?”
“Elio and I pretty much grew up together, we knew each other inside out, and when I first arrived here, after all those years apart, it was like we just picked up where we left off.” I skipped over the part where I had finally gotten over him after he left me all those years ago. “We were great, and now, out of the blue, he’s questioning me on my past like I’m hiding something.” I let out a long breath. “I’m not hiding anything, and I’ve gone over and above to prove it.”
“When did this start?”
“It’s been brewing for a few weeks.”
“So, since I’ve arrived?” She gave a little shrug, but when she saw my weary face, she lifted a hand. “I’m not going there,” she assured me. “However,” she made a hand gesture to someone behind me, and a few moments later Oscar handed her something, “I would like to defend myself on something, if you’re all right with it?” I nodded out of starved curiosity. “Remember when we were in the sunflower field, and I told you that maybe you should be looking at the people you call family a little closer?”
“Yes.”