Still, she wasn’t the woman I knew. It was almost as if the frail, broken woman I met that day on the plane in Reginald’s arms had returned. I missed the strong, vivacious woman.
“Give her time, Gio. She has been through too much.”
“I don’t know how to help her.”
“You help her by giving her time.”
Looking at my mother, I nodded.
“She’s a Capribella.”
“Yes.”
“I saw the resemblance. She is the spitting image of her grandmother, Giovanna. I met her once. Did I ever tell you that? It was before I married your father. My family was still in Sicily, and we were invited to a wedding. Giovanna was a flower girl. She was so pretty and kind. We played and danced that day. It was a good day.”
“Before all the blood flowed.”
“Yes. Shortly after the wedding, my papa said we had to leave. So, we did. Back then, I didn’t question when papa said anything. I miss the old country. One day I would like to go back there.”
“It’s not safe, momma.”
“I know that, but I’m an old woman now.”
“You’re not old.”
My mother smiled up at me, then patted my chest. “Give her time, Giovanni. She needs you more than she realizes.”
I stayed rooted in that same very spot for what felt like hours, just watching her. She looked so lost. So, broken.
I wanted to make everything better for her, but I didn’t know how to do it. I should have told her immediately when her brother was hurt. She should have been there, supporting him. But what did I do? I kept it from her thinking it was best.
I was just like Reaper. Concerned for nothing, only taking what I wanted, needed.
The more I thought about my actions, the more I despised myself. From the start, all I cared about was what I wanted. Even after giving her my protection, I did nothing to ensure that.
My word was everything, and I failed her.
My protection wasn’t just about her safety.
It went deeper than that.
She may have been physically safe, but I gave no care about her mental state. I knew she was fragile. That she had horrible things done to her. That she was fighting those demons every second, and what did I do. I threw her into the lion’s den.
I was no better than any man who hurt her.
She was mine to protect, and I failed her.
“Gio, it’s dinner time.”
“I’m not hungry Sal.”
“You have to eat.”
“I will when she does.”
“You will be no use to her if you are weak. Come eat.”
“Any word from Luciano?”