"What do you have to do with Columbia?" Marialena asks curiously.
"The better question is, what doyouhave to do with any of this?" Cristiano says.
“Cristiano.” She flinches at the tone of my voice. I wait until he looks at me. “Stay out of this. I already had to beat the shit out of somebody tonight. I'm tired. Don't make me fuck you up.”
I won't hide shit from my wife. Not business stuff anyway. “Here, in the Gulf of Mexico, we have easy access to their trade. It's in my family’s best interest to make friends with the Colombians. We all know that some of them tried to interfere with your family. The men who threatened the Rossis were dealt with, but those from Columbia interested in American trade were a much greater number. It was my family that gave the Rossi family intel on the Colombian crew. If your family hadn't prevented them from getting a foothold in Boston, they would've been solidified a long time ago."
I don't know every detail about what happened with Jose's group and the Rossis, but I know they were trying to prevent the marriage between a Montavio and a Rossi, as well as trying to get established in New England.
I don't give a shit about any of that. But clearly, she does.
Cristiano stares at me, likely surprised I told her this much.
She’s intelligent and experienced. I’d be a fool not to.
I suspect she'll have a lot more questions for me as the days go by. I have plenty for her, too.
"How much were you allowed to know about the business your brothers did?”
"Not much," she says. "Most I ever learned was when I was stationed in Tuscany, because it's difficult to be ignorant of anything in such close quarters. My brothers didn't much care what I knew, they cared about keeping me safe.” Or so they said.
Her voice catches at the end. "So even though they would tell me things when I asked, I was always kept at a distance intentionally."
"Then it'll come as no surprise to you it will be similar here. You can ask questions, I won’t hide anything from you, but most business dealings will be private.”
She nods.
We’re silent for the rest of the ride home. A few times I catch Cristiano looking at her, but she doesn’t wilt under his stare, and he finally looks away.
At first, she yawns as we pull up to the house, but her eyes widen when she sees the estate lit up with a spotlight.
I don’t know why I care if she likes it here. But there is something wistful in her eyes that makes me hope she does.
“Bed,” I order. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow, and I’m tired. So Cristiano, I want you in my office at seven a.m. Don’t be late.” I frown at the front door. “And if my mother’s anywhere near here, get rid of her. I want sleep, not a confrontation.”
Marialena looks at me. I wonder if she knows I’m not the one I’m trying to keep away from my mother.
“Get some sleep tonight,” I tell her. “Tour tomorrow.”
She likely only obeys me because she’s tired, but I’m thankful we don’t have another battle.
I lead her inside, show her to the room she’ll stay in tonight. I wonder if I imagine she looks disappointed. I’d expect nothing but relief.
I turn away and, leaving her with a female member of staff to tend to her needs, head to my last business meeting of the night.
* * *
CHAPTEREIGHT
Marialena
I dream that Salvatore comes and claims me in The Castle dining room. Orlando smashes the wine wall, and smacks Salvatore across the back of the head with a nice bottle of pinot grigio. Mama lights a cigarette, which should tell me this is a dream because Mama never smokes in the house, but it seems appropriately nonchalant.
"Why the pinot, son? You know that's my favorite. Next time you need a makeshift weapon, go for the chardonnay."
I wake up and blink, coming to before I remember where I am. I half smile to myself at the memory. I miss my mama. I miss my brothers. None of them are perfect, and my family is seriously fucked up, but they’remyfamily.
He said something about them being allowed to come today. I’m not sure who will be allowed or who can make it, but I’ll hold onto that.