Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Ma . . .” My hand moved to hers, and I grabbed it, felt her squeeze me. It was the deepest, most heartfelt thing she’d ever said to me, and I didn’t know how to accept such a beautiful love. “Everything I am . . . is because of you.”
Her eyes watered further, like receiving the credit meant the world to her. “I wish there was something I could do to absolve your guilt, take it for you, carry it for you. But only you can let it go. And I think you deserve to let it go, son.”
I gave a slight shake of my head. “A lot of people will suffer. The consequences of this will last for decades.”
“And nothing can be done?”
I gave another shake of my head. “If I didn’t have Aurelia, I would try. But I can’t risk her.”
She nodded in agreement before she pulled her hand away.
“It’s done. And I have to find a way to move on. Just not sure how.”
“Cosa Nostra?” she asked.
“I was there last week. I’ve considered it. Just seems like a step down, a much slower pace than what I’m used to. Not to mention, it’s a two-hour drive, so I’d have to be there days at a time and leave Aurelia here.”
“She can always stay with me or Antonio.”
“I mean I don’t want the kind of relationship where we’re apart like that.” I wanted to be home with her every night. I’d just asked her to move in with me, just told her I loved her, but I already felt like we were married. Or maybe that was just how committed my heart was. “She’d move to Palermo with me, but I know her heart is here.”
A small smile moved over her lips. “I’m glad this place is already home to her.”
“I know a big part of that is you. You’ve been so good to her, and I really appreciate it, Ma.”
“You love her, so I love her.” She shook her head. “No questions asked.”
No one had my back like my mother did. None of my men. Not even Rocco. She was the first one to show me the meaning of loyalty. It marked my skin like a tattoo, and I’d carried it with me ever since.
“Every man needs a purpose. Perhaps you should consider opening a restaurant here in Taormina. Could be an addition to Rosticceria Da Cristina, or perhaps you could do something else. Aurelia is smart and learns quickly, so I’m sure she could help you run it. I know you’d attract a lot of customers with her as a waitress.”
“No doubt,” I said with a smile.
“And if you’re thinking about the future, about having a wife and maybe a family, perhaps that’s the better fit than returning to Cosa Nostra.”
“I suppose.” I remembered when I’d left Taormina when I was a young man, excited for something new, to get out of the kitchen and do something more professional. But the older I got, the more I realized how special my family and our restaurant were, the kind of impact we had on people through our love of cooking. Now I was proud of it. “Just thought I’d do something more exciting.”
“What’s more exciting than a family of your own?”
“Ma, I told you kids may or may not happen for us. Please don’t put that pressure on us, especially Aurelia.”
“You misunderstand me, honey. When you marry her, you’ll become a family of two. Or I guess three, if you include Medusa,” she said with a smile. “Whether you have kids or not, she’ll take your last name and be a part of you forever. And that’s more exciting than anything you could do with Cosa Nostra.”
Chapter 7
Constantine
We had dinner together on the terrace, the sunset making the sky burn in an array of beautiful colors. Fresh sea bass with white rice and slow-roasted asparagus. That was the one thing Rome lacked, fresh seafood prepared in the Sicilian style. The capital was close to the sea, but it didn’t compare to island living, when the boats left the ports before dawn and brought back the catch to the village before restaurants even opened. I started to eat a lot of steak once I moved to Rome because the seafood was always disappointing in comparison. Now that I was back, it was what we ate every night.
Better for my health anyway.
Aurelia sat across from me in a dark-green T-shirt and cutoff denim shorts. As the sunlight left, the temperature started to drop, but she didn’t go inside and grab a sweater. Her hair was straight, her makeup done, and she looked as beautiful as always—except for the trepidation in her eyes.
It seemed to be there almost all the time now.
I had no fucking idea why.
“How was your day?”
“Good,” she said. “Antonio is a really nice guy.”