Page 129 of Dominance

The conversation stalls a bit as we hop in a cab, heading toward the Duomo Cathedral. Just as promised, Adriano shows me the highlights, the abbreviated tour of the city.

And it’s charming, seeing it through his eyes.

Getting inside his head, and inside the family, the culture of his people.

My people.

The day wanes too soon, and finds us leaning over the river, dropping flower petals from a walking bridge. Adriano’s been quiet for the past several minutes, lost in thought.

“Centesimofor your thoughts?” I quip.

“Just trying to put the pieces together. Dom wouldn’t have worked with the FBI without some sort of reason, and I have it on good authority that they had some sort of leverage on him.”

“What if it was related to my mom, to me?”

“Or to the other kid and their mother. But nothing came of it as far as I know. Unless…”

“Unless he never stopped working for them,” I offer, my eyes widening.

Adriano turns toward me, his eyes darting from side to side. “That would explain how he got the funding. Seemed to know exactly what we were doing and when.”

“The one thing that I don’t get is why the agent would contact me in Paris if Dom was already with them.”

“Because once they put him in power, to cut to the heart of our operation, he burned them.”

The rest of the evening speeds by as we gain momentum.

Most of it is speculation, but it tracks. And it helps us decide what to do next.

“So. Should I call him?”

“Do it.” I nod nervously.

The phone rings a few times before I hear my father’s voice. “Hello? Adriano. Finally! I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for days! Gloria’s?—”

“Here with me. She wanted to surprise me.”

“Wha—Ah. I see,” he schools his tone, clearing his throat. “Enjoying your little pre-honeymoon, then?”

“Immensely. I apologize for going dark. Things got complicated in Orvieto.”

“I wondered if he gave you trouble. I trust you have somemoregood news for me?” he snaps, the insinuation clear that my leaving is far from over.

“Very good news. We’ll be home soon.” Adriano looks up at me.

“And we have a wonderful surprise for you, Dad.”

25

ADRIANO

Here’s the story:

Gloria surprised me.

She came with me to meet my grandmother.

Blessings. Feelings. Etc.

---