Page 27 of Veil of Vengeance

Before going downstairs for breakfast, I open the system that’s hooked to the cameras in the cells. Valentina is pacing the cell like a trapped wild animal, and I suppose she is, in some sense.

With a sigh, I close the tab and head out of my office and toward the dining room, but the noise from outside indicates that my family is outside eating breakfast since the mornings in New Hampshire have a nice cool breeze. Before I reach the glass doors, I can hear the voices of Romiro and Lucio behind me.

“Sup, Eli. I called Costa like you wanted. He’ll be here around eleven for the thing you asked,” Romiro informs me once he sees me. Lucio looks confused at what I might want from Costa that he can’t know. I nod at Romiro and open the glass sliding door and step outside, both of them trailing behind me.

I spot Ma and Aunt Clarissa both sitting at the garden table, talking. They enjoy sitting outside in the mornings and evenings year-round. I guess they enjoy the scenery. Our garden is still lush, even though it is the middle of October.

My Mom spots me as I head in their direction, and her face breaks out into a wide smile, her blonde hair in a braid on her shoulder.

“Mio figlio, where have you been? I miss you.” I bend down and kiss my Mom’s forehead.

“I had some business to deal with, Ma.”

“You always have business to deal with. Spend some time with your poor Mom.” She’s trying to guilt trip me because I’ve been gone for two weeks since their vacation started, but I ignore the little remark and sit across from her next to my aunt.

“Hello, Aunt Clarissa,” I greet her and lift her left hand to place a kiss on her knuckles.

“Always a charmer, Emiliano,” she says as she places her right hand on her cheek.

“Boys, why don’t you join us?” my aunt asks both Lucio and Romiro. They both look at each other, then look at my aunt and Mom, then shrug and sit in the two chairs between my Mom and me.

“How’s Dante been?” I direct the question at my aunt, since I know my Mom will try to sugarcoat the situation.

“He’s been improving, but the issue is, he keeps trying to move his arm and do heavy lifting around the house. The doctor said he’s not allowed to do that. He risks opening his stitches and causing more internal bleeding.”

I shake my head. Dante Folonari has always been a stubborn man.

Mara and Matteo both stand near the glass doors, staring at us for a second before deciding to join us. Mara stops near Ma, but Matteo goes and sits near Lucio.

“So, why is that girl in our house?” Mara knows who Valentina is, but she’s acting coy. She’s trying to inform our ma and aunt indirectly.

My Mom looks at me with a raised eyebrow and asks, “What girl?”

“No one important,” I say at the same time Mara also says, “Valentina Moretti.”

Ma’s eyes widen at the mention of the eldest daughter of the Moretti’s. I shake my head and send a glare at Mara.

“Why is she in the house, Eli, and what will you do with the girl?” Ma’s question comes quickly with a hint of warning.

“She’s staying in one of the cells in the house instead of the Tartarus. She’s what we’ll use for an exchange with the Outfit for her cousin,” I answer.

“We don’t use women as bait, Emiliano. Women and children are innocent in the wars between the Camorra and the Outfit. Honorable Made men don’t use women to punish the men in their families,” my aunt says, and I can see my Mom agrees with her as she nods.

“I don’t care what honorable Made men do. I am the Capo of the Camorra, nothing less and nothing more. And I will do all that I can to protect my territory, my people, and avenge those who died in the name of the Camorra. If I need to use a woman to extract my revenge on the Outfit, then so be it.” My voice holds no room for argument.

“Romiro, we’re leaving,” I tell him as I get up out of my seat. ??

I head inside and make my way into the kitchen, where the staff are making food.

“Lydia, please make me a plate of food,” I tell our head kitchen maid. Everyone continues their work, but Lydia and Ginevra stop what they’re doing. Lydia, to do what I have asked of her, but Ginevra comes toward Romiro and I and bats her lashes at me while giving me a coy smile. Ignoring her, I don’t return the smile.

“Emiliano, when did you get back?” she asks me.

“Ginevra, go back to your work, and next time you don’t ask me questions that don’t concern your job.” My voice is icy. Ginevra needs to understand that just because I slept with her once doesn’t mean we’re an item. It's been three months and she’s married. Not that I cared in the first place, but still. ??

Lydia heads our way after she’s done putting together a small plate of two eggs, some goat cheese, turkey bacon, and two pieces of toast. I grab the plate and kiss her cheek. Lydia has worked for the family before I was even born, for my pops before he married Ma. As I head toward the left hallway, Romiro follows me.

“Are you going to follow me around like a lost puppy?” I mumble once we reach the door that leads to Valentina’s cell.

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