Page 28 of Beguiled and Broken

Her smile was an exhausted one. “It’s good tobehome, handsome. Did you get a chance to look over the statements?” She looked hopeful.

“I did, but it’s hard to say what’s going on, B. You started at the boutique, and then these orders started coming in a few weeks later.”

“I don’t get it, Vinny. Sometimes I feel like starting the store was a mistake.” Her voice was shaky. “So much has gone to shit.”

I gave her a hug and reassured her, “Hey, it’s ok. I promised you we would figure it out and we will.”

She leaned into my chest. “You know, I got home tonight expecting to walk into my family. Where are the kids?”

“Oh yeah, Catarina took them to the trampoline park and was going to splurge on them with dinner out.”

“Nobody even asked me if it was ok, Vinny.”

“She askedme, Bianca. Am I not their father? I gave her permission.” I stepped back from her, irritation starting to rise in my voice.

“I know. I just…I usually make the decisions for them.”What the fuck?

“Bianca. That’s fucked, and you know it. Webothmake decisions for our kids. I know I was busy with the restaurant, but it doesn’t make me any less of a father to them.” I walked past her to our bedroom. I was done with the conversation.

“Vinny, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything. I’m just feeling really disconnected from everyone right now.”

“This is what happens when we own two businesses, B. It’s not…” We were interrupted by my phone ringing. I picked the phone up and looked at the screen. “It’s Ma.” I answered the phone and that’s when my world collapsed. After ending the call, I sunk to the floor with my back against the wall. Suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I looked up at Bianca, trying not to cry right there.

“Vinny. What is it? What’s the matter?”

“Nonno died. We gotta go home.” She rushed to me and wrapped her arms around me in an instant. I had a hard time registering.My nonno was gone.

“Oh Vinny, baby. I’m so sorry. Shhhh. Everything’s gonna be ok.” It felt like everything was collapsing around me and the dam broke. It was the first time I’d cried since my father died.

Chapter 19

Bianca

We’d spent all week preparing to head back to New York for Guiseppe’s funeral. It was unreal that he was gone. He lived a long, beautiful life, but I knew Vinny was going to struggle with it, especially since his father was gone too.

Vinny walked into our room as I was packing more clothes and items we would need for an extended stay. We planned to take the kids with us. “Bianca, what time does our flight leave tomorrow?”

“Not until six p.m. I know it’s a late flight, but that was all they had that would fit all of us, including Cat.”

Vinny stopped in his tracks. “Cat’s coming? This is a family matter, Bianca.” He sounded pissed.

I pleaded, “I just thought it would be helpful to have her there to help occupy the kids.”

“It would’ve been nice if you’d asked me, yeah? Maybe have a conversation about it? Oh wait, you make all the decisions. Let’s hire a nanny, you decided. You make all the decisions about the kids too. Remember when you said that? Fuck it.”

“Vinny, I’m sorry. I thought it would be helpful. It’s not fair to bring up shit we already resolved.” I stood there staring at him with my arms crossed.

“I know. I’m sorry. I just wish you would treat me like I’m capable of making decisions here. Stop deciding all these things without me. I wanted myfamilywith me. Cat’snotfamily. My wife and my kids. My ma could’ve watched them for us. She would love that. She hasn’t seen them since they were born, Bianca.”

“Vinny! I said, ‘I’m sorry.’” I hung my head and let out a deep sigh. It was clear we were at an impasse. My phone rang and it was someone from the boutique. “I have to take this. It’s the shop.” Vinny nodded.

“Hi... What?... That’s impossible.... I didn’t… No, I didn’t order any of that... WHAT?” Someone had broken into the store. I wondered what the hell was happening and of all the times for it to happen, itwouldberight before we planned to leave for New York. “...Alright. I’ll be there soon.”

Vinny was annoyed. “What happened now?” I hesitated to tell him because I knew he was going through so much already and his patience with everything had worn thin.

I let out a breath before telling him. “Someone ordered another huge shipment of clothes that aren’t even relevant to our brand. And...the girls think someone broke in. The back door has chunk of wood missing near the lock, and they could see dirt marks on the floor that they know weren’t there last night because they cleaned before closing.”

“What the hell, Bianca? Don’t they know how to properly close a store?”

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