Page 81 of Niccolo

“Fine by me. I’d also like to not give my real name.”

Fausto looked amused. “Oh? And why is that?”

“I don’t want to give my true identity to a bunch ofmafiososI’m trying to kill.”

“Not unreasonable,” Fausto said with a chuckle. “What should we call you, then?”

“Puttana,”Aurelio suggested maliciously.“Cagna. Lupa.”

All words for ‘whore’ or ‘bitch.’

“We can call youfinnochio,then,” I suggested coolly. “Mezzasalma thought it fit you.”

Aurelio went apoplectic.

I was sure he was about to slap me when his father roared, “AURELIA, ENOUGH!”

“‘Aurelia’?!” Aurelio asked in confusion.

“I meant to say ‘Aurelio, Sofia,’ and misspoke,” Fausto snarled. “Now STOP IT,bothof you.”

Aurelia.

The feminine version of ‘Aurelio,’ meaning ‘golden’ in Latin.

It was too close to ‘Aurelio’ to be believable, but there was another similar name –

And it had the benefit of being an online chess program.

“Aurora,” I said, smiling at my private joke.

“What?” Fausto said.

“When we get to the wedding, call me Aurora.”

“Aurora, Aurelio… catchy, but isn’t it a little too close?”

“It’ll be easy for both of us to remember, and it’s uncommon enough that I doubt anyone else will have the same name.”

“Fine… ‘Aurora,’” Fausto said with a smile. “Do you have a last name?”

I thought for a second, then said, “Dispenza.”

“That’s not your mother’s maiden name, is it?” Fausto asked warily.

“No. It was the name of my favorite teacher.”

“Excellent. Enjoy your time at the wedding, Aurora Dispenza.”

As we entered the Rosolinis’ estate, I could see why Fausto wanted it back so badly.

We turned down a drive bordered by symmetrical rows of tall cedars. The Rolls paused at a ten-foot brick wall, then drove through once the massive iron gates opened.

The road snaked through picturesque vineyards and orchards until it reached a massive open space. At the top of a hill was a gigantic mansion – centuries old, made of stone, with three stories and two large wings.

The Rolls pulled around to the side, where we got out. There was an old stone stable nearby that had been converted into a garage. Topiary gardens lay beyond that.

Out back of the house was an enormous lawn. A sapphire swimming pool sparkled in the distance. Between the pool and the house were dozens of white wooden folding chairs and ornate flower arrangements leading up to an altar.

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