Page 178 of The One
She looks at me, stunned.
“And he?”
My smile widens. I should be used to the idea by now, but sometimes, I still want to pinch myself.
“He feels the same.”
Sofia stares at me, shaking her head slightly, as if trying to process it.
“Wow. Just… wow.”
She leans back, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. Then she grins.
“Your father will be pleased. Especially if Mateo takes over as Don. Having a daughter married to the man in charge? That ought to tick all his boxes.”
The mention of my father makes my smile fade. His ambitions are the last thing I want on my mind. But sooner or later, I’ll have to face them, and I fear it’ll be sooner than I’m ready for.
I haven’t seen or heard from him since that first day in the hospital in Sicily. I expected more demands, more threats, but his silence is brewing like a storm waiting to break. And that troubles me.
Ignoring Sofia’s comment, I say, “Don De Marco isn’t dead yet. And Mateo doesn’t want the role.”
She scoffs. “He might not have much choice. Besides, why wouldn’t he want it? He’d be the most powerful man in Italy. He should embrace it.” She plucks at a piece of lint on her shirt and mutters, “I sure would.”
I frown. “Why would you want that?”
“Power gets you things.” She gives me a meaningful look. “Freedom, money, influence. It’s something we, as women in the Mafia, can only dream of.”
I hesitate. “It also comes with a huge amount of responsibility. I wouldn’t want that.” And from what I’ve learned, neither does Mateo.
She nudges me. “Imagine, though, no longer being a marionette for your father, or any man, for that matter. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be fully your own woman? And have everyone do your bidding?”
I must look skeptical because she chuckles. “You’re in love. Everything’s tinted with rose-colored glasses right now. But trust me, having power is…”
She trails off, lost in thought.
“Sofia?” I prompt. “It’s what?”
Shaking her head, she finally says, “Never mind.”
Her face lights up mischievously. “Now, tell me about Mateo’s proposal. Was it romantic? I need details. Spill.”
An hour later, I leave Sofia’s room, my mind still turning over our conversation.
The lasagna I made for Mateo should be ready by now. Giulia promised to take it out of the oven for me. Now I just need Mateo home.
Should I call him? I hesitate. If he’s still with Gualtiero, I don’t want to disturb them. A text is better.
Me: How is your brother?
A few moments pass before my phone vibrates.
Mateo: No change. He’s stable, though. That’s something. Especially after the transfer from Sicily.
Me: I’m glad.
Knowing Gualtiero is holding steady eases some of my anxiety, but it also deepens my need to look after Mateo. He’s carrying the weight ofla famiglia, shouldering the full burden of business while an uncertain future looms over him. He needs to stay strong.
Romeo has taken on as much as he can to lighten the load, but there’s only so much he can do.
