Page 12 of Reign Of Triumph
This is just the beginning of Giusto’s rage. It’s time to prepare for what’s to come.
Seven
Found It
Eros
“I’ll get you some tea,” Serafina’s mother says, after cocooning her daughter in pillows and nestling her within a blanket on the sofa.
The doctor confirmed there were no broken bones; however, her ribs are severely bruised. Her voice is going to sound off for a few days, and the redness around her throat is going to turn black and blue. Her finger is swollen and bandaged, but eventually, Serafina will heal. She was groggy on the way back to her house, but is finally more alert and is being spoiled by her mother.
Serafina reaches out to hold her mother’s hand. “Mom, I’m okay. Please calm down.”
Her mother cups her cheek and drops a kiss on her forehead. “Let me take care of you,” Vera whispers.
Serafina grins. “All right, Mammina. Two sugars.”
“Let’s make a pot of coffee too. And some sandwiches,” my mother jumps in, and the two women walk away. Luciano and my father make themselves scarce, leaving me alone with Serafina.
I sit on the coffee table in front of her, looking her over. She looks so small huddled under the blanket, and I hate having her relive what happened with Giusto, but I need to know.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
Her eyes meet mine. “Better. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused.”
“This isn’t your fault,” I tell her. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“Giusto is upset. He was drinking.” She shakes her head. “I can’t believe the things he said.” Tears well in her eyes.
“Like what, gioia mia?”
“Giusto called me a traitor.” She pauses for a second, then says, “And a wh-whore. He told me that he should have sold me off years ago to Michele Torturo. He wants to put Mom in a home. It would kill her.”
“Your mother’s not going anywhere,” I say. I already knew her brother was a piece of shit, but today’s actions just confirm how deranged and unstable he is becoming. “Where’s your ring, babe?” She points out the terrace doors. “He threw it out there.” Her lower lip trembles. “I couldn’t stop him.”
“I’ll get you another.” I move a strand of hair away from her face. I don’t care about the ring. I’m more concerned with injuries at this point.
“I don’t want another one,” she replies with a tear rolling down her cheek. It’s like a knife to the heart to see her this dejected.
“Then we’ll search the yard until it’s found,” I vow. It’s a tall order. It’s been hours, and at this point, an animal could have picked it up, or who knows where it may have landed.
“It’ll be like finding a needle in a haystack,” she comments. I see her point, since the yard is over half an acre and is filled with wild gardens, bushes, and trees. It would be less trouble to go out and buy her another ring.
“Impossible seems to be my specialty.” I lift her bandaged hand to my lips and kiss it gently. “Your job is to heal so that it fits back on this hand.”
Dad comes back into the room carrying a large tray with a variety of sandwiches. Vera and my mom follow with two platefuls of sweets, while Luciano brings in the tea and coffee. I notice Nero in the hallway on the phone.
“Be right back,” I tell Serafina and make my way over to Nero. Luciano sees where I’m headed and decides to come along. Nero hangs up as we approach.
“Dad has pushed back this morning’s meeting due to the current circumstances. We’ll meet tonight at seven,” Nero says, frowning. “Our capo is fuming and made a call directly to Giusto to get him to explain himself. Giusto hasn’t returned his call yet. He’d better show up tonight, or you won’t have the pleasure of pulling the trigger. My father will do it instead.” He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. “On top of that, Felicia is itching to come over with Grazia, and I’m trying to put them off for a day to give Serafina a chance to rest. I had to put my foot down, and Felicia is less than happy about it.”
I chuckle. Everyone knows that Felicia loves her husband to an extreme, and her pouting will last an hour at best. What’s funny is how it’s rattling Nero. He never speaks about his feelings for his wife, but it’s abundantly clear that he adores her.
“I need a metal detector. Can you get me one, or two?” I ask, throwing him off-balance.
“What?” Nero asks, raising his brows. Luciano is just as perplexed.
“Giusto tossed her ring into the yard. I want it found,” I explain.
