Page 30 of Reign Of Triumph
I place my hand on her forehead. No fever. This is the same routine she’s been trying for the last few days. She’s not sick, she’s scared. Kids can be mean. At this age, I’m not sure if they understand how badly they’re hurting the girls. Part of me wants to tear into the school and lecture the students on empathy; the other part of me knows I need to let this sort itself out.
“Hey, sweetie, one more day. Every day is a new day, and who knows, something wonderful might happen,” I say to her.
Begrudgingly, she murmurs, “Okay.”
Bianca and I grab their backpacks, while the girls kiss their grandmother and put on their shoes. Bianca’s bodyguard is usually waiting for us, but when we get outside, Eros is standing there.
“Hello, my beautiful damsels,” he says, bowing to them like you would royalty. “Your horse and carriage await.”
Alia runs over to Eros, and he sweeps her up into his arms. “That’s not a horse, silly,” she says. Then she laughs as he tickles her.
“I was pretending,” he replies, then looks over at Anita. “Well, sunshine, do you mind if I join you this morning on the way to school?”
Anita shakes her head and gives him a quiet no. Eros stretches out his hand and guides them into the car. “Bianca, you’re in back with the girls. Fi, sit up front with me.”
During the drive, Eros chats with the girls, talking about their favorite teachers and classes. Alia likes gym, and Anita loves doing art. It’s not far to the school, and when we park the car, we find that Luciano and his family and Nero and his family are waiting for us in the parking lot. Antonio and Ciara are attending the preschool, so we’ve seen them often, but they have never been waiting for us.
We get out of the car, and Eros leads us to greet them. Anita clings to Eros’s hand like a lifeline. Alia is skipping while holding on to her mother.
“Isn’t this a wonderful surprise?” I say.
“Nero had this fantastic idea that we ladies should go out for a spa day, and we thought we’d surprise you,” Felicia responds, looking adoringly up at her hubby.
“But first we need to drop these beauties off at school, and Antonio and Ciara at preschool,” Luciano cuts in.
“We’re also here because we have a very important favor to ask,” Nero adds. “We’re wondering if you girls could go and stay with Antonio and Ciara in their class after school until we pick them up.”
Thankfully, that’s when Antonio and Ciara chime in with glee. “Please, please, please,” Ciara exclaims.
Antonio, on the other hand, is excited to show the girls his drawings. He takes Anita’s hand and drags her toward the school entrance. Ciara does the same with Alia, and we adults follow behind. What the kids don’t see is that Nero and Luciano are making eye contact with the other parents, most of whom I recognize as families from La Famiglia. They are silently making their displeasure known and making it clear that alienating Anita and Alia will not be tolerated. It seems that Eros’s connection to Nero and Luciano runs much deeper than I imagined. They’re not just friends but brothers, and not the kind you put up with, but the kind where the bond goes beyond even blood ties.
“Good morning, Mr. Moretti,” the teacher says as we approach Antonio’s and Ciara’s rooms.
“Good morning. From now on, Anita and Alia will be coming to sit with Antonio and Ciara after school. All four children will be picked up at the same time. Any change in plans will be communicated through their mothers,” Nero states.
“Excellent,” the teacher responds with a grin, looking down at Anita and Alia. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
Dropping off the younger children isn’t enough. The men accompany Alia to her class, then Anita to hers. We walk out together, the three men huddling with their bodyguards keeping watch.
Grazia’s the first one to speak up. “I’m looking forward to a relaxing morning of being pampered.” Felicia readily agrees. Bianca still looks shell-shocked at being included in the mix.
“Are you sure you want me along?” she asks tentatively. I’m about to jump in, but Grazia beats me to it.
“Do not even think of ditching us,” she warns with a smile, then comes closer and says quietly, “You’re not responsible for his actions. He’s gone. I hope he left you a few good memories, but if not, you both created two beautiful children. They are sweet and kind and a lot like their mother and aunt. People talk. There’s nothing we can do about that, but Nero and Luciano have every intention of making their opinions known on this matter. My brother is livid. Children should never be a target. Kids are reacting to their gossip at home. Let’s see how the day unfolds for Anita and Alia.”
“I’ve gotten a call from the office for the last few days. Anita wanting to come home. She says she doesn’t feel well, but when I pick her up, she’s suddenly better,” Bianca shares.
“It will get better. I bet she won’t be calling today,” Felicia responds brightly. “Come on, we have pampering to get to.”
She goes to Nero, who calls over to his men and has a car pull up for us. Grazia traipses over to Luciano to give him a kiss. Felicia does the same to Nero. I’m a little embarrassed but definitely don’t want Eros to be left out. I move to him and take his hand to pull him aside.
“This was all your idea, wasn’t it?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I merely stated I wasn’t thrilled with kids being the target when they had no idea what their father was doing. Nero and Luciano decided to show a unified front, and this is where the women of our families gather. The word will spread quickly. I assume it’s already halfway across town,” he replies with a chuckle.
I can’t help but giggle along with him. His laugh is so infectious. I kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Eros. This means so much to Bianca. And to me.”
A day out is just what Bianca needed. I did too, but the highlight of the day is watching Bianca come out of her shell and to see the carefree spirit she once had emerge once again. Felicia and Grazia insist on paying for our mini spa treatment. Oh, I protested, but to no avail. I managed to pick up the tab for lunch, but only because I was quicker at taking out my card.
