Page 7 of Reign Of Triumph
“What has Giusto done now?” Vera asks, interrupting my thoughts.
I guide her to the armchair next to the fireplace and sit across from her. “What makes you think Giusto’s in trouble?”
“Giusto has distanced himself from Serafina and me since Egidio’s death. He calls when he needs something and only comes to visit on holidays. Most of the time, he calls when he needs a babysitter for the girls. My son, I love him, but he’s not the man I hoped he would become,” Vera tells me. I can see that her son’s actions, or inactions, cause her strain.
“Mrs. Candida?—”
“Please let me finish.” She holds up her hand. I nod for her to go on. “My husband had high hopes for Giusto. Egidio took him everywhere, doted on him, and I was worse. Such a handsome young man, and the girls loved him,” she says with a grin, then immediately frowns again. “What happened to your sister, Miranda, should never have happened. I cried for your family.” The sound of Miranda’s name has me clenching my jaw. I want to interrupt but allow her to continue. “A mother wants to believe their children. I need to believe that Giusto is telling the truth. To even contemplate anything different is…unfathomable. My husband suffered greatly, and before his death, he said he needed to protect his family. Right or wrong, he was a dying man, and he too believed his son. If you are here this evening for the truth, then I will give you this: I don’t know if Giusto was the man responsible for what happened to your sister, but I have to believe”—she pounds her fist to her heart—“in here that he would never hurt a woman the way your sister was abused.”
The plea of a mother, I can understand. It doesn’t change my opinion on Giusto. I know he’s responsible, and therefore, his tragic ending will not alter. However, to inflict more grief on Vera is unnecessary.
“I have not come here to discuss Giusto. I have come for Serafina. Am I correct in assuming that you are unaware of the role I played in removing an enemy from the alliance of the Mafia capos?” I ask.
“No. I rarely hear about business.”
“It’s the way Egidio would want it. I’m sure he wanted to shield you from family business,” I say, and she nods. “I am moving into the role of underboss. And to be perfectly honest, I will be relieving Giusto of his duties, and he will work for me. This is not a decision made lightly by our capo. It seems there have been many issues that have arisen in Giusto’s territory, and his men are unhappy. Marco is trying to unite two families that have been tore apart by Miranda’s death, and to do so, he would like a marriage to take place between Serafina and me.”
She reaches out to take my hand and squeezes it tightly. “Serafina is a good woman. She deserves a man who will care for her. You can’t give her that with all the hate you hold in your heart for our family. Please don’t do this to my girl.”
“I can see that Serafina is a kind and gentle soul. She takes care of her mother and dotes on her nieces. I hear nothing but lovely things said about her, and much of that from my own mother.” This catches Vera’s attention, her brows rising. “Yes, my mother. Mom also tells me that you are a fine woman, and she misses having you as a friend. I can’t promise to be the perfect husband, because I’m a hard man and will need to spend much of my time undoing the mess your son created. However, I will promise you that Serafina will be protected, respected, and treated with care, as long as she does the same for me. Her allegiance will be to her husband and La Famiglia. If Serafina is the woman I believe her to be, then our marriage will work.”
“Giusto—”
“I am putting my feelings aside. As long as Giusto does the work I need him to do, we’ll get along fine. If not, I’m afraid I will need to involve our capo,” I respond honestly.
Vera sighs. “Giusto will fight you.”
“I’m sorry, but if he does, I will fight back.”
“This is no real choice, is there? You’ve come to tell me, not ask me, about our future.”
“Mrs. Candida, I want this to work for both you and Serafina. My mother and father are willing to make peace and unite our families, as am I. Neither you, Serafina, nor I can control Giusto or his actions. My mother has already asked that we call her once Serafina agrees to the marriage because she would love to meet with you and visit her friend again.”
Her hands clasp my cheeks, and she says quietly, “Take care of my daughter. Keep her away from Giusto. I’ve seen the bruises when she comes back from his home. She goes for Bianca and the girls, and it would kill Serafina to be separated from Anita and Alia.”
“We’ll find a way to make it work,” I vow.
“This has been unexpected and a little frightening, Eros. But I feel hopeful, and I believe you when you say that you will do your best.” Vera kisses my cheek. “We’d better join the others. Serafina is probably climbing the walls,” she says with a laugh, and with that, I have a mother’s approval.
Five
Only One Choice
Serafina
“Nero, have we done something wrong?” I ask, wringing my hands together in my lap.
“What makes you think that?” Nero answers, furrowing his brow.
“You can’t blame me for jumping to conclusions. The last time you were here was at Dad’s funeral. You’re always welcome, of course, but this is out of the blue. Something’s going on. Please tell me. Did Giusto do something stupid?” Giusto’s been getting more and more volatile lately. He’s rarely home, and when he is, he barks orders, is distracted on the phone, or is complaining about one thing or another. Nero’s eyes narrow when I mention my brother. Shit! What kind of trouble has Giusto gotten into now, I wonder.
Felicia rests her hand over mine. “Please calm down. Your mother is safe with Eros.”
“I’ve heard the stories, you know.” My gaze drifts from Felicia to Nero. “I know Giusto was suspected of hurting Eros’s sister. Mom and Dad never wanted me to know, but gossip can’t be avoided, not even after all these years. I think what happened to that girl was tragic beyond belief. I pray to God that Giusto wasn’t part of such a thing, but please, whatever my brother’s done, don’t upset my mother. Her heart is weak, and she hasn’t been the same since we lost Dad.”
“Serafina.” My mother calls my name as she walks closer, holding on to Eros’s arm. “Will you get the coffee and bring it in for me?” This isn’t a question, but is rather her gentle way of asking me to leave the room. Then I hear, “Eros, caro, will you mind assisting Serafina?”
“I can manage,” I say.
