Affliction (19 page)

Selange released the breath she held. “Oh, honey. I was scared shitless.”

“If that woman caused Shanda’s death, then babe I ‘aint mad at you. But damn, a fork to the jugular, ouch.”

Selange closed the fridge. She hadn’t realized she continued to hold the handle. “I’m tired. I had a long day.”

“Come on,” he stated as he tossed the core in the bin, “I’ll give you a thorough oral massage.”

“
And I’ll return the favor.”

C
HAPTER SEVENTEEN

The big day was finally here. This was Sergio and Lucia’s wedding and hordes of family had gathered. Sergio looked relaxed. Tonya and Tyree were up front, supportive and normal family.

Sergio noticed they held hands through-out the ceremony, beaming proudly as
he exchanged vows with the beautiful woman glowing in a pristine white gown.

Yes, white as snow, silk and train, veil with real pearls and olive skin, Lucia was gorgeous.

Family is a beautiful picture; young and old in such finery.

Sophie sat with her daughter and grandchildren. Yosef was not at her side. She had yet to break the news
of her marriage to her children but she would do so at the first opportunity. Yosef insisted on sharing her villa. She had told him, he could not until her son and daughter were informed of their marriage. He is a pushy man and said he would allow her two days.

Before marrying Yosef she had her attorney
hastily draw up a prenuptial agreement. Yosef would not have any claim to her assets. Everything upon her demise was to go equally to Giuseppe, Amelda and her grandchildren. If this was a ploy, she would not have her children’s inheritance stolen due to her folly.

In front of a rabbi and magistrate is where she exchanged vows.

Nico and Alfonzo were searching for the missing painting that would ensure she had a chance of a future. They had one month remaining before the reprieve Yosef was given ended.

One month.

One month before she died.

Her eyes traveled to her fami
glia. Love swelled her heart. Her sweet Nico, in her mind he was more of a son. Please, she asked beneath the domed ceilings and fresco paintings for mercy. Even if she was not granted compassion, she was thankful to have lived a colorful life. There was not a dull moment, certainly there were relaxing times, but as she eyed Maria and Bruno, she smiled.

I have had such joys…mi
o famiglia is the prize.

The rings were being exchanged. That damn Giuseppe entered
then and everyone turned to view the Don. He did not apologize.

Giuseppe had arrived late, on purpose.

He brought a guest, not on the list, intentionally.

And when his guest said quietly, “What a lovely dress. I wonder where she had it made
,” as the bride and groom walked up the aisle.

Giuseppe repl
ied, “A thrift shop.”

And when everyone threw rice as the
newlyweds departed the cathedral, Giuseppe tossed his keys at Lucia’s head, accidentally. Rice throwing is to represent fertility; the bride was already pregnant and if he were foul he’d expose her. She’d taken advantage of his pene during his intoxication.

He was disgusted by her actions.

He hated that he enjoyed the wicked deed, thus he loathed her now.

When the
reception celebration was underway and the happy couple chatted up the tables to make the guests feel welcome, Giuseppe whispered to Lucia, “You need a mint, phew Lucia!”

Embarrassed, Lucia covered her mouth and then excused herself to neutralize
the non-existent odor. Such fun Giuseppe had at poor Lucia’s expense. No one was the wiser, that his actions were deliberate.

Amid the liquored festivities there was a moment his heart sank low.

This festivity and gathering of famiglia is what he envisioned with Shanda. She would have been a beautiful bride. He then peered around in search of his son. That is when a hand touched his shoulder. Slender fingers adorned with a sizable rock identified the wearer.

Selange.

She smiled at his date. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Nicole answered.

A kind face that one, Giuseppe thought as she circled the table holding Carlo’s hand. “There is my figlio.”

“
Yes. He has asked me to dance,” Selange said. “I had to ask papa, since I am so much older for his permission.”

“You have my permission donna.”

She smiled and her eyes were soft and understanding. They shared grief and in the softest of a whisper he was told, “Thank you for this gift that I can hold.”

Giuseppe nodded. His son is what they would cherish
. Shanda was there at the dance. “Prego, do not stomp his feet with your heels.” He leaned forward and rubbed his son’s head. He was a good boy. His mama would be proud. “Ti amo figlio.”

“Anche a me papa,” Carlo voiced and smiled adorably.

Allie and her siblings piled on his neck suddenly, hugging him tight. The girls kissed his face and cheered when they scurried in their pretty clothes to the dance floor.

His date smiled. “You have a very loving family.”

“Sí,” he agreed.

Had they seen his sadness; had they known?

Famiglia had lifted him then; reminding him of the joys of famiglia.

He watched his son stomp to the music like his papa. He had not danced with the boy’s mother because he had no rhythm, but tonight he rose tall and extended his hand to the guest who without knowing, had provided a sad man comfort
simply by her presence.

He gestured with his head to the revelers crowding the floor. “Dance with me bella.”

Nicole stood, running her hands over the temporary wrinkles of a fitted evening dress. “Okay.”

In his arms he took her, the dance he never had was in memory of Shanda.
He did not care his movements were not as smooth as his brother who found his wife in the crowd after returning from somewhere after chatting with Nico. He did not entertain business this night. He only wanted solace of gentle woman’s arms.

The couples swayed to the romantic song. Nico
joined with his wife. Many lovers danced. The newlyweds were in the middle of the large crowd smiling in to each other’s eyes.

Nicole
’s accented coal eyes were shining. “You’re a very good dancer.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“You lie like famiglia.”

She laughed. He enjoyed the musical timbre. “No, you are.”

Then he smirked because he realized they were not in rhythm with the others. Nicole could not dance, either.

The party came to a close. Nicole c
lutched a bombiniere as she walked beside Giuseppe to the awaiting limo. His tie was loosened, hair black and shining under the moon. She had seen many sides of Giuseppe in the span of days. Tonight she glimpsed vulnerability. The blue eyes had lost the humorous luster but returned quickly.

He played the gentlemen and held the door instead of the chauffeur. In fact he was well mannered on the ride
as well.

Nicole touched her hair self-consciously. “Would you like company tonight?”

A twinkle in the eye. “I have yet to kiss you bella.”

“You have my permission.”

The hand which settled on her thigh was affectionate and respectful. “Grazie, but I prefer to kiss you bella when I am not thinking about another.” He sighed. “I have told Tony I will bring you home. I will keep my word.”

Giuseppe escorted Nicole to the door of her sister’s home. “Ciao, he said when she was let in and
walked the gravel path toward the limo.

He did not want
pity for company. He was neither a fool nor desperate.

He heard hurried footsteps before he reached the car and turned.

Coming in a swift walk were shapely legs belonging to the pianist. Her eyes were vibrant dark pools; such a pretty woman but somewhat reserved.

“Tonight I need company,” she said. “Am I inappropriate for asking for you to be my pillow?”

“I am not soft, so sí, that is inappropriate.”

“A firm pillow works.”

He put out his hand and she grasped hold. They walked to the car in silence. When they arrived at his home, Gee greeted him at the door. He patted the dog’s head and then removed his jacket.

“Would you like a drink,” he asked after
Gee settled to the floor.

“No, a kiss is preferable.”

Giuseppe stepped close. His arms circled her waist and his head lowered to gently kiss her mouth. Then the fire he stored for another began to build and he lifted her higher to regale from the flames of a Don’s bonfire.  

C
HAPTER EIGHTEEN

Nico sat forward at the sound of the security system. Four
in the damn morning his son had company, was he crazy?

The twins had turned eighteen
and high school was nearing an end. Soon they were leaving for college and frankly, Nico couldn’t wait.

“
Darren, why is there a crying girl in our house?” Nico asked when he reached the center of the staircase and found his son consoling a girl.

“Dad, she’s in trouble.”

Nico reached the bottom stare. Barefoot and shirtless, he wasn’t prepared for teenage problems. This was his wife’s area.

“What kind of trouble
. And give me the cliff note version, alright?”

“She’s being forced to go to America
but she wants to stay here.”

Nico looked at the girl. Yeah, she was cute. Darren was the knight savior.

“Well how old is your friend…and…exactly what do you mean being forced…by who…parents?”

“It’s not her parents
but this dude she married and she’s only twenty,” Darren said in her defense.

“So
she’s upset because her
husband
wants to move with her to the states in a nutshell?”

“
He’s not her husband anymore. They’re divorced and he wants to get rid of her. They haven’t lived together in months.”

“Does she have family?”

“Not here or in the U.S. Her family’s in Israel, but she doesn’t want to go there either.”

“
O –kay.” Nico grimaced at the drama young people can bring.

“This
older guy married her to get out of jail and then he brought her here to fend for herself and now he wants to drop her after he used her. She needs help. She came here because that fucker said she better be ready when he comes in the morning to escort her to the airport and if she thinks about going anywhere she’ll be in the grave with her brother.”

“Oh really?”
Nico grunted. No way, perhaps it was a coincidence but he wondered about something. “What’s this old guy’s name?” he asked.

Darren served as
Anna’s mouthpiece. Apparently, the girl couldn’t talk, only cry.

“Yosef Glav
-”

“Glavovitz,” she said.

Guess she found her voice, Nico thought as he checked the security system. “All right, it’s too early in the morning to do anything. Darren prepare the guest bedroom for –what’s your name?” he asked.

“Anna.”

“Anna, you’ll be safe here, okay?”

She nodded and the green eyes that mesmerized his son were brilliant emeralds of gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Dad.”

“Yes son.”

Darren looked guilty. “Mom will be mad.”

“No, she’ll be pissed but she’ll still love you.”

There was an exchange between young people that Nico read before the announcement reached his son’s mouth.

“Um…I messed up dad…we didn’t use protection the first time. Anna’s pregnant?”

“You sure?” Nico asked with a skeptical tilt of a brow. He would speak to his son in private about having a paternity test.

“We went to the doctor
. She’s five weeks and the paternity test points to me.”

His son was smarter than his dad
.

The kids stood and Nico went to his son and gave him a hug that was long overdue. “I’m proud of you young man. Damn proud. We’ll work through this as a family. You guys get some sleep and tomorrow we’
ll talk.”

The
tearful girl climbed the stairs with his son.