Page 77 of Unholy Vows (Original Sin)

“She should speak the language of her husband. The language of her family.” Carmella tossed her head with the kind of energy that wasn’t going to be deterred.

“She’s right. When you go to Italy, it’ll be nice to be able to speak to the family.” Elio’s voice surprised me. He wasn’t exactly the chatty type.

I sat next to him, just as Carmella placed a cup of coffee in front of me.Will Renato really take me to Italy?I’d never even left New Jersey.

“ZioSalvatore is going to love you,” Giada called from the counter where she looked for a bowl.

“Salvatore?”

“Renato’s uncle on his mother’s side. He runs Napoli like Ren runs Atlantic City. He’s been waiting for happy news from this side of the world for years.”

“Happy news?” I took a sip of my coffee.

“Baby news,” Giada snorted, cradling her bowl of cereal victoriously.

Her words and the unexpected taste in my mouth sent the liquid up my nose. I snorted and coughed, choking on my mouthful. “What is this?” I asked.

“It’s decaf. Expectant mothers shouldn’t overindulge in caffeine. It’s not good for the baby,” Carmella tutted from the pantry.

“But I’m not pregnant!”

“Yet,” Giada added.

I ignored her. “I’m not even pregnant, so there’s no need to drink decaf. I need the caffeine. Please, give it to me, or I’m scaling a wall and heading for the nearest coffee shop.”

“Scaling a wall? No need for that here. Casa Nera is full of secrets…like hidden passages where you come out way down the road,” Giada smirked at me.

“Really?” I wondered.

“Really,” she confirmed.

“Giada,basta.” Elio’s snap made me jump.

“Don’t worry. I agreed to this farce. I’ll see it through,” I muttered and tried another sip of decaf. It wasn’t actually that bad.

Elio focused on a point over my shoulder. “You’re not the one I’m worried about.”

I twisted in my seat and spied Lucy lingering by the doorway. Carmella immediately went toward my younger sister and put her arm around her, ushering her into the kitchen with the energy of a mother hen.

“Lucy! I’ve been waiting for you. Today, we learn how to make bread.”

“You’re learning how to cook?” I asked.

“Why? Is it not allowed?” Lucy snapped back at me right away.

Our painful conversation upstairs circled my head.

Carmella patted Lucy’s hand. “Easy,cara.” The housekeeper caught my eye. “Lucy will be with me for a while.”

I nodded, gripping my coffee cup like my life depended on it, and made my way out of the kitchen. I needed some space.

* * *

I was watchingTV later when someone knocked at the den door. I’d never had so much free time. I wanted to finish my program and work in a hospital, just like I’d told Renato, but I couldn’t deny it was nice to have a break. I hadn’t had proper time off in years.

Sonny poked his head into the room. “Just thought you should know some stuff arrived for you. You might want to be upstairs to direct where it goes,” he said cheerfully and disappeared.

I left the room and went to see what the hell he was talking about.

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