Page 26 of Capuleto

"Isn't that the one who killed one of the Montardi's sons a few months ago? The one who drove a stake through him and buried him in lime while he was still alive?" Aleksa asked, intrigued. My uncle smiled. That news had spread like wildfire. The boy in question had attacked my little cousin one night when he was drunk, so my uncle didn't hesitate to send a strong message to the family.

"The same."

"I've heard great things about him," my man praised.

"No wonder. As I promised, I'll send him to help you coordinate the operation, assess how many men will be needed for the 'red night', and if necessary, to infiltrate." No one spoke when Don Giuliano did. "By the way, Massimo, I remind you that my grandson's baptism is approaching, I know the situation is complex, but..."

"I will send Juliet in representation of our family," my father concluded decisively.

"Alone?" I interjected, with no real desire to send my sister, even if she was surrounded by family.

"Son, I know you're not going through a good time because of what happened to Nikita, but the world doesn't end with a kidnapping. Your wife is fine and your sister will travel with bodyguards. We will increase her protection to the maximum and, so she doesn't go alone, we can ask Irisha if she'd like to accompany her. I'm sure your sister-in-law won't mind spending a few days in Calabria with her new best friend."

When my father made a decision, no one could refuse, not even me. My sister wouldn't be thrilled to attend, even if she brought Irisha along. However, my sister-in-law could act as a shield against Salvatore.

The baptism was for Don Giuliano's first grandchild, the son of my cousin Piero, the middle child.

Nonna furrowed her brow because she couldn't understand why Salvatore, who was the eldest and heir, was still single and uncommitted, while his brother, two years younger, was married, with a three-month-old child and another on the way.

"The bastard," as I called him internally, had no recognized partner, he didn’t need one, since he had a multitude of lovers who pined to catch the eldest son of the Vitale.

"It's fine that Juliet comes accompanied, both will be welcomed," concluded my uncle. "Aside from the baptism and getting back to our previous conversation, we need a tip-off about when they expect the delivery, knowing this and the location as soon as possible is essential for everything to go well."

"I'll handle it," I agreed.

"Perfect, I've always liked your readiness, Romeo. I hope that when we talk next time, we have everything I've asked for."

"Don't worry, Giuliano, we'll have it," my father affirmed.

The meeting ended and we went outside, where the women and my son, who had just gotten out of school, were waiting.

Adriano had approached Nikita and I was pleased to see them talking.

It was nice to see them so calm.

The boy, although he initially had many objections to our marriage, did not take my wife's sudden disappearance well. We tried to soften the blow by masking the reality. A kidnapping is not something easy to take when you are young.

We explained that Nikita had gone to visit some relatives, we were as convincing as one must be with a child, but Adriano had never been a normal child. He remained suspicious. He asked if we had fought or even if we were going to divorce. I told him no, that I was telling him the truth, and three days later he came to me, with a sullen face, to tell me he already knew what was happening.

Thanks to his eavesdropping behind doors, he found the real reason for my wife's disappearance and was very angry about the deceit.

Those were murky days, in which his nighttime nightmares returned stronger than ever. This, added to the fact that at school they had mixed the children with those from other classes and that Adriano was unlucky not to be with his friends, plus the fact that I had not been up to his needs, had disturbed him quite a bit.

Ana María approached with a round of drinks and a copious appetizer.

I went up to my wife, who lifted her chin as soon as she saw me appear. Her lips curved into a fleeting smile.

"How was the meeting?"

"As well as expected. I'll update you later." Nikita nodded.

"Dad, you know what?" Adriano asked with enthusiasm. It had been days since I'd seen him this upbeat.

"What?"

"This afternoon we're going to get another dog with Nikita," Adriano announced. I blinked, not understanding.

"Another dog?"

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