Page 37 of She's My Queen

My mother is a short and curvaceous woman with thick dark hair and caramel-brown eyes. In her early sixties, she’s preserved her beauty by injecting fillers and covering her aging lines. We don’t often see eye to eye, and I’ve always been closer to my dad. He was the glue that kept our small family together, which means that since he passed, we’ve grown further apart.

We’re in the kitchen, and she’s pulling out pots and pans, readying to stress-bake, no doubt.

“Mom, please tell me what you know about this ordeal. It’s a matter of life and death now.”

“Everything having to do with your father is a matter of life and death.”

“Daddy isn’t here.” I wish she would stop blaming him for everything that’s happened to us since he passed away. At the same time, I can’t blame her for resenting him. He left her with nothing.

My mom and dad married late, and they had trouble conceiving a child, so when I came, I was celebrated as if I were a miracle. Perhaps I was, considering both my parents tested as infertile.

Needless to say, I grew up as Daddy’s little girl, and he gave me everything I asked for. Even a yacht namedMiraclethat’s docked in the resort’s private marina. The same one Daddy said we’d sail away on and live at sea for months at a time. I wish I knew how to captain the yacht. I’d sail far away tonight, escape all this.

My mom cleans the counter, then scoops out a fistful of flour. She throws it into the metal bowl and closes the cupboard. “I’m sorry for what I said about Gio. I’ve been so worried about you with that horrible man.” Severio, she means.

I’m itching to stress-bake myself. It’s a great therapy for us, but I need answers more. “Thank you. What’s really going on?”

She walks to the door and peeks out, checking on Corrado, who is still in my father’s office on the other side of the house. He’s perusing the ledger I found.

Once she’s behind the counter again, she prepares the other ingredients. “Your father and I were promised a spot as the Head of Gio’s Order.”

“Please don’t call it Gio’s Order in front of Corrado.”

She frowns. “We’ve always called it that.”

I cringe, hoping she won’t make that mistake in front of the Mancinis. I consider telling her about Gio, but keep quiet. She’ll find out soon enough, and if not, then she’s not privy to the information. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

“Did you know Gio would try to off Severio?”

“Hush.”

Holy shitcakes. I lean over the island. “Mother,” I hiss. “I don’t think you realize the kind of trouble we’re in.”

She hisses back, “Silly girl. I’ve known trouble since I married your father.”

“That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?”

Perhaps I know nothing about their marriage after all. They seemed happy, but I guess parents can fake happiness for the kids and then separate and hate each other after the kids are all grown. Maybe that’s what’s happening with my mother now. I know she’s bitter about him dying and leaving her penniless.

“What are you not telling me?”

She points in the direction of Corrado. “I’m not telling you that the moment that vile man you brought into our house gets what he wants, he’ll end us. I should’ve left with Gio when I had the chance.”

This is why Severio asked if my mother left with Gio. I have no idea how Severio would know, but he knows many things I don’t. I’m sick of not knowing.

“Corrado swore he wouldn’t hurt you.”

She mixes the dough. A tear slides down her cheek, and she wipes it on her shoulder. “You believe him?”

“We have no choice but to believe him. You must’ve known he wanted the green book and that he’d come for it since you tried to hide it from him. What’s in that book?” I’ve only ever seen my father write in it and store it in a slot under his desk. His friend Frenchy knew.

“This isn’t how we planned it. Your father should be here.” She’s wiping more tears, leaving flour all over her face. My mom’s a mess. A year later, and she still can’t forgive my dad for dying.

“How did you plan it?”

She lifts her tearstained eyes. “Your father and Gio were going to take over by garnering votes. The Order has a process for the Mancini family, and whichever Mancini holds the most power is considered the Head of the Order. With our combined wealth, the founding family members, and Gio’s political ties, Severio would’ve ceded his power.”

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