Page 42 of She's My Queen

15

THE WOLF ENTERED THE HOUSE

CRISTINA

Corrado briefed me on what to say if people start asking questions about Gio. I’m to say my mother and Gio are on an emergency business trip in the Arab Emirates, the one Gio’s deputy was supposed to attend in his stead. Romeo, the deputy, a handsome man I found attractive one spring during my senior year of high school, paid me a visit this morning.

He’s in my kitchen asking questions I can’t answer.

Why isn’t Gio answering my calls?

Why is your mother with him when it should’ve been me?

Why do you look like you’ve been crying?

Romeo’s blond hair reaches past his chin, and he always tucks it behind his ears. He is green-eyed, with chiseled cheeks and a kind smile. When we were teens in high school, he asked me out. I said yes. The date never happened because my dad forbade me from dating, “Even if the boy is nice.”

After high school, Romeo went to college in Rome and returned only a few years ago. Since then, he’s worked for my dad and, after my dad passed away, for Gio. He dates tourists. A different one each season. That seems to be working out for him.

I studied culinary arts so I could work in a job I’ll lose if I can’t get myself together enough to show up for work in a few days. Oh, and also, I fake-married dad’s recently deceased business partner. It looks to me like his life turned out way better than mine.

I baked Romeo a ricotta pie and deflected his questions as best as I could. Now, I just want him to shove a piece of pie into his mouth and shut up. I also want him to stop looking so concerned for my well-being. It makes me wonder what would have happened if my parents had allowed me to go out with him.

The smell of the pie makes my mouth water. I lean on the counter and fork off a piece from my plate. “It’s just right,” I say after I’ve swallowed. “Try it.”

From across the counter, Romeo picks up his fork, but doesn’t dig in. His eyes are darting away, and he seems uncomfortable, as if he’s about to ask more questions of a sensitive, private nature. It occurs to me that I must look this way to Severio when I want to ask things I’m too afraid to hear the answer to.

Since I’ve caught myself thinking about Severio more often than not, I make a conscious effort to stop, and surely talking to Romeo will make it stop. “What’s bothering you?” I ask.

“There are rumors floating around about your wedding night.”

Uh-oh. I might need to eat another piece of pie. “What are they saying?”

“I’m sure it’s only gossip and not true.”

“What are they saying?” I sound annoyed.

“That you spent your wedding night with Gio’s nephew, the one you seemed cozy with during the fireworks.”

“We weren’t cozy.”

“It seemed like it.” Romeo pulls out his phone and slides it across the counter.

In the picture, taken from behind Severio, the fireworks are on the right. I’m wearing my wedding dress and facing the fireworks, while Severio’s head is clearly turned toward me. Under the shadows made by the hanging wisteria trees, we don’t appear just cozy. We appear like star-crossed lovers.

I’d give up whatever little inheritance I have left to see his face. Why is he looking at me when he should be watching the fireworks?

I want to ask Romeo to send me the picture, but I push the phone back to him. “You know I would never cheat on Gio.” I shove some pie into my mouth before I start overexplaining, which can make me sound guiltier.

“I think this man, his nephew, made you do it.”

I frown, my heart starting to bounce in my chest. “That’s farfetched even for the gossip mill.”

Romeo leans in. “You can tell me, Cristina. I’ve worked with your dad and with Gio’s administration for a long time. I know they’re involved in shady business. I’ve come across encrypted emails, secret accounts, bogus companies. I just…” He covers my hand with his. “I can help you.”

His warm touch is comforting, and I don’t withdraw my hand. “You’re right that there’s a problem.”

“I knew it!” He pumps his fist.

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