Page 32 of His to Honor

As everyone digs in, I spear a piece of mozzarella with my fork. It’s so creamy, unlike anything I’ve tasted before.

“This is delicious.”

“Grazie.” Lorenzo flashes me his killer smile again. “I make the mozzarella myself.”

My eyebrows lift in an outward expression of my surprise.

“Ah,” Lorenzo says, “you wonder how I can produce wine, make mozzarella worthy of the gods, and still help my brothers rule over our little part of Italy.”

Thelittle part of Italyhis family rules over stretches from the northernmost tip of the country to somewhere south of Rome, so he’s downplaying their influence. Though I was, in fact, wondering how he finds enough hours in the day, I shake my head in denial. “Of course not.”

“The key is a strong family, where everyone knows their place,” Lorenzo tells me anyway. “Matteo will agree that nothing is more important.”

The three men raise their glasses of wine and toast to that. Livvy and I exchange a look, both jarred by the comment about everyone knowing their place. Was that directed at us?

“Do you have a big family, Giulia?” Damiano asks.

“I have a half-brother.” I love him as much as I would a real brother, but I don’t explain that to Damiano.

“Is he part of the VolanteFamiglia?”

“He was inducted three months ago.”

Damiano nods approvingly. If Matteo’s surprised I know about Phillip being inducted into the organization, he doesn’t let it show. My brother has never hidden his aspirations to rise through the ranks of the mafia from me. I’m not entirely happy about his choice, but at eighteen he doesn’t listen to me. He wants to make his own way in the world.

“Phil’s a boxer,” Matteo says. “Could be one of our best fighters with a little more training.”

My involuntary wince doesn’t go unnoticed. I get the impression these men see everything.

“You disapprove?” Lorenzo asks.

“I don’t enjoy boxing, but Phillip has a talent for it. I won’t stand in the way of him following his passion.”

“Ah, yes, we must all follow our passions.” Lorenzo gestures to the room, indicating that this place is a labor of love for him. “Life would be so dull otherwise.”

“What is your passion, Giulia?” Damiano asks.

“I like to help people.”

Livvy scoffs. It’s the first sound she’s made since we sat down. She’s just been poking at her salad with her fork as though it’s offended her somehow. I know my response sounded trite, but I really do care about helping people.

“Giulia’s building a community center for the wives and children of our soldiers.” There’s an unmistakable note of pride in Matteo’s voice. That surprises me. I didn’t know he knew much about my project, or that he approves of it.

“A community center?” Lorenzo fixes me with a challenging stare. He suddenly seems less friendly than he did before. “For what purpose?”

Under his intense scrutiny, I swallow hard. I’d hate to be interrogated by this man. He wouldn’t have to resort to torture for me to reveal all my secrets. “I want to give women a place to get support with education and healthcare, things like that.”

“You don’t think it’s the job of their husbands to provide such support?”

“Ideally, yes, but many women don’t get what they need at home.”

“So you believe it’s your place to help?” This question comes from Damiano. His tone is more hostile than I’ve heard from him so far. I definitely feel as if I’m being put under a spotlight.

“It’s something I want to do.” I take a deep breath, determined to stand my ground in the face of the intimidating glares of the brothers. “You men choose this life. Women rarely realize what they’re getting into with their marriages and the children certainly don’t.”

Damiano and Lorenzo exchange a glance. I don’t know what passes between them, but Lorenzo nods decisively.

“You are most definitely passionate about your cause.” Lorenzo raises his glass. “I wish you every success, Giulia.”

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