Page 70 of Married to the Mafia

Dino

Dino

The whole way home, I’m wondering when I should tell her. I keep thinking not yet. Let it last a little longer. She seems happy and relaxed and I don’t want to spoil things.

Sooner or later she’s going to find out the shelter was knocked down when I promised not to do it yet. Sure, it wasn’t my fault, but that won’t matter. She’ll blame me, and this whole wonderful thing might come crashing down around my ears.

She sleeps most of the way, which makes things easier. I’m not surprised she’s tired after a day like this. What does surprise me is how well she’s taking things. I keep waiting for the shock to kick in but it hasn’t happened by the time we land.

I pick up my car from the airport long-term parking and then we head for Gordon’s Cove. “I’ve got something I need to tell you,” I say as the town comes into view. I’ve waited long enough. It’s better this way than she finds out for herself.

“If it’s about you finishing the last of the candy, I understand. A man’s gotta eat.”

“It’s about the shelter,” I reply without smiling.

She sits up straight, her voice turning colder. “What about the shelter?”

“It’s been demolished.”

“What?” She stares ahead of her, all emotion draining from her voice. “Tell me you’re joking.”

“It happened without my approval.”

“And that’s supposed to make everything better, is it?”

“The new one is being built already. It’ll be ready in a couple of weeks.”

“That’s not the point, Dino. The point is that you promised me it wouldn’t be knocked down until I had a chance to look at the plans and contracts. You remember that promise?”

“I remember.”

“And you knocked it down, anyway?”

“Wrong,” I say, unable to keep the anger from bubbling up in my voice. “It was done without my approval. I apologize, Rose, but what’s done is done. The new place will be twice as big and I’m donating to the running costs for as long as you want.”

“One, I don’t care about your money. Amelia has plenty. Two, it’s not about that. It’s about you lying to me. How long have you known? Since before we went to Rome?”

I nod without saying anything. Better for her to get all this out of her system.

“And you didn’t think to tell me sooner?”

I bring the car to a stop where the shelter used to be. There’s just flat ground and the initial foundations of the mansion. Over to the right is the new shelter, coming along fast. I kill the engine as she gets out and walks out to wherethe shelter used to be. “I can’t believe you lied to me,” she says as I join her.

“I never lied.”

“I told you what this place meant to me and you went ahead and knocked it down, anyway. You were right. You should never get close to anyone. Should never trust anyone. Leave me alone, Dino.”

I walk back to the car. I’m not going anywhere. We’re married. I will give her some time, but not much. I’m leaning on the side of the car, watching her when my cellphone rings. I dig it out of my jacket pocket. “Leo,” I say down the line. “You’re back in town, then.”

“Heard about Rose’s father,” he replies. “Amelia sends her condolences. We’ve arranged the funeral for Saturday.”

“Appreciate it.”

“Least I could do. How was Rome?”

“I’m leaving the famiglia too, Leo.”

“What?”

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