Page 27 of Her Dark Salvation

“He was here to offer a business deal,” I said, answering her unspoken question.

Her face paled, imperceptible to the human eye, but I was attuned to the flow in her veins.

I wanted to ease her anxiety but didn’t have the words. Vinnie was a known criminal. Son of the infamous Big Frankie Valenzano and Don of the Boston Mafia. And he’d just been in my office.

“I declined.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and she nodded vigorously, more of a comfort to herself than a message to me. She reached for the door.

“You’re Italian,” I said, and the casual comment surprised me.

She dropped her hand from the knob and turned back. “Yes,” she said tentatively.

“What part of the boot?”

The corner of her mouth twitched. “My mother’s parents are from Palermo, and my father’s are from Naples.”

I quirked a knowing smile “I should have guessed you were half Sicilian.” She let out a short laugh and looked down at her feet, and her hair tumbled on either side of her amused face. “You have that spark.”

“If by spark, you mean temper.” Her gaze settled back on mine, and a playfully guilty smile brought the color back into her cheeks and brightened her eyes. The tightness in my chest started to unwind.

“Second generation, but full-blooded Italian. Not that I doubted.” I narrowed my eyes. “Signature dish?”

“Hmm.” She bit her lip and rocked her head back and forth. “I’d have to go with… spaghetti alla puttanesca. My father’s recipe.”

“Ottima scelta. Especially since your father’s from Naples.”

“He prides himself in his heritage.”

I nodded. “The best recipes are brought over from the old country, passed down from one generation to the next. I’m a terrible cook, but at least I can make a decent Sunday gravy thanks to my mother’s unending supply of patience.” I lifted my glass in mock toast, and she laughed. “We’re not so different, you and I.”

She stuck out a hip, wrapped an arm around her waist, and picked up the gold chain around her neck. She ran it between her thumb and forefinger, regarding me with a raised eyebrow and a skeptical tilt to the bow of her lips.

Her hand at her chest drew my attention, and for a heartbeat, I admired her breasts beautifully framed by the clean white lines of her blouse. I sipped my whiskey and lifted my eyes.

“What I mean is, you understand the life of immigrants and the importance we place on community. You were raised, at least in part I assume, Italian.”

“True. My parents were involved with the Italian-American community where I grew up outside Amherst. I’ve traveled with them to Italy a few times to visit their aunts and uncles. Certain aspects of the culture were very much a part of my upbringing.”

“Those experiences shape a person. Like I said”—I lifted my glass—“we’re not so different.” I took another swig and set it down on the bar top. The warmth of the whiskey and the easy conversation softened the remaining tension in my chest and neck. “The Italian-American population here is small when you consider the size of the city. The DeVitas and Valenzanos go way back, and regardless of Vinnie’s business pursuits, he does tremendous work for the community. He crossed a boundary coming here today, but he was here for the community.”

Her lips pursed and jaw worked as if chewing on the idea. “I—I can see that.” She shifted her weight and dropped her necklace, clasping her hands in front of her. “I just wasn’t expecting someone I’ve seen associated with the Mafia walk off the elevator at my job and ask to see my boss.”

The quaver in her voice belied her dry tone. She was still unsettled. It bothered me more than I expected and more than it should.

“Yes, I can imagine how that might have been a touch jarring.”

She huffed. “Just a touch.”

“I can assure you it won’t happen again.”

She nodded. “Did you need anything else, or…” She gestured to the door.

“No. That will be all.”

She stepped toward the door.

“Although,” I continued, and she paused. “To spare you any more surprises, tomorrow morning, I’m going to city hall to meet with the zoning commissioner. I’d like you to come with me.”

---