Page 58 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
“They are, um…”
“They are what?” I can’t disguise the impatience in my tone.
“They’re having to work up to particular treatments, signor.”
When I don’t respond, she elaborates. “She’s extremelyticklish, signor.”
I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face at that little jewel of insight into my wife.
“Dr. Nowak?”
“Yes. Serafina had her second session this morning. I only saw her briefly as she returned to her room but she did appear a little lighter somehow.”
My chest inflates. “Good.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you, signor?”
“Yes. She needs a dress suitable for the Mayor’s gala.”
“You’d like me to take her shopping? Are you sure, signor?” Viola’s unspoken words tell me she doesn’t yet trust that Serafina won’t run, and while Viola is formidable in many ways, Serafina has youth and determination on her side.
“Take Rocco and Dante,” I assure her. “And buy whatever she wants.”
“Of course, signor. I will keep you updated.”
I hang up the phone and take a moment to feel a modicum of excitement thread its way through my stomach and up into my chest. I’m taking my wife to dinner and I can’t fucking wait. Okay, so it’s not a date, exactly, and the setting will be far from intimate, but I’ll get to show her off to the world, as my wife, for the first time.
I also want her to see how I do business. I can see in her eyes she thinks I’m a ruthless piece of shit criminal. I mean, I am. But I am other things too.
My IQ is higher than most men, and in some regards, I also have a conscience. The donation to theMassachusetts Institute of Technology wasn’t purely agenda-led. I have a genuine passion for advancing our skills as a country, and I want Boston to be at the forefront.
The car glides through the streets toward the apartment I’ve been staying at temporarily. I want to get out of there and back home where I belong, but Serafina needs time. How much time? I don’t know, but I’m hoping I’m about to find out.
I dial another number and press the cell to my ear.
“Nowak.”
“Ah, Mr. Corioni. I’ve been expecting your call.”
“Well?”
“It’s still early days but I think we’re making some progress.”
“Details,” I demand.
“She’s begun to open up about her mother’s death. Her eldest sister was in the vehicle with their mother when they came under attack.”
I stroke a finger and thumb over my chin. “Yeah. So I’ve heard.”
“As you can imagine, the whole family put their energy into helping the eldest through that awful experience, but in Serafina’s case, it was to the detriment of her own recovery. She spent so much of her time attending to the every need of her sister that she neglected her own needs and has never truly grieved.”
She falls quiet for a moment.
“There’s more,” I state.
“She’s carrying a lot of darkness Mr. Corioni. She’sbottled up all her feelings for a long time and the only way she knows to process them is to harm herself.”
“Is that…” I don’t want to use the word ‘normal’ because Nowak hates that. So, instead, I opt for, “…typical?”
