Page 73 of Single Malt Drama

“Eh.” She sounded as if she’d shrugged. “The markets are too big and no one speaks to their neighbors, but it is nice to see Rosa.”

“Marco and I will come visit you as soon as it’s safe.”

She lowered her voice. “Does your father know of your marriage?”

“Yes, and he…” I debated how much to tell her. The last thing Maria and Alessio needed was to worry about me, but she might be able to shed some light on his strange behavior. “He seemed more concerned than angry. Then he mentioned secrets.”

She sighed and muttered a prayer to the Virgin Mary under her breath.

Maria knows. “Please, if you know something…”

“Nico, some things are better left buried in the past.”

“My father said there would be repercussions and bloodshed. Does this have anything to do with these secrets?” I assumed he meant repercussions about the balance of power within the mafia, but now I wasn’t so sure.

“These are not things to speak of over the phone.”

“Please, you have to tell me what you know.”

“Your father is a stubborn man. He made some horrible mistakes over the years.” She sighed.

“What kind of mistakes? What does the past have to do with my marriage?”

Using her mom voice, she said, “We will talk when you and Marco come to visit. For now, have peace. Your parents’ secrets are theirs. They have nothing to do with you. Don’t allow your father to ruin your happiness.”

For the first time in my life, I didn’t believe her. “We will come as soon as it’s safe.”

“Do you have pictures of the wedding?”

“A couple. I’ll text them to you.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I have to go. Ciao, Maria.”

“Ciao, Nico.”

Marco took the phone from my hand, set it on the nightstand, and drew me into his arms. “What did she say?”

“Nothing useful. Only that we would talk face-to-face.”

“When do you want to go to Canton?” He met my gaze.

“When we know my father has called off his dogs and accepts our marriage.” Resting my head on his chest, I prayed that day would come soon.

“Nic, not for nothing, but my mother couldn’t stand Joe and Gabe’s wives while they were dating…” His lips curled into his thinking-about-sex-smile.

“What does that have to do with us?”

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this.” His expression grew serious. “The one thing that no parent can resist is a grandchild.”

It’s a good thing he was holding me, otherwise I would have fainted. “You want a baby? Now?”

He hitched a shoulder. “Ma changed her tune about Rebecca and Maggie when she found out they were pregnant. Your father may do the same.”

“You want to impregnate me to appease my father?” I pulled away and pressed my hand to my stomach as if to keep him away from my womb.

We’d gone into this thinking the marriage was temporary. We’d skipped pre-marital counseling with the priest, which was where couples discussed things like finances, and living arrangements, and children.

Marco frowned. “Forget it. It was a stupid idea.”

I nodded slowly, still trying to make sense of what was happening.

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