Page 87 of Carnal

He pauses, as if thinking over my question. After a moment, he stares at me. In a calm tone, he states, "You know my family better than anyone."

I nod, not able to deny it.

He continues, "So you know the devil's in me."

I blurt out, "Is this where you tell me all the things you've done in your papà's dungeon?" His eyes widen, and I put my hand over my face, groaning. "Crap."

"How do you know about the dungeon, Pina?"

I peek from under my fingers, slowly admitting, "Your brother tells me a lot when he's drunk and depressed."

Tristano moves my hand off my face. "What are you talking about?"

"Let's forget I said anything."

"No. Tell me how you know about the dungeon."

Nerves fill me. I confess, "Dante used to get really upset about Bridget. A long time ago. Like when she was in Chicago and before they got together."

"And?"

The hairs on my neck rise. I shouldn't be telling Tristano any of this, but I don't see a way out. "He would get drunk and come into the office. I worked a lot of late nights. He'd lie on the couch, telling me his sob stories and eventually fall asleep. I'd come in the next day, and he'd be gone."

"So, what do you know about the dungeon?" Tristano demands.

"Just stuff," I casually reply.

Tristano's face reddens. "Pina, I want to know right now."

"Why? You can't tell Dante!"

He exhales loudly.

"Tristano!"

"Fine. But I still want to know."

"Why?"

"Because I do."

I decide there's no way of getting out of this. I cave. "First of all, I've never told anyone, so chill."

"Well, that's good to know," he sneers.

"Don't be like that, or I'm not telling you."

He looks at the ceiling then finally back at me. In a softer tone, he says, "Go on."

I rack my brain for all the conversations I've had with Dante and decide less is better. "So it's no secret you kill your enemies, so don't freak."

Tristano's eyes widen.

"Look, I know you torture men there, and honestly, I don't have a problem with it. They all deserve it," I state and mean it. An enemy of the Marinos' is an enemy of mine.

"And?" he presses.

I get on my knees and straddle him, pushing my fingers through his hair. "Should I tell you what I know about you?"

---