Page 73 of Sins of the Son

MILANA

I grasped the lapels of the conductor’s borrowed wool jacket closer as I stared at the helicopter landing in a nearby field. The sterling silver Cavalieri crest of two rearing stallions and a cluster of grapes emblazoned on the side glowed in the last rays of the setting sun.

Of course.

Only a Cavalieri could get an entire train to stop so that a motherfucking helicopter could pick them up in the middle of nowhere. I glanced over my shoulder at the passengers who had lowered their windows to stare at the spectacle. They were all calling out and waving their arms, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying over the helicopter's rotor blades. With Italians, it was anyone’s guess if they were annoyed or amused. Probably both.

The co-pilot door opened, and a man jumped out. It was Alfonso. He bent his body low as he ran toward us carrying a leather satchel.

He nodded toward Cesare and me, and then held out his hand to the conductor. After shaking hands, he passed him the leather satchel. “Barone Cavalieri sends his apologies for the delay in your schedule. This is for you and your passengers for the inconvenience. Please see they get it.”

The conductor opened the satchel. It was filled with crisp euro bills in neat piles.

I didn’t even want to think about how many thousands of euro had casually been tossed into a leather bag to bribe a train full of people as I was being escorted across the field toward the waiting family helicopter.

This couldn’t possibly be my life right now.

At any moment, I was going to wake up from this twisted night terror.

Cesare got into the back of the helicopter first. Then Alfonso gently took my arm and helped me inside.

I was so numb and overwrought from everything that had happened that I was like a doll, allowing myself to be handled and moved about. Cesare reached over and buckled my seat belt for me. He then fitted the headphones over my ears for protection. I watched with only half interest as Alfonso climbed into the front co-pilot seat and gave the pilot a thumbs-up. The helicopter lifted smoothly off the ground.

I looked out the window as we climbed higher and higher. Soon, the train looked like a toy model as it continued on its path through the countryside. The passengers allowed to continue on with their lives, a little richer for having crossed paths with a Cavalieri.

The little people inside were no more than the size of ants.

Was this what it was like to be a Cavalieri?

To feel like a god, looking down at all the little people?

Knowing you could stop and start someone else’s life to suit your own purposes, as if you were just stopping a toy train on a track?

* * *

It was dusk by the time we arrived at the vineyard.

I had expected Cesare to take me to his home, but instead, he bundled me off the helicopter and across the yard to the villa.

Barone opened the massive, arched double doors as we neared. It was obvious I had interrupted his work at the winery. He was still wearing a pair of roughed-up denim pants with ground-in dirt and grape-skin stains, heavy work boots, and an oatmeal-colored thermal shirt with the sleeves pushed up.

Before I could say a word, he enfolded me in his arms. It was like being hugged by a muscular, super scary, yet sexy Santa Claus. It was oddly comforting. I couldn’t help but feel protected and safe… I was starting to understand why Amara had fallen under this man’s spell.

Barone leaned back. “I don’t know all the details, but I know enough. I’m sure my son has already told you this, but I want you to hear it from me as well. We consider you family now. A Cavalieri. No one hurts one of our own and gets away with it.”

We consider you family now. A Cavalieri.

Why did that sound like a warning? Almost like a threat?

Amara saved me from responding. She and Rosa appeared together.

Amara took charge of me while Rosa clucked and cooed over Cesare’s busted-up hand.

Before Amara could take me upstairs, Cesare pulled me aside. He placed both hands on the sides of my face and looked down at me. “You matter, babygirl. Above all else, please never forget, you matter to me. I’m going to make damn sure I spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.” He kissed me on the forehead, and then turned and followed Barone and Rosa down the hall.

I watched as Barone placed an arm over his shoulders and Cesare’s head bowed.

My fingers flexed as I half raised my arm.

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