Alessandro DeLuca

My ears perk up at the name that has plagued me. Alessandro DeLuca was the man who owned the restaurant where I lost my family. I can’t help but wonder if they’re the same. Keeping my eyes on my plate, I listen.

“Yes, Pops.”

“I won’t have it!” Uncle Alfonso says, banging his fist on the table and forcing my eyes up.

“But, Pops.”

“No son of mine will work for the mafia! The DeLucas are nothing but crime bosses no matter how many companies they open and businesses they run. They’re legalized thugs! We’re honest, hardworking people, Carmine!”

“Can we talk about this later, Pops?” Carmine says, looking around at the kids and women.

His father barely nods his head, but the matter isn’t dropped.

“Alessandro DeLuca is the one who owns Calore?” Irene asks.

“Mm-hmm,” Paola answers, chewing her food slowly.

“What’s Calore?” I ask, looking around the table.

“A nightclub over in Cagliari. It’s—”

Alfonso cuts Paola’s explanation off. “Enough! No more talk of the DeLucas at my table. Is that understood?”

Everyone silently murmurs their assent and returns to eating. In less than two minutes, everyone starts talking again, but the DeLuca name is not mentioned anymore.

***

“Are you sure about this, Mila?” Dario asks, his eyebrows arched down in a frown.

“You guys try to talk some sense into her because she surely isn’t listening to me,” Paola complains, her scowl matching Dario’s.

“Look, I don’t have a choice in the matter. Too much time has passed. Motherfuckers might forget me, but I’m about to make them remember!”

“But you’re not even ready. Do you know who you’re up against here? I get that you’ve been going through rigorous workouts since you’ve been here and that your father trained you for war, but this is a very different type of war. Nothing can prepare you for launching an assault against the mafia in their territory,” Paola complains.

I stand up and walk to where she’s standing on the other side of the table. “This is my family we’re talking about, Paola! There is no money in this world that I wouldn’t give to see my husband again and kiss my daughter! I’m not launching an assault on anyone. I simply need information, and I believe Alessandro DeLuca has what I need. He knows who killed my family, and I won’t rest until I find out who that is, and I make sure that they suffer the way I’ve suffered!” I seethe.

“Look, I know this is hard for you, but I love you as though you were my sister. We may not have grown up together, but you mean as much to me as if we’ve always known one another. You have no idea what it’s doing to us to see you closing the world out. Carlo was my cousin, and we all loved him, but it’s time for you to move on. You can’t continue to do this to yourself.”

“Do what?”

“Nothing.”

“No! Say it, Paola! Fucking say it! Say I’m a nut case who can’t get her shit together because she can’t get over her dead husband and child!”

Paola’s light brown eyes turn away from mine as she glances at the floor and twists her lips.

“Guys, please. Let’s just take a minute to breathe. I know you both love one another more than words can say. I don’t want either of you to say something you’ll later regret,” Dario intones.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Carmine asks, walking into the dining room, where the three of us are gathered to have a private conversation.

I cross my arms over my chest and walk back around the table to stare out the window.

“So I’m getting the silent treatment, huh?” Carmine asks.

“Tell him. Don’t get quiet now,” Paola says from behind me.

“I’m about tired of that damned mouth of yours!” I snap as I turn around and point my finger toward her.