Chapter 108
Riccardo stepped forward as the gates opened and pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I wanted to surprise you, Zia,” he murmured against her shoulder.
“Come in! Come in!” she urged, stepping back to look at him properly, her hands framing his face. She gestured sharply to one of the guards. “Take his bags p>
The taxi idled awkwardly at the curb beyond the gates, its driver glancing nervously at the security presence before quickly unloading the luggage.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as they began walking up the long gravel drive toward the mansion.
“Mrs. Genovese spoke to the Don,” he said carefully. “He got me a spot with Luca. I am to replace Marco p>
Nonnina stopped mid-step.
“What? Does Luciano know this p>
“I told the Don to wait until I saw you,” Riccardo said. “I didn’t want to ruin the surprise p>
They resumed walking, but her pace had slowed.
“I have so many questions,” she said finally. “The first is, I didn’t know you wanted to join the familia. You said you wanted to pursue medicine. You were going to be a doctor p>
“It didn’t work out, Zia p>
They reached the wide stone steps leading into the mansion. The front doors stood tall and carved.
“How is your mother?” she asked.
“She is fine,” he replied. “Well taken care of. The Genovese have been generous p>
“Luciano has been generous.” Nonnina corrected. “Why would Don want Marco replaced p>
“I don’t have much information, Zia,” he said carefully. “But Bianca said he betrayed Luciano p>
“Impossible.” Nonnina’s reply came fast. She moved toward the sitting room. “Marco has been with Luciano a long time. He would never.” Her eyes sharpened as she turned back to him. “And since when are you so close with Bianca p>
Riccardo allowed himself a faint smile. “Did you forget? We were in school together p>
“Oh Nonnina’s pace slowed. “I still didn’t know you were close p>
“She has been a very good friend… It’s really so good to see you again, Zia p>
She reached up to cup his cheek. “It’s good to see you too. I’ll make you something to eat and then you can go see Luca at the office. Then he needs to give me instructions on where to have you situated p>
“Of course…of course.” He sank into the deep leather sofa, stretching his long legs in front of him.
Soon, Nonnina returned, a tray balanced expertly in her hands. Steam curled from a bowl of pasta al forno, with bread and olives.
“God, I’ve missed your meals,” he said.
“Ah…your mother cooks better than me.” Nonnina waved the compliment away, but she stepped closer, smoothing his hair back from his forehead.
“And she brags about it at every opportunity.” He let out a low laugh.
He had just finished his meal, the last smear of tomato sauce dragged clean with a piece of bread, when the sound of footsteps descended the staircase.
Veronica appeared slowly, one hand gliding along the banister. She was dressed for work in a fitted Scalese pizza T shirt, the logo stretched lightly across her chest, and blue jeans.
“Ah… Zuccherino!” Nonnina’s entire face transformed.
Riccardo’s gaze sharpened instantly. He reached for his phone and tapped the screen. He angled it low, subtly, unnoticeable.
“You feel better?” Nonnina asked as she cupped Veronica’s cheek.
“I’m fine, thank you very much, Nonni,” Veronica replied.
“And who is this?” Riccardo asked, tilting his head slightly.
“None of your business.” Nonnina’s response cut clean. She did not even look at him when she said it. Her attention remained fixed on Veronica. “You have a nice day. I’ll make you something that will give you energy for dinner p>
Veronica laughed. “I’ll need it,” she said. She leaned forward and hugged Nonnina gently. Her eyes flicked toward Riccardo.
She turned and walked toward the front door
.Nonnina turned slowly back to Riccardo. He had slipped the phone into his pocket, leaning back into the sofa cushions with a faint smirk.
“You want to live long?” she asked.
Riccardo straightened immediately. “I’m sorry, Nonni. Did I do something wrong p>
“Stay out of Luca’s business at home. Do you hear me?” she said.
“Yes, Zia,” he answered finally, lowering his eyes.
But inside, his thoughts moved faster. Who was she? Why did Nonnina defend her so fiercely?
“I suppose I should head out to see Luciano,” he continued smoothly, shifting the subject. “He still works from Commissioned, right p>
“I’ll get someone to drive you,” Nonnina replied.
As she moved toward the hallway to summon a driver, Riccardo remained seated for a moment longer.
The moment Nonnina’s footsteps faded down the corridor, he stepped toward the tall windows overlooking the gardens. He pulled his phone from his pocket and opened the video call.
Bianca answered almost immediately.
Her face filled the screen.
“Did you get the video?” he asked quietly.
“She is in my house p>
“Is that the woman you say you saw?” Riccardo pressed.
“Yes!” Bianca snapped. “He brought her into our home p>
Riccardo leaned his shoulder against the cool glass of the window. “I still think you need to take a chill pill. You married a Genovese, for God’s sake. What did you think was going to happen p>
Bianca’s nostrils flared. “We haven’t even consummated the marriage and he is already taking a mistress and bringing her into our home p>
In their world, men had mistresses. But bringing a woman into the same house they were supposed to be living in, before even sealing the marriage? That was insult.
“Look,” Riccardo said. “I’m not doing this again, okay? We are even now p>
Whatever history lay between them was finished. They had made promises once. Then she had married power instead.
“Don’t take that tone with me,” Bianca hissed. Her face leaned closer to the screen, her beauty sharpened dangerously. “Do you realize who you are speaking to p>
Riccardo’s jaw tightened. Of course he did.
He was speaking to the wife of Luciano Genovese. A woman whose word was law in the familia. He was speaking to someone who had chosen power over him.
(Brought to you by Mrs B. Thank you very much p>
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