“What is it?”
“Um, your father heard from the boys that Gia was in a bad way when she came back, so….”
“So, he came upstairs looking for her.”
“Um!” She cleared her throat and looked at the marble floor between my feet.
“Tell him we’re even.” It took her a second, but Sheila was already howling with glee. I’ve never known anyone who likes drama as much as this one.
“Gabriel!” Ma admonished with red cheeks.
“It’s a joke, Ma.” I’ll be damned if I’m going to be embarrassed. What did I come down here for? Oh yeah! “Well, since you know, the favor is for Gianna. I left some pills on the bedside table just in case….” Now I was the one blushing. How do you tell your Sicilian mom that you left pills for your lover in case you’d hurt her during sex? How is this my life? It was easier when I was plotting murder and mayhem.
“I would’ve asked the twins, but….”
“I get it, Gabriel, I understand. I’ll go up in a bit and check on her.”
“Don’t wake her up, though; I want to be here when she wakes up.” Why am I suddenly so nervous? She shooed me out, warned me to be careful, and went back to what she’d been doing.
I went looking for the twins’ team, who’d been the ones who’d taken Gianna to see the housekeeper. “I need that address.” They didn’t even have to ask which one. They did fill me in on what they saw. “The old lady seemed genuinely happy when she opened the door, but by the time Miss. Gia came back out half an hour later. It was obvious something was wrong. They both looked upset like they’d been crying. We didn’t know what else to do, so we brought her back here and warned Miss. Anna and Miss. Rosa.”
“Thanks!” I took the hummer instead of something faster because I needed to think. I had a pretty idea what I was going to hear, but for her sake, I needed to hear it so that I could help her.
The woman, Greta, was staying at a rundown motel in town, which is understandable because she’d moved out of state a while back. She opened the door and looked me up and down as if she’d been expecting me. “You must be the Russo boy? Is Gianna okay? Oh, I’m sorry, she reminded me that she goes by Gia now, but it’s so hard to call her anything but what I’ve always called her.”
“She’s fine. May I come in?” Her eyes scanned the parking lot, probably now noticing the four inconspicuous men who keep following me around. Pop is having a laugh, I see. Since I already know they’re there, why bother trying to hide. His logic can’t be beat.
“What did you say to Gianna?” I didn’t beat around the bush; I just got right to it as soon as the door closed behind me.
“I think we should sit. Telling this story for the first time in ten years has left me drained. I hope this is the last time I have to tell it.”
Half an hour later, I sat in stunned silence. “I’m sorry, but your wish that I be the last one you tell it to can’t happen. There’s one more person you must tell.”
“I…”
“I understand your fear. Give me a second.” I left her and went into the shabby little bathroom. I would’ve taken her out of here anyway, the woman who’d helped raise Gianna from a baby and who obviously still loves the little girl whose life she’d been such a part of.
“Pop, I need a favor.”
“Anything, son, name it.”
“Do we have any vacant apartments in town?"
“There’s one or two; why? You need to house the housekeeper?”
“Yeah, and I want two men with her at all times.”
“I’m on it.”
“Thanks, Pop.” I hung up and went back to Greta, filling her in on the changes.
“I know you’re scared, but I don’t want you to hide. I’m going to have security with you at all times, go anywhere you’d like, be seen, but don’t mention to anyone else what you just told me or that you’ve spoken to Gianna. Understood?”
“I guess so, but you don’t know that woman; she’s a monster.”
My smile made her swallow as her eyes widened. “There’re all types of monsters in the world, some worst than others.” My phone beeped ten minutes later with a message from Denver. “Your ride is here. Once you get settled, go to the store, and buy groceries, whatever you need, it will be taken care of.”
“Oh, take this back to Gia, I tried refusing it, but she wanted me to stay here for a few more days.” She held out the prepaid card Pop had given Gianna. “No, you keep it, use it.” I have a feeling Gianna’s not going to be needing it. She’s old enough to have her own bank card, and if she’s not, then I’ll see to it that she gets one.
I left when the men got to the room and helped her into the car. My face didn’t give anything away, but inside I was raging mad. She had to hear that shit alone, without me there to shield her. They’re going to pay for that.
BECKY
“Calm down; we can’t call the cops; how many times must I tell you that?” I was busy trying to find a tow company to come to remove the burnt-out hull of a car from the driveway before Felix got home. I knew as soon as Victoria’s car went missing that it was going to involve the Russos in one way or another and was afraid to act.
Never in a million years would I ever expect to be in this position. The position of having the most powerful family in town going against my daughter and I when we’ve never even met them except for in passing, and that very rarely. We’ve had no dealings with each other until now, and this is not the way I would’ve liked things to be between us.
Now, instead of an invitation to one of those fancy teas the wife throws that everyone is always gushing about, everyone who’s lucky enough to be invited, that is, I’m being ostracized and looked down on by the son and threatened by the other men in the family. How long before things start to unravel?
I’ve been careful over the years to cultivate my new persona. Leaving behind the brash streetwise kid I’d been to become someone who would fit in with this new sect. I’d done the research once I decided on this place, had lied and falsified information to get the job at the school, which is where my dreams started.
It was my luck to land the job without issue, and I got even luckier when I met Adrienne. Out of all the women, she was the only one to see me as more than a working drone who was too beneath her to socialize with. I’d used the fact that we both had young daughters to get close. That, and the fact that I was starting over miles away from home after losing my husband. Another lie, but it was part of my new identity.
After leaving NYC, I’d gone back to my maiden name, changed my looks, which had cost a mint just to get my hair dyed and looking halfway decent, got myself in shape and studied up on the ways of the rich and famous, and how best to fit in. I’m not sure what my complete plan was, beyond landing myself a rich husband, that is.
I didn’t set out to steal Adrienne’s life, but it was just so perfect. Everything about her life, from her background to her handsome husband and perfect home, the home she’d invited me into. It was watching Victoria with Gia that had first planted the seed of usurpation in my head.