CHAPTER 57: BLOOD DISCUSSIONS

The morning after was announced with sporadic shots fired into the air.

Valentina who laid all night on the one spot where a single ray of like trickled from the vent, remained unmoving.

She only continued to hum as she had done all right.

"You didn’t sleep." She heard that croaky tired voice she now recognized as her cell neighbour.

"I couldn’t." She broke her hum to respond.

"What’s that sound? The one you hum? I’ve heard the tune somewhere before. But I can’t seem to remember where."

"You have? I really can’t remember how I know it either. It just soothes me and fills up the silence."

"I take it you don’t like silence then?"

She paused long enough to release a breath. "I don’t."

"You have many scars, Valentina."

"But somehow, my face is the biggest one yet. Ironic right?"

"I doubt that. Your mother was the most beautiful woman I and many other people had ever seen. If you look anything like her—" he paused, as realization struck at him. "I see."

She forced a smile. "It’s morning I think." A yawn escaped her throat.

"I’m not sure, but it should be a Friday today."

"It is," Valentina replied.

"Then the doors will open when the gunshots cease."

"What are the gun shots about?"

"Friday workshop. Every Mafia fraction has a day dedicated to it. Although, from the sound of those shots, I think the guys are in for one heck of a ride. It would seem that Luce Nera’s anger is not yet satisfied."

"Then he should kill me and get on with it. Because if I survive this, I’ll kill him first," she said with seriousness in her voice.

He laughed. "You’re still so funny Valentina."

Valentina returned to humming, and her neighbour eavesdropped, as he tried to remember where he had heard that sound from.

***

Luciano was in his office going through the reports for a business with a fast approaching deadline, when he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," he said.

Aurora peeked into his office room first, and when she saw him seated behind the desk, she smiled and walked in.

"Good morning fratello." She moved to a seat, and sat across from him.

"Morning Ro," he replied, dropping everything he was doing and resting his eyes on her. "How are you feeling this morning? I didn’t want to disturb you yesterday with my presence."

"Don’t say that. Your presence could never be disturbing to me. And I should be asking how you are? You were closer to the girl after all."

Guilt flashed through his eyes. "You know I’ll never choose anyone above you, right?" He said in a voice desperate for her to see she need not worry about whatever closeness she thought he had with Valentina.

Aurora smiled weakly. "I know I am as important to you as you are important to me. But I was thinking last night—" her lips pursed, as she thought of how to bring up what was in her mind.

"Tell me your thoughts and your desires. Anything at all, and I’ll make sure I make them come to pass."

She looked up at him. "Even if I want you to kill the girl?"

Luciano held his breath for a few seconds before releasing it. "Even though you want me to kill the girl," he said, with as much conviction as he could muster.

It wasn’t much.

Aurora smiled again. "Nah, we’re not mindless killers. You always say the crime should fit the punishment. What is her crime though? Being the unfortunate victim of evil parents? She probably sees us the same way."

He shook his head. "No, it’s different. Our father was an innocent man. Her father betrayed our father. He went to the states to take revenge on just Allen Wallace. But make no mistake Ro, this all started with Allen Wallace."

"Fratello," she covered his large hands with her smaller ones. "I don’t care much for her. In fact, I would be pleased if she and her friend leave Neravalle, and even Italy for good. But both Elio and Vitto convinced me last night. If there’s even a little way that she can help clear up papa’s name, and finally put Mama’s spirit to rest, then let her do it. Please."

"But I’m not stopping her." He covered her tiny hands in his large hand with his other hand.

"She really wouldn’t be helpful locked up in LaNotte."

"Then she’ll remain there until she is willing to be."

"Fratello–"

"You’re kind, and that’s a good quality. So let make the difficult decision."

"No, I don’t buy it." She withdrew her hand from his hold.

"You don’t buy what?"

"Even up until yesterday, I saw the brief look in your eyes when she walked into the room. You’re tempted by her."

"Mind your words, Ro."

"I won’t," she replied defiantly. "Because you know I’m telling the truth. You are attracted to her. I think most of your anger stems from the fact you are attracted to the woman who is the daughter of your sworn nemesis."

"That is not true, Ro. Valentina Wallace, Quinn, or whatever the fuck her name is has no hold on me! I feel absolutely nothing for her. That’s why I can lock her in a cell without any regrets."

"No, you’re locking her up so you don’t have to see her face when you make these difficult decisions. You know you wouldn’t be able to hold on too long to your anger if she’s in your presence."

"What do you know about any of this Ro?!" His voice raised slightly in frustration.

"I am not a child, and it’s time you all stop treating me like one!" She banged a fist on the table.

Luciano’s head doubled back. "Don’t speak to me in that tone, young lady."

She exhaled heavily. "I’m sorry. I just want us to be better than her parents. I want Papa’s name to be cleared. I want you to find that thing you’re always discreetly searching for. All of these whether you like it or not are tied to Valentina. But it’s still your choice to make—Luce." She rose to her feet, and walked straight to the door.

"Ro?!" He called before she could walk out.

"Sìfratello?"

"Help Daniela find a wedding dress faster.. I’m moving the date of our wedding forward."

She froze. "What?" Her body spun towards him. "You can’t do that. Are you sure about that? Do you really want to marry Daniela that badly?" She asked all of these questions at the same time.

"Yes I do. I desperately want to marry her. So you’ll ensure the preparations are sped up, won’t you?"

"Fratello, do you even love Daniela?"

"Shouldn’t you be happy for your friend? Why the questions?" He fired back.

"Because you are my brother and I want you to be happy. You won’t be happily married to a woman you don’t love. Not someone like Daniela. No offence," she added for security purposes.

His face grew cold. "Thanks for the unrequested advice. Now go do as I say."

Her shoulders fell in defeat. "Sìfratello."

But as she walked out of the room and shut the door, Aurora had other plans up her sleeve.