As I pore over the list of names involved with the famiglia, I can't help but spot my uncle, Nicolo, as Consigliere... He may not have been the monster my father was, but he was no angel either. And I'd have to watch out for him.
I'm lost in my thoughts when a knock snaps my attention. The door slowly opens, and a reluctant Amelia looks at me for approval. I nod, and she enters the room.
"Signor." She starts, her hands fidgeting in front of her. She probably already thinks I'm like my father. As much as I'd like to disabuse her of the notion, I can't. I'm not as naïve as to think that there aren't any ears in this house. I need to maintain a strong front, and if they think I'm a cruel self-serving bastard, then so be it. It's not as if it's too far from the truth, even though my motives are not that self-serving.
"Yes. Speak!"
"I..." She takes a deep breath before continuing. "Please excuse Signorina Venezia. She's young and willful, and she's never had a guiding hand before. She did not say it out of malice."
"I understand her having an opinion about my absence. That doesn't excuse her tone and lack of manners. Who's been in charge of her education?"
"That's just the thing Signor... no one."
I frown.
"What do you mean, no one?"
Again the fidgeting, as if she's trying to spill some secret but can't decide yet if she's going to do it or not.
"Signor Valentino was never the same after Signora Romina died... He closed himself off, and left Signorina Venezia on her own."
"That was eight years ago." I add. "You mean to tell me that no one took charge of her since then?"
"Yes. That is correct." Amelia looks away, clearly disapproving of Venezia's treatment. "I've tried to take her under my wing, teach her some things... but Signor Valentino did not like her getting overly friendly with the staff. There was only so much I could do."
"What exactly are you implying?"
"Signorina Venezia's a little mischievous, but it's only because she's always wanted some attention, and because no one taught her differently."
I purse my lips, considering this for a moment. I never expected that. Sure, I didn't think Tino would be a spectacular parental figure, but he'd always been warmer than any of our other relatives. That explains why she was so upset at my absence. In her mind, I'd just been one more person who abandoned her.
"Thank you for your information. I will see that she receives a proper education from now on."
Amelia looks as if she's about to add something, but then she just nods and exits the room.
I guess I must see about a governess too, since I don't feel comfortable with Venezia going to school on her own. At least not now, when the stakes are too high.
After finishing unpacking, I get out of the house. Getting into my car, I drive around, needing the distraction. It's a few miles away that my phone rings. Initially, I tell myself to ignore it, but a glance at the caller ID has me pulling over and answering it.
"Vlad." I reply, curious to see why he's calling.
"Marcello," he starts, his tone serious. "I thought I'd let you know of a rather sudden development." He pauses briefly, probably to make me even more curious.
"Well?" I ask.
"All the entry routes through NJ have been stopped."
"All?"
"Including mine." So that's why he's s so serious... He's pissed. This doesn't bode well. I hope no one is in his immediate proximity.
"I assume ours too, then." The Lastra family has had a long-standing partnership with the Russians from Brighton Beach, my father being a good friend of the former Pakhan's. And they both mainly deal in the same things—drugs.
"Yes." Vlad's answer is clipped.
"The Irish?"
"Unconfirmed. Maybe." That is unusual. Vlad is in the loop about everything. Either he truly does not know, or he doesn't want me to know.
"If not them, then who?" I inquire.
"Cartels. Jimenez's death created a power vacuum. There are too many factions fighting for power. It's hard to pinpoint which one did this." He takes a deep breath before continuing. "But I will find out. And you will help."
"I will help?" I ask, almost amused. But I already know what he's going to say.
"This will be the perfect opportunity for you to prove yourself to the famiglia. Clear the way for the merchandise, win their favor. Simple."
"So simple." I repeat mockingly. Vlad chuckles.
"Come on, it will be like old times." He adds with a little too much enthusiasm. That much is true. I'd ran away while Vlad had succumbed.
"It was worth a try." He pauses and changes the subject. "How's the famiglia treating you so far?"
"I have yet to meet most of them. But there was no homecoming party."
"Did you expect one?"
"No." I add drily. Sobering, I ask something that's been nagging at me for a while "How safe is Sacre Coeur?"
"Safe enough. For now. Are you thinking of taking your sister home?"
"If that's what she wants... but I highly doubt it."
"Don't worry about that. She's not the only principessa hiding there."
I grunt and hang up. I have a visit scheduled with Assisi tomorrow to inform her of Tino's death. Although I doubt she'll want anything to do with me.
I sigh. I don't think I can ever make amends for everyone I've hurt.
SACRE COEUR IS UP NORTH, half an hour off Albany, in a remote area.
I pull off the road and I try to find a parking spot. Since it's a place that does not allow casual visitors, the premises do not have any parking. After I make sure I'm not likely to get towed away, I leave my car and head for the main gate.
There is only one word that can describe Sacre Coeur—massive. Built like a fortress, its gothic architecture gives it an unwelcoming feeling. It's also eerily similar to the Met Cloisters, but magnified in size. A two-meter concrete wall separates the convent from the outside world. Almost everywhere in sight there is a CCTV, and at every entry point there are guards. If you didn't know what this was, you'd think it was a prison. There's even barbed wire on top of the walls—a little too extra. But now I get what Vlad meant when he said it was safe. I wonder what made them invest in so much security. I can't imagine a bunch of nuns trying to jump fence to escape...
The guards demand to see an ID and they check me against a list of approved people. After they are satisfied, they make me remove my shoes and go through a metal detector. Yeah... extra. I'm thankful the inspection ends there, and that there isn't anyone to pat me down. That would not go well.
I am then told to wait for Mother Superior.
"Mr. Lastra." An older woman attired in the typical black and white garb addresses me. Her skin is pinched around the corners of her mouth, making her sport a perpetual scowl.
I incline my head. "Mother Superior."
"I understand you're here to see Sister Assisi?"
"Indeed." I reply, but she continues as if I didn't.
"Such a charitable girl, Sister Assisi. And she will take her vows with us next year. She's on a path of light. I hope your visit will not jeopardize that."