else and he was killed so he wouldn’t talk to us, or because he double-crossed them. He was quite capable of something like that. He had few scruples.”
“That doesn’t mean he wasn’t ours,” Eloisa insisted.
Stefano nodded. “That’s why we’re investigating, Eloisa.”
“She’ll need care. For all his sins, Bruno did see to her care,” Emmanuelle said.
“The Laconis own the kitchen shop. Their daughter Angelina is a nurse and I’ve asked her to oversee Theresa for now. Our family will pay for her private care. I’ve asked Angelina to find a second nurse willing to help her with round-the-clock care. Also, the Laconis have a son, Pace, in high school. He’ll help Anita Laconi keep the Fior A Bizzeffe open for now. Theresa needs the income and the Laconis can use the extra income. We’ll see about selling the shop for Theresa and adding whatever amount she needs to her account.”
“We’ll take turns visiting her,” Vittorio said. “Make all the funeral arrangements for him. I can talk to her if you’d like, Stefano.”
“I’ll do it,” Eloisa said. “She’s been my friend for more than forty years. She was one of the first people my mother ever took me to visit.” Her voice broke and she shook her head.
“Unfortunately, Bruno was not the only victim,” Stefano continued, covering up for his mother’s unexpected show of emotion. “This was undoubtedly a purge of employees. There is no way it is a coincidence that Bruno and three others disappeared and then their bodies were found a day later.”
“Who?” Ricco asked.
Eloisa turned fierce eyes on him. “Where’s Mariko? She’s a rider and should be here. She may be a woman, but she is every bit as good and deserves her place here. I think she’s earned the right to be a Ferraro.”
Ricco leaned toward his mother. “I agree one hundred percent, Eloisa. Thank you for acknowledging that my wife is a true member of our family. All of us believe the same way. She’s guarding Francesca.”
“Of course. In the middle of a war, where is your wife, Stefano? I would think she would be here, instead of lounging at home . . .”
“Enough.” Stefano rose to his feet, his face a mask of fury. “She’s at home exactly where she needs to be, fighting for the life of our child. You will not say one more word, not one, against the woman I love and respect with everything in me. She’s made my life worth living. I’m sorry yours wasn’t and your children didn’t make up for your loneliness, but you let yourself become a bitter, nasty woman striking out at anyone who shows you the least bit of compassion. For once in your life you listen to what I say. If I hear you utter one more word against my wife, I will banish you from this family. You will leave our territory and you won’t be spoken of again. If you think I won’t do it, you try me.”
Emmanuelle went white, shaking her head, eyes over-bright, and again Vittorio had to keep her from jumping to her feet.
The room went completely silent for several seconds. Vittorio kept his eyes on his oldest brother. Stefano had lost more than one child and now, with Francesca struggling to keep the one she carried, he wasn’t to be trifled with. The family was one rider down and all of them were exhausted, never a good thing for riders and he knew it. He was sending his brothers and sisters into the shadows to carry out harsh justice when they were already tired. Now they faced a war with a major crime family, one they’d had a truce with, even at times an uneasy alliance. Stefano was responsible for all of them and the pressure on him was tremendous.
“I’m very sorry, Stefano. I had no idea Francesca was pregnant or that she was having trouble carrying. At times my idea of tough love is ludicrous. I can’t even call this that. I struck out because I’m so upset on Theresa’s behalf, and I don’t deal with my emotions well. There will be nothing more said about Francesca.”
Vittorio noticed she didn’t promise not to speak about any of the other women, but his mother’s apology was so shocking he didn’t point it out. Again, there was a stunned silence.
Stefano slowly lowered himself into a chair. “I accept your apology, Eloisa, and will pass it on to Francesca. In the meantime, we need to get back to work. There are