son of Michael Ricci. He and his wife, Miranda Fascini, came from Vermont in the seventies. Tommy found records of a living relative in Montpelier.”
“So you really think Mike and Scott are Elena Ricci’s descendants?”
“It’s too much of a coincidence, Son. The Ricci were going to be brought into the Family. When Elena and Emilio fled it bought great shame to her family, and they left Verona County. They never returned and it was always assumed that after Emilio’s death, Elena killed herself. But what if she didn’t... what if she escaped with Emilio’s child?”
“Hold up, are you saying that Scott Fascini is really a Marchetti?”
“It’s a possibility, Son. Tommy hit a few snags with the records, so he’s going straight to the source and I want you to go with him.”
“You want me to go to Vermont?”
“It’ll keep you busy. Besides, Tommy could use the back up.”
“Do I get any choice in the matter?” Vermont was a four-hour ride North. Another four hours away from Arianne. I didn’t like it, but from my father’s heavy sigh, I knew it was non-negotiable. “Fine, I’ll go.”
“Good, he’ll be there in less than an hour.”
“There’s a party,” I said. “An engagement party.”
“I know, Son.”
“You do?”
“I told you I’d keep my eye on Arianne, and I intend on keeping that promise. But we have to tread carefully if we want to avoid war.”
“Then tell me how to do this? Tell me how to sit here, while her father gives her to the piece of shit who...” I couldn’t say it.
“I understand your pain, Niccolò, but you have to keep your mind on the bigger picture. The Family must come first. Always. Arianne is your woman now, which means she has my protection. But we must get to the bottom of this thing with Fascini.”
“I understand.” I forced the words out. He kept talking about the Family and responsibility, but my head and heart were divided.
“Good. Go to Vermont and get answers and then we can figure out how to proceed." There was a pause and then he sighed. "Porca miseria. Your sister is outside hovering. Alessia, get in here,” he grumbled.
I heard her voice in the background. “Sorry, Daddy. I swear I wasn’t eavesdropping.”
I smiled. She was too smart for her own good sometimes.
“I’ll speak to you soon.” There was some muffled noise and then my sister’s voice filled the line.
“Nicco?”
“Hey, Sia.”
“How are you? How’s Boston? Tell me everything.”
“Whoa, take a breath.”
“Sorry.” She chuckled. “I was just waiting for Dad to leave.”
“Sia?” My spine went rigid.
“So... I was thinking…” I didn’t like the hesitation in her voice. “What if I invited Arianne to hang out? Maybe that would help.”
My heart swelled. “Shit, Sia, that’s what you wanted to talk about?”
“Well, yeah. You didn’t think I really give a shit ab—”
“Language!”
“Chill, big brother. I like Arianne and I keep thinking about what she’s having to do... he hurt her, Nicco, he hurt and—”
“I know,” I let out a pained breath, “I know.”
“But maybe if I offered to hang out with her, she’d know she wasn’t alone. Not that she’s alone, I know she has Nora, and she seems cool and all, but I thought—”
“You’re worried about her.”
A beat passed and then my sister whispered, “Yeah, I am.”
“Leave it with me.”
I didn’t want to put Alessia at risk any more than I wanted to put Arianne at risk. But maybe she was right—maybe Arianne would feel better knowing someone close to me was there for her.
“For real?”
“For real,” I chuckled. “But no theatrics, Sia. I mean it. This is a delicate situation. The last thing I need is you causing more harm than good.”
“I’ll behave, I swear. I just want to be there for her. And it isn’t like I have a ton of girlfriends to hang out with.”
“You have Arabella.”
“Yeah but Bella is family. It’s different.”
I hated that Alessia found it hard to make friends. All I ever wanted was for her to flourish. But high school hadn’t been kind to my sister. Her circle was small, and she struggled to trust people.
Not Arianne though.
She’d welcomed her into the fold with open arms and a big smile. Not that I was surprised. My Bambolina had that effect on people. She’d done the impossible, and even managed to weave my father under her spell.
“I’m going to give Arianne your cell phone number, okay?”
Alessia’s muted shrieks of excitement told me all I needed to know. She saw Arianne as one of us now.