Chapter 10 - THE FIRST DATE
Elina chose a taco truck.
Luca stared at plastic table.
“You did this on purpose.”
“Yes.”
“No reservation.”
“No.”
“No private room.”
“No.”
“No wine list.”
“Tragic.”
He smiled.
Security stayed across street.
Compromise.
Noah was with Camila.
No business.
No Sofia questions for first hour.
They talked.
Elina’s childhood.
Miguel teaching her to change tire.
Rosa’s terrible singing.
Luca growing up in Moretti family.
His father teaching him cards at six.
First fight at thirteen.
First legitimate company at twenty-four.
Then mafia side.
Elina asked:
“Do you kill people?”
He did not make joke.
“I have ordered violence.”
Honest.
“That bothers you?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He looked surprised.
“You want me to lie?”
“No.”
“I’m trying to reduce that world.”
“Trying?”
“It doesn’t disappear because I decide I’m tired.”
Fair.
Then:
“What do you want?”
He thought.
“More legitimate businesses.”
“Less fear.”
“More time with Noah.”
“Good.”
Then:
“And you.”
Elina’s stomach tightened.
“But?”
He looked at her.
“But only if I can want you without turning you into Sofia.”
That mattered.
“Can you?”
“I’m learning.”
Then she asked:
“What did you love about her that has nothing to do with how she looked?”
Luca smiled.
“She cheated at cards.”
Good.
“She hated opera.”
Elina loved opera.
Difference.
“She slept with window open even in January.”
Elina hated cold.
Difference.
“She could not cook.”
Elina could.
Difference.
“She laughed when angry.”
Elina went silent.
Difference.
The more he described Sofia, the safer Elina felt.
Twins were not same person.
Then he asked about Sean? No deceased husband not in story. Elina had no prior marriage. Fine.
“Have you been in love?”
“Once.”
College boyfriend.
Ended because he wanted California.
Not tragic.
Good.
Then dinner ended.
Luca asked:
“Can I kiss you?”
Elina looked at him.
“Not tonight.”
He nodded.
No disappointment weapon.
“Okay.”
Then:
“Second date?”
She smiled.
“Maybe.”
Two days later, Sorelle construction site was vandalized.
Windows broken.
Spray paint:
THIEF.
Elina’s stomach dropped.
Was it Moretti enemies?
Matteo supporters?
Random?
Police investigated.
Camera showed woman.
Not mafia.
A middle-aged woman connected to Bellandi extended family.
Name:
Francesca Bellandi.
Sofia’s cousin.
She believed Elina was an impostor stealing Sofia’s inheritance.
Family conflict.
Not criminal empire.
Elina almost laughed.
Wealth brings new nonsense.
Then Francesca’s lawyer produced an old letter from Teresa Bellandi, Elina’s mother.
It said:
I agreed Elena should be placed permanently.
May you like
Elina froze.
Maybe her mother had chosen adoption too.
