Chapter 2 - THE NAME THAT FRIGHTENED A MAFIA BOSS
Rosie had spent twenty-eight years believing her grandmother was an ordinary Italian widow who loved cooking, church bingo, and telling embarrassing childhood stories.
Apparently, she had been wrong.
Salvatore Rossi stared at her as though she'd climbed out of a grave.
"Where is Antonella?" he whispered.
Rosie crossed her arms.
"Why?"
"Please. Just tell me she's alive."
"She's eighty-one years old and currently angry because I forgot to bring her cannoli last Sunday."
Salvatore closed his eyes.
"God help us."
Rosie frowned.
"Would somebody please explain what is happening?"
Behind her, a car door opened.
Lorenzo Bianca stepped onto the loading dock.
His expensive shoes made almost no sound against the concrete.
"Salvatore."
The importer nearly jumped.
"Mr. Bianca."
"Leave."
"But—"
"Now."
Salvatore hurried toward his truck.
Within seconds, Rosie and Lorenzo were alone beside the humming refrigerators.
She looked at him.
"Did you threaten my vendor?"
"No."
"Then why does he look ready to have a heart attack?"
"Because he recognizes your grandmother's name."
Rosie felt her patience slipping.
"Everyone keeps saying that like it's supposed to mean something."
Lorenzo studied her face.
"Antonella Bellini raised you?"
"Yes."
"Your mother?"
"Died when I was nine."
"Your father?"
Rosie's expression hardened.
"Was never interested in being one."
Lorenzo looked away briefly.
Then asked, "Did Antonella ever tell you about Palermo?"
"She grew up there."
"What else?"
"That the summers were hot, the fishermen were dishonest, and no respectable Sicilian woman should marry a man who didn't know how to cook."
For the first time, Lorenzo laughed.
It was quiet and unexpected.
Rosie stared.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He looked almost sad.
"She sounds exactly as I remember."
Rosie's heart skipped.
"You knew her?"
"A long time ago."
"How long?"
"Before you were born."
She studied him.
"And why does everybody think she's dead?"
Lorenzo's expression closed.
"Because she disappeared after a tragedy."
"What tragedy?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled a business card from his jacket.
"Give this to your grandmother."
Rosie looked at the card.
Only a telephone number appeared.
No company logo.
No address.
"Why?"
"Tell her Lorenzo Bianca wants to speak with her."
Rosie shook her head.
"No."
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"If you have something to say to my grandmother, you can explain why before involving her."
Something almost like admiration crossed his face.
"You really are Antonella's granddaughter."
Rosie stepped backward.
"And you're being incredibly strange."
She turned toward the hotel entrance.
Lorenzo didn't stop her.
But just before she reached the door, he spoke.
"Rosie."
She looked back.
"Don't mention our conversation to Dante."
Her stomach tightened.
"Why?"
Lorenzo's expression darkened.
"Because if he knows who your grandmother is, he may try to find her first."
Rosie stared at him.
"Why would he do that?"
Lorenzo hesitated.
May you like
Then he said something she would remember for the rest of her life.
"Because Antonella Bellini is the only living witness to my father's murder."
