Page 10 of The Empress

I’m not the kind of woman to get involved in a summer fling, and I don’t do long-distance relationships. Clubs are also not my thing.

I scrunch my nose and give her an apologetic look. “I’d rather not go to a club. Maybe we can drive around Maiori and you can show me all the pretty sights?”

A smile spreads over her face. “That would be so much better. We can also drive out to other places.”

I lean toward her as excitement bubbles in my chest. “That would be awesome! A mini road trip.”

“Girls,” Aunt Giada calls from the veranda. “It’s getting cold. Are you going to come in?”

We get up and walk into the house, where it’s warmer. Reaching the foot of the stairs, I say, “I’m going to get ready for bed.”

“I hope you sleep well,” Liliana replies.

I give her a warm smile. “You, too.”

I head up to the second floor, but before I can slip into my bedroom, Mom’s door opens, and she pops her head out. “Come here for a second.”

I change direction and walk to her room. When she shuts the door behind us, I ask, “What’s up?”

“I think we should cut our trip short.”

Surprised, my eyes widen. “Why? Did something happen?”

She shakes her head, and I can feel she’s keeping something from me when she says, “I overheard a conversation today, and I don’t want to frighten you, but I think your uncle is involved in something shady.”

My eyebrows lift even higher. “What did you hear?”

Mom steps closer to me and lowers her voice to a whisper. “Something about an attack and guns.” My mouth drops open as I stare at my mother while she continues, “I’m going to get us a flight back to Montana. We’ll just tell them there’s an emergency at home and we have to cut our vacation short.

Even though I understand, I still feel disappointed because I was enjoying my time with Liliana, and there’s so much more I wanted to see. “Okay. Let me know the details, then I’ll ask Kristen to pick us up at the airport.”

Mom nods, and reaching out to me, she takes hold of my arm. “Don’t go anywhere without me.”

“Liliana wanted to show me around, and I was hoping to take a short road trip with her.”

Mom shakes her head hard. “No. I don’t want you leaving my sight. Everything feels wrong in this house.”

“Didn’t Dad tell you about Uncle Nicolo?” I ask.

Mom sighs, her eyes flicking to the shut door. “He didn’t talk about his childhood, and after leaving home, he had minimal contact with Nicolo. He never even mentioned his parents.” She gives my arm a squeeze. “Let’s go home. I don’t want to getcaught in the crossfire of whatever shady business Nicolo is involved with.”

Well, that sucks.

“Okay.” I lean in and give Mom a hug. “I’m going to shower and sleep.”

“Good night, sweetheart,” she murmurs, her eyes glued to me as I leave her bedroom.

Just as I reach my door, I hear Uncle Nicolo’s voice rumbling from the direction of the stairs, but I can only understand a few words.

I think they’re talking about some kind of attack on happening on Tuesday, and I also hear Leo’s name, but I can’t make out anything else.

God, I wish I understood Italian better.

I quickly dart into my bedroom and shut the door partially while shamelessly trying to eavesdrop.

Luciano complains about it being dangerous, which has Uncle Nicolo cursing.

Holy shit! Mom is right.