Page 22 of The Girl from Sicily

22

LUCIA, FEbrUARY 1944

It was late in the evening, well past suppertime, and Lucia was waiting for Gero to arrive. Three weeks had gone by since she had seen him and she’d found herself longing for him every minute of every day. Finally, the rumble of a car engine sounded. Her heart racing, she ran to open the heavy wooden entrance door.

‘Lucia, amuri .’ Gero’s deep voice made her heart flutter. He put down his bag and enveloped her in his arms. ‘I’ve missed you so much,’ he said before lifting her chin up and kissing her.

She breathed in his wonderful, clean scent and told him she loved him. ‘ Ti vogghiu beni , Gero.’

They kissed again, and their heads switched sides, tongues dancing, lips sliding. The heat of passion crackled between them as Gero smoothed his hands into the swell of her hips, drawing her closer. Lucia pressed herself against his hardness, yearning for him. He gripped her tighter and their kisses became frantic. But then, without warning, he stopped.

‘We need to talk, tisoru ,’ he said with a regretful groan.

‘What about?’ A niggle of concern tightened in her chest. She could guess what was coming. It had been on the cards for weeks.

He picked up his bag and led her into the kitchen, where she poured them both a glass of wine. She sat next to him and Gero took her hand, planting a kiss on the inside of her wrist.

‘Sicily is about to be fully restored to Italian administration,’ he said.

‘But you’ll stay in Palermo to supervise, won’t you?’ Lucia gave voice to the forlorn hope.

‘Charles Rinelli has ordered me to go to Naples with him.’ Gero shook his head.

‘I don’t want you to go,’ she said, dread gripping her. ‘The napolitani are terrible people. The city is full of disease.’

‘Don’t worry, my love.’ Gero appeared to be choosing his words carefully. ‘I won’t take any risks. I’ll be fine.’

‘Please, promise you’ll be careful.’ Hot tears wet her cheeks.

‘I’ll be careful. I promise,’ he said, kissing her tears away.

Lucia lifted his sweater, ran her hands up his strong stomach. She lowered her head and kissed his chest, the muscles hard against the softness of her lips.

‘Don’t get killed,’ she whispered against his warm skin.

Looking up at him, she felt her heart fill with absolute unconditional love. This man. This incredible man. No longer the person she didn’t know if she could love, but her adored husband.

‘Make love to me, Gero,’ she said.

* * *

They made love until the early hours before falling into a deep sleep. In the morning, they made love again before Gero got the tin bathtub out of storage and Lucia heated water on the stove. They took it in turns to climb into the tub, soaping each other and laughing like two little kids.

After they’d dressed, they had breakfast – ersatz coffee and the bread Lucia had baked the day before, warmed up in the oven, then smothered with fig jam. When they’d finished eating, Gero pulled a sheaf of papers from his bag.

‘These are the notarised deeds to the baglio, amuri . I’ll leave them with you when I set off.’

He’d told her last night, as they’d lain in each other’s arms after lovemaking, that he’d stay with her for a week before heading to Palermo, where he’d board a ship that would take him to Naples.

‘ Grazie .’ Lucia took the documents from him. ‘I wish you didn’t have to go?—’

‘I’ll be back as soon as I can get some leave, sweetheart,’ he promised.

They talked about the war – about how the Germans were fighting doggedly in terrain crossed by rivers and mountains well suited for defence. Italy’s cold winter had exhausted the Allies, Gero said. Highly mechanised forces such as the US Fifth and British Eighth Armies found that vehicles were often more of a hindrance than a help. Rain frequently suspended what little mobility they had.

‘Have you any idea when they’ll capture Rome?’ Lucia asked.

‘Hopefully soon. Problem is, they’ve encountered fierce resistance at Monte Cassino.’

‘Where’s that?’ Lucia’s knowledge of Italian geography was sketchy at best.

‘Halfway between Naples and the capital.’

Lucia’s heart sank at the thought of him going so near to the front line. Thankfully, he wasn’t a combatant, but an occupied city like Naples undoubtedly would be extremely dangerous for the occupiers…

The chime of the bell by the kitchen door broke into her thoughts.

‘Someone has come to visit.’ Lucia got to her feet. ‘I wonder who it can be?—’

Gero went to check while she took their dishes to the sink. He was back within minutes, his face wreathed in smiles.

‘Look who’s here!’ he said, Lucia’s father in tow.

‘ Bon jornu .’ Pa wished her good morning. ‘I have a message for you both from don Nofriu.’ He dug into his pocket and extracted a piece of paper.

Gero took it from him and read the words out loud.

Dinu and Francu will come to a meeting at your place tomorrow evening, under cover of darkness. I will be there, along with Gaetano Sacca. There’s no need to prepare a meal.

‘It appears we’ve been issued with a command.’ Lucia glanced at Gero. ‘Hope that’s all right with you?—’

‘More Separatist monkey business, I expect. Not sure you should get involved with that, Lucia.’

‘It will give me something to keep me busy while you’re away. What harm can it do?’

‘I’m concerned that Dinu and Francu have been invited.’ Gero wrinkled his brow. ‘What on earth could don Nofriu and Gaetano Sacca want with them?’

‘We’ll find out tomorrow, no doubt,’ Lucia said, touching her hand to his arm.

‘Perhaps I should also be there?’ Her father edged forwards. ‘So I can keep an eye on things when you’re away, young man.’

‘That’s an excellent idea,’ Gero said.

* * *

The following evening, Lucia waited impatiently for her brother to arrive. It had been a couple of months since she’d seen him – not since Christmas Eve, in fact. She’d asked her father to send a message to him and Francu that they were to arrive early and have supper with her and Gero before the meeting with don Nofriu and Gaetano Sacca.

When Dinu stepped into the courtyard, Francu at his heels, Lucia stood back to look her brother up and down.

‘You seem well, frati ,’ she said. ‘The mountain air has done you good.’

‘It’s damn freezing up there at the moment.’ Dinu flinched away as she went to kiss him. ‘I envy you your cosy baglio.’

‘Come inside, everyone,’ she said, leading them into her warm kitchen, where Gero was already uncorking a bottle of red wine.

Drinks were poured, and Lucia went to take the pasta ’ncasciata she’d made earlier out of the oven – baked maccheroni prepared with meat sauce, hard-boiled eggs, aubergines and caciocavallo cheese. She carried the dish to the table and told everyone to help themselves. They ate hungrily, smacking their lips and complimenting her.

‘I haven’t had delicious food like this since I left home,’ Francu said, rubbing his stomach.

‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, cousin. Tell us how Dinu succeeded in springing you from the prison after you were captured at Christmas,’ Lucia said.

She kept her gaze on her brother while Francu recounted the tale. There was something in Dinu’s expression that unsettled her, a tightness around his mouth, his wide, darting eyes.

‘Maybe you shouldn’t brag about such things in front of me.’ Gero made a tutting sound.

‘Lighten up, Major.’ Dinu smirked. ‘Remember, I’m here to meet don Nofriu and Gaetano Sacca. I’m hoping they’ll wangle a pardon for me.’

‘I hope they do, son,’ Pa said.

They carried on eating and, at the end of the meal, Lucia served sfinci , deep-fried pastry balls dipped in sugar with nuggets of raisins inside. She’d only just cleared the dishes when the doorbell chimed and Gero went to answer it. Within minutes, he was back with don Nofriu and Gaetano Sacca.

After the godfather had introduced Gaetano to Pa, Dinu and Francu, Gero placed a bottle of grappa on the table, and Lucia went to get clean glasses, which she handed around.

‘We know you have a band of followers up in the mountains, Dinu,’ Gaetano Sacca said without preamble. ‘We’d like you and Francu to help strengthen our striking force by recruiting more men and collecting arms.’

‘For what purpose?’ Dinu asked, furrowing his brow.

‘To set up a western wing of the Separatist army under your command,’ Gaetano responded.

‘Also to subdue the communist menace,’ don Nofriu chipped in. ‘And you’ll be licensed to carry out guerrilla warfare against the carabinieri.’

Lucia glanced at Gero and took in his startled expression. She shook her head at him. He wasn’t involved in Sicilian affairs any more. The Allies had handed over control to the local authorities, and that meant don Nofriu here in Villaurora.

‘What’s in it for Francu and me?’ Dinu came right out with the question.

‘We’ll give you money for the purpose, and you’ll be formally invested as colonel,’ Gaetano said, smiling.

‘Hold on a minute,’ don Nofriu said. ‘Didn’t we agree Dinu would raise the funds by kidnapping and ransom?’

‘I’m no bandit,’ Dinu said scornfully.

‘My son is not a murderer either,’ Pa said, bristling.

‘Indeed,’ the capo said. ‘But as colonel of the western Separatist army, if you kill anyone, Dinu, it won’t be considered murder but an act of war.’

‘And my pardon for killing that carabiniere last September?’

‘Leave it with me,’ don Nofriu said.

* * *

After the party had broken up, and their guests had gone back to where they’d come from, Gero helped Lucia clear the table and then they both went to get ready for bed.

Gero went to fetch a bed warming pan from the kitchen. When he’d filled it with hot ashes from the stove, he came into the bedroom and pushed it under the bedclothes, grasping the handle and moving it up and down to get rid of the cold and damp.

Lucia had already put her nightdress on. She got into bed and waited for Gero to join her. He’d want to talk about the events of the evening, no doubt. She steeled herself to listen to his disapproval of don Nofriu’s offer to Dinu, and didn’t have to wait long.

‘I wish Charles Rinelli had never ordered me to appoint that mafioso as mayor of Villaurora,’ Gero said, wrapping his arms around Lucia and holding her close.

‘But didn’t you say there was no alternative?’ Lucia was sure she’d heard Gero tell her so a while ago.

‘I did, Lucia. Unfortunately, the only other person available would have been the fascist who’d held the post before him. But I fear the Allies haven’t done Sicily any favours by giving people like don Nofriu positions of power.’

‘We’ve been ravaged by Rome and the fascisti ,’ Lucia said, snuggling into the warmth of Gero’s chest. ‘At least the men of honour are Sicilians?—’

‘You’ve become a true siciliana, Lucia.’ Gero kissed her on the forehead.

‘I think of myself as more Sicilian than American these days,’ she said. ‘But I’d still like to go back and live in New York.’ She kept to herself the hope that Dinu would also move with her, and resolved to ask for Gero’s support when the time was right.

‘I can’t wait to take you there.’ He stroked her shoulders. ‘I’d like to expand my father’s film importing business. Maybe you’d like a job with us?’

‘I’d love that.’ A bubble of happiness formed in Lucia’s chest. ‘But I’d also like to start a family with you, if that’s what you want too?—’

‘Oh, wow, Lucia. You’ve made me the happiest man alive. Maybe we should get started on that wish of yours right away?’

‘Are you saying what I think you are saying?’ She giggled.

‘I am.’ He moved his hands down her body, and need sparked between them. He kissed her mouth, her breasts and further down. Soon she was begging him for more, and when he took her, the waves of pleasure built and built until she was climaxing and calling out his name.

Later, they lay in each other’s arms, kissing and whispering, ‘ Ti vogghiu beni ,’ until their breathing slowed and they fell asleep.

‘I’ve had an idea,’ Gero said after kissing Lucia awake in the morning. He pointed towards the ceramic emblem of Sicily on her bedside table. ‘Why don’t I get some cement and set this into the wall of the baglio? Every time you look at it while I’m away, you can think of me.’

‘You’d do that even though you don’t approve of the Separatists, my love?’ Delight gripped her.

‘If you want to be a part of that movement, then I won’t try and stop you.’ He grinned. ‘It wouldn’t do any good anyway. I can see you’ve got your heart set on it.’

‘I’d give it up in an instant for you, Gero,’ she said, taking his hand and kissing it.

‘There’s no need. Even though I despise that man, don Nofriu won’t let anything bad happen to you, my darling. He considers you family now.’

‘I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. He’s taken Dinu under his wing, it seems. My brother has wanted to be part of the godfather’s circle ever since we came to Villaurora.’

‘Let’s hope his wish doesn’t lead to his downfall.’ Gero sighed.

‘By getting involved with the Separatists, Dinu might well become a respected member of society. Another reason for me to be part of the movement, so I can encourage him.’

‘Good idea, now you mention it.’ Gero smiled. ‘You’ve always looked out for him and I won’t try to persuade you otherwise.’

Lucia took a deep breath as she thought about how cold Dinu had been towards her when he’d arrived last night and had flinched away from her kiss. Sadness blurred her vision and her heart ached. Her beloved twin had changed, no doubt about that; his lawlessness had turned him into a different person.