pte

o

ch!" Giorgio roars as I

hter before Papà and Cettina, Giorgio's mother, die

ng, I lose my balance. I sprawl over the wooden floor that ta

, and before I can push myself up, Gio

ottom lip to keep the c

leave the house for two weeks. Everyone at the Parish asked where

to find a fuck-ton of money! I'll h

plode from my lungs. My vision goes spotty,

wn my cheeks as I ga

, it will only anger Giorgio more. I manage to curl i

d puts his full weight on me as he sneers,

y back, and I hear him s

st

my abdomen and torso. I don't bother grabbing my bag from beneath th

it, and finally, in my safe space, I slide down

my cheeks, and I don't

wo mor

an eternity. Is the

e of the night and find a small t

a dime to your name. Are you g

I pull my knees to my chest an

remember much of Mamma,

tina, things didn't change. I thought I was the luckiest girl for getting a l

n the blink of an eye, and the storm hasn't stopped.

bedroom door, making me startle. "G

ow the tears down before

, I unlock the door and open it. I peek down

g disrespectful, and when I mentioned it to him, he slapped me so hard it felt like my t

couldn't understand why he changed so much, but with time, I

oom and grab a couple of Advils to

dbag. I set it down on one of the couches before seeing pieces of shat

kitchen to get everything I'll n

You need your inheritance so you ca

ass and throw them in the tras

the chore, I walk b

Needing to take my mind off the crap I'm dealing with, I start t

e tension slowly drains from my body, and

man in whatever small town I move to. We'll have a white-pick

ure my husband has a delicious dinne

the Cosa Nostra, and with tim

es where everyone gathers for tea and

edge about the money he owes Mr. Rizzo and has taken his stress out on me. He even

'd sign my own death warrant. I know the moment I sign that document,

m not sure I can hold out for another two

l place her in a horrible position because she and the re

she will get in trouble for aiding me. Nothing

rable, I let

s?" Rosa asks as she joi

y face. "Yes, but there seems

ce for Fath

sa prepares a cup of tea, and while she takes the beverage and pie to Father Pa

, and soon, the rush passes, and I'm

e, "Morning, Vittoria." My eyes snap up, and

uc

Rizzo, who's scared the living hel

y heart sets off at a wild pace. Rosa darts to the end of th

ere will dare go ag

nd taking hold of my hand, he pats my

up, and my lip

rumble as he mutters, "

careful when working

on the table, I stare at Angelo

y care about me

just like before, I feel t

d swallowing hard, I ask, "Would

nerving moment before he slowly

h

, my tongue darts out t

d proceeds to leave the building with

izzo at Mass before,

I know none of them will step in to help me. Conf

ront and sides of the cathedral, and

men to the back, but I keep a safe distance as

, and as the silence stretch

l me on holy ground. Actually,

is head at Tiny and Big Ricky. My fear multiplies when

round my legs. My hands slap down against my sides, and I

I ask with a quivering voice, "Why

e other lifting to rub over his

of a nervous breakdown i

forehead then he sa

ay to say I l

of my own while shaking my head. "Honestly, this is nerve-w

mouth sh

rapped and scared all the time

almost lifts in a smile before returning to the

ke a wolf that's stalking his prey. Intense fear

s his head and locks eyes with me. "Y

her," I c

ople refer to Gio

and I quickly apologize, "I did

call me

anyone call him b

guard, I bl

chest and looks downright t

nformed me you

The.

face goes up in flames, and embar

of any woman who's of marrying age. In most cases, they must give their blessing when a ma

om my toes to

let this man arrange a marriage for me

arrow again. "Y

ge

d ag

never

o my cheeks as I no

air, I instinctively flinch from the ye

r

sharpening on my face before he twirl

f you think I'm

des turn to ice, and the

on holy ground, I a

murmurs, "I don't find p

't make me fe