“I was invited here as a show of apology for the other night.”
“Then maybe you should go collect. My husband is right over there.” I tell him this, but I notice that Z is already heading toward me with a drink in hand. I’m sure Sal spotted Z the second he walked in.
“Sal,” Z says, not glancing toward him as he hands me a glass.
“Z,” Sal responds, shifting on his feet, his bravado wavering.
“Let’s say hello to everyone before dinner starts,” Z says to me.
“Of course.” I let him lead me away. “He came tonight for an apology?” I say behind my glass as I take a sip. Z grunts a response, and there isn’t time to ask more because we’re greeted by a few other people. Then my parents walk in.
“It’s been a long time,” Mom says, glancing around the restaurant.
“You used to come here?” I ask.
“Was one of my favorite places.”
“Really? Then why did Dad shut it down?”
“The last time I was here didn’t end so well.” Mom taps her lips, signing for me not to ask more. Not now, at least. It’s a story for another time.
“Everyone,” War announces. “We are going to start to serve the first course.”
Z leads me to our seats. I’m a bit surprised when I see Sal and his father are at our table. The tension is thick, and I debate if I should try and crack it with my normal small talk. I can tell they are uncomfortable. I don’t blame them. It’s all of our family and the two of them. They stick out like sore thumbs.
“This was an interesting location to choose for dinner.” Tullio finally speaks as a few servers come out with trays. “Is there a reason you chose it?” He looks to War and then over tomy father. Dad puts his arm around Mom's chair, his thumb stroking her shoulder.
“It was my idea.” Z picks up his glass, taking a drink. Sal pulls at the collar of his buttoned-up shirt, undoing a button as though the conversation has gone in a direction he’s not comfortable with.
“Because in the end everything worked out that night?” Tullio gives my mom a smile. “I’ll never understand why the Lombardi family thought it was okay to target a wife. They should have known Dario would kill them all after retrieving Rochelle from them.”
“But we found her, thanks to you,” Dad responds.
“Wait, did that happen here?” I ask before I can stop myself. Yeah, I’m not great at holding my tongue. Now it makes more sense why my mom didn’t want to talk about it earlier when I asked. She knew it was a sore subject for my dad.
“I’d come here for dinner. One second I was eating dinner, and the next I was waking up in an old warehouse.” Mom turns on a charming smile, directing it at Tullio, but I know my mother. It doesn’t meet her eyes. “But thankfully, with your help, my Dario was able to find me.”
I lean back in my chair. I can sense the stress rising. Sal is also showing signs of increasing tension as he undoes another button of his shirt and a light film of perspiration appears on his face.
“Of course, I’m only glad I was able to help,” Tullio says as a server starts to place the first course in front of each of us.
"Help by trying to lay claim to their daughter," Z says. It's not a question.
"It was only an idea. No harm in that." Tullio shrugs casually, but it's far from it. Others must be sensing the tension too because the chatter around the room has quieted down, people glancing our way.
"Neither War nor I would have allowed that," Z tells him.
"I believe that is up to her father and War, technically, at this point." Tullio dips his spoon in the minestrone soup.
Z slams his hand down onto the table, making everything rattle. The room falls silent, except for the sound of Tullio dropping his spoon back into the bowl.
“No one picks who I marry but me.” Again, I totally can’t help myself. I mean I’m sitting right here, and the Amatos are acting as though I have no damn say. Tova tries to fight a smile at my outburst. “Okay, Z might have a little say.” I playfully roll my eyes.
“Sweetness.” Z kisses my shoulder again, not shy at all about giving me affection in a room full of people. My father had always been that way with Mom. It did often make them stand out in this kind of setting because they were truly in love.
“My sister isn’t wrong.” War speaks loudly and clearly for the whole room to hear. “Tullio isn’t wrong either.” Boo, I don’t want to be grouped with him. “I am in charge.” He stares right at Tullio. “And things are changing.” He glances over to Ronan and then to Z. “You might not like those changes, but it’s how my brothers and I will be moving forward.”
“Dario.” Tullio calls to my father, who shakes his head at him. Murmurs break out in the room. I’m sure many are not happy about this news.
