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Sparkly, sequined, silvery.
Swirl, spiral stairs.
Do I have the makings of a new tongue twister—-
Stop getting distracted, Cat!
I give myself a mental shake and refocus on the task at hand.La Stregahas invited everyfamigliain New England to tonight's Thanksgiving ball, and it's essential that we do not give any of our guests a single reason for complaint.
So focus, Cat! Focus!
I finally reach the main deck of the Marchettis' supersized yacht, andoooh.
It's like traveling back to the Gilded Age, and we're celebrating our first night on the sea. Everything's in black and gold, and everything that can shine and sparkledoesshine and sparkle.
We have ice sculptures as table centerpieces, crystal goblets, and overflowing champagnes. And because thisisall aboutfamiglia,we even have the Marchettis' priceless ivory round tables set up for friendly card games. Absolutely no moneyed bets (Black Friday Raid, hello?), but loserswillbe joining our list ofperformers for tonight's speakeasy, andoh my gosh, I can't believe I let myself get distracted again!
I hurry to where Elena is and shoot her a silent look of apology.So, so sorry!I discreetly motion for her to leave, and she nods gratefully before slipping away.
I take her place just as the inebriated gentleman from Hartford, Connecticut finishes with his phone call, and he is visibly confused when he turns my way and finds Elena gone.
"Who...you?"
"I work for the Marchettis,signore." I cup his elbow when he starts swaying, and I gently lead him towards one of the seating areas.
He starts rambling the way drunk men generally do, and I nod as if I understand what he's saying.
Not once does he try hitting on me in any way, and that's how it always is. It used to make me feel terribly insecure when I was in my early teens. Made me think I was the ugliest and least attractive person in the world.
And I kept believing that until I stumbled upon an investigation report that looked into my parents' death.
I was too young to remember how they died. All I knew growing up was that I was there when a group of men forced their way into our home. They tortured and killed my parents because they didn't want to betray the Marchettis. But for some inexplicable reason, they left me completely unharmed.
I used to think it was because my parents had found me a really good hiding spot, and it was only because of trauma that I couldn't remember the exact details of how I survived.
It was only after coming across the investigation report onLa Strega'sdesk that I realized the truth.
And remembered what I hadactuallyforgotten, and it was nothing like I imagined.
Two
SSSSH, SSSH, SSSH.
Stop crying, baby.
Just stay under the bed, and don't make a sound.
No matter what you see.
Promise me.
You won't make a sound.
Close your eyes if you have to.
But just don't make a sound.
And they will never know you're here.
