Page 263 of Merciless Daddy

“About eleven minutes ago.”

Katerina took the stands from him.

“He follows instructions,” she said.

Tonio leaned through the courtyard doorway. “I follow instructions. And I literally did used to work here.”

“No. I never paid you. You were a volunteer.”

“Katty, come on, you know I’m the brains behind the operation.”

Katerina threw the wooden spoon.

He disappeared.

The spoon struck the doorframe.

Pietro glanced toward it, then returned to the place cards.

“Good throw,” he said.

Katerina looked pleased.

Sal kissed my temple before joining the men in the restaurant. His hand lingered at my waist for one second.

Suspicious again. I caught his sleeve.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to obey the woman with access to knives.”

“What are you planning?”

“Several things.”

“Salvatore.”

“Tonight, Lena.”

Then he left.

I watched him cross the courtyard. Tonio caught him by the shoulder. Marco followed after Serafina finally ended her call. Pietro remained until Angela touched his wrist and told him she could manage the cards.

The women closed ranks behind them.

Not deliberately.

That was what affected me.

Nobody announced that I should stay. Nobody asked whether I wanted to help. Gemma placed a piping bag in my hand as if I had already agreed.

“The border needs finishing,” she said.

I looked at the reopening cake.

It occupied most of the center island. Three wide tiers covered in ivory frosting. Gold-painted sugar leaves climbed one side. The top carried tiny models of Mezza Notte and Filoxenia joined by a courtyard.

“You trust me with this?” I asked.