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‘Thank you…Please let Ricco know we’re on our way.’ Salvatore nodded as he spoke.
‘I will.’
The call ended as abruptly as it started. There didn’t appear to be any animosity between them, it was simply that there was no more to say.
Expertly, Salvatore manoeuvred the large car from heading to our beach, which had been looming on the horizon and back towards the De Luca residence. He put his foot expertly to the floor and guided the car around the narrow lanes and through the small villages as the urgency to reach Salvatore De Luca Snr took over. Until finally, less than twenty minutes later, the ornate ironwork of the gates came into view. The guard had been doubled since the Don’s announcement, but expecting us, the gates started to open. We slowed for the last few metres while the men checked who was in the car. Salvatore then recognised when the gap was large enough to allow us entry and once again pushed his foot to the floor. The long driveway swept past us in a blur, and dust blew up behind us as he hurried to reach his grandfather in time.
In one movement, he pulled up and leapt out of his car door, leaving it open, then he was around the front of the car and opening my door for me. As his long arm extended towards me, I grabbed hold and we were moving as one, hoping to say goodbye to a man I was sure at one time both of us had a dislike of, but now loved wholeheartedly.
‘Janine,’ Salvatore spoke as she appeared in the main doorway.
She nodded at us both in greeting.
‘I’m sorry but he doesn’t have long,’ she informed us and Salvatore’s walking speed doubled. I increased my pace to keep up with him.
‘Pain?’ he questioned, as she moved with us.
‘There is no pain. Extra morphine has been administered by the doctor from the hospice. It’s the morphine that’s helping to carry him away,’ she advised.
‘Good.’ I spoke the word with relief.
As we made our way to the Don’s part of the villa, the sounds of Valentina’s wails grew louder. And Salvatore grew more tense with every whine she released.
‘Remove her,’ he instructed as Ricco opened the door for us to enter. ‘No man deserves to die listening to that fucking noise.’
‘With pleasure,’ he nodded his head.
‘We waited in the doorway as Ricco pulled her away from the side of Nonno’s bed. When she feigned collapsing, he picked her up with ease and carrying her he moved past the two of us.
‘How could you?’ she shrieked as she caught sight of Salvatore. In reaction, I squeezed his fingers in reassurance.
‘Don’t you dare question me, Valentina. You of all people had to be aware of his deviant tastes, but you never said a word. All you concerned yourself with was money and your position. You worked against the family instead of with us… maybe you need to pay for your crimes too?’ I watched Salvatore lift a questioning eyebrow at her.
‘I… I…’ she stuttered, before starting to wail again.
‘Get her out of my fucking sight. I never want to see her again.’
‘I didn’t know,’ she shouted as she threw away her mantle of wailing grief.
‘I suppose I will have to believe that.’
‘It’s the truth.’ She struggled to get out of Ricco’s arms, but he held on to her firmly.
‘You disgust me almost as much as he did.’ Salvatore’s deep voice rumbled as he released the pent-up feelings he normally kept close.
‘I’ll do anything.’
All at once, she was no longer a grieving daughter-in-law, but the selfish bitch I knew I’d always been able to see.
‘Your daughter is safe,’ I added, not understanding how any mother could be more concerned with herself over that of her children.
Fleetingly, her eyes found mine and then she turned all her concentration back to my husband.
‘You have an hour to choose somewhere to go to. That somewhere needs to be out of Calabria.’ Then Salvatore stepped closer to where Ricco was still holding her. ‘Choose wisely… because I never want to see you again.’
‘But where can I go?’ she screamed out her question as real tears fell from her eyes. Tears that it appeared she only shed for herself.
‘Seriously, I think you deserve to be sent to hell. But for now, I won’t deprive my siblings of both of their parents… Now get out.’
