Chapter 21
ALLEGRA
I look out the window of the car, taking in the foreign sights. Enzo hasn't said a word since we left the house, and somehow the silence is deafening.
"Why is your sister in a convent?" I finally ask. I know he has older sisters who are already married, so I'd been surprised to hear about a sister living in a convent.
His features grow taut at my question, and his hands grip tighter onto the steering wheel.
"She's raising her daughter there," his answer is short and clipped, but it only makes me more curious.
"What about the father? She's not married?"
He doesn't answer. Instead, he pushes his foot on the brake, stopping the car by the side of the road.
"She's not married. And I don't want to hear you bringing that up in front of her."
I frown, taken aback by his reaction.
"But…"
"She was raped. Two years ago. That's how she got pregnant. My father couldn't stand such shame in his house, so he sent her to Sacre Coeur." There's no mistaking that Enzo cares deeply about his sister; he's barely holding himself together as he explains the circumstances of her exile.
"I won't say anything," I respond, and he gives me a forced nod, so I feel compelled to explain myself. "I don't look down on her, you know. It's not shameful that she wanted to keep her child."
He spares me a glance before answering dryly, "Tell that to all the people who crucified her for her choice."
"I'm surprised your father didn't do more. He doesn't strike me as the compromising type."
Enzo chuckles, steering the car back on the road.
"He's not. I had to bargain with him. One thing you'll learn, Allegra, is that my father doesn't care about anyone but himself—and money."
"What did you do?" I'm almost afraid to ask, especially seeing the way his jaw is locked in place, the veins on his hands prominent as he grips the wheel.
"I paid him what he felt he lost with her," he says cryptically, and I frown.
"I don't understand."
"He was going to take her child away and then sell her to the highest bidder—the only use he still had for her. So I found a way to make him happy."
I don't think he's giving me the whole picture, and when he doesn't volunteer more details, I let the subject drop. I think it's the first time I'm seeing Enzo react like this…with so much emotion radiating off him.
We drive a while longer before finally reaching our destination.
Sacre Coeur is imposing, surrounded by sturdy walls. It looks more like a prison than a convent. I'm almost tempted to ask if we're at the right destination, but Enzo doesn't seem like he'd be receptive to such a joke.
He takes my hand and leads me toward the entrance. We pass through security first, and then we're met by a sister who shows us to one of the dorms.
The entire building seems a little dilapidated from the outside, and this is further confirmed as we enter, going up the stairs toward a little room at the back of the first floor.
Enzo knocks softly, and a beautiful woman holding a baby in her arms opens the door. Her eyes—eyes identical to Enzo's—widen before she goes in for a hug, mindful of the infant sleeping in her embrace.
"Enzo!" she exclaims, and a look of pure happiness crosses her face. "I missed you."
"Lina, and how is my favorite niece?" His voice completely changes as he addresses his sister, and I suddenly feel like an intruder in this perfect family scene.
"Finally sleeping. Come," she motions for us to come inside. The room is tiny, with only a bed and a chest of drawers. There's baby stuff everywhere, and I have to wonder how she manages in such restricted quarters.
I step inside and watch as Enzo takes the baby out of his sister's arms, cradling her to his chest.
"I swear she gets bigger and bigger every time I see her."
"She grows up so fast…" Lina shakes her head, a smile playing at her lips. "And who…" she trails off, turning toward me, a small frown marring her forehead.
Enzo's family must have amazing genes.
I've noticed this even in Rocco and Lucia.
If it weren't for the extra pounds around his stomach, Rocco wouldn't look so pudgy and old.
But even so, I detected where Enzo must have gotten some of his features from.
And then there's Lucia, and as much as I'm loath to admit, she is a very striking woman.
But Catalina… Even though she's inherited her mother's looks, there is no trace of malice on her features. There's only a type of serenity that emphasizes her beauty.
"This is my wife, Allegra." Enzo inclines his head toward me, but his attention is wholly focused on his niece.
"Nice to meet you," I say, leaning in to kiss her on both cheeks, and I'm surprised when she draws me in for a hug.
"Welcome to the family," she says, patting my back affectionately. Just then, the baby starts crying in Enzo's arms, and Catalina quickly takes her from him.
"And this little troublemaker is my daughter, Claudia." She gazes lovingly at her daughter, cooing at her to make her stop crying. And she does. The moment she feels comfortable in Catalina's arms, a peaceful expression settles on her face as she goes back to sleep.
"It's not you, Enzo," Lina whispers to her brother, seeing his downcast expression, "she's not used to other people holding her."
Lina is careful as she takes a seat on the bed, her daughter in her arms.
"Tell me more," she says, looking up at us. "How did this happen? When did you get married?"
I open my mouth to reply, but Enzo starts first, relating our meeting but distorting everything that happened afterward. Lina listens attentively, a dreamy look on her face as Enzo lies through his teeth about our grand love story.
"Oh, Enzo! I'm so happy for you. You don't know how much I wanted to see you settle down with someone you loved." Catalina continues to gush over the fabricated story, and Enzo continues to keep up his ruse, giving her additional details about our wedding.
I merely smile and let him do the talking, since it seems important to him that his sister believes he's married for love.
While I observe their interaction, I can't help but feel like there's a stranger in front of me. Enzo is so free with his smiles, his voice so full of affection. It's the first time I'm seeing this side of him, and I don't want to.
Because if I know that he's not a bully all the time, I may falter.
The visit is soon cut short by the Mother Superior, who tells us it's time to leave. Enzo gives Catalina another hug and kisses Claudia's brow. I go over too and hug her goodbye.
But before I go, she whispers something in my ear.
"Be gentle with him—he needs it." I frown at her words, but I don't get to reply as we're ushered toward the exit.
"Your sister is wonderful," I say when we reach the car. "Even in that small amount of time, I could see that she's nothing like the rest of your family."
"She is," he agrees, starting the car and heading back home.
"Does she really have to stay there? You could rent her an apartment." I'd been outraged by the condition of her quarters—so crowded and rundown. To live there with a child? No, I can't imagine how hard that must be.
"I wish," he replies dryly, "but then she'd be fair game for everyone—enemies and allies alike. And Father would never help her if something happened, that's for sure. Here, at least she's safe."
I nod, but inside, I'm horrified by the world we live in.
"Why did you take me there with you?" I ask, though I'm mostly curious about why he lied about our marriage.
"My sister," he starts, taking a deep breath, "is a romantic at heart. She's too innocent for this world, and I know she always fears for my safety. I'd do anything to assuage her worries, even in some small way."
I look at him from the corner of my eye, his profile bathed in the shadows of the night, and I realize something.
The devil may have a heart.