Page 90 of Single Malt Drama
“We have four. They all moved to New Orleans, but they come back now and then to visit.” He forced a smile. “Time for the garlic and spices.”
Dumping the herbs in the pan, I said, “It must have been hard raising four kids down here.”
“We lived up in Baton Rouge until they were grown.” This time when he smiled, it seemed genuine. “I miss those days most of all. The chaos of it.”
I couldn’t put it off any longer. I made my mind up to ask Marco to stop at a twenty-four-hour pharmacy and buy an early pregnancy test on his way home from New Orleans.
Cyril continued chatting, seemingly unaware of my inner turmoil. “Being a parent was the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had. But that’s enough of that. We have a lesson to finish.”
I followed his every command until I had a pan full of what he called Creole gravy. Tomorrow, I’d add shrimp and rice. I couldn’t wait to see Marco’s face when I served his favorite dish.
Marco walked through the door. “What smells in here?”
Dang it. So much for asking him to stop by the store.“That depends. Are you talking about the burnt plastic or the shrimp creole?” I turned to embrace him, but stopped short.
His hard-set jaw made my pulse quicken. “We should shut the windows.”
“I will when the smoke clears. What’s wrong?”
Marco glanced at Cyril. “Thank you for keeping her company, but would you mind giving us some privacy?”
“My pleasure.” He met my gaze. “You know where I am if you need anything.”
I gave him a quick hug. “Thank you for the cooking lesson.”
He whistled for the dog, nodded to Marco, and left.
My mind raced with every possible scenario that would cause my normally laid-back husband to seem so concerned, but all roads led back to my family or his. “Talk to me.”
He guided me to the couch. “There’s no easy way to say this.”
“Okay?” My stomach churned again.
His frown deepened. “Just know, Gabe and I are going to fix it.”
“Fix what?” I forced myself not to shout at him, to tell him to stop stalling and tell me what had happened.
“Your father knows someone emptied his safes.” He stared as if waiting for me to understand.
“It’s been months. I’m sure he’s known I took the money for a while.”
Marco shook his head. “He’s pinning the robbery on Alessio and Maria.”
“What?” This has to be a joke. A cruel, unfunny joke. I laughed. “That’s ridiculous. They had no way to get into the house, let alone know the codes to open the safes.”
He continued to stare.
“Say something, damn it.”
“His men found the money at Maria’s sister’s house.” Marco cleared his throat. “He had them taken back to Trapani.”
My hands flew to my mouth. “No.”
“I’m going to fix this.” He said it like he meant it, but what could he possibly do?
I shook my head. I’d brought this trouble down on them. I’d make things right. “This is my fault. All my fault. I shouldn’t have involved them.”
Marco sighed. “Nic, you couldn’t have possibly seen this coming.”