Of course, a fake name. Dario rushed to her, grabbing the strap as it slid from her shoulder. “Why didn’t you call the bellboy?”
Ella snorted. “You’re kidding, right? Mom wouldn’t leave the bags to someone else’s care. That is why we had to cross the Atlantic on a ship instead of a plane. It was cheaper, plus she didn’t have to check in our valises.”
Andy cleared his throat. “I’m sorry you’re leaving. If you want to go out sometimes, call the hotel and ask for me. I’d love to show you the city.”
Ella’s cheeks blushed, and she averted her gaze to her shiny, red sneakers. “I’d like to, but my mom won’t let me.”
Dario put his hand around her shoulders. Suddenly hugging his girl didn’t seem odd. He’d tease her about turning Andy down later, now she’d need some encouragement. “If we ask your mom nicely, maybe she’ll consider.”
A smile lit her face, and she beamed at him. “Really, Da…um, Dario?”
“I’ll talk to her.” Dario patted her shoulder. Ella’s slips were getting worse, soon she’d blurt dad instead of Dario.
At the phone’s shrill ring, the receptionist nodded to Ella before he scurried behind his desk. “See you later then.”
“Talk to me about what?” Irena took the last step to the hotel lobby and plopped a brown suitcase in front of him. “Hope this will fit in your car. Good thing it’s not too heavy.”
“Not a chance.” Dario eyed the monstrosity. “What have you packed in there?”
“Sparing gear takes lots of space. Our clothes barely fit in corners. We only brought a few essentials.”
A few? Dario scratched his head. How to transport that huge case to his place without damaging his vehicle?
“I parked out back…holy.” Ante’s feet halted and the soles of his shoes squeaked on the polished floor. “I should’ve brought my truck.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t we go to the restaurant? I’ll cook you up a nice early dinner. I’m starving, hope you guys are too.” Dario tapped Ante’s shoulder and pointed his chin at the suitcase. “You can carry this, right? Oh, and I was short twenty Euros. Can I bum some cash from you?”
“Ah.” Ante gave a sigh of exasperation, pulling his wallet out. “You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up with you. Your bags are safe with me.”
Irena flipped her hand at Ella and they both covered their heads with the hoods of their raincoats. Though the downpour ended, heavy drops dribbled from the rooftops and branches. Still the way their faces hid behind the fabric, one would think they expected to walk out into a storm of Biblical proportions.
At the service entrance, Irena halted. “We’ll follow
you a few steps back. Don’t turn to look at us. Pretend we’re not together. We may be watched by Fred’s men.”
He stared at the two women who unexpectedly entered his life. Ella’s face turned serious. It was hard to watch her so rigid. Just a moment ago she’d blushed when a boy asked her out, now she appeared ready to kill. Judging by the strength of her punches, it wouldn’t surprise him if she delivered a deadly hit.
Dario pointed at the metal container on the hotel’s narrow parking lot. “If we’re being watched, I should go out through the main door as I came in. When you see me walking past the dumpster, start on your way, but keep your distance.”
“I know how to find your restaurant. It’s only a block from here. Go now. We’ll get there.” Irena stepped to him, rose on her toes and kissed his lips.
He reached out to pull her to him, but she slipped away faster than his hand could react. Damn it, he wanted to kiss her senseless. Ella’s giggle put a lid on his desire. A bit of affection Irena allowed him in front of her daughter, told him she didn’t want the teen girl to see her mom in love. It showed in the way those two sparkles lit in her eyes and in her genuine smile.
His long strides carried him toward the Mezzaluna. As hard as it was not to turn and check on Irena and Ella, he followed their reflections in the wide shop windows lining the narrow streets. The cobblestones pavement glistened in the recent downpour, while the gray sky promised more deluge to come.
****
Ante pulled up behind the restaurant. The soft roof of Dario’s car lowered and Irena’s suitcase stuck out
from the backseat. His brother had said the truth, her bags were safe with him, but Dario’s car wasn’t.
Ante opened the car door and leaned out, a grin on his face. “I managed to squeeze that trunk into your car.”
“Idiot, I thought you’d carry it over not force it into such a small car.” Dario fumed, unlocking the restaurant door. “Anything damaged?”
“Relax man.” Ante jerked his head in Irena’s direction. “Are they coming in?”
“Yes, they are playing it cool. Just give them a minute.”
“Why?”
“We may be watched. So act normal.” Dario pushed Ante away from the front door and flipped the sign on the window to open.
His brother’s wide eyes and arched eyebrows gave him a comical look. “Watched? Who’s watching us?”
“Fred’s men.” Dario hung his jacket on the rack by the door. “Lead the girls to a table behind the wall. It’s pretty secluded.”
Through his restaurant’s bay window, lights flickered on in the establishment across the street and drew Dario’s attention. Odd, the place stood closed for over a year. “Hey, have you heard of LaGrotta re- opening?”
“No, the owner couldn’t come up with the money to pay the stiff fine from the health inspector.” Bottles clunked behind the bar as Ante stocked the beer fridge. “Serves the dumb ass right, he tried to save a few Euros re-selling the booze as a house brand. Apparently, some glasses had lipstick stains on them when he poured the leftover wine into a carafe instead down the drain.”
“He might’ve found money. Looks like they’re about to open.” Dario scurried from the window, tapped Ante’s shoulder. “The girls are coming in. You’re the manager, go greet them. And it’s purely business.”
Ante straightened and picked up the menus.
It was strange to listen to the talk between Irena and Ante as if the two total strangers exchanging pleasantries. But whoever watched them, sure by now must be bored and decided nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Nonetheless, Irena and Ante put on a worthy performance. While Ella’s wandering gaze surveyed the restaurant’s moon décor.
Ante seated them at the secluded table, took their drink orders and left them perusing the menu. Dario tuned the music system on and soft guitar tones filled the dining room. He left for the kitchen, grabbed the white apron from the shelf and slipped the top loop over his head, then tied the strings around his waist. The oven had not preheated yet when two long honks from the car drew him to the small window. A shiny red two- seater pulled up next to his black BMW. Ana got out, tightened the collar of her short fur coat. Her high heels matched her designer’s bag in her other hand.
What the hell? Had everyone suddenly come into money?