“That’s so Papa. How are you, Mama? Is there anything I can do for you?
“Having you here with me is all I need. I love you, my beautiful girl.”
“I love you, Mama.”
Chapter Eleven
ELEANORA
My father’s funeral was well attended. His gregarious personality garnered him many dear friends and respectful acquaintances. I was so proud of Mama. She carried herself with dignity and grace throughout.
After the mourning period was over, I decided to stay with my mother for a few weeks. Joe returned home to take care of business. I missed him but was happy to have alone time with Mama. I helped her pack Papa’s things into boxes. She wasn’t ready to give it away. I loved her for that. One night, at dinner, I spoke to her about her future.
“Mama, please come live with Joe and me in Palm Springs. You’ll be happy there. Please, Mama.”
“My darling, I love it here. Sicily is my home. All my friends are here. I’m too old to start over again. I know you worry about me but please don’t. My life is here, near your Papa. I’m going to be just fine.”
“Promise me that you’ll visit Joe and me often, Mama. I miss you.” I held her hand as she smiled up at me.
“I promise, my darling.”
JOE
The house was empty without Ella. I loved her for wanting to spend time with her mother, but my world without her was unbearable. Fabio and Bria kept me in pasta and conversation, and I kept myself occupied with work. My parents canceled their trip to Florida after all that had happened. I was happy to have seen them in Sicily. Ella was booked on a flight back in two days. I was like a little child at Christmas. I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms again.
On the morning of Ella’s flight back to Florida, the phone rang early. Expecting it to be her, I answered happily. It was Alicia. She was talking loudly and very fast.
“Alicia? Is that you, Mama? Slow down, I can’t understand you. What is it?”
“She’s gone!”
“Who’s gone? What are you saying, Mama?”
“Ella. She’s gone! I went to her room this morning to wake her, and her bed was empty. I can’t find her anywhere.”
“Perhaps she’s gone for a walk, Mama. I’m sure she’ll be back soon. She may have needed some time to herself before she left home.”
“No! She’s gone, Joe. Her room is a mess. The lamp next to her bed is shattered into pieces, and there’s blood on the headboard. I don’t know what to do, Joe!”
“Oh, my god!” My heart was racing—it was all I could do not to throw up. My legs buckled, and I sat hard on the edge of the bed to stop myself from falling to the floor. “Alicia, listen closely to me. Phone my father right away. Tell him what’s happened. I’m on my way, Mama. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I slammed the receiver down and picked it up immediately to call Fabio. Then, I threw a few things into a bag while I called Mario.
“Hey, Joe! So good to hear from—”
“Mario, listen carefully.” The panic in my voice stopped him mid-sentence.
“What is it, buddy? What’s happened?”
“Mario, someone has taken Ella.”
“What? What are you talking about? Who? Why? What the fuck is going on, Joe?”
“I don’t know. Alicia just called me and told me. Ella is gone and there’s blood on the headboard in her room. Please, take Franco and go to her house right now. Have a look around and see if you can find anything.”
“I’m on my way. Don’t worry, Joe. We’ll find her. I’m going to kill the fuckers who’ve taken her.”
I ended the call and made my way downstairs. Fabio and Bria were waiting in the car for me. When we got to the airport, Fabio and I booked the first flight back to Palermo. Fabio insisted that Bria stay behind. She needed to stay safe, away from whatever we’d walk into. She protested vehemently but ultimately she did. Please God, please let her be safe. Please help me.
The flight was a living nightmare. I couldn’t sit still, so I paced the aisles, wearing out the plush carpet in first class. When Fabio and I landed, my father’s driver was waiting to take us back to the Coli mansion. The grounds were swarming with men carrying guns, cars everywhere.
My father came out to greet me and took me into his arms. “Come in, my son. Come in.”
Fabio and I followed him inside. My mother embraced me. She held me tightly. When she let go, I followed Papa into his study.
“Have you heard anything yet? Has anybody called with demands? What’s the word on the street, Papa?” I was talking a mile a minute.
“Calm down, my son. I’ve got all my men out looking for her, busting down doors and rounding up snitches. It won’t be long, now. Here, drink this.” He put a glass of whiskey in my hand.
I threw it back, hoping the warm, golden liquid running down my throat would bring some relief. It did not.
ELEANORA
I felt sick. My eyes were heavy when I tried to open them. The taste of blood in my mouth was pungent. The room smelled of coffee—it was small and dark. I tried my best to push myself up off the floor. My wrists hurt. I suspected they were bruised. My head was throbbing. Where the hell was I?
The events of the previous evening came back to me in a slow trickle. I was packing my bags, enjoying
