“I…had no idea.” Carlita pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead. She hadn’t seen her brother since Vinnie’s funeral a year ago. The siblings were never close, despite the fact that Eddie had been a member of “the family” almost as long as her deceased husband, Vinnie.
The balcony door opened and Anjelica DelVecchio tottered inside, the tip of her stiletto heel catching on the doorframe.
Eddie reached out to steady her. “You’re gonna kill yourself in those heels.”
“You wish.” Anjelica regained her balance, tugging the edge of her silk jacket over her slim hips. The corners of her fire engine red lips curled in a mocking smile. “Carlita. How are you?”
She extended a limp hand in Carlita’s direction.
“I’m fine, Anjelica.” Carlita inwardly winced as she took her sister-in-law’s hand. “I must admit I’m a little surprised that you and Eddie made a special trip to Savannah for Tony’s wedding.”
Anjelica shot her husband a quick glance. “It’s more a mixture of business and pleasure.”
Eddie cleared his throat at his wife’s comment. “It’s all pleasure, Anjelica.”
Carlita could tell from the tone of her brother’s voice he was displeased at Anjelica’s comment, and she felt a sudden uneasiness in the pit of her stomach. “You’re not here for Tony’s wedding. Did someone send you down here?”
“There is a little business matter. It ain’t got nothin’ to do with you. We’re family. Can’t I pay a visit to my family?”
“Oh, you’re family all right.”
Carlita forgot Mercedes was in the room until she stepped between Carlita and her brother. “It’s nice to see you, Uncle Eddie. I’m sure you and Aunt Anjelica are exhausted after the long trip and want to go relax.”
“Yeah. We gotta get going. We’ll be here tomorrow around noon for the nuptials.” Eddie placed a light hand on his wife’s back and guided her toward the door. “Vito said Vinnie and Brittney will be arriving sometime today.” He paused when he reached the door. “He staying here with you?”
“Who’s asking? You or Vito?” Carlita asked.
“Maybe Vito. Maybe me,” Eddie shrugged.
“Maybe not,” Anjelica muttered.
Eddie jabbed a stubby finger at his wife. “You got a big mouth.”
“You got a bigger mouth.” Anjelica lifted her chin and turned to Carlita. “Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. It’s nice to see you again, Carlita, even if I’m not a big fan of the south. Too many bugs and ridiculous heat. I’m goin’ downstairs to smoke.”
Anjelica stepped out of the apartment, her heels clattering on the stairs as she made her way down the steps.
Eddie muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
Carlita pinned her brother with a stare. “I don’t want any crap goin’ on at Tony’s wedding, whether it’s you, or Vito or even my son, Vinnie. This is Tony and Shelby’s big day.”
Eddie lifted both hands. “You got my word. I won’t start anything as long as no one else gets it going.”
“Eddie…” Carlita warned. “I will personally throw you out if you start trouble.”
“You got my word.”
Carlita followed her brother down the stairs and into the alley.
Anjelica stood on the stoop smoking. She blew a puff of smoke in her husband’s face. “I’m hungry. You got any decent restaurants in this Podunk town?”
“The Parrot House Restaurant around the corner serves delicious food. My friend Pete Taylor owns it.”
“What kind of food?” Anjelica took another drag on her cigarette before dropping it on the ground and grinding it with the tip of her shoe.
“The edible kind,” Eddie smarted off.
“You’re a jerk.”
“I love you, too.”
“They have a large menu. Burgers, wings, the typical pub fare. They also serve specialty dishes with a southern flair.” Anxious to get away from her obnoxious sister-in-law and annoying brother, Carlita backed into the hall. “I’ll see you tomorrow. The wedding is at twelve o’clock sharp in the courtyard out front.”
“We’ll see you then.” Eddie escorted his wife to the rental car before climbing behind the wheel and driving off.
Carlita started to close the door.
“Hey!” Elvira, Carlita’s neighbor and former tenant, motioned to her from the doorway across the alley.
“What’s up?”
“I wanted to ask you if there are any last minute instructions to go over for tomorrow.” Elvira graciously offered her company’s security services to oversee Tony and Shelby’s wedding, claiming it was their wedding gift.
At first, Carlita dismissed the idea, but after giving it some thought, she decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have someone keep an eye on the restaurant entrance. Elvira’s presence would head off potential hungry customers from crashing the wedding reception.
“No. The wedding ceremony is at noon over in the courtyard. The reception will start right after the ceremony.”
“Sounds good. Dernice offered to help out, too.”
“It should be an easy job.” Carlita remembered Eddie’s words and Anjelica’s mysterious comment, how her brother was in town to not only attend the wedding but also take care of a little business. “Or maybe not.”
Elvira nodded in the direction of where Eddie’s car had just pulled out. “Is that more of your mafia family showing up for the wedding?”
“What makes you think they’re mafia?”
“The clothes. I know my designer duds. The chick was wearing a Marni dress. They cost a cool six hundred bucks minimum and the Jimmy Choo shoes.” Elvira continued. “His suit wasn’t cheap, either. He’s not a looker like your sons, but he’s kinda got some of your features.”
Elvira studied Carlita’s face. “Must be your sons have their father’s looks. My guess is he’s a relative
