Chapter 57

Emiliana

I buried my feet into the uncut grass of the rear garden as the sun scattered beautiful rays around me. Dew drops kissed my feet, the gentle breeze ribboned through the strands of hair that had freed themselves from my hair tie. It was early spring, the chilly winter was far behind us, and in its place the new season brought promise, promise of a future, where Giovanni and I had our family, where Vinnie finally returned to us.

Giovanni had worked tirelessly for months to get Vinnie’s release, but his efforts were futile. Something was missing, and we weren’t sure of what. All we knew was Don Castellano could help, and when Giovanni told me that was what he had ensured in exchange for Giovanni’s loyalty, it only cemented my decision about my father and my place in this world.

We all had a choice in this life, and far too many times I had my choices made for me. For once, Giovanni had given me what I wanted; the independence to make my own decisions, something my father had n