For the Empire - Inganno

Chapter 27

I wake up with a massive headache. 

A combination of crying, restless sleep, and getting slammed against a building and the ground will do that to you.

My body protests as my arms and legs are stiff and ache when I move to sit up, groaning.

But the urgency to talk to my Uncle outweighs how I'm feeling, and I force myself to get up. I try to hurry as much as possible; however, my sore body restricts my quick movements.

I had forgotten about coloring my hair back to its original color and jump back, startled when I look into the mirror as I start to brush my teeth. 

I hear my phone chime, and I race over to the nightstand, hoping in vain that it's my dad.

But it's Annalisa asking if I want to grab a late lunch with her. I reply with a quick yes and read her message telling me when to meet her as I head down to the main floor to get to my Uncle's office.

The sweet smell of cookies baking fills my senses as I come to the bottom floor; the scent transports me back to my childhood.

My mom would make amaretti cookies for Enzo and me weekly when she found out they were his favorite. Then, she would send the leftovers home with him to share with his parents.

I walk into the kitchen and see Carmela stirring ingredients in a bowl. I greet her with a kiss; then sit at the counter of the large island to watch her. "I like your hair, dolcezza. I worried about you. I hear what happened. Are you okay?" She asks quietly, shaking her head.

I half shrug in response. 

"Pancakes in oven to keep warm."

"I'm not hungry, Carmela. Thank you, though." I tell her. "Why are you making cookies so early in the day?" I smile at her.

She stops humming to respond. "I make them for you, amore. I made for my bambinos when they were young, and they love them. It's good to have dessert for breakfast sometimes," She winks at me, and I laugh.

"My mom used to make them for me all the time, too."

Carmela smiles as she stirs and starts to add the dry ingredients to the bowl. 

JP walks in, greeting Carmela with a kiss on the cheek. He's dressed in a white dress shirt and dark tailored navy pants, his hair styled in a messy tousled way. He's been dressing up more and more than his usual casual look. I see the butt of his gun in the back of his waistband. Carmela smiles up at him lovingly, "Buongiorno, piccolo."

"Are you ready to head to the hospital to see Tobias?" JP turns to look at me.

"Yes, but I wanted to talk to Uncle Timo first," I say as I walk towards the door and make my way out of the kitchen. JP's large hand wraps around my arm to stop me.

"He's already left, Char."

What the hell?

I pull my phone out to call him and keep walking. But, once again, it goes straight to voicemail; I groan in frustration. "It's like he's avoiding me on purpose!" My voice is louder than I intended it to be, causing a few of the men to look over at me, who are wandering in the hallway.

"He's not. He knew you wanted to see Tobias and asked me to take you since he's tied up with business." JP tells me calmly.

I snort, "Right, business."

"Don't be disrespectful, Charmaine; you forget your place sometimes."

"Excuse me? How do I forget my place, JP? Please explain that to me." I spit out, my blood boiling at his insinuation.