“Move over, Jim,” a strong feminine voice says from behind the men. Gloria’s face gets impossibly bright, and she pushes Jim off. The woman comes into view and I know instantly that this has to be Ruby. If Gloria is friendly with these people, then I shouldn’t be too afraid. Ruby embraces Gloria like they’re family. I suppose, in a way, they were at one time. I keep myself in the back and hopefully out of notice, though I gave up thinking they weren’t here for me some time ago. Ruby pulls back and looks over at me. Her face drops and she freezes. I try to give her a smile.
“Alexandra,” she whispers, her voice catching in her throat. All three men stand silent behind Ruby. She takes one step forward in her tall leather boots and black jeans. She wears a dark waffle shirt with a leather jacket over. Her jacket has no patches. I guess she isn’t a member of their club. I want to nod my head and acknowledge her, but I can’t stop staring. She looks so much like my mother—so much like me.
“Alexandra,” she says again with such reverence in her voice it takes me aback. Her eyes fill with tears and she nods. “Hi,” she says and takes another step forward. Did she really miss my mother so much that she’s this touched by meeting her niece? I feel guilty for not having the same reaction to meeting her—after all, I’ve only found out she exists last night. Her hand clamps down over her mouth as she holds back a painful scream, and she rushes for me, wrapping me in her arms. I return the hug nervously. I don’t really know what to do.
“Gloria,” Ruby says, “she’s gorgeous.” I look over Ruby’s shoulder to find that the men are all looking away like Ruby’s show of emotion makes them uncomfortable. Gloria steps forward and puts her hand on Ruby’s back.
“You guys better hurry,” Gloria says. Ruby pulls back and gives me a sad smile then looks to Gloria and nods. Gloria reaches over and gives me a tight hug. “I love you, Alex. I’m so sorry that this has to happen, but it’s not safe here for you anymore.” Gloria’s given me every clue that this was happening—that I was being sent away. I was just in shock. I guess I didn’t wanted to believe the truth of it.
I want to rewind the last few days and go back to before. I want to refuse to go for gelato with Leo. I want to stay home and hear about the awful things that happened by listening through my father’s office door. But then where would we be? Tony would be dead—that guy who had the gun on him wasn’t playing. He’d been shot once, and I think the only thing that saved Tony’s life had been my interference. But Michael would have still been shot. And Leo, who Gloria says is in critical condition—I don’t even know what would have happened to him. Maybe he could have diffused the situation safely. And where would I be? I would be on my way down the aisle, marrying a guy who thinks of me as a status symbol rather than a partner. In the back of my head I wonder if perhaps this isn’t the better option.
I clutch my small bag to my chest as Gloria leads me downstairs with Ruby beside her and the men in vests behind me. At the foot of the stairs, Gloria turns and gives me a quick hug then pulls away and holds me at arm’s length.
“The club and Ruby will protect you and keep you safe. You understand why you’re not safe here, don’t you?” Gloria asks. I want to play dumb and say that, no, I don’t understand. I really can’t stand to hear my transgression aloud though. It’s best to just agree with her. Deep in my heart, I know what happens to people who talk. I had just been lying to myself that the principessa was somehow exempt from the same code of conduct that led to Sal’s death.
“Yes,” I say and leave it at that. I don’t know what to do or how to act, and I’m still battling the haze thanks to the anti-anxiety mediation.
“Goodbye, Miele,” Gloria says, calling me honey one more time. She smiles. “Do not be afraid, no matter what. Promise me,” she says.
“I promise,” I say as I watch Gloria stand back and walk a few feet away. Ruby follows her. They stand facing one another, both smiling and laughing.
“Avoid my nose, please,” Gloria says, sending Ruby into a fit of laughter.
“Got it done, did ya?” she asks. Gloria nods. Ruby laughs and turns her body around before spinning back and punching Gloria square in the eye. I scream and run for Gloria without thought. A strong arm holds me back. I scream again as Ruby throws three more punches—one more to the eye and two to the mouth. Blood pools in Gloria’s mouth and drips down her chin. Gloria holds her arms in the air, taking the abuse, and Ruby throws a few punches to her gut. I fight against the arm holding me back, but it’s no use. I look over to see it’s the younger man with the wavy black hair who’s holding me back.