Chapter Seventy Five

Chapter Seventy Five
Camilla POV

I wake the next morning and Nicholas is gone. Bridgette wanders in with a yawn and offers to help me get ready for the day. She said she has instructions to take me for a walk on the grounds, to ensure I get sun and fresh air.

I wonder where Nicholas has gone; he said he was leaving this morning. Did he go without saying goodbye, without forcing me to give him an answer to his proposal? He isn't pushing, and I appreciate that, but I also can't help but feel a little unsettled.

"I think I'd like to have breakfast in the dining room," I tell Bridgette as she carefully pulls my hair into a braid, covering the healing scar with my hair.

"Sure. I believe Mr. and Mrs. Carmine are still there. They'd only just gotten their coffee when I asked them how they wanted me to proceed today," Bridgette says as if she's been with me every day since we got here.

"Where is Tanya?" I ask. Bridgette looks up and stares at me in the mirror.

"She's gone," she says and continues the braid.

"Gone where?" I ask.

"Home. Back to New York," Bridgette says. "You no longer need a nurse for twenty-four hours a day, so I'm staying another week. “Dr. Fender is as well, and then we will go home too." She places a band on my braid with expert efficiency and then walks over to the nightstand and grabs the blood pressure cuff. "Let's get your blood pressure, and then we will go downstairs."

I sit there thinking about everything Nick said last night. Did I forget something? Did he say he wouldn't be here in the morning? No, I don't think he did. He said he was leaving this morning though. "All done," Bridgette states. "Let's go." She helps me stand, then holds out her arm for me. I shake it off, hoping I can make it down the hall to the stairs for a change without vertigo. Surprisingly, I do.

"Hold the handrail," Bridgette tells me. "I'm going to walk in front of you to make sure you don't fall down the stairs," she steps around me and turns so she's facing me, backing down the steps with each step I take. I make it to the bottom without incident. It's the first time I have walked so far without assistance, and it feels good to know I'm getting better.

Bridgette guides me into the dining room, where Nicholas's parents are eating breakfast and talking quietly. "I hope I'm not interrupting," I say. "I was hoping I could eat breakfast with you."

"Absolutely," Mrs. Carmine says. "Have a seat, dear, they will get you whatever you want to eat." She motions to the maid who stands off to the side, gathering dishes. The maid walks over and smiles at me.

"Thank you, just something light, I think. Fruit and yogurt, perhaps. Some juice," I smile at the maid, and she nods and hurries off to get my food. I turn toward the Carmine's.

"Do you mind if I ask you both some questions?" They exchange looks. Mr. Carmine picks up his coffee mug and takes a sip before he replies.

"You really are the best of both of them," he says.

"I'm sorry?" I say in reply.

"Your parents. You resemble them both, but all the best pieces. Your father and I were very good friends. What happened to them, well, it never should have happened." He sets his mug down. "Now tell me, Camilla, what is it you want to know?"

His abruptness has taken me a little aback, and maybe that was his intention. I'm not bothered too much, though; I'm going to be an attorney in another six months. I'm at the top of my class, and I never take shit from anyone. "Well then, let's just cut to the chase," I say. "Nicholas asked me to marry him. While I care about him very much, I'm not sure I care about this business. I know my parents were wrapped up in it, and I don't fully understand since it was all kept from me until recently. So, tell me: do I have a choice? How is this going to change my life? Tell me, Mrs. Carmine," I turn towards her, "How is it to be a mafia wife? Are you afraid all the time, afraid of your own death, of your husbands?" I paused for a second. "Of Nicholas's?"

Mrs. Carmine smiles. Her smile is kind and understanding. I watch as she stretches her hand across the top of the table and Mr. Carmine reaches his own out to hold hers. "You're like your mother. She was a great attorney, smart. Afraid of nothing." She looks me up and down for a moment before continuing. "I admire your desire for answers, but let's be honest here, you don't know much about this life, as you pointed out. It's not all danger and chaos. Most of the time, our life here is quiet. We have people we pay to do the dirty work when it's needed, but most of our business is legitimate and legal. Same with your parents, the import business was mostly on the up and up. Dealing with other families got them in trouble. The Cain's for example, who by the way are hunting you my dear, not us." I flinch at that because I know it's true. "We don't blame you. How could you be responsible for a feud that is literally over a hundred years old? You can't be."

I want to say something, but I can't find the words, so I sit quietly as my breakfast is brought in. I take the glass of juice and take a deep drink, my throat suddenly dry at the mention of Thomas Cain.

"You and Nicholas were supposed to be an arranged marriage, but I forbade it," Mr. Carmine says. "I told my son he could marry who he wanted, that I wouldn't force him into the position it would put him in if he married a Patron. Now he wants to marry you, his own decision, no coercion. I know my son, if he wants to marry you, then it's likely he loves you, even if he hasn't said as much," he adds.

"How could he love me?" I laugh. "We've barely had any time alone, until my situation," I pointed to my head.

"Well, if you get to know a person, sometimes you just know," Mrs. Carmine says with a smile. "Luca and I married after just four months of courting; we just knew it was right." She squeezes her husband's hand, and he raises her hand to his lips before turning back to me.

"Camilla, no one will force you into anything. If you want to marry our son, then do it. This life is not for everyone. We are a very close-knit family; we care for each other. Holidays are ridiculous. We all work in the businesses we run in some format, but it doesn't mean you have to. I understand you're in law school," I nod, and he continues. "Nicholas has gone to take care of Thomas Cain. You won't have to worry about him anymore, very soon. You're free to marry who you want, without fear. I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you, though, we'd be disappointed if you didn't marry Nicholas. He never showed any interest in getting married before now. We knew your parents, we know Michael, and we know your Nonna very well."

"What if he doesn't come back?" I ask quietly. I'm thinking of Nicholas and Thomas Cain. Thomas is evil and has no scruples, this whole thing could be a trap for Nick. "What if Nick dies before he can come back here. Back to me?" With those words, I realize I've already made up my mind. I will marry Nicholas, and I never told him. I may never get to, if Thomas wins this.