Veronica
Then someone else walked out of the house. I did a double take and glanced at Stefan. I knew they were twins, but to see them in person, it was weird. Amazing, that nature could duplicate life so flawlessly. Stephen stood as tall as Stefan, his hair just as dark, his build big and powerful. The only difference between them was in the eyes. Stephen’s seemed kinder.
He greeted his brother with a handshake, and I could see from the expressions on both their faces that their relationship was strained.
Stephen looked at me and smiled. The brothers approached together. Watching them was almost surreal.
“You must be Veronica.”
His voice was as deep as Stefan’s but had a different tone altogether. I wondered if this was how Stefan would sound if he hadn’t spent the last several years of his life behind bars. If circumstances had turned out differently for him.
“I’m Stephen Armando, Stefan’s brother. Welcome to Italy.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Stephen.”
“Stephen is the slightly nicer version of me.”
Stefan came to stand beside me and wrapped a hand territorially around the back of my neck while he held his brother’s gaze.
“Holier than thou and all that.”
Stephen didn’t reply to his brother’s jab but shifted his gaze to me.
“Stefan’s been very secretive about you.”
I knew from the look in his eyes, he knew this was no normal romance. Not a romance at all, actually.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know you,” Stephen added.
Stefan snorted. “Amazing how two people sharing a womb can be so different, isn’t it?” he asked of no one in particular.
Stephen continued, taking me from Stefan and leading me toward the house.
“You will always have a friend in me, Veronica,” he said quietly.
I wasn’t sure if I was the only one meant to hear it, but the way he said it, it made my eyes mist.
“What did I say? Holier than thou,” Stefan grumbled, knocking Stephen’s shoulder with his as he passed.
“This is Maria, she’s the cook and pretty much manages everything having to do with the house,” Stephen said, introducing me to the older woman. “She’s been with our family for as long as I can remember.”
That’s why there was the obvious bond between her and Stefan.
She gave me a courteous smile and said something in Italian.
“Only speaks Italian, though.”
Stefan took me from his brother. I felt like a yo-yo.
“I studied a little Italian.” I said. Freeing myself from Stefan, I greeted the woman with my passable Italian, which I could see from the look on her face she appreciated.
“I’ll take you inside. Maria made lunch, so you’ll have to wait to get settled.”
As we walked in, three men came around the corner. Stefan spoke to them in Italian and shook their hands, then turned to me to tell me their names, not quite introducing me, just telling me who they were. Cousins, apparently, who worked for him. Whom I gathered would be around a lot. I only remembered the first one’s name: Eric.
The scent of food wafting from the kitchen made my stomach growl. Even though I was dead on my feet, I could eat whatever it was this woman was cooking.
“I can’t stay. I’m expected at the seminary,” Stephen said. “I wanted to be here to meet you, though.”
Seminary?
“I’ll be back in a few days’ time. If you need anything-”
Before I could answer, Stefan did.
“She won’t,” he said, cutting him off.
Stephen took out a card and handed it to me anyway, as if Stefan hadn’t spoken at all. I guessed not many people did that with Stefan.
“My cell phone number is on the back, and you can also always find me here.”
I looked at the card. St. Mark’s Seminary with a Florence address.
“You’re a priest?” Was that the irony Stefan mentioned?
“Studying. Not yet ordained.”
“Oh.” I looked at him with fresh eyes.
Stefan pulled me close, and, as if he’d read my mind, said: “He’s not all that good. Don’t be fooled, Veronica. I can tell you right now to be wary of any Armando male.”
Stephen rolled his eyes at his brother. “Good-bye, Stefan. Believe it or not, it’s good to have you back home,” he said. “I think it’ll be good for you to be here.”
Stefan studied his brother, and for a moment, I thought he might say something remotely human, but he didn’t. Instead, he broke his gaze and dismissed him.
“Good-bye, brother.”
Stephen left, and Stefan ushered me inside where the driver was already carrying our bags upstairs. I had a momentary panic, wondering what the sleeping arrangement would be. Our marriage would be on paper alone, but did that mean he wouldn’t try to touch me? Would that mean he’d have other women?
I glanced in his direction, realizing he’d have no trouble finding as many as he wanted, married or not.
“Can I have a few minutes?” It came out stiffer than I intended.
Stefan turned to me.
“I’d like to splash water on my face and change out of these clothes before lunch,” I added.
He nodded. “I’ll take you to your room.”
My room. Did that confirm we weren’t sharing?
Stefan said something to Maria, who went into the kitchen, and he led me up the stairs to the second floor. I looked around as we went, taking in every detail, everything.
“How old is the house?”
“Over three hundred years.”
“The oldest building at St. Sebastian was seventy years old.”
“I’ll give you a tour later.” On the second-floor landing, I saw how the arches that matched those at the front door let in the bright sunlight framed by the bluest sky.
“You must have amazing views on a clear night.”
“We do.”
Stefan looked nostalgic. Sad almost. At least for a millisecond.
“This way.”