Page 79 of Damiano De Luca (The Five Syndicates)
I tried to rack my brain for when my briefing mentioned Ariana. She showed up in Romano territory after the bounty on Niccolaio Andretti’s head was raised. Bodies had dropped. That had to be the catalyst.
“It’s best you bombard your mother with your questions and not me, little one.” Gaspard dipped his head in a small bow. “I’ll let your mom know that you’re here.”
“Gaspard?”
He turned back to face me. “Yes, Renata?”
“Please, leave the door open.”
He nodded, and when he left, I took a seat in front of Maman’s chess set. The porcelain set represented carved memories of my childhood. Weekends at Maman’s, spent begging her to play chess with me.
“Not this set,” she’d tell me before pulling out a different set.
We’d play, and she’d teach me the Vienna game. I’d almost been convinced that her porcelain set was merely decoration, except I’d seen her move the pieces one at a time. Sometimes, a month apart. Sometimes, a year apart.
But today, the dark king stood at a checkmate.
Oh, God.
How could I not have seen this? I loved Maman, but I was her pawn. Literally. Memories flashed into me as I saw them with new eyes, recounting the events that coincided with the chess moves I remembered Maman making.
Maman sent me to Italy as a surprise for Papà’s birthday. Pawn to E4.
I caught Dad cheating on Maman and was sent to Devil’s Ridge. Knight to C3.
Maman helped Damian take over the De Luca syndicate as The Benefactor. Bishop to C4.
Damian and I fell in love, entwining the Vitali with the De Luca. Knight to E5.
A five-million-dollar bounty was placed on Niccolaio Andretti’s head. Queen to H5.
Bodies dropped all over New York as Niccolaio evaded his bounty. Queen to E5.
Ariana appeared in Romano territory. Knight to D6.
Vincent Romano was killed. Knight to B5.
Maman sent me to Romano territory to represent the Vitali at Vince’s funeral. Knight to F7.
Damian and I reconnected as Maman encouraged me to drop my walls. Queen to C7.
What was Knight to D6? And worse, what was the Checkmate?
When I’d seen Maman after running away from De Luca territory, we’d read together. I glanced at the chessboard, but it didn’t strike me that she moved five chess pieces in the year I’d been gone. I hadn’t thought anything of it.
“Renata, darling, it’s lovely to see you!”
My eyes shot up to Maman as she entered the room. She looked as demure as a Catholic nun. I never would have expected this from her.
“Maman.” I forced myself to relax, hoping my face didn’t give anything away.
“Have a seat.” She gestured to the chair in front of her chess set. Fitting. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but why are you here? You’ve been avoiding my phone calls.”
I nodded at the chess set. “What is this?”
“A game. The Vienna opening is quite effective.”
Chills traveled the length of my arms. “You’re a liar, Maman.”
