Chapter 58
Basta didn't waste any time jumping into action after learning about Silvertongue. He ordered Cockerell to round up Flatnose and Nero and meet him at his car. In the meantime he took Dafne back to Capricorn's house. He didn't seem as disappointed as she was to do this. She wished he could stay behind with her instead of going off to capture Silvertongue.
It wasn't as though the village was short of men to do the same task. But Capricorn had ordered Basta to go personally by the looks of it and she understood that he had to obey. It was just unsettling that he looked so... excited about it. Basta knew how she felt about kidnapping and yet he didn't even attempt to conceal the eagerness on his face.
"I know you don't like me taking you back," Basta said, thinking this was the sole reason for her silence as they walked, "But you might only have to stay at Capricorn's for a little while longer."
"What do you mean?" Dafne asked.
Basta smiled,
"When I bring Capricorn Silvertongue, he's going to be really happy. So happy I'm certain he'll give you back to me."
Dafne felt a small flutter of hope.
"Are you sure?"
"Oh I think so," Basta said, looking rather confident, "If there's one thing that's sure to convince him to do it, it's bringing him Silvertongue. There's not one man Capricorn wants more in this world than that slippery reader. We've been after him for years and he's always managed to evade us," a note of menace crept into his voice, "But not this time. I won't let him slip away. Not when capturing him means getting you back."
Dafne wasn't sure how to respond to that. She wanted Capricorn to relinquish her back to Basta. But at the same time she felt bad for Silvertongue, whoever this unfortunate man was.
They reached Capricorn's back fence where Basta brought them to a stop,
"This is where we'll say goodbye," he told her, "I'd take you all the way but I really need to get going."
Dafne nodded.
"That's okay," she said in a small voice.
It wasn't really okay. The whole situation wasn't okay and yet, as always, there was nothing she could about it.
Basta stroked her face,
"Cheer up little mouse," he said, "I know you aren't a fan of kidnapping but I'm doing this for us remember. Soon I'll be able to teach you as much German as you want. Won't that be nice?"
She couldn't help smiling at that.
"Yes."
Basta looked somewhat relieved.
"Well focus on that instead of being upset alright," he said. He kissed her but only briefly, "I really have to go now."
"Okay," Dafne nodded in acceptance. But as he went to leave, she looped her arms around his waist, "Ich liebe dich."
Basta smiled,
"Ich liebe dich auch," he replied, gently pulling her arms away, "Bin bald zurück, mein Mäuschen."
Dafne didn't bother asking him for a translation. But she did she feel compelled to call after him,
"Basta!" he turned around, "Promise that you'll try not to hurt Silvertongue... I mean any more than necessary."
Basta looked as if he was trying to roll his eyes.
"No harm unless necessary. Got it," he agreed impatiently, "Bye little mouse."
He hurried off before she could request he wait out the abduction in the car.
Dafne had only been back in the kitchen a while before Pietro and Nico showed up. Pietro stopped to talk to an overjoyed looking Orlanda while Nico headed straight over to Dafne,
"Hey Dafne," he greeted her with a grin.
He was still without his sunglasses. Dafne supposed he hadn't been back to the house to pick them off the table where she had left them. He looked better without them anyway. Why hide such beautiful eyes from view?
"Hey Nico," she replied, "What's going on?"
"Oh we're leavin'," Nico told her, "Gabriella called Ernesto's phone looking for Pietro and pretty much demanded he come home," he let out a disappointed sigh, "Not that we wanna go. We've been having too much fun," he grinned again, "Did you hear about the massive wave that Darius guy read out last night? It came out of nowhere and whoosh!" he mimed a tsunami-style wave crashing with a laugh of delight, "It was awesome."
"So you didn't mind getting wet then?" Dafne said with a smile.
"Nah," Nico said, "That was part of the fun. My cugino Dante was pretty upset though. His phone got wet and now it won't work."
"A shame Ernesto's phone didn't get wrecked. Otherwise you wouldn't have to go home," Dafne said.
"Yes it is a shame," Pietro said, startling Dafne because she hadn't noticed him leaving Orlanda's side, "But really we were only visiting for Monster Night. Now that it's over, we don't have much of an excuse to stick around... unfortunately."
Pietro looked just as disappointed as Nico.
"I'm sure they'll be other Monster Nights," Dafne said, trying to lift their spirits. Not that she hoped there would be.
"Not unless someone cures Darius of his stutter," Pietro replied, "As impressive as that wave was, Capricorn wanted a monster and he didn't get it. I think it will be a while before he has Darius try again."
"He might not need Darius anymore," Dafne said, her thoughts dwelling sympathetically on the man who was locked up and likely starving. What would become of him when Basta returned with a superior reader? "Did you hear about Silvertongue?"
"Oh yes," Pietro said, "But whether Basta and the others catch him remains to be seen. Silvertongue is quite elusive. Several times my men have tracked him to the very house he was living in, only to have him escape with his daughter at the last second."
He has a daughter? Dafne thought with dismay. Basta hadn't mentioned that important detail. Would she be brought to the village too? Her eyes darted over to Claudia, wondering what age Silvertongue's daughter was.
"In any case," Pietro went on, "I won't be celebrating until I hear word that Silvertongue been brought before Capricorn's very eyes. I'm a little annoyed at Basta though. He snuck off after Silvertongue without even bothering to say goodbye to us."
"Well he was in a hurry," Dafne said. She wasn't trying to justify Basta's behaviour. She was just speaking the truth. He had been hurrying, hurrying off after Silvertongue and his daughter.
"That's no excuse for rudeness," Pietro said, though he didn't look that upset. He smiled rather mischievously, "Promise you'll tell him that when he gets back. Tell him Pietro thinks he's a rude pumpkin for not saying goodbye."
Dafne couldn't help laughing,
"You want me to say that word for word?"
"Oh yes word for word," Pietro replied, "Promise?"
Dafne nodded,
"Yes I promise."
Pietro nodded approvingly before checking at his watch with a sigh,
"I suppose we had better get going ourselves. You go ahead and start packing the car Nico. I'd like to speak with Dafne in private."
Nico nodded obediently. Dafne wondered if he knew what Pietro wanted to talk to her about. Whatever it was, she was completely in the dark.
"It was nice meeting you," Nico had his arms raised hopefully as if he wanted a hug.
Dafne smiled and embraced him,
"You too," she murmured in his ear, "Your sunglasses are on the table by the way. Not that you need them Nico. You have really nice eyes."
"You think so?" Nico said, looking taken aback but pleased, "Thanks. Um, your eyes are pretty too."
"Oh really, what colour are they?" Dafne shut her eyes quickly.
"Er..." she heard Nico say unsurely.
"Dark brown," Pietro said in a tone of complete certainty.
Dafne opened her eyes to reveal he was correct.
"Oh yeah they are," Nico said sheepishly.
Pietro shook his head at him,
"That's really a detail you should commit to memory Nico, the colour of a woman's eyes. Otherwise they'll think you've taken more notice of other areas."
"Please don't think that," Nico begged Dafne to her amusement, "I just have a bad memory, honest."
"Nico its okay," she reassured him, "My eyes aren't as memorable as yours so why should you be expected to remember what colour they are?"
"I remembered," Pietro pointed out.
"What colour are Orlanda's eyes?" Dafne said.
This caught Pietro off-guard.
"Um..."
Nico laughed,
"What's the matter cugi, can't remember? Too busy looking at her other areas?"
Pietro scowled at him,
"Trying to look away more like," he muttered, "Anyway stop loitering about Nico. The car's not going to pack itself."
Nico grinned,
"On it boss. Bye Dafne."
"Bye Nico."
Pietro clipped Nico on the back of the head as he passed him. It couldn't have hurt Nico too much because he giggled. Pietro shook his head with a fond smile,
"Hard to stay mad at him the brat," he turned to Dafne, "Anyway, shall we?"
"Shall we what?"
"Go out of the kitchen to speak in private. I've already cleared it with Orlanda."
Dafne shrugged,
"I guess so."
Orlanda might have consented but she blocked their exit,
"Will you be coming back after you're done talking to her," she asked Pietro hopefully.
"I would," Pietro told her, "But we've got a long drive ahead of us."
"It's a shame your wife..." Orlanda said the last word bitterly, "Your wife wouldn't let you stay one more night. It's dangerous driving at night."
Pietro patted Orlanda's large hand, causing her to blush,
"We'll be fine. Don't you worry bella."
Dafne bit her tongue to stop laughing at Orlanda looking flustered.
Pietro smiled his trademark charming smile,
"Anyway it's been a pleasure."
"Oh yes, likewise, a pleasure, I feel that way too," Orlanda stammered.
"Goodbye Orlanda."
"Goodbye Pietro," Orlanda said his name with such yearning that Dafne feared she might throw her arms around him.
Perhaps Pietro thought so too because his charming smile became tight and strained.
"Let's go Dafne," he fairly pushed her out into the hallway.
"Bella," Dafne giggled once they were out of Orlanda's earshot, "I don't know how you can say that with a straight face."
"It's very difficult I can assure you," Pietro said dryly, "I hope you're grateful."
Dafne stopped laughing,
"Grateful?"
"Yes grateful. My little act helped out Basta today. He would have had trouble convincing Orlanda to let him take the girl on his own."
"I know," Dafne agreed, "And I am grateful for your help. Really. I'm sure Basta is too."
"That last bit's a lie and you know it," Pietro said.
"Okay maybe it is but I can be grateful enough for the both of us," Dafne smiled, "Thank you Pietro."
Pietro nodded his head with a smile of his own,
"You have a lovely smile you know," he said, "It's sweet. Just like you."
Dafne's smile receded, confused by the wording of his praise,
"Er, thank you."
"You know I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why I find you so appealing and I think I've finally worked it out."
"You have?" Dafne said.
"It's because you are sweet," Pietro said, "You're kind to people who don't deserve it. Giulio for example. From what I've seen he despises you, but instead of despising him right back you made Basta bring him his family."
"I felt sorry for him," Dafne said, feeling she had to justify herself.
"But why feel sorry for someone who hates you?"
Dafne shrugged,
"He's been through a lot. Why wouldn't I feel sorry for him, even if he does hate me. What's wrong with that?"
"There's nothing wrong with it," Pietro said, "It illustrates the fact that you're a kind person."
"It's just basic compassion," Dafne said, "I don't see why that makes me appealing."
"Because compassion is a rarity in a place like this," Pietro said, "A rarity I didn't expect to find in a woman dating Basta of all people. It's an intriguing paradox for someone like you to be with someone like him."
"A man of violence you mean?"
"Yes."
"Well I can refute that fact that he's violent," Dafne said, "And I know he's done horrible things. In fact he's off doing a horrible thing as we speak. But I wouldn't be with Basta if I didn't think he could be a good person. And I know he can be a good person because he's a good person when he's with me."
Dafne wasn't sure why she was telling this to Pietro, the man Capricorn had placed in charge up north. She expected him to laugh at her presumed naiveté. But he didn't.
"But that's not enough is it," he said.
Dafne was taken aback,
"Sorry?"
"I said that isn't enough. I suspect you want him to give up his wicked ways completely, am I right?"
Dafne was momentarily lost for words at Pietro's perceptiveness,
"Yes," she said finally, "I suppose you think it's foolish to expect that from someone like Basta."
"Well I'm a little sceptical on Basta's part," Pietro said, "But I don't have the heart to call you foolish. It's an admirable ambition after all."
"You think so?" Dafne said surprised.
Pietro smiled,
"What? Did you think I would sneer at you? Capricorn would I'm sure. But I'm not him am I?"
"No," Dafne conceded, "But you are a lupara-toting mobster."
"I don't like the term mobster but let's not get into semantics," Pietro said, "Yes I am fond of my lupara and I have no reservations about using it. I won't deny I'm a violent man. But I like to think I'm a romantic at heart. I like the idea of redemption through love. Light healing dark. Angels saving devils and so on. Though you have chosen a rather stubborn devil, as admirable as your cause is, he might end up breaking your heart."
I know that, Dafne thought sadly.
"I do admit he does seem to listen to you though," Pietro went on, "I've noticed that," he chuckled, "I can't believe he apologised to me today, insincere as it was, but you're a hard woman to refuse."
"I am?"
"Oh yes. Haven't you noticed that I've done everything you've asked of me? I gave back Basta's knife because you asked. I took him home because you asked. I helped him today because you asked. You asked and I obeyed. Even when you didn't ask, I did it. I defended Basta against treason because I knew you wanted me to."
"Why though?" Dafne asked, "Not that I don't appreciate you doing those things but you really didn't have to."
"Yes I did," Pietro said, "Because you disliked me when we first met. You weren't charmed by me at all. You thought I was... intimidating, that's the word you used wasn't it?"
"Um, yes," Dafne said.
"But I wanted you to like me." Pietro went on, "Because I rather like you. So I did those things to prove myself worthy of your friendship. Do you think I'm worthy now?"
"I..." Dafne said, "Well yes."
She had to say yes otherwise she would feel guilty. Dafne couldn't help feeling slightly manipulated. He had played a very clever game in winning her approval.
Pietro smiled,
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Well I'm glad you're glad," Dafne said, "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about in private, whether I liked you or not?"
"Not quite. I actually wanted to present you with an idea I've had. I've been thinking about your current situation. How you have stay here and work under Mortola until Basta wins Capricorn's favour again. It's not ideal is it?"
"Well no, of course it's not," Dafne said, wondering where this was going.
Pietro smiled,
"I thought as much. That's why I thought you might prefer to work as a maid up north instead."
This took Dafne completely by surprise.
"I'm sorry what?"
"I said how would you like to work as a maid up north?" Pietro repeated.
Dafne was more than little stunned. The invitation had come out of the blue. She hadn't expected him to ask her something like this.
"I... um... You mean up north as in the north headquarters?"
Dafne already knew this had to be what he meant. But she couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Yes that's what I mean," Pietro said, "What do you think?"
"What do I think?" Dafne said, "Honestly I don't really know what to say. Isn't that kind of decision up to Capricorn?"
"Yes but I'm sure I could persuade him to let you go," Pietro said confidently, "If that's what you want."
If that's what I want, Dafne thought, well why would I want to go up north? Basta is here.
"I'm not sure if it is," she told Pietro, "Basta wouldn't want me going off somewhere else."
Pietro had been looking at her expectantly as if he had anticipated a different answer. He frowned slightly,
"If it's the best thing for you, why should he object?"
"The best thing for me?" Dafne echoed.
Pietro nodded,
"I believe so. I mean think about it. Here you are, slaving away under that miserable Mortola. Who knows how long you're going to have to do that. Capricorn isn't going to hand you over to Basta just like that," Pietro snapped his fingers, "Not when withholding you ensures complete diligence from Basta. I'm sorry to say it might take a very long time for Capricorn to finally give you back."
Pietro's words dampened her spirits. Basta had been so confident in telling her that Silvertongue's capture would compel Capricorn to release Dafne over to him like a prisoner exchange. Maybe that wouldn't be the case after all.
Pietro startled her by touching her cheek. She noticed his fingers were larger than Basta's before she jerked her head away. Pietro regarded her sympathetically as though she were a spooked horse.
"I'm not saying this to upset you," he said in soothing voice, "I'm saying it because it's the truth. Knowing the truth is important, no matter how upsetting. It allows us to make the most logical choices."
"I know," Dafne said softly, "But I don't see the difference between being a maid here or up north. A slave is a slave no matter the location."
"A slave with more freedom is better off than a slave with none at all," Pietro argued gently, "In the north I can guarantee you more freedom. I'm in charge after all. What I say goes while Capricorn's not around."
"What do you mean by more freedom?" Dafne couldn't help but be curious.
"Well you won't have Orlanda breathing down your neck while you work for a start," Pietro said, "Plus you'll be allowed to wander about as you please as long as you do a reasonable amount of work each day. I'll even give you a day off and let you leave the village if you want. How does that sound? Better than what's on offer here isn't it."
"I can't deny that," Dafne conceded, "You would really let me leave the village?"
"As long as you promise to come back," Pietro replied with a smile, "In fact there are a few places I'd like to take you myself. The vineyard for instance, the one owned by Nico's father. It's very pretty out there. I'm sure you'd like it."
"Are these privileges you give to all your maids?" Dafne asked, "Giving them days off and letting them come and go as they please?"
"Well no," Pietro admitted, "But you're a special case. You're pumpkin's girlfriend. You're my friend too as we've just established. I can't treat you like an ordinary maid. I wouldn't want to either. In fact I'd rather not put you to work at all," his expression turned apologetic, "But unfortunately that's not possible. My wife would be very suspicious of me bringing an unknown woman to stay as a guest," he sighed, "Not that she won't be suspicious of you anyway. You're a pretty woman. But since she informed today that she's sent one of maids packing, I can at least justify you as Rachele's replacement."
Dafne had rather forgotten about the formidable Principessa. She definitely didn't sound like a woman she wanted to cross paths with, especially if the woman perceived her as a threat.
"How do know she won't fire me too?" she half-joked.
"Oh she won't," Pietro reassured her, "It's not her place to sack maids. She only fired Rachele because I was away and wasn't around to talk her out of it. You'll be fine as long as you stay out of her way."
"And what if she chooses not to stay out of mine," Dafne asked, "I can't see her being very happy about you giving me special treatment and taking me sight-seeing."
Pietro sighed rather heavily,
"I won't lie. My wife will probably treat you pretty atrociously," he said, "But you have to put with a vindictive woman here without the freedoms I'm offering. My wife is really the only downside to coming up north."
"She's not the only downside," Dafne said, "If I went north, I would be away from Basta."
"Yes you would," Pietro said, "But it's difficult for you to be together here anyway. You only get to see him in the church and there's no privacy there. He'll soon go broke bribing Orlanda to take you somewhere else to be alone. If you agreed to come north, he could always visit you. I know its long drive but you'll be able to be alone with no strings attached or sneaking around. Doesn't that sound better to you?"
Dafne admitted it did sound tempting. But she couldn't abandon Basta to live somewhere else, even a place where he could come visit her. She had to stay and be with him. Three times a day in church was better than going days, perhaps weeks apart. It was an attractive offer Pietro was dangling in front of her, less constraints, less work. But what good was free time if she couldn't spend it with Basta.
So she had to refuse.
"I'm sorry but it doesn't," she said, "I appreciate the offer really but I'd prefer to stay here."
A look of dissatisfaction flickered across Pietro's face. It startled her but it passed very quickly, replaced by good-humoured amazement.
"Prefer to stay here? But why? You have no freedom here. I'm offering you freedom."
Dafne shook her head,
"You're not offering me freedom. You're just offering me a bigger bird cage. It's not the same thing."
"It's better than the tiny one you're locked in now," Pietro argued.
"Perhaps," Dafne said, "But I can't leave Pietro. I can't leave Basta even if I'll only get to see him briefly each day."
Pietro shook his head, staring at the ground,
"He doesn't deserve you, you know that," he said in a low growl that took her by surprise, "He doesn't deserve such loyalty from you, such devotion," he glanced up and there was irritation on his face, "Do you think he cares about you saving his soul? Do you think he worries about breaking your heart?"
"Pietro," Dafne spoke his name uneasily. She had never seen him like this. He was always so calm. To see him suddenly so agitated unnerved her.
She instinctively went to back away but Pietro's presence seemed to block her off on all sides. He was a taller man than Basta and he had to lean down to put his face close to hers.
"They are other men who would be more appreciative of you trying to save them," he said softly, "other men who would worship you for trying to drag them out of dark..."
"Please, you're starting to scare me," Dafne whispered.
Pietro grimaced and stepped away from her,
"I'm sorry," he said hurriedly, "I didn't mean to scare you. I'm rather ashamed that I have. Please forgive me."
Dafne didn't answer. She just eyed him warily. What the hell had that been about?
Pietro sighed,
"I am sorry, truly," he said, "I don't usually... I'm just... stressed at the moment. I'm about to go home to a very displeased wife. Not that that's your problem. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. There's no excuse for my behaviour."
"Pietro," Dafne said hesitantly, "What you were saying before. The stuff about Basta and..."
"Please disregard what I said," Pietro cut in, "I was just speaking in the heat of the moment. What do I know about your relationship with Basta? I'm an outsider. The truth is I envy what he has with you because I don't have it myself."
In spite of what had just happened, Dafne couldn't help feeling sorry for him,
"I'm sorry your marriage isn't happy."
Pietro smiled lightly,
"That's kind of you to say. Like I said before, you're a sweet woman Dafne. You make it very hard for a man not to fall in love with you."
Dafne stared at him in shock.
"You're... you're not in love with me are you?" she stammered worriedly.
Pietro chuckled softly,
"What if I am a little? Would that bother you?"
"It would definitely bother Basta," Dafne said, cringing as she imagined his reaction.
"No doubt it would," Pietro said bemusedly, "But he never has to know. I'm not going to tell him and I hope you won't either. Unless you want me cut up into tiny pieces."
"No," Dafne said appalled, "Of course not," she groaned, "Are you really sure you feel this way?"
"Oh I think so," Pietro replied, chuckling as Dafne groaned again, "But don't worry. I'm not going to make trouble for you. You love Basta. I respect that. I'm content to pine over you from afar."
"Can't you just... get over me?" Dafne pleaded, "I'm not worth pining over. If you got to know me, you would find out what a boring and annoying person I am."
Pietro laughed,
"Well I won't really get a chance to discover that since you're not coming up north."
"That's probably for the best," Dafne said with a slightly strained smile, "Considering your er, feelings."
Pietro sighed,
"I think you're right. You've probably done us both a favour by refusing. My wife's a bloodhound when it comes to me liking other women. She always finds out. It didn't take her long to figure out there was something going on between Rachele and I."
Dafne's eyes widened,
"You and Rachele were seeing each other?"
Pietro laughed, rubbing the back of his neck,
"Yes I know what you're thinking. Pietro's a bad man. He cheats on his wife."
"Something like that," Dafne said, "Why don't you just get divorced?"
"Because I have a child on the way," Pietro replied, "And Rachele was just a fling. I do feel bad for her though. Gabriella would have given her quite the ear-bashing before sending her on her way."
Dafne shook her head disbelievingly,
"You're unbelievable you know that," she said reproachfully.
But Pietro just smiled,
"What can I say? I'm a villain and a devil. So if you ever give up on Basta, I'll be your next project."
He held out his hand to her,
"Deal?"
Dafne shook his hand with a hard smile,
"Deal."
Pietro patted Dafne's hand, her hand which looked small compared to his,
"I suppose I had better be going. Goodbye Dafne," he said, letting her hand drop.
"Goodbye Pietro."
"You take care of yourself," Pietro said over his shoulder as he walked away, "If you ever need me, tell one of my famiglia to let you borrow their phone. You shouldn't have trouble. There are plenty of them around here."
Yes there were but none of them left an impression quite like the head of the family. Left alone, Dafne now felt rather dazed as her mind rolled over their conversation like a transcript.
I can't believe he said he has feelings for me.
If Basta ever found out he had been right in his suspicions. Dafne shook her head vehemently. No. He was never going to find out.
Better to forget about it, imagine Pietro never said it. Imagine he told you he loved Basta instead.
Dafne laughed inwardly as she made her back to the kitchen.
Why not imagine that. He does call Basta pumpkin.
To be continued...