“I need to talk to you, Eliana.”

“Get out,” Anna shouted, grabbing him. “You leave her alone.”

“Eliana, if you want to see Alessio ever again, get her out of here.”

“Anna,” she said feebly. “Maurizio and I need to talk.”

“Eliana, you are too weak.”

“I have to, Anna.”

Anna stepped in front of Maurizio, making her five-foot frame appear as threatening as she could. “I swear on our father’s grave, if you touch her again you’ll regret you were born.” She bit her knuckle at him, then turned and walked out.

Maurizio pushed the door shut behind her. Eliana was a dark cluster of blankets in the room’s dim light. He flipped on the light switch.

“Please don’t, the light hurts.”

He left it on. His voice was controlled, almost cordial. “Why are you still here? I told you to go.”

“Please, Maurizio. Bring Alessio back. For Alessio’s sake. You don’t know how sick he is.”

“Not so sick that you couldn’t leave him for your American.”

She didn’t answer. Then, seized with guilt and fear, her emotion took hold and she began to sob. Maurizio stood at the foot of the bed staring at her. When she finally stopped, she lay on her side trembling, looking up at him with dull eyes.

“Please don’t make me go. I’ll do anything you ask, Maurizio. Just let me have Alessio back.”

He said nothing.

“I won’t see him anymore. I promise.”

“You said this before; why should I believe you?”

She didn’t know how to answer. Maurizio walked across the room and opened a shutter. The light broke into the room like a hammer. Eliana shielded her eyes.

“Where does your friend live?”

“Why?” she asked fearfully.

Her concern for Ross angered Maurizio. He started to walk to the door.

“Lungarno Torrigiani. There’s an apartment building. It looks out over the Arno.”

“What building?”

“I don’t know.”

He grasped the door handle.

“I’m telling you the truth, I don’t know. It’s the second one from Ponte Alle Grazie. It’s a pale yellow color.”

“What number is his room?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been there.” Her voice trailed off into silence.

For a few moments, Maurizio just stared at her. When he spoke again his voice was only slightly stronger than a whisper. “You want another chance? I will give you another chance, Eliana, even though you do not deserve it. But be wise. I will not trust you again.” He put a finger below his eye and pulled his eyelid down. “Rendola has eyes. And if he, or anyone else, ever turns your head again, you will lose Alessio for good.”

Maurizio turned and walked out the door.

Anna was waiting for Maurizio in the courtyard. Maurizio glanced at her scornfully and turned away, headed for the gate. “I have nothing to say to you.”

She followed him. “You swine. How dare you do this to her.”

“You have misplaced loyalties, sister.”

“What do you know of loyalty? The word should catch fire on your lips.”