He didn't look up. "Am I supposed to be afraid of her?"
"If your wife finds out," Nonnina said gently, "your father finds out."
That made him pause. He lifted the cup, sipped slowly, buying himself a moment. The coffee was bitter. He liked it that way. "It's nothing, Nonnina. Like I said, a temporary arrangement. Nothing to it."
She hummed, unconvinced.
Soft footsteps approached. The maid entered first, then stepped aside.
Vee followed.
She wore a satin pajama set clearly chosen in haste. Short sleeves. Shorts that skimmed her thighs. Her hair was loose, still holding the shape of sleep, and her eyes carried the cautious alertness of someone who knew she was being assessed.
"Morning," Vee said.
Nonnina looked delighted.
"Ay… Zuccherino!" she beamed, sweeping toward Vee. She looked her up and down.
Vee smiled. "You must be Nonnina."
Nonnina's eyes lit up. "Ah… Diavolino talks about me, uhn?"
Vee tilted her head. "Diavolino?"
