Riccardo stepped forward as the gates opened and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I wanted to surprise you, Zia," he murmured against her shoulder.
"Come in! Come in!" she urged, stepping back to look at him properly, her hands framing his face. She gestured sharply to one of the guards. "Take his bags."
The taxi idled awkwardly at the curb beyond the gates, its driver glancing nervously at the security presence before quickly unloading the luggage.
"What are you doing here?" she asked as they began walking up the long gravel drive toward the mansion.
"Mrs. Genovese spoke to the Don," he said carefully. "He got me a spot with Luca. I am to replace Marco."
Nonnina stopped mid-step.
"What? Does Luciano know this?"
"I told the Don to wait until I saw you," Riccardo said. "I didn't want to ruin the surprise."
They resumed walking, but her pace had slowed.
