Mary hurried from the reception area toward Bennie’s office, her heart in her throat. Her parents had surprised her at work with Fiorella, who had wandered off. It never ended well when The Flying DiNunzios came to Rosato & Associates. Her worlds weren’t meant to collide, but to remain separate, maintaining order in her own personal galaxy.
“Stop, no!” Mary reached Bennie’s office just as Fiorella was opening her door.
“DiNunzio?” Bennie said, uncertain, from behind her desk, and Grady emerged from Anne’s office.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing really.” Mary grabbed Fiorella by the arm. “Fiorella, this is my partner, Bennie Rosato, and her friend, Grady Wells.”
“Nice to meet you, Fiorella.” Grady extended a hand, but Fiorella barely looked at him, keeping a cold eye on Bennie.
“Bennie is a name?”
Bennie shrugged. “It’s Benedetta, but I go by Bennie.”
“Why? Why would you do such a thing?”
“I’m pleased to meet you, too.” Bennie held out a hand, but Fiorella didn’t take it, so she let it drop and turned to Mary. “I didn’t know you had guests, DiNunzio.”
“My parents dropped in to celebrate my making partner and putting an offer on a house. Did I mention that?”
“No. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Mary edged backwards with Fiorella, who wouldn’t stop glaring at Bennie. Her forehead knitted, and her mouth set like granite, if granite wore lipstick.
“Hey Mare.” Judy came to the rescue, out of breath. “Bennie, I see you’ve met Fiorella.”
“Benedetta!” Mary’s mother joined them, throwing open her arms and hugging Bennie. “Benedetta, mille grazie, I’m a so hap’ you make Maria the boss.”
“I’m happy to do it,” Bennie said, smiling, and Mary released Fiorella only long enough to pry her mother off, juggling DiNunzios like sharp knives.
“BENNIE! CONGRADULATIONS ON MAKING MY DAUGHTER A PARDNER!”
“My pleasure,” Bennie said, a moment before Mary’s father bear-hugged the breath out of her, and Judy had to step in to peel him off, too.
Grady laughed. “It’s great to see you both. You should be very proud of your daughter.”
“WE ARE, FROM THE DAY SHE CAME OUTTA THE EGG! COME TO LUNCH, ALL A YOUSE!!”
“No, thanks,” Bennie answered. “I have to prepare for a meeting this afternoon.”
“You.” Fiorella fixed a dark gaze on Bennie. “I was drawn to your room, to you. I feel something here, with you. This, I see. This, I know.”
“Pardon me?” Bennie asked, confused, and Fiorella pointed at her with a red-lacquered index finger.
“You are evil, Benedetta.”
Judy gasped, and Mary’s career flashed before her eyes. She grabbed Fiorella’s arm, but the older woman swatted her away.
“You are a woman of great power,” Fiorella said, her words heavy with theatrical portent. “But my power is greater than yours. My power comes from God. Yours comes from the Devil!”
“No, please!” Mary yanked Fiorella backwards, and so did her horrified mother and father.
“Per favore, no, Fiorella, per favore, Oh Deo, no!”
“FIORELLA, ARE YOU NUTS?”
“I curse you, Benedetta Rosato!” Fiorella shook her fist in the air, even with three of them dragging her backwards.
“Sorry, she thinks she’s a witch queen,” Judy explained, then she piled on Fiorella, who struggled against all of them.
“I curse you, Benedetta! I will defeat you! I will! You are no match for my power! I am the queen, not you!”
“Oh, Deo!” her mother exclaimed, then prayed in rapid Italian. “FIORELLA, YOU CAN’T PUT A CURSE ON A LAWYER! THEY SUE YOU!”
Mary clapped her hand over Fiorella’s mouth, and they all carried her into the reception area past Marshall, who pushed the elevator button.
“Mary, where do you get these people?” she asked, incredulous.
“Where else? They’re family.”
Ping! went the elevator, and they all hustled inside.