The glass shattering against the wall does nothing to bank the fire of my rage. It's a waste of good whiskey, but a broken glass is nothing compared to the shards of my heart as my life seems to crumble around me.
“Call didn’t go well?” Allesandro asks as he steps into his office. He looks from the shattered glass to me.
“I’m sorry, I’ll replace it.”
He waves my apology off and walks around to sit behind the desk. It should feel awkward to be sitting across from another Boss like this, but with him…everything isright. It's the only thing that feels right at the moment.
“No,” I finally answer his question. “The call didn’t go well, mainly because it didn’t happen. I am apparently not worthy of being on their call list anymore.”
He frowns. “Do you think something happened?”
“Yeah,” I growl. “Fucking Tennant happened. He and Roman have been dealing with the Brazilians from the beginning. Ten thought it was too risky for me to take the meet.” I let out a sharp laugh. “So he ended up bringing Roman along as a test.”
“That seems to be a contradiction?”
“I want to say he had reasons for his decisions, but…now, I don’t know. I never expected such betrayal from him. Not after everything we’ve been through.”
“I’m sorry my Family has caused so much trouble with yours, Dolce Cuore. This is why I wanted to split apart as soon as possible when we first returned.”
I try for a smile, but I know I fail. “It’s not your fault. You did what you thought was right; we both did.”
“I do not regret backing you… As a Boss, you had a right to protect your Family. More so as a father.”
I shake my head. “You should. My actions ruined your Family.”
He tilts his head. “You seem more concerned with my Family than your own.”
I do smile this time, though it’s not a nice feeling. “Carter and Roman will come back. Roman is too insecure to take the mantle of Boss up for too long, not after getting a taste while we were kidnapped. He relies heavily on Tennant and Hollis, and Ten…he’s spiraling. That’s the only explanation I have for what he said. For him to choose Benjamin over me…he’s not in his right mind. Eventually, Hollis will tire of the games and put him in check, it’s only a matter of time.
“As for Carter? My husband never wanted to rule. He’s the bastard son of a father who hated him, the spare to a brother who did his best to tear him down. He’ll be back, eventually.” Every word feels like acid, but I can’t stop the dangerous, tumbling thoughts from spilling out.
“It’s your Boys I’m most worried about. Roman…is used to getting his way. It’s my fault. I was so determined to not become my uncle, to give him the childhood Ten and I never had, that I spoiled him far too much. I’m afraid of him turning your Emilio and Chaos against you.”
Allesandro grimaces, his intense eyes flashing with regret, pain, and anger. “Luca…said some things that weren’t entirely wrong when it comes to Emilio. I could have explained the situation better, made him see reason when it came to my decision to back you, but that isn’t your fault, Sweetheart.”
“Feels like it. I don’t regret what I did. I can’t, because that would mean I don’t stand by my own decisions as a Boss, and you know how dangerous of a slope that can be.” I do regret hurting my son, though. That will always be my shame to carry.
He inclines his head in agreement. “It’s what makes getting Emilio to understand difficult. I can get my Boys under control, they know the rules. My word is law, but Emilio… He seems to be under the impression that being the de facto O’Connel heir means he’s my equal. I will get him back; I’ll get them all back.”
For his sake, I hope so. Sighing, I let it go, knowing I have to trust him with what is right for his own Family. Getting us back on the track of work, I ask, “Did you get your people to build new security around your networks?”
“Yeah. They should be done now. I think we found all the bugs, but we’ll do another sweep of the house to be sure. I still want to know how a boy in a wheelchair, with a dog by his side, managed to bug every single room in this house without being caught. I’m not saying he’s incapable because of his disability, but there’s no way he would have been able to get upstairs without help.”
I huff a laugh. “I’ve learned over the years, Cuore Mio, to not question Leandro; if there’s a way, he’ll find it. Remember whatI said when we were locked up? If the worst should ever happen, he’ll manage to be the last one standing.”
“No matter, it’s over and done with now. He can try to break back into my systems all he wants, but I am paying good money to keep him out.”
I can only hope that’s enough. Roman would be heartbroken if Il Padrone is forced to kill his friend because he’s a troublemaker.
“While I seem to no longer have access to my main supplier, we still have a good hand in the smaller ventures. They won’t bring in much money, since my buyers are used to what the Brazilians can supply, but it’s more than nothing. I need to check in with my dealers, I’m hoping it’s not too late for them.”
“Your foothold in the drug market is stronger than my own. Marcus has already been redirecting the men—I’m assuming on Ignacio’s behalf. He is in charge of my weapons trade, but…unless he has decided to fuck himself over, he will only mess with that on the small scale. He’s aware of how much trust I’ve given him in order to run that part of the business—theyallare, but he will be the one looking at it from a strategic point of view first, emotional later.
“The whorehouse has likewise gone silent on me, which pisses me off. Antonio has always been one of the most loyal Boys, but no matter, I will get him back under control. I am disappointed in him, and in Jude. I was considering allowing them to be together, because they were the two that were least problematic. However, now…”
I wince. “Mi dispiace, Cuore Mio.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, Cristian.Nothing. Non è colpa tua se la tua famiglia pensa di poter possedere il mio.”
