Dom glares at him.
“What we do know is that someone is targeting La Corona. They’ve been quiet so far this year, but maybe that’s so we let our guard down again. Or maybe after the purging we all did, they needed to regroup. Either way, we need to keep our guard up.” Marco looks at each of us in turn.
The meeting goes on for longer than usual, and after it ends, I linger in the conference room, pretending to review documents while the others file out.
Dominic remains behind, checking messages on his phone.
I've known him since we were boys.
He’s only six years older than I am, so we grew up together.
Me, Dom, Gabriella, and Elena.
Isabella is around Elena’s age, but she didn’t hang with us as much.
Marco was older than me by nearly sixteen years, so I didn’t know him as well until I joined the business.
I think about how Dom has looked out for Elena. He’s pretty much all she has left.
“You’re handling Christmas this year, right?” I ask.
He nods. “Elena is playing hostess for me. The kids are loving it.”
I pause, wondering if I should indulge my curiosity. "The triplets are six now, right?"
"Since May." Pride colors his voice. "Smart kids. Handful, though. I don’t know how Elena does it sometimes."
I swirl the little bit of amber liquid remaining in my glass, feigning casual interest. "Their father isn’t around?"
Dominic's expression shifts subtly. "No. Never has been."
“Doesn’t seem like something you or your father would have let go. Is he?—”
“He'd better be or I’ll rip him from limb to limb for abandoning her.” Dominic studies me over the rim of his glass. "Why the sudden interest, Monti?"
I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. "Just curious. Three kids is a lot for anyone to handle alone."
"She's not alone. She has me. The family. La Corona family."
"But not their father." I can't keep the edge from my voice.
Dominic sets his glass down with care. As if he’s tired of my questions but holding in his annoyance out of respect. "Look, if you're asking if I know who he is, I don't. Not for certain."
"But you have suspicions?"
"Elena was going through something when she got pregnant. Wouldn't tell anyone who he was, not even when my father threatened to disown her." He shakes his head. "Whatever happened between them, it left scars."
“I remember being surprised when I heard she was pregnant.” I really should shut up.
“All of us were. But she’s family. We take care of family.”
I study him. “That’s all she and the kids are to you?” Yes, she’s been a jerk to me, but she deserves a family who cares for her, not one that acts just out of duty.
“Are you questioning my relationship with my cousin?”
Fuck. I’ve gone too far.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “No. Not at all, Don Vitale.” I use his formal name to show respect. “I just think it must be hard for her.”
