“Yes.”
“Out of all the women in Chicago, you sleep with Santino’s daughter?”
“It wasn’t intentional.”
“Your dick just happened to fall into her?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Well, no.”
“Did you know who she was when you slept with her?”
“Yes.”
This is how my father works. First, he loses his shit, letting his feelings and temper get in the way of rationality. Then there’re a few minutes where he rants and raves before he finally settles down. Hopefully, this won’t be any different.
He slams his hand down on the table, causing the espresso pot to bounce, along with everything else, including our mugs. “How could you have been so careless?”
“Love defies logic.”
“You mean your prick has no boundaries.”
I stay calm because anything else could be disastrous.
“Pop, Santino’s out of the business, and you two used to be friends. What’s done is done. Daphne’s having my child, and if you can’t accept them as part of our family…”
“Wait,” he says and holds up his hand. “Santino’s out?”
I nod. Naturally, that’s the one thing my father hears and cares about.
“This changes things,” he mumbles and rubs his hands together slowly.
“You’re unbelievable. Even if he weren’t, it wouldn’t change how I feel about Daphne or my unborn child.”
“Of course not.” He waves his hand dismissively. “Set up a meeting. We’ll handle things.”
“I’ll set up a meeting, Pop, but you aren’t handling anything. You either make peace, or I’m done with you,” I tell him before I stand. “It’s your choice. You can either gain a grandchild or lose a son.”
There’s nothing left to say. The ball’s in my father’s court now. He can continue being a hard-ass, letting business get in the way of family, or he can figure out a way to coexist with the Gallos. I’m done playing games, and I sure as hell don’t live to please my father.
* * *
Daphne’sat the bar working, when I begged her to stay home and take it easy. The woman is defiant to the core.
“What are you doing?” I ask as I sit on a barstool across from her while she dries a glass.
She stops moving and looks up at me. “Don’t start.”
“Did you eat today?”
“I did.” Her eyes narrow.
I know she’s annoyed, but I don’t give a shit. I do get to voice how I feel because she’s carrying my child too. “Enough?”
She sets the glass down and leans over with her elbows pressing into the bar top. “I had plenty. Is this how you’re going to be the entire pregnancy?”
I shrug and play innocent. “What way is that?”
“Overbearing.”
