“I do love you, Sophia. It’s something I’ve never said to another woman. And I would willingly give up my life to protect you and the children I hope to have with you.”
“Protect me from what, Francis?”
“I’ve been living a double life.”
Sophia rested a hand over her throat under a bulky green turtleneck sweater. “I want you to tell me everything, and please don’t leave anything to my imagination.”
Frankie knew he was about to break another promise to his uncle when he told Sophia everything that he’d become involved with and concealed from his godfather. Once Frankie Delano relinquished all responsibility of running the family business to him, he’d reestablished the connections his grandfather had before his eldest son decided to take the business in another direction. He’d become known as the incarnation of Salvatore—theSerpente—D’Allesandro, who was feared by anyone who dared cross him.
When he finished telling Sophia what he’d vowed never to disclose, he waited for her reaction. She was just looking at him with those beautiful hazel eyes, and he wanted to know her inner thoughts. He wanted to shake her and tell her to say something.
The seconds ticked until they became minutes before she said, “I will never repeat what you just told me.”
Frankie slumped and huffed a groan. “Thank you, babe.”
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we should talk about our relationship.”
He smiled at her. “What about it?”
“I want you to check yourself into a drug rehab program. And once you’re cleaned, we can get engaged. I want a long engagement.”
“How long, babe?”
“More than a year and less than two years.”
He frowned. “That’s a long time.”
“It’s not as long when compared to what we’ll spend together as husband and wife.”
Frankie’s frown vanished when he smiled. “You’re right about that. Now can I kiss you?”
Sophia shook her head. “Not until you’re drug-free.”
“You’re a hard woman, Sophia Toscano.”
“That’s because my man has a hard head.” She stood up. “I have to go now, because I told my father I would meet him before he closed his shop.”
Frankie helped her into her coat and watched as she walked out of the apartment, feeling freer than he had in a very long time. He knew he had to kick his cocaine habit, but there were times when he needed to experience the euphoria that made him feel invincible. He had a few grams lying on the bedside table he would save for later when he needed to feel good again. Then when it was gone, he swore it would be the last time he would use, because he’d promised Sophia he would get off the drug.
CHAPTER35
Labor Day Weekend—1985
“It’s finally come to this,” Frankie whispered in Kenny’s ear. “Now that Ray’s living in Connecticut, it means we have to break up the band.”
Kenny gave his friend a sidelong glance. He, Ray, and Frankie were the same age, but time hadn’t been as kind to Francis D’Allesandro. He’d struggled with his addiction, relapsing over and over until Kenny found a residential rehab facility on Long Island that had helped him to get and remain clean for the past three months. Frankie had earned enough credits to leave the facility to come to the Bronx to see Ray, his very pregnant wife, and son before they returned to their home in Connecticut. Kenny knew it wasn’t easy for Frankie to stay drug-free once his girlfriend left him following his second relapse.
Ray had resigned his role as a Catholic priest to accept one as pastor and teacher at a Lutheran school in Fairfield, Connecticut. He’d married Migdalia a week after resigning from the Catholic Church and legally changed his son’s name toMicah Alexander Hernandez Torres. It was a mouthful for a twelve-year-old to say, but it was a tradition for Spanish kids to have a lot of names.
Many things had happened in two years. His mother had retired and went on an around-the-world cruise, meeting up with a group of retired women, who had invited her to join them on future ventures. When Justine wasn’t traveling, she divided her time volunteering at a senior citizens’ community center, teaching dressmaking. Occasionally she would ask him who he was dating, and the answer was always the same. He was going out socially but there wasn’t any special woman in his life. Kenny knew his mother wanted grandchildren, but he wasn’t willing to bring a child into the world without marriage just to pacify her.
Kenny hugged Ray, thumping his back. “Stay in touch, Father Ray.”
Ray kissed him on both cheeks. “That’s a promise. I need to get on the road before I run into holiday traffic. Or before Micky decides to go into labor on our way home.”
“It would serve you right if you have to pull over and deliver your own baby because you decided to drive down here instead of us coming up to your place.”
“We only came down because Frankie isn’t allowed to leave the state, and there was no way I wanted to miss seeing my blood brother before taking on a new position and with a baby that’s due any day now.”
