“A mere formality. I didn’t want to press them after the shock of my father’s passing. But this coming week, I will ask for their oaths, and they will give them.”
The Morelli Don seems to come to a decision. “La Contessa was very generous to me once. If her son is anything like her, I think we could form a strong alliance.”
I allow the sense of triumph to wash over me.
I have succeeded where my father failed.
“Then let’s talk business,” I say, and lean in.
CHAPTER54
TEDDY
While Alessandroand Don Morelli talk in their study, I seize my moment, and sidle up to Finch D’Amato, who is laughing loudly at one of Jack’s jokes. “Mr. D’Amato?” I ask shyly. “I wondered if I could speak with you.”
Jack melts away somehow, with that easy social manner he has. At first I wished Miller was here, because I’m really terrible at socializing, and at least he’d be one more face I knew, but everyone has been surprisingly nice to me—including Don Morelli’s husband, and he’s nice again now.
“Teddy, right?” Finch says. “What can I do for you?”
I drop my voice to a whisper. “I know I’m not supposed to ask…and I promise I won’t tell anyone…but…” Finch looks more and more intrigued as I go on, enough that I finally summon up the courage. “Are you, you know…made?”
He stares at me for a long moment before giving that loud, startling laugh. Thankfully most of the group here tonight has gotten used to it, so no one looks over. “Am I a made man?” he says, loud enough for me to wince. He lowers his voice a little to add, “That’swhat you want to know?”
I nod fast. “I promise, if you tell me, I won’t tellanyone. Not even Alessandro. I swear.”
Finch grins, but there’s a gleam in his eye as he holds up his hand. “Ah, but do youpinkyswear?”
I blink at him for a moment, wondering if he’s serious. I think he might be. Solemnly, I wrap my pinky finger around his. “I pinky swear.”
“Well, in that case…” He leans in to murmur in my ear.
* * *
It’s very late once all the guests have gone. Alessandro offered to have Don Morelli and his husband stay at Redwood Manor, but they politely declined, preferring their own, unspecified lodgings. I’m a little relieved. I don’t know if they would be completely safe at Redwood with Julian on the premises.
Alessandro and I have already decided to stay in his apartment for the time being. Redwood is an amazing place, but I much prefer his penthouse. It’s where he can relax and be himself, leave all the cares of the Family behind him.
But before we return there tonight, we have one last thing to do.
I’ve been dreading it, ever since Alessandro went over everything while he washed me down in that luxurious bathtub back at the penthouse. What he said made sense, and he was only waiting for Jack to confirm it for him.
And now Jackhasconfirmed it. I know it as soon as Alessandro takes my hand, after turning down the lights in the empty grand salon. “Will you come with me,topolino? I think a little softness might be needed, and I can’t trust that I’ll find it in myself.”
I don’t want to go with him. But what I want or don’t want pales in comparison to hisneeds. To the needs of the Family. “I will,” I tell him. “But can you do the talking? Sometimes I say the wrong thing.”
He gives me a gentle kiss on the forehead. “I’ll do the talking,” he promises.
We set out, hand-in-hand, for the kitchens.
* * *
The day-staff has gone home, and the kitchens are immaculate again after the frenzy of the day’s preparations. But there’s a light shining from under the door of the little break room, and that’s where Alessandro and I head.
I’m the one who knocks. I’m the one who opens the door, puts my head around it. I’m the one who greets him.
“Mr. Wilson,” I say softly, “Alessandro and I wanted to talk to you.”
It’s as though he’s been waiting for us. He’s had a long, hard day, and he’s still in his uniform, the white shirt as crisp as ever. “Come in,” he says, and he sounds almost relieved. “Please. Come in.”
