“Let’s get out of here,” he says.
I can finally feel my heart rate slowing. My body relaxes. Maybe I died down there, and this is my heaven. Because I couldn’t fathom that this would all work out when I was bound and taped.
But now it seems like I’ll get everything I wanted.
Chapter 37
Alessandro
“Thatwasahellof a day.” Sal swirls his drink around in his glass as we meet in one of the sitting rooms. Sofia sleeps upstairs, but I’m still uneasy being away from her even though I know that we’re safe.
“Good call on the ‘lights out’ plan,” Gio says.
I make a noise in my throat. “That was Nick’s idea. Crazy fucker.”
We gave those two access to a couple of our guest suites as they wait for the rest of Sofia’s family to show up. From what I understand, everyone even remotely related to Sofia is on their way over.
I dread this gathering with every bone in my body.
But she needs it after everything she’s been through. And not just today, but everything myself and Marco put her through as well.
“How’s your wife doing?” Sal asks.
“She’s fine. Better than I expected her to be. She fell asleep so quickly after everything happened.”
“Good. It’s easy to be plagued with sleepless nights after an event like that. I hope that doesn’t happen to her.”
“Me too.” I take a sip of my drink and notice Gio staring contemplatively out the window.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m wondering what your next plans are. You don’t have many captains now.”
We never promoted anyone after losing a couple of capos after Marco’s death. And now we’ve lost even more.
“I’ve thought of this today, and I’m come up with a few names…” I tell them where my head is at. My first priority is loyalty, so I don’t care as much about age or skills. After all of that? I won’t risk harming my family.
We continue back and forth, mulling over the various personality traits of the top candidates along with thinking ofreasons that choosing this man or that man could create tension within our family. And after the number of men we lost today, we’re vulnerable to our enemies. Both Sal and Gio had some promising nominations to bring forward. The conversation leaves my head spinning but in a good way—bringing up things I wouldn’t have even thought of. I’m grateful for these two.
Our discussion dies off eventually; it’s time to part ways for the night. Gio gives me a brief goodbye, hurrying out of the room, but Sal lingers.
He clears his throat and looks uncomfortable for a moment. I worry that he’s about to give me bad news. “I’m only going to get sappy this one time, so listen up. I remember when you came to this castle as a skinny child. To be honest, I was too focused on moving up in rank and starting a family at the time to really notice you or the horrible situation that Marco put you in. If I had known that thirty years later, you’d be leading this family…” He chuckles, shaking his head. “I’m fucking horrible at this. I just want to say I’m happy for you. And I’m happy that you’re the one in control. It’s not too often that someone with a good head on their shoulders takes over.”
I snort.
He frowns. “I’m serious. Usually, the meanest bastard floats his way to the top. Not saying you lack the ability to be mean when necessary, but…”
“Yeah, I understand.” I say to relieve him of having to over-explain himself as his words sink in. I feel as though a stormis over. That anyone disloyal to me has been squashed this morning, and I can finally not be so paranoid.
“Anyway, Giorgia and I want to spend more time with you and Sofia. When Marco was alive, I had to play the political game, so I tried to stay distant from you.”
“And now you’re kissing my ass to make up for it?”
“Fuck you.” He laughs.
“Of course. I’ll reach out once Sofia is recovered from all of this.” And I mean it too. I don’t want to spend time with Sal out of obligation; I genuinely want to.
Maybe I’m slowly becoming more social, after all.
