“We both know he won’t believe that for long.”
“She’s going to be just fine. I doubt Gino will care enough to look into it. Considering he’s in charge now, he didn’t even tell us Antonio was dead until I went there myself and asked what was taking so long.”
That’s when I cut in.
“What?” I yell.
Both of them turn toward me. The bagels and coffee slip from my hands and hit the floor as I turn and run. Tears stream down my face harder than they ever have before. I hear Kevin and Lucy behind me, calling my name, their footsteps pounding as they chase after me.
I run all the way back to my apartment as fast as I can and lock the door behind me. Minutes later, I hear Kevin and Lucy knocking. I don’t answer. I know they have a key. If they want to talk, they’ll come in.
I sink into the couch, hoping they’ll open the door and finally tell me everything.
A few minutes later, I hear the lock turn. Lucy rushes over and pulls me into a hug, while Kevin stands nearby, staring at me with sad, guilty eyes.
“Vanessa, we’re so sorry. We should have told you sooner,” Lucy says with a remorseful look.
“Why couldn’t you just tell me he was dead? Why hide that from me?” I sob.
“Vanessa, I just found out last night that he’s been dead for two years,” Kevin says.
“You were best friends—how could you not know?” I whisper.
“Your father wanted you completely hidden until he was ready to bring you into his life in the mafia.”
“I want you both to tell me everything. And I mean everything,” I say sternly.
They exchange a look, then nod.
I spend the next few hours listening as they lay out every horrifying detail of my father’s life, and I guess now, mine too. From the death of his first wife to the vast empire he built over decades, nothing is left unsaid.
TWO
MATEO
Holy shit. No way. No fucking way.
We all heard rumors that Antonio had a secret girlfriend after his wife died. Maybe even had a kid. But no one ever believed them. He never confirmed anything himself, and the moment whispers reached him, he shut them down hard. He didn’t even tell his own son, so why would anyone else believe it?
After his first wife died, he disappeared for three years. When he finally resurfaced, he sent his best friend out west to “take care of something,” and that man hasn’t been seen in over twenty years.
After that, Antonio went on a rampage. For two decades, he went after anyone who even breathed wrong around him.
Until two years ago, when the Russians shot him dead.
Gabe pulls me out of my thoughts as we drive away from the hospital.
“Dude, you saw her, right?” he asks.
“Yeah, I did,” I say.
“Do we tell Gino?”
“I think we have to, but we need to look into it a bit more first. We can’t just go to him and say, ‘Hey, man, we think you might have a sister or something.’ He’d kill us both if we were wrong.”
“I know, man. You thought she was hot, huh?” Gabe smirks.
“Excuse me?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
