Sophia takes out her gun, making sure it’s ready and tucks it back into its holster before taking in a deep breath.“I guess I’m as ready for this as I’m ever going to be,” she says quietly.
The minute we’re out of the car, I take her hand, and Jimmy walks beside me gun out, just in case any of the Gallini fucks are hiding in the bushes.But Leandro would have warned us if that were the case, and Leandro meets us at the door of the warehouse with our soldiers.“It’s clear.They moved out quite some time ago.Your father is in the back, Sophia.I’m sorry for your loss,” Leandro says.
“Stay with the men.I’ll walk her back.”
Leandro gives me a nod and hangs back with Jimmy and the men while I walk with Sophia through the warehouse that looks empty and spacious, but I know at times is filled with enough blow to keep all of the nightclubs in Jersey stocked and then some.
The minute we reach the back room, Sophia sees her father lying lifeless on the cot, covered with a couple jackets creating a makeshift blanket, for which I’m grateful to the men for doing.She sinks to her knees by his bed and after making sure no one else is in the room, I close the door to give her the privacy she needs while guarding her myself from outside the door.Almost an hour later she opens the door, tears streaming down her face.“Just hold me.”
And I do, cradling her in my arms, knowing that she’s had time to say the things she wanted to say, and able to spend time with him before burying the man she knew and loved, without knowing the extent of what he’s done.Things that Barcelo is starting to talk about now that his time is getting short and my wife does not need to know.Let her remember him the way she will.
I wipe Sophia’s tears with my fingers until they start to slow.“Let’s go home, kitten.The men will make sure he’s taken to a funeral home, and we’ll make arrangements for him to have a proper burial.”
She nods, and no words are needed as I walk her to the car and take my kitten home.I don’t leave her until she’s asleep for the night.But after that, I connect with Leandro.“It’s time.Meet me at the warehouse.I talked to Dad earlier, and he’s fine with us taking care of this.He doesn’t want to leave Mom right now.”
The same warehouse where the man who dared take my mother, put hands on her, and tried to gut her like a fucking fish waits for his death.He’s told us all there is to know, one painful session at a time.He’s had long enough to think about what he’s done, and now it’s time to send the miserable fuck to hell.
The minute it’s done, Leandro and I drive out to Dad’s.He greets us at the door and we follow him to the great room.He’s anxious for confirmation that the bastard who took his wife and left her for dead got a just execution and we can assure him of that.“Talk to Dad, give him all the details.I need to talk to Mom for a minute.”
Leandro gives me a nod.“I’ll take care of it, Massimo.”
I leave the two of them and climb the stairs to my parents’ room and give a light knock on the door.“Come in,” Mom says.She’s sitting up in bed and puts her notepad on the bed as I walk in and sit beside her.“How are you feeling?”I ask.
She shifts slightly against the headboard.“Still sore but they said it’s still going to be a while.I’ll get through it, Massimo.Thanks to you and your brothers I’ll be okay.”
“At what cost emotionally?”I ask, watching the surprise in her eyes.She inhales deeply.“I won’t say I won’t be scared, I mean it was traumatic, but I’m safe now.I know that.”
I start to ask her a question and then change my mind.But she’s always been able to read me like a book and does it now.“What’s going on, Massimo?Ask me anything.Is it about Sophia?”
She’s not wrong and still sees right through me like nobody else.“If you knew marrying Dad would bring you this much heartache, this much pain and suffering, would your answer still have been yes to his wedding proposal so many years ago?”
Mom gives me a smile that makes me chest tighten.“In a fucking heartbeat.Nothing could have kept me or will ever keep me from that man.”
My mother doesn’t mince words, never has and didn’t have to think about that answer for even a minute.She’s resolute in her love and knew what she was getting into years ago too.Like Sophia.
She takes my hand.“You’re worried about Sophia’s safety, what it means if someone tries to go after her?That’s why we protect the ones we love, why we have safeguards in place.But we all know going in that where there’s a will and a weak link, our enemies can take advantage.We have to be smart and fast and quick.You’re going to be a great leader Massimo, youarea great leader, keep her protected but marry that girl for real Massimo.Anyone with half a brain can see that you’re head over heels in love with her.”
I kiss Mom on the forehead.“I love you.Get some rest.I’ll stop by and see you again tomorrow.Maybe there’s a real wedding in the near future.Right now, I need to go deal with Dad.”
“Good luck,” she says, smiling and picking up her reading device.
Dad’s agitated and pacing the floor when I get downstairs.I’ve barely walked through the door and he starts in.“This isn’t done.Barcelo’s brother, he’ll want revenge.”It’s a statement, not a question, he knows it, I know it, fuck we all know what it means.
I shrug.“We know he will.Especially when he gets his brother’s heart wrapped especially for him.”
My father nods, drawing on his cigar, making rings while he contemplates what I’ve said.“And old man Cassone?”
My eyebrow arches.“Will we seek vengeance for his death?”
He shrugs.“It would be your right as Sophia’s lawful husband.”
It would but something I’m going to have to think about.“According to Barcelo, old man Cassone knew that Barcelo was overstepping the parameters of their agreement but by that time a lot of the operation had already been taken.He truly thought Anna was happy.Sophia thought Anna was happy with Barcelo.It wasn’t until she got the note that drew her out that she even contemplated that Anna could be in danger.And even that, we all thought it was a made-up thing to get Sophia out of the house.We didn’t think for a minute it was true, or we would have sent men in at that time.Anna didn’t write it, the sick fuck just used her true situation to his advantage.Sold her to Amorte to dump her into his trafficking ring.They are both sick fucks and were working together.
I clear my throat.“About Sophia, she’s going to be my wife, Dad.No contract, no one year deal, my real wife.Do I need to talk with anyone about it?Can you clear that road with the elders?”
His dark eyes meet mine.No matter that his directives are coming from over his head, and the long-standing vendetta between the Rosellis and Cassones are at the core of the dispute between him and the elders.I need him to get rid of the conflict.“You are the head of the entire Italian American family in this country, what you say should be word, as mine will be when I take the lead.I need you to clear the way for us to marry, Dad.I won’t live without her.”
He actually fucking smiles.“Son, you already have the lead, the reins are yours, but I will clear the way with the elders.Sophia not only saved your life but has fought by your side time and time again and was instrumental in saving your mother’s life.I will never be able to repay her for what she did that day.You both have my blessing.I’ll have the conversation with the elders and make them see it our way.”
