“The timing of this couldn’t be better. Cosa Nostra is looking to work with us. They want more of our goods, and I need their alliance.”
“You think they’ll agree?”
“They just ordered one more shipment. They’ve got something going on, and they need my goods. I’m going to make sure Catalano is here for the next handover.”
“When is the handover?”
“As soon as I have the merchandise tomorrow, I’ll make arrangements.”
“Do whatever it takes for the alliance. Having them on our side will only make us stronger and will get the Commission off our backs.” I take a step to the side and look at the entrance door before concentrating on Nico. “What did you do about our father?”
His lips twitch. “He wants to talk, but he’s too proud to do that. He would rather die than be remembered as a rat.” He shakes his head. “At least he still values loyalty.”
Yup, and I knew that. My father led the Camorra with an iron grip. He was known for the way he handled traitors, even if it was over a petty thing. Everything has a price, and Nico knows that, hence his deal with the Commission. However, my concern is something else.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “What about Mario?”
He shrugs. “Mario doesn’t know about the Commission. Besides, his father is the one he listens to, and since you ended the engagement, he isn't in favor of my taking over.”
I narrow my eyes. “What about him staying in prison?”
He tilts his head to the side, his eyes searching my face. “Why are you so concerned? The engagement is off.”
I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. “Don’t answer my question with a question. Mario isn't as nice a man as you all think.”
“Look, I know Mario has expectations. Not that it’s a secret, hence the club he owns.” He stops speaking, and all I can do is stare at him with confusion. I guess my ex had secrets that noone shared with me, not before, and definitely not during our engagement. His brows furrow. “You didn’t know?”
“Do I look like I did? And whatever everyone was hiding from me, I’m sure it isn’t as bad as my every encounter with him during our engagement.”
He places his hands on my upper arms and runs them up and down. “Will you tell me?”
I shrug. “Maybe one day.”
“I’m sorry, Vale, but he may get out of prison. But no matter what, I will not let him come near you.”
“Thank you, Nico. And I will never give him or any other man a chance to hurt me again.”
I get off my bike and enter the club, ignoring the catcalls. Mack is dealing with those idiots, and as much as I want to break their noses, I can’t. I need to earn their respect.
There are two types of members in our organization: those who have accepted the changes and earned our trust, and those who haven’t quite gotten the memo. Nico has managed to get Don Salvatore to come here for the weapon exchange, and they will discuss their alliance. I have to prepare the club for everything that will happen after the meeting.
I go through security, checking that the staff is trustworthy. I confirm the dancers and girls for entertainment, the food I ordered will arrive on time, and the VIP lounge will be cleared and prepared for their arrival.
It's an important night, and if the alliance is agreed upon, there will be celebrations. If not… well, that’s not an option. Nico needs this deal, and they’re desperate. If I heard right, they’re on the verge of war.
Since I wasn’t at the gym this morning, I texted Max to meet me there for training. I usually train with Nico, but I cansubstitute for one of the triplets. No matter that the gym is Nico’s, I still get side-eyes from the guys. There’s only one other girl here, but she's an outsider. How that’s different, I’m still trying to figure out.
Small steps are the only way for me to reach my goals. I freed myself from a marriage I didn’t choose. I can train in the gym again. The most important thing is that I have my place beside my brother. Hopefully, this will be more than enough for other women in our world to be able to do what they want.
I cross the street and speedwalk toward the gym; I need to let some steam off, considering all I could think about was Gabriel Savastano while I prepared for his and his don's arrival. All this time, I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind, and all kinds of scenarios have crossed my mind about what might happen if he sees me again. Will he acknowledge me? Or will he act like he doesn’t know me? Maybe we could finish what we started.
Should I be pining over him so hard? Maybe that’s not the best thing to do, but I’m getting better at not being obsessed. If I had just gone with him that night to his room, I might have gotten over him.
I still haven’t found the idiot who works for my ex. Not because I want to retaliate, but because I feel like I’m being watched. I need to make sure Mario understands that our engagement is in the past, and there’s no going back. I punch the bag as hard as I can, imagining Mario’s face. I wish I could print his picture and glue it onto the bag. I hit it one more time. I need to warm up enough so I can go in the ring with Max.
“You think you’re one of the men now? This isn’t the place for you.” A mocking voice stops me from talking to myself.
I take a deep breath, ignore the man, and punch the bag, this time imagining his face. I know who the idiot is. I just don’t know how he’s still allowed in the gym with all the shit that spews from his mouth. The main problem is that they’reall young, and instead of wanting changes, they’re living in the same old-fashioned, chauvinistic patriarchy.
