The three dots appear immediately, then disappear. Reappear. Vanish again. Finally,
There's nothing to discuss. He's my son. You're just passing through.
My jaw clenches hard. I left here a marked man.
Survived exile and betrayal.
Built an empire from the ground up with business sense and brutality, when needed.
This woman dares defy me, disrespect me.
And like a fucking pussy, I’ve allowed it.
Enough. I'm done playing by her rules.
If Katerina won't introduce me to my son willingly, I'll find another way.
I don't care if I have to wait outside his school, intercept him on his way to a playdate, or confront Katerina in front of the entire Dante household.
I won’t be denied.
I am his father. I have rights.
A judge might disagree, considering my lifestyle, but he’s my blood too.
Katerina is about to learn that the man who came back isn't the boy who left.
My phone buzzes again just as I'm pulling on my jacket, ready to hunt down Katerina and force this confrontation.
Victorio's name flashes on the screen.
I answer with a curt, "What?"
"Someone's in a good mood." His familiar laugh crackles through the speaker. "Got a proposition for you. We're moving a shipment tonight. Custom Berettas. Thought you might want to tag along, for old times' sake."
The tension in my shoulders loosens slightly. Victorio and I used to handle shipments together before everything went to shit.
Back when my father would clap me on the back and tell me I had potential.
"Arms delivery? Isn't Alessandro handling that these days?"
"He's busy with the Russians. Besides…" Victorio's voice drops. "It's not the same without you, Brother. Remember that run to Atlantic City? When those Jersey boys tried to jump us?"
Despite everything, I feel the corner of my mouth twitch up. "You pissed yourself."
"I did not! That was water from the?—"
"It was piss, Vic. Own it."
His laughter fills the line, and for a moment, I'm nineteen again, unburdened by exile and all I’ve lost in the last seven years.
I’m just Luca, with the world at my feet and my best friend at my side.
"So? You in? Just like old times."
I think about my mission to force Katerina’s hand.
Maybe a night away from this house is what I need.
