He breathed out. “Has she been hurt at all? He isn’tforcingher, right?”
“He isn’t doing any of those things,” I confirmed. “She is well-cared for. She has her own space and all she could ask for.”
“Except us,” he muttered, looking down at his hands again.
“Vincenzo, what did I tell you when you were a young boy? About bad days?”
“If this is the worst day of my life, then I’m having a good life,” he muttered.
“It is merely a bump in the road. Matteo does nothing without cause or good reason. Trust that.”
He grunted again but didn’t push the subject.
“How is Levin?”
“He’s fine,” he said, glancing at me. “Upset that I was coming here. Tried to come with me.”
I nodded. “He is protective, like his father. It’s an admirable trait. He is a good man.”
“Then why all of this?” He threw his hands out around him. “It’s so fucking pointless. Why was he dragged into the fold, only to be fucked with and beaten? Why did you lie to me about Drake’s involvement in all of this? Why is Bianca with you guys and not us? Why is Matteo so intent on killing Dom? Like, fuck, Dad, why?”
I stared at him, taking in the turmoil on his face.
“It’s just part of a bigger plan,” I said softly. “I expect we’re leaving the game, son.”
He crinkled his brows at me. “What?”
“We’re tired. We seem to want different lives. We always have. Matteo never wanted this empire. When we were your age, we wanted to play in a band and tour the world. We had no interest in running a mafia syndicate.”
“The only way out of our world is in a body bag,” he said softly. “Is that the plan? Go out with guns blazing?”
“Perhaps,” I muttered.
“I’m not going to kill you,” he said fiercely. “I’m not. I already lost my mom and my sister. I won’t lose you, too.” His voice shook as he stared at me. “We may not be getting along right now, but you’re my dad, and I love you despite all of the shit happening around us. It hurts me, and I don’t like it, but I do love you. I remember the man you always were, and I am begging you to come back.”
I swallowed hard at his words. “I will not leave you.”
“Do you promise?” His voice trembled as he stared at me.
“I do,” I said gently, reaching for his hand. “I just want a different life.”
“Who is she?” He stared back at me.
I let out a soft chuckle.So damn perceptive.
“I do not wish to give her name. She is simply a beautiful woman who has me confused.”
“Because you still love Mom,” he murmured.
I nodded, my throat tight. “Yes. Because I do still love your mother.”
“Mr. Valentino, would you like to order?” our waiter asked, his voice holding a slight tremble to it.
“Yes. My usual,” I said, not looking away from my son.
“I’ll take whatever he’s having,” Vincenzo said.
Our waiter left, leaving us alone again.
