“What’s up?” He turned to see his friend coming down the hall.
“Let's grab dinner. It's too late for you to head to the office now,” Iago said. “We haven’t spent much time together since you got out of the hospital, and I miss my little bro.”
Othello smiled and nodded. “Where do you want to go?”
“Let’s go to La Casa Rosa. It’s not far from the office.”
“Alright, I’ll meet you there.”
They both walked out of the house, heading for their cars. Just as he started his car, Othello’s cell phone vibrated. Instead of ignoring it, he glanced at the screen, seeing the unfamiliar number. He was about to delete the number but paused when he read the first few words of the message. Othello opened the message and read it fully.
“Thank you for breakfast. Let me buy you dinner sometime as repayment.”
Othello grinned and sent off a quick reply. “Well done, Doc,” he mumbled. Then, he texted Tallen to get all the information the organization had collected about the doctor to him. He really didn't investigate the doctor too much; he just went by word of mouth on what people knew about him. Putting his phonein the center console, he pulled out of the Romanos’ driveway. The drive to Las Casa Rosa took about thirty minutes, and by the time he got there, Iago was already there, sitting at a table by the window. Othello ordered a light lunch since he had a big breakfast.
“So,” Iago began. “Tell me about the new guy.”
Othello chuckled and shook his head. “I should have known you were up to something. But there’s nothing to tell. I’m not dating anyone.”
“But...”
Othello cut him off. “I don’t have time for a relationship. I have too much going on right now.”
“Please tell me you’re not still hung up on that cheating bastard? Fuck, O, he was an asshole. And fucking, Luciano, the bastard of all bastards, makes me want to find the fucker and kill him.”
"Calm the fuck down," Othello told him. He knew how much Iago hated Luciano for his backward thinking. “I'm not still in love with Philip. I haven't thought about him in years. Didn’t you just hear me?” Othello sighed. “My life is too nuts right now for anything but a good fuck here and there to relieve my stress.”
“You can’t keep living like that, O. You should think about settling down and finding a man who understands our world and later have a couple of kids. It would be great if our children grow up together like we did.”
“I’ll leave the family life to you, Iago.” He smiled. “Are you ready to be a father?”
“Hell no. I’m scared as hell.” Iago gave a wry chuckle.
“You’ll do fine. After all, you raised the kids in the group home.”
“That’s different. I had you to help me.”
“And now, you have Emilia, who you should marry, by the way.”
“I plan to after the baby is born.”
“Have you asked her?” Othello shook his head.
“Not yet.”
“I’d propose before the baby is born, so she knows you’re not marrying her because of the baby. She’s a good woman; don’t make her feel more unworthy than you already have.”
“You don't have to keep reminding me of how much I've fucked things up. I don't want to lose her,” Iago said.
“You say that, but you started seeing a new mistress. And I know you're using that shit again. Think of what it would do to Alessandro and Maria."
"It's not a regular thing, O, just occasionally,” Iago shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't give a fuck if it's for a second. We got out of the drug business because of you and how fucked up you got." Othello sighed. "Look, I won't lecture you anymore, Iago. I can't and won't lose you, man. I need you to be by my side for life. But clean yourself up. Emilia and your child deserve better. She’s gorgeous, smart, and has stuck by your side, even knowing what our world entails. If you love her, I say strongly committing to her would let her know she’s not just an ornament on your arm. If you don't, walk the fuck away and let her find someone who will.”
“People listening to us talk would think you’re the older brother,” Iago joked, but Othello didn’t even crack a smile. He didn’t know when it happened in their relationship, but it turned out that he was the one who became more responsible than Iago.
“You’re the consigliere, Iago. I need you to be my advisor but more so my brother. Do what you need to do and stand beside me.”
