“Same, cuz.” I pull out my pack of gum and offer him one like it’s a smoke, pretending it’ll take the edge off. Fuck, I’d kill for a cigarette right now.
He takes the gum offered with a silent chuckle, shaking his shoulders. “Is this the best you can offer?”
“It’s the only thing I’ve got.” A tired laugh escapes me, and he joins in. I turn to him, the weight of family, betrayal, and legacy sitting heavy on my chest. “You did the right thing, Matteo. Once you return home, I vow to keep you abreast of anything I hear. Riccardo and his men will keep tabs on things while I’m back in the UK. I support whatever you want to do as far as Vincenzo Messina is concerned.” I squeeze his shoulder in solidarity. “Trust me, cugino. If you decide to come back and finish the job, I’m your right-handman. I’m merely asking you to consider having a plan in place to deal with the fallout when they attempt to retaliate. Because they will retaliate.”
I look back towards the now-empty dock, my thoughts drifting to Rose. My priority. My one regret.
She’s still tangled in this web of power and blood. The sooner I cut Magnus out of her life, the better. I need to track him, gather intel on the bastard, and end this once and for all. But I made a promise to her and my son. I won’t miss his birthday.
27
DAN
Rose answers the door in a cotton dress after I told her to dress casual.
I lean in to kiss her, but she turns her head to the side as always, letting me kiss her cheek. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.” Her gaze floats over my City FC football shirt and jeans. She quirks her lips. “I thought you were a United supporter?”
“I gotta impress the kid, right?” I glance down at the light-blue fabric and the ship-and-rose emblem on the shirt. Dom ribbed me to death about this, but if this is gonna get me closer to my son, then so be it. “If anyone can pull off this shit, it’s me, right?” I stuff my hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels in my trainers.
This whole outfit isn’t me. I’m much more comfortable in a suit. It’s not often I get to relax and do fun stuff unless I’m at the bar with Dom and the lads.
She places a hand on my chest and pats it. “I’m sure he’ll be impressed.”
“You ready to go?”
“Yep.” She slips on some flat shoes and lifts a large shopping bag from the console table.
I take the bag from her and walk to the car, opening the boot and setting the bag full of gifts inside. Sliding behind the wheel, my foot taps on the floor, causing my leg to shake.
Rose places her hand on my knee. “Don’t be nervous.”
I glance down at her hand on my knee, my smirk tugging wider. “Didn’t realise you cared.”
Rose doesn’t even look at me. “I don’t. But if your leg shakes any harder, you might stall the car, and I’d really like to get there before kickoff.”
I snort, turning the key in the ignition. “So bossy.”
“I learnt from the master.”
“No wonder we get along so well.”
She shoots me a withering look. “We don’t get along.”
I shift into gear, flicking my gaze to her. “That’s not what you were saying the other night.”
Her jaw tightens, and she stares out the window, completely unamused. “That was a lapse in judgment.”
I grin, pulling onto the road. “You have a lot of those when I’m around.”
She exhales sharply, shaking her head. “If I ignore you, will you just drive?”
I tap my fingers against the wheel. “I am driving.” I pause just long enough to make her think I’m done. “But don’t stop talking. It’s cute when you try to pretend you don’t like me.”
Rose mutters something under her breath that I don’t quite catch.
“Come again?” I smirk, drumming my fingers against the steering wheel. “Oh, you already did that the other night.”
