I stare into my whiskey glass, seeing my distorted reflection. He’s right. This isn’t about Carmela betraying my trust—it’s about my own fear of losing control, of losing her.
“So what do you suggest?” I ask grudgingly.
Fed grins. “Call Tony, verify she’s safe. Then either you stay here and wait like a normal husband, or we go to Inferno. But not to drag her home—just to make sure she’s okay. Have a drink, keep our distance unless there’s actual trouble. Show her you respect her independence.”
I consider it, then pull out my phone and dial Tony. He answers on the second ring.
“Boss?”
“Status report. Is Carmela safe?”
“Completely safe, boss. She and her friend are at Inferno, been there for a few hours. Dancing, drinking, having a good time. No problems, no unwanted attention. I’ve got eyes on them the whole time.”
Relief floods through me, loosening the tension in my shoulders. “Any issues at all?”
“None. They’re having fun. Sophia’s keeping close to her, and they’ve stayed in the main room where it’s crowded and well-lit. Mrs. De Luca’s having a good time—lots of laughing, dancing. She’s safe.”
“Good. Keep watching. And Tony? If anything changes?—”
“You’ll be the first call. I got this, boss.”
I hang up and turn to Fed. “She’s safe. Having fun.”
“See? Crisis averted.” Fed raises his glass. “Now you can either sit here and brood, or we can head over there. Not to control her, just to... be present. Maybe have a drink ourselves.”
I consider it. “And if she sees me there?”
“Then you smile, tell her you and I decided to grab a drink, and you’re glad she’s having fun. You keep your distance unless she needs you.” Fed’s expression turns serious. “This is the test, brother. Can you be the man who trusts his wife, or are you going to be the one who proves all her fears right?”
The words hit home. I remember this morning—the vulnerability in her eyes when she said she was scared of losing herself. My promise that I’d never let that happen.
“Okay,” I say finally. “We go. But we stay back unless there’s trouble.”
“Now you’re thinking straight,” Fed says with approval.
I grab my jacket and follow him to the door. This isn’t about dragging Carmela home or asserting dominance. This is about proving I meant what I said—that I trust her, that I won’t try to control her.
Even when every instinct screams at me to lock her away where she’s safe.
Climbing into my sports car, I turn over the engine, trying to calm the protective instincts still roaring through me. This is about her safety, I tell myself. And about proving I can give her the freedom she needs.
I grip the steering wheel as I weave through the city streets, Fed beside me watching the road.
“You good?” he asks.
“I will be once I see she’s safe with my own eyes,” I mutter.
“Just remember—we’re there for a drink. Not a rescue mission. Not a confrontation.” Fed’s voice is firm. “You go inthere acting like a possessive asshole, and you’ll undo everything good that’s happened between you two.”
“I know,” I say through gritted teeth. “I’ll keep my distance. Unless there’s a problem.”
Fed nods, seemingly satisfied. “Good. Because Carmela’s finally opening up to you. Don’t fuck it up by proving you’re exactly the controlling bastard she was afraid you’d be.”
I take a sharp turn, the tires gripping the pavement. His words echo what I’ve been thinking all night.
“I’m not trying to control her. I’m trying to protect her. There’s a difference.”
“Is there? Because sometimes they look the same from the outside.” Fed’s voice is gentler now, not mocking. “You’ve fallen for her, Silvo. Hard. And that terrifies you because you can’t control feelings. You can’t strategize love.”
