This man caused so much pain and suffering. And from beyondthe grave, he’s still impacting his son. Vin is stiff beside me, stony faced, jaw clenched.
We’re there for less than 30 seconds before he pulls me down the row of chairs to the wall of windows and leads me to the back where a coffee bar is set up.
“Coffee. Two sugars. One tablespoon of cream.”
Vin looks down at his hand holding mine and I clear my throat, tugging out of his grasp as the barista makes his coffee.
“Vin,” I say carefully. “I’m here to support you. For today.”
“Everyday, Sophie. Every. Fucking. Day.” He takes the coffee from the barista and turns, leaning back against the counter, sliding his hand around my waist.
I blink, looking down at the space disappearing between us. “What—”
“Your life comes first. When you’re at the restaurant, I’ll be there, do my work from there.”
“Um…” I can’t even think fast enough to process what’s happening right now.
“I’m not living on the estate anymore. I’ll live above the Arsenal with you. And if I travel, you’ll come with me.” He says it matter-of-factly, like it’s a done deal.
“Vin, that is absolutely not— You cannot—” I pull in a breath and steady myself. “You need to be here. You’re the boss. You’reabout to be at war with the Irish, you have the Brotherhood to run, you have—”
“I know what I have.”
“Then you know that is an insane plan—”
“Fine. I’ll stay here on the Demonio estate, but only if you stay here too. I want you to redo all of it. Make it yours. Gut whatever you don’t like. Keep what you do.” I shake my head but he ignores me. “I brought women here who meant nothing, to me, Sophia. You’re not one of those women. If you don’t want me at your place, then you’ll make this into your place. So I can do better. So I can do this right.”
“Vin, listen to me. I’m just here for today. Vin? Do you hear me? Just for today.”
I try to step away from him. He doesn’t let me go.
35
SOPHIE
My father’s eyes light up when he sees me but immediately dim when he sees Vin’s arm around me. I writhe out of his grasp and open my arms to my father with a smile.
“Papà.” I kiss his cheek, and he grips my arm briefly, pulling me a half step closer before releasing me. He smells like cedar and the same aftershave he’s been wearing since I was little.
“You look beautiful,” he says, taking in the dress. I can’t tell if he approves or not.
“You’re here? I didn’t expect you to…” I trail off, trying to find a diplomatic way to say this. “I didn’t think paying respects to Aurelio would be at the top of your to do list.”
“It’s not,” he says, with a grunt and lifts his gaze to look at Vin who has moved close just behind me. “I came to pay my respectsto the man who protected my daughter’s life.”
Vin extends his hand and my father takes it, giving it a firm squeeze with both his hands.
“Mr. Bellamorte,” says Vin. “Thank you for being here.”
“Your father was a man of consequence,” says my father, exercising the diplomacy I learned from him. “You are as well.”
Vin nods once. “I thank you for the compliment, but it’s you who is the person of consequence, both you and your wife, for raising such an extraordinary woman.”
I practically choke on air, as my father’s eyes drift to me. Vin doesn’t look at me when he says this, and I stand there frozen.
My father is quiet for a moment. Emotions war on his face: fear, shock. Disappointment.
I can’t watch this. “Papà, Vin and I are not together.” I say it gently but clearly, not just to my father but to Vin. “I’m here because it’s a difficult day, and I care about the family. That’s all.”
