I smiled, understanding his meaning. “I see. It’s one of your investments. Well, I thought I’d ask. It’s a top-rated, award-winning establishment. The kind I’d like to own.”
“You’ve done your research.”
I nodded, giving him a friendly smile.
“Anything you find in the Bay Area with such high credentials is probably owned by me.”
“Good to know.” So, he had been setting himself up not to need his family’s money. Good for him. But I couldn’t imagine he’d cut ties with them. They’d never let him out of the Mafia alive. Neither would my family. Being born into the life came with great responsibility and duty. We couldn’t just quit the family. “So, I need a favor.”
“Finally.” He raised his hands at the sides of his head. “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want.”
“Do you have someone local who canlook into my ex?” Normally, I would have asked one of my brothers, but I didn’t want them up in my personal business. “I’m only putting her on your radar, out of respect, as this is your city.”
“Is she in danger? Is one of your enemies after her?”
“Not to my knowledge, but when I return to Canada, she may not go with me. I want to make sure she’s protected. No matter the cost.”
Fabio considered me a long second. “Give me her name, and I’ll see what I can find. Shouldn’t be difficult if she’s an employee at West End.”
“I appreciate it.” I relaxed again. “So, what about you? Any woman in your life after things didn’t work out with Lucia?”
“God, don’t bring her up. She isn’t trustworthy or faithful.” Tension rolled off Fabio like the famous fog in San Francisco that would engulf the coast until it burned off in the afternoon. “Of course, my family likes her because of her money.”
“If she isn’t trustworthy…” I shook my head, knowing I would never be with a woman like Lucia.
“They would expect me to keep her in line, anyway necessary.” He reached for his glass and gulped his wine. “Anything she did wrong; I would pay the price.”
“Jesus, that’s brutal.” Instantly, I regretted my choice of words. The stories Fabio had told me in college had turned my blood cold. The beatings and isolation he and his brothers suffered during their youth were inhuman. And Fabio had the scars to prove it. In public, the Ferrari famiglia looked like a perfect, loving family but behind closed doors, they could be monsters.
“I’m not a fucking babysitter, you know? You’re fortunateyour family doesn’t have impossible standards, especially regarding marriage.”
“How do you mean?”
“Don’t you get to pick who you marry?” he asked.
“Yes, within reason. But an arranged marriage isn’t unheard of in my family.” My father was a patient man, but he most certainly wanted heirs and would force my brothers and I into marriage, eventually. I’d felt the pressure for years which made it more difficult being with Isla. Padre loved her and was furious I let her slip through my fingers.
Luckily, my sister Rosa and her husband were having a baby later this year, which took the pressure off me and my brothers. For the time being, naturally.
“There is nowithin reasonin my family. Full blooded Italian is required, and they must have money and power to grow the Ferrari empire.”
“What about love?”
“Love?” He laughed, rather obnoxiously. Back in college, Fabio had been a miserable man and he rarely laughed. But when he did, it was like this. Loud and forced. “Did you say, love? Surely, you know love is a weakness.”
“Yes, of course.” Love made men behave irrationally and it put the women we cared about in danger, which was why I’d kept Isla at arm’s length.
But all the money in the world wouldn’t make me feel whole and truly rich the way Isla could. Love was a weakness for men like me and Fabio who were from Mafia families, but I was beginning to see that sometimes we needed to risk it all for love. As Isla had said before she left me,we won’t know unless we take a step forward to find out.
“How much richer do you want to be?” I chuckled,wanting to lighten the mood. But Fabio didn’t seem amused. “I mean, my family will always be on top, of course.”
“Dream on, friend. My father wants to rule all the families.” He casually drank his wine. “But I am on the rise and doing so without my family’s money.”
“Impressive.” It was good to know our friendly rivalry hadn’t faded. In college, we battled over everything. Grades. Sports. Women. I wasn’t the least bit surprised Fabio’s endeavors had been lucrative.
“Yes, and I may need your help one day.”
“Of course. Might it have to do with a woman?”
