Chapter 9
Michael
I got back to the party just as Darius whisked Zaira away from the party. My heart sinks as I realize she didn’t say good-bye. Everything in me wanted to stop her from going. There was so much I wanted to say to her. I wanted to tell her I love her, but instead—for the third time in my life—I let her go. Just then, my phone beeps. I pull it out of my pocket and see I’ve received a text from her. I read it, and although I’m pleased she at least texted me, I’m pissed at myself for letting her go in the first place.Why does this feel so final?
Well, fuck! There’s not a damn thing I can do about it now. Once the dust settles with Gallardi, I will take a trip to Italy, and Zaira and I will settle things between us once and for all.
“Hey, you okay?” Ricco asks.
I shake my head and shrug. “Yeah, I’m good.” I turn back toward the party and Ricco follows.
He grabs my shoulder. “Mikey, she’ll be back.”
“I know.” We head back into the party and straight for the bar. Just as we’re about to grab our drinks from the top of the pool deck bar, Ricco’s phone buzzes. He looks at the text and then back at me. “Our security team just texted. Choppers are en route. They’re coming in from the south.” Ricco and I both look at each other in terror. Our estate is not on any regular flight plan from any airport nearby. This is a hit, and if we don’t move fast, we could easily have a massacre on our hands.
Ricco rushes to the band and grabs the microphone from the singer. “May I have your attention, please.”
Everyone stands still and is quiet. As calmly as if nothing dangerous was about to happen, Ricco continues.
“We’d like everyone to make their way into the house as quickly as possible. The Vitalis have a special presentation for you in the ballroom. Once you get inside the house, a staff member will direct you accordingly.” He smiles. “Please, ladies and gentlemen, move quickly.” He pauses, then says, “Thank you.”
He directs the band, bartenders, and servants to go inside as well, but Ricco remains on the bandstand with the microphone. I walk toward him, and before I can utter a word he says, “So help me, Michael, if you don’t get your fucking ass inside, I’ll shoot you myself. I can’t keep everyone safe if I’m worrying about you.”
I raise my hands and nod. “Get yourself inside as soon as you can, please.”
“I will.”
I turn to head toward the door when I’m approached by Ice.
“What’s going on?”
“Choppers are approaching the house.”
“Yeah? So?” Ice replies.
“The compound is not on any flight path. I’m hoping I am wrong, but I believe that is Gallardi.”
“Oh, fuck. What can we do?”
“Help Ricco get everyone inside!”
“Go! Get your family and yourself safe. We got this,” Ice says.
I look back at Ricco, and he’s clearly pissed. “Okay, okay, I’m going!” I yell and head for the door. I pay these men to protect my family and me. The least I can do is follow their orders when it comes to our safety. But fuck, it’s so hard. I’m not a run-and-hide type of guy, but being head of the family changes things for me. I have to be more protective of myself since the entire Vitali family’s safety is in my hands. I turn back toward the house and see my parents struggling to get inside. I immediately forget everything else and rush toward them.
My father is hunched over, and it appears he is having a difficult time breathing. “Mamma, cosa c'è di sbagliato in Papà?” I ask.
“Non lo so, Mikey. I don’t know.” she frantically replies. “He just started gasping for air. I don’t know what to do.” She starts to cry.
I take my father and say, “Here, Mamma, let me get him inside. Follow me, you have to get inside. I’ve got Papà.” I get him in and help him sit on the bench in the foyer. Marco comes rushing inside behind us. I turn toward him and say, “Call nine one one! I think it’s his heart! And get Dr. Siegel. He’s in the ballroom.”
At this point, most of the guests are inside and in the ballroom. I’m not worried about anyone getting hit inside the house. All the windows and glass doors are made from the highest quality armored glass. The ballroom is an interior room in the house. It also has been converted to serve as a bomb shelter in the event it should be needed. The last few guests come inside, and following close behind them are Ricco, his boys, and Ice and his men from the MC. I’m relieved to see everyone made it inside safely, and for the first time tonight, I’m glad Zaira left. I make a mental note to give Darius a raise for getting her out of here.They got out of here just in time.
Marco returns with Dr. Siegel, and he immediately lays my father on the floor. “Domenic, can you hear me?”
My father nods. He looks up at me and nods. I take it as a good sign.
The doctor is checking Pop’s heart and pulse when I hear two things. First the wail of a siren from the approaching ambulance, and second the text I just received from Ricco telling me they are getting closer and there is more than one. All hell is about to break loose. I hold onto my father’s hand. “It’s gonna be okay, Pop. I got this.”
