Ten years later …
“Why won’tany of you tell me where we’re heading?” Oni grumbles from her seat on the private jet.
Emilia is seated beside her, looking like she’s about to burst with the truth. I shake my head as Mario looks at her, ready to laugh. He knows his wife as well as I do.
Emilia would have told Oni everything if Mario hadn’t waited until this morning to tell her. I still can’t believe the two are married. So much has happened in the last ten years.
“Be patient and you will know everything soon enough,” I murmur.
Oni rolls her eyes at me, causing me to chuckle. My wife hates secrets, yet here we are because I know she’s keeping a huge one from me. Something is going on with Oni.
I keep asking her what it is, but every time I ask, she tells me it’s nothing. I know my wife. Something is off.
That’s why I thought some time away would be good for us. I planned this trip for us to relax and get back to basics. Business has been taking over our lives lately. Uncle Emilio relies on us both heavily.
For ten years, we’ve given our all to the family. At thirty-four, I want to start a family and focus more on that. It’s time we create balance.
It was Fredo’s idea for this retreat. When I told all the guys how I’m feeling about slowing down and wanting to be a father, Fredo was quick to offer up ideas.
He and Oni have become closer than ever. Oni saw him through his recovery and made sure to research all the best resources to get him as close to his old self as possible.
“Well, I’m here so you know we’re not going anywhere that involves hiking, rock climbing, or taking long walks,” Fredo says and laughs at his own joke.
Everyone groans as I chuckle, understanding my cousin and his dry humor. Fredo doesn’t always need his wheelchair. However, he gets exhausted when walking long distances and he’s not back to being able to rock climb like he used to.
“What? You guys are not allowed to be offended on my behalf. If I’m not offended by a joke I told, you all need to get over it,” Fredo scoffs.
“This guy,” Al says, and shakes his head.
Fredo winks at me. I give him a nod. His antics have officially changed the subject.
I glance at Oni. She has her head back and her eyes closed. Just like that, she’s fallen asleep.
I stand from my seat and nod for Emilia to switch with me. She gets up and I slip into the seat next to Oni. Tugging her into me, I allow her to rest against me and kiss the top of her head.
I hope this trip to the island is just what we all need, blowing off some steam and getting back to being able to trust each other with the truth. No business, no family, nothing to keep us from connecting the way we should.
Oni
“Oni, you ready?”Rico calls as I stand in the bathroom trying to calm down.
“Give me a minute.”
I sigh as I look at my reflection. I shouldn’t be this annoyed. Rico means well.
I can’t believe he planned this trip without me knowing. I mean, this place is amazing and I’m happy the gang came along, but how did I miss that he’s been planning this behind my back?
To be honest, I’m not angry. Frustrated, yes. Blindsided? Definitely, but not angry. I’m frustrated because he didn’t think to bring any of our men along.
We are never without armed men. I always have at least three of my guys with me. With the deals we’re in the middle of, I don’t think now is the time to go lax.
Then there’s the secret I’ve been keeping from him. A few weeks ago, Emory reached out to me. She may have been my best friend when I was younger, but it’s been years.
I know nothing about her. In all honesty, she and Mason were my closest friends and look where that got me. I just don’t have that same trust anymore.
I almost didn’t agree to meet her for lunch. When I did, she told me Mason and Lorcan have been pulling their old crew together. She thinks they’re going to make a move against me.
I don’t see how they plan to pull that off, but in case she is right, I prefer having our men around. I didn’t tell Rico because he has enough on his plate and I plan to handle it myself.
