“That’s not what’s important right now; the cops are coming. What’re we going to do?”
“What can we do, Becky? You broke the law.” Why don’t I feel an ounce of empathy for her tears? Where’s that feeling of comfort I used to have when I believed that she was a wife and mother who had my daughter’s best interest at heart?
Have I really been that emotionally dead for the past ten years that I let that be the only prerequisite? What was it that blinded me to the truth? And why do I feel like I’m now waking up from a deep sleep? It’s odd, but when I look at her, I feel nothing, not even physical attraction. I think somehow that makes it all worst.
How did I get here? How did this become my life? My daughter is gone before eighteen. She treats me like a stranger. Sure, she sat and talked to me the day she came to visit, but it wasn’t like anything I’d have expected from the little girl who used to run and jump into my arms when her mother was alive.
When was the last time she greeted me at the door with her beautiful smile? Or gave me a hug? I felt cold when I realized that it hadn’t happened in quite some time. When did the light go out of my daughter’s eyes? “FELIX, I’m talking to you.” I barely restrained myself from telling her I didn’t care.
Is she so self-centered that she thinks I’m going to overlook the horrible thing she’d done? Why wouldn’t she? I’ve been letting her get away with shit since the beginning. I was saved from having to engage when we heard cop cars pulling up outside. “Oh no, Felix, they’re here, hide me.”
She looked around the room as if she thought that was an option. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do that; they’re already at the door.”
“Just tell them that you’re the one who sold it.”
“Didn’t you hear the Russos? They already went to the police. This Jimmy person already told them that you were the one who sold it to him.”
“Gia, tell them it was Gia.”
Until she said those words, I think I was still holding onto the slightest hope that this was all a misunderstanding. I’d even played around with the idea that Gia was just being a teenager and acting out. She recoiled from the look I gave her as I went to answer the door.
DRACO
I think I celebrated too soon. I watched my son become a man tonight, and I gotta tell ya, it scares me a little bit. The way his mind works is terrifying, and I just realized that I may have armed him with four more who are just like him, at least when it comes to fighting skills. This is not a man who’s going to allow anyone to shadow him.
His sisters, Lance, even his uncle, and grandparents are all under his thumb. He’s a fucking master, a leader, and if I don’t nip his shit in the bud, there’s going to be blood. Fuck me! “Gabe.”
“Yeah, Pop?”
“What all are you planning to do to these people?”
He didn’t take his eyes off the road, nothing else changed, not even his breathing, but there was an energy in the air that needed no explanation. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill them. But they’ll probably wish I had.”
“So, now she’s going to have a record in two states; what’s next?”
“She’s only lived in those two states, and she doesn’t know anyone anywhere else. There’s no one she can rely on for help, nowhere for her to run to. She won’t run to NYC because she’s facing charges there, and she won’t be able to leave here unless she wants to become a fugitive. But, if she does, she’ll have a hard time of it, because she won’t have any money. I’ve cleaned out her accounts, which she doesn’t seem to have noticed.”
“Can I ask a question?”
“Shoot, Pop.”
“When did you plan all this?”
“I started planning after the first day I met Gianna and learned her story.”
“You fell in love with her that quick?”
“What?” Could it be he doesn’t even know?
“Nothing. Why did you go to so much trouble?”
“She reminded me of Ma.”
That statement is a danger zone. He doesn’t know that I know he knows what happened to his mother but hearing him say it like that guts me. And yeah, he’s lying. He would fucking kill them. He’s eighteen years old, Draco, don’t get crazy. I’m not kidding myself with that one. The boy is cold.
Watching him in that police station and then again at Fontane’s was like watching a younger me in action, and I think I just answered my own question. He’s not going to stop. I wouldn’t. “Shit!”
“What is it Pop?”
“Nothing, do me a favor, don’t do anything unless you talk to me first?”
“Anything about what?”
Dammit! “About this situation.” Can’t mention the other because fuck me, I’m not supposed to know.
“Sure!” We pulled into the driveway, but he didn't turn the car off.
“You’re not gonna let the guys park the car?”
“This is Gianna’s mom’s car.” Oookay!
“I’ll see you inside then.” Shit, I forgot to ask him about how her mom died and how he knew the Fontane woman had anything to do with it. Then again, I’m pretty sure he realizes that he never divulged the information.
I could go see the housekeeper since I know where she is. But I almost want to see how he handles everything on his own. Part of me is proud of him, the part that isn’t scared out of my fucking mind that he’s going to end up getting himself in trouble. The funny thing is, I know he won’t because if he screws up here, he won’t be able to mess with those people in Sicily, and I’m almost certain that shit’s still on the table.
The thing about my son is, I’m pretty sure he knows I can get to his information, the shit he keeps hidden if I wanted to. But I won’t cross that line, I won’t break his trust, and he knows it. Shit, it looks like he has me under his thumb as well. A fucking genius with the teachings of Sun Tzu in his head, and I’m the one who trained him. Locked and loaded. As the twins used to say when they were too young to understand what it meant, fuck my life.
GABRIEL
I snuck into my room, breathing a sigh of relief only when I found her in my bed, still fast asleep. A quick shower later, and I was back at my computer working on the next stage of my plan. Becky should be in cuffs by now, and Victoria should be worrying about her future. Hopefully, she’s having the worst day of her life, or what she thinks is the worst day.
I looked over at the bed where Gianna laid fast asleep as Pop’s question replayed itself in my head. Did I fall in love with her on that first day? Is that what that feeling was and still is? And what am I supposed to do with it? Every time I look at her, she just makes me want. I looked away.
“Gabriel!” She almost gave me a heart attack. Was she calling out to me in her sleep again? No, when I looked over at her again, she was just lying there staring at me.
“Why aren’t you asleep?” She did that thing where she sat up, rubbing her eyes looking cute as hell, and I stupidly got up and walked over to her.