Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 94048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
I take a deep breath and lean closer. “That’s why I’m here. I need your support, brother.”
My meaning is clear. His eyes go wide, but he quickly schools his expression and crosses his arms, looking at me with this inscrutable tilt to his head. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but I just suggested a fucking civil war, an internal coup, and we all know that won’t end well.
I see no other option. Dad’s going to be livid when I tell him no and he’ll turn to the next child in line—which means it would be Angelo’s turn. My brother’s probably already doing the math. This would be his shot at becoming the Don and leapfrogging over me and Davide, and all he’d have to do is walk down the aisle with the daughter of our sworn enemy.
“You have a plan,” he says after a long silence.
“Not yet. Not exactly. But I’m working on something. Right now, I need to know I can count on you.”
He grunts and runs a hand through his buzzed hair. “You know, when we were kids, I used to dream about becoming Don one day. I’d sit out in the back yard and imagine giving everyone orders instead of taking shit all the time. I thought it’d be fucking great, being the guy on top.”
My hands ball into fists. I stare at him, wondering where this is going. “We all did when we were little.”
He seems to relax and sits up straighter. “I realized a long time ago that I don’t want it. All that fucking responsibility. You were always meant to be the Don, and if you want my support, you got it. Though it won’t do shit for you since I’m still behind bars for another two years.”
Relief floods me. I thought Angelo would agree, but I wasn’t sure, and hearing that is an enormous weight from my shoulders.
“Just knowing you have my back is huge. Also, that you’re not going to jab a knife between my ribs.”
“Dad’s suffering right now,” Angelo says, his tone getting somber as he looks away from me and down at the floor. “The guy you’ve been describing to me, I don’t know, that’s not the Dad I remember. I’ve seen a little bit of that when he visited the last time, but if you say it’s worse, then I believe you. I’m sorry it’s happening.”
“We’re all sorry, but this is why I’m making these plans. Because Dad needs to step down.”
Angelo grunts and blows out a long breath. “What about your current wife? If you don’t plan on marrying the Santoro chick, I’m guessing you’re going to keep Emily around?”
“She’s my wife and I don’t plan on changing that anytime soon. Even if she’s a little pissed at me right now.” I tell him about the fight we had and how she’s holed up at her father’s place. I still haven’t been able to get through to her, but it’s only a matter of time.
“Better fix that before Dad tries to kill you both,” he says, grinning, but we both know that isn’t a joke.
We chat for a while more until visiting hours are done. I feel better when I leave, knowing Angelo’s supportive of me taking over as Don and forcing Dad out. Even if I don’t know how that’ll happen yet.
I don’t want violence. The last thing the organization needs right now is a bloody coup. I have to figure out a way to make Dad see that he has gone too far with this marrying Valentina shit, and that it’s time for him to step aside. Right now, I’m laying the groundwork.
As I climb into my truck, my phone starts to ring. I pause and stare at the screen, shocked to see Emily’s name. I’ve called her a dozen times over the last day and she ignored every single text I’ve sent, but a spark of excitement jolts into me. She’s finally reaching out. I can finally tell her that there’s no way in hell I’m marrying Valentina and I never was going to—which was why I hadn’t mentioned it yet. Which was a mistake, and one I’ll apologize for.
“Emily,” I say, raising the phone to my ear.
“It’s my dad.” Her tone instantly puts me on guard. She sounds shaky, like she’s on the edge of crying. “I think there’s something wrong.”
“Did you call 911? I’m outside the city visiting Angelo, but I can pull some strings at the hospital—”
“No, no, it’s not that,” she says quickly. “No, it’s about the money. Simon, I think he’s getting scammed again, and I don’t know what to do.”
Chapter 32
Emily
Calling Simon was just about the last thing I wanted to do, but I didn’t know who else could help.
I’m not ready to talk to him yet even though I know I need to get over myself and have the stupid conversation. I’m just embarrassed and I’m not ready to get my heart broken.