Code of Honor (Spontagio Family 1)

Breathing out, I nod. I’m sure I’m going to end up regretting this, but I can’t see an alternative, nor do I really want to.

“So, when is all this taking place?” I ask, my voice sour. “You’ve already lined up her accommodations, haven’t you?” I knew h

im well enough to know that he wouldn’t have said yes to her without having everything in place first.

“And yours,” he says, his dark eyes smiling.

I laugh and shake my head. “What if I’d said no?”

“You were always going to say yes, Pietro. You don’t say no to me, remember?” I narrow my eyes at him. He has no idea how much I wish I could say no to him sometimes. “Give her a few days to settle in, and then you go over. I don’t want her being suspicious,” he adds.

“You agreeing to her going is enough to set her suspicions off, Giovanni.” I laugh. “She’s not stupid. She knows you’ll have someone lined up to watch her.”

“Maybe. But that’s not your concern. You look after my little girl and I’ll make it very worthwhile for you. You know I consider you like a son. I’m not going to be in the position to run my affairs forever, you know.”

I knew very well. It wasn’t the first time he had hinted about me becoming more involved with the business side of things.

“Not only that, there are things I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time. Things about your family.” He frowns, his dark eyes tired. “I’ve struggled with when you should know this, if at all.”

“Anything you know about my father and my family’s death I want to know. I’ve made that clear,” I reply, my chest tightening. “Repeatedly.”

“Wanting to know something and being ready to hear are two very different things, Pietro. You’ll know everything soon enough. There are some things I need to get in order before I tell you any more, and I need your promise that you’ve given up on the idea of getting revenge.”

I have no idea how to take this news. I want to demand he tell me everything now, but I also truly believe he is looking out for me. If he needs time, it must be for a good reason. I sit back and think for a moment. Is this still about wanting revenge, or is it about closure? I’m not sure I can even answer that.

“Fine.” I sigh. “You win. I guess I’ll go pack my things. I’ll need to speak to my academic advisor and get permission to finish my classes online or at another school in New York.”

“I have no idea why you’re bothering with that degree. Surely you realize it’s only a matter of time before you’re working with me? It’s in your blood, Pietro. You can’t deny who you are.”

I roll my eyes. We have this discussion every few weeks. I personally don’t see what’s so wrong with being prepared. And how can any knowledge be a waste?

“Good night, Giovanni. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

—

My mind is all over the place as I pull into my parking spot in the garage below my building. Holy shit. Me and Lucy in New York. Together. Not that she’ll know that, but the thought still sends shivers down my spine.

I get out of the car, and lock it using my remote. The elevator takes me up to my floor. The hallway lights up as I step through the doors and I make my way down to my apartment.

What does Giovanni know about my father’s business? I’ve been looking into my family’s interests for years, but I always come to a dead end as soon as I get close. Apart from the few things I was able to dig up from the newspapers, there was little information anywhere. Going to the police was never an option. The first rule of the Mafia was you never talk, especially to the cops.

At first, I was angry. I wanted revenge against those who hurt my family. Now I wasn’t sure what I wanted, or what I’d do with the knowledge if I had it. Maybe that’s what Giovanni had been waiting for—me to mature enough to understand that revenge is not always the best path.

I was fifteen when my parents were killed. Young enough that I’d had no in-depth knowledge of my father’s shady dealings. But looking back, I realized there’d always been signs that things weren’t always aboveboard in my family. Late-night meetings, my father disappearing for days on end, the numerous times I was followed home from school: they all suggested that my father was not the man I thought he was.

My phone vibrates as I’m unlocking my front door. Once inside, I fumble for it in my pocket. I don’t recognize the number, but I can tell that it’s Lucy.

Lucy: Sorry I had to run off before. You know Bella hates to wait :p

I chuckle, and text back a reply.

Me: That’s okay. I hope you’re having some fun for once. What’s with the new number?

Lucy: Two phones. I wouldn’t put it past my father to have my other one tapped. And, I resent your comment. Are you implying I never have any fun?

I’m impressed that she’s sneaky enough to have a second phone that her father doesn’t know about.

Me: No, I’m merely suggesting that sometimes you work too hard. So…are you having fun?