I really do hate letting him down. We all do. After being raised by my bully of a father, we’ve all forged deep connections with one another, a brotherly loyalty unlike any other.
Romeo didn’t drag me off or yell or cause a scene, though, contrary to what Tavi and Orlando prepared me to expect. He only sighed when we came in and pointed wordlessly to the corner of The Castle where his office lies.
Mama gave me a huge hug, a wordless declaration that once again she feared for her son’s safety and once again, she thanked her guardian angel and the patron saints she prayed to religiously for delivering her son home safely… for now. Nonna smacked my back affectionately and promised to feed me heartily and “fatten me up,” because apparently anything less than fifty pounds overweight looks emaciated to Nonna.
My sister Marialena gave me a covert wink, a silent plea to tell her where I’d gone and what I’d done, when I was released from interrogation. She and I have always been the ones who pushed the limits, and neither of us has ever judged the other for it. Quite the opposite. She smoked her first joint with me, and came to me when she needed a drink. She’s hardly an addict, but knows that I won’t ever judge her for needing to take the edge off. And I’m the first one she calls whenever shit goes down and she’s in trouble. I’ve never had to call her, but damn does it feel good to have someone in my corner right about now.
Orlando and Tavi told me on the way home that the other men who are usually here—a new inductee named Dario and my cousins—are scouting a new location for a North Shore line of businesses we’re thinking of opening. I’m glad. I’d rather not get reprimanded or whatever the fuck with a damn audience. I wonder if Romeo sent them on an errand intentionally to give us more privacy. Privacy is hard to find.
Romeo’s dressed in a suit with a button-down shirt but no tie. It’s not unusual for him, but it does make me wonder if he had any meetings or appointments earlier in the day. He sighs and looks over my shoulder at my brothers.
Tavi narrows his eyes at me. “Tell him,” he growls.
Last year when Romeo was sent to jail, Tavi was leader-in-command. Apparently he hasn’t really let that go.
I sigh and cross my arms over my chest. “Won a drag race, supposedly against the wrong damn person.”
“Right. Lucas Peterson. The brat’s got an ax to grind and won’t he let you know it.”
“Yeah.”
“We’ve been telling you for a while it was time to let that shit go, Mario,” Romeo says sternly. His lips press together. I half wonder if I’ve crossed a line thick enough to exile me to our family home in Tuscany or menial labor at one of our new restaurants on the North Shore. He’s not above a beatdown or “taxing,” demanding we pay a fee for a transgression. He’s chosen humiliation at times as punishment, but most of the time doesn’t have to think along those lines at all. Our mob runs like a well-oiled machine. We haven’t had punishment by execution for the worst of crimes since our father led our family.
“Yeah.” I blow out a breath.
“So winning against Peterson ain’t the only problem here. What else?” His words are stern and direct, nothing at all like our father, but the tone leaves me feeling a little apprehensive. Reminiscent of being in the exact same seat on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing from our father. He wasn’t above a backhanded slap or a beating, no matter our age. We all lived in fear of his towering rage, and a guy doesn’t forget shit like that easily.
“So I took a girl to bed.”
Again, and again, and again, and fuck it but I don’t regret it.
“Naturally.” Romeo’s lips quirk up. That isn’t a surprise to him. “What else is new?”
“She was beautiful, Rome. So fuckin’ gorgeous. Alone and in mourning, just came back from her mama’s funeral.”
Romeo’s eyes dance at me, even as Orlando curses under his breath and Tavi cracks his knuckles. One could say I’m Rome’s favorite, probably because he saw how much our father hated me. He’d never admit it, but my brothers don’t miss a thing.
“Ah. An act of altruism, then, was it? Mario, you think all women are beautiful.”
I shrug. “They are.”
“Tell him,” Orlando orders.
I sigh. “Spent the night with her and believe you me, it was epic.”
Romeo tosses up a palm. “If you think I wanna hear whatever kinky shit got your rocks off, think again, brother. Stick to the facts. You wanted a night off so you went dark. Even though you know it’s strictly against our code. Even though you know as a member of the inner sanctum you’re required to be on the grid and respond to communication from me at a moment’s notice. Even though you know that the greater risk is that when you go undercover, you lose your motherfuckin’ guard.”