Finding Beauty in the Darkness

“Bull-fucking-shit, I can’t. She’s not stepping foot in the bordello as long as Aria is under that roof and as far as killing the senator, I don’t give a fuck. He got what was coming to him.”

“Cecilia is part of this family,” Mom points out. “She didn’t know the man was going to hurt her. She made a mistake. If Aria and Cecilia can’t be under the same roof, maybe it’s time for Aria to leave.”

“I don’t give a damn what Cecilia thought. Have her go work at one of the clubs or restaurants or the damn casino! I don’t care. But she isn’t coming back into the bordello and Aria isn’t going anywhere.”

“Who’s going to take care of the women?” Mom asks.

“I was hoping you could help me train another woman.”

Cecilia huffs loudly and lets out a sob. “Gio, please. I’m sorry.”

I turn around and walk back over to her. She’s now standing like everyone else. “Don’t you ever call me Gio. You want to play the innocent act? Fine. But as far as I’m concerned, you and I are no longer family.” I look around the room, four sets of eyes staring at me in shock. “And if any of you have a problem with me being with Aria, you come to me. Don’t you dare say a fucking word to her.”

“Is she even aware of the risks?” Dad questions, accusingly.

“What about Nico? He’s living with his girlfriend! Are you asking him if she’s aware of the risks?”

“Bro, don’t bring me into this shit. I run a casino and hotel. I’m not being prepped to take over the Valentino organization.”

“It’s still dangerous.”

“And Amber knows she has to have a guard with her everywhere she goes.”

“Aria knows it as well.”

I look at my mom and see she’s frowning. “If she is who you want, I will respect it, Giovanni. I just hope you know what you are doing because mark my words, whether you mean for it to happen or not, you will destroy that girl.” She walks out of the room shaking her head with Cecilia trailing behind her.

“Your mother is right, Son. This life isn’t for everyone. Hell, it’s not for most. Now, you haven’t debriefed me on what happened in New Jersey. Let’s discuss this is in my office where I can have a cigar without Claudia bitching about the smoke.”

We spend the rest of the morning discussing possible theories regarding Sebastian and the Lorenzo organization. Around three o’clock, my mom brings us all a late lunch and we spend the rest of the afternoon going over numbers. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a meeting like this so there’s a lot of shit to discuss. When my mom asks if we’re staying for dinner, I realize I haven’t spoken to Aria all day. I tell her I need to check in with Aria first and then take a moment to check my phone. There’s nothing from her, so I shoot Rome and Caesar a text asking if she’s okay, because while I’m perfectly comfortable destroying a man like Sebastian, I’m a damn pussy when it comes to texting my girlfriend after I gave her the cold shoulder this morning and pissed her off. When Rome texts back that she left to Amber’s place with a suitcase, I shoot a glare to Nico.

“What?”

“Did you know Aria is staying with you?” I show him the text from Rome.

“No, but Amber thinks I’m gone until the end of the week. I didn’t tell her I’m back since I’m planning to surprise her.” He waggles his eyebrows and I roll my eyes.

“You said she has a guard, right? Text him and see if Aria’s still there.”

He sends him a text. “He said the girls were out all day with their friends and they’re on their way to dinner and then to a club to go dancing.” He holds his phone out to show me a picture of the backs of all the women walking into the restaurant. I recognize Aria right away. She’s wearing a peach colored skintight dress with black fuck-me heels, and her hair is in waves down her back.

“Which club?”

Nico laughs. “Great minds.” He shows me the next text: Lush.

Is she serious? She went out with Benjamin a couple times, and he owns that club. That better be a fucking coincidence. I have no problem with Benjamin, but he better not be anywhere near my woman.

We go to the kitchen and let our mom know we won’t be able to stay for dinner.

“I’m going to run home and change. I’ll meet you at the club,” I tell Nico.

“Sounds good.”

I run by the house and change my clothes, then check on the girls and let them know my mom will be by tomorrow. Caesar, Rome, and Edgardo are all here and know to look after the place until Johnny returns.