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The city’s been at peace for so long. I don’t know if my dad ever wanted a war, but it found him now, and I think it forced his hand. But I don’t understand what he’s thinking.
Giving in to the Russians and the Irish now will only make the fighting worse. It’ll embolden them and make them think they can hit whoever they want, whenever they want. Dad should get tough, double down, fight right alongside the Rossi Famiglia. That’s the only way to keep the rest of his people safe.
Instead, he’s breaking, and it kills me.
“I really don’t understand,” I tell Gian in the morning. I got a few hours of sleep at best and I’m feeling awful. “Dad taught me that the only way to handle bullies is with strength. But he’s backing down.”
“He got a taste of what our alliance will mean, and he didn’t like it. I’m guessing he assumes that if he walks away before he ever really fought, it won’t look like he’s a coward. He probably thinks it’s clever.”
“But he’s wrong. If that’s what he thinks, he’s totally wrong. Everyone’s going to know what he really is now.” My heart’s breaking for my father. My stupid, selfish father. “What are we going to do?”
“You’re going to do nothing.” Gian pulls me against him. “We’ll deal with it.”
That’s not a satisfying answer. He’s up not long later, leaving me alone in bed. I shower, dress in extra clothes Maddie lent me, and wander around the house looking for her. I find her sitting out back on the porch alone with coffee.
“Morning,” she says and looks about as tired as I feel.
“Renzo okay? You guys holding up in there?”
“He’s fine. Just worried is all. It’s stressful.” She tries to smile at me. “How are you holding up? It’s your family that got attacked.”
I shrug, feeling miserable. “I’m just feeling powerless. Like all these decisions are being made and I know they’re wrong, but I can’t do anything about it.”
“Welcome to life with mafia idiots.” She sighs and closes her eyes.
“Renzo doesn’t listen to you?”
“No, he does, but I understand that’s not the norm.” She adjusts until she’s sitting on her feet. “Gian’s okay?”
“About the same. Frustrated, I think.” I chew on my lip, considering. “He wouldn’t let me leave, would he?”
“I mean, I don’t think you’re a prisoner.” Her eyebrows raise. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m thinking I might go talk to someone. Is there a car I can use? Just for like an hour tops.”
“I don’t know. Gian probably doesn’t want you driving around alone.”
“Not a prisoner, remember?”
She squirms a little. “Okay, look. Promise you’ll tell him where you’re going, okay? And if you happen to go into the garage at the side of the house, find the keys hanging on the peg, and take the little blue sedan, well, that’d be fine, since it’s my car and all.”
“Thank you!” I hop to my feet, grinning. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
She grimaces. “You better be. Gian will literally kill me if you’re not.”
“I know we barely know each other and all, but you’re a cool person and I’m happy you’re my sister-in-law.”
“Oh. Wow. I mean, thank you, I feel the same way.”
“Cool. See you later.” I hurry out of the room, stop upstairs to grab my phone and my wallet, then hurry out to the garage. It’s easy to find the keys and the car, and I only text Gian once I’m clear the perimeter.
His response comes immediately.
Gian: This is not the time for that. Come back.
Allegra: Sorry, dude. I’m a free bird.
Gian: This isn’t a game. This is about your safety.
