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“Are you sure, Dad?” I ask. “I haven’t even told you what it’s about yet.”
“Family business is for strong men,” Dad says.
There’s no shame in his voice. Even through the gravelly layers of illness and the difficulty he has with speaking, I can tell that. He’s not ashamed. If anything, I think he’s relieved not to make these sorts of calls anymore. Pride touches me when he’s able to wheel himself from the room.
Elio walks to the door, my big brother looking lighthearted, relieved, and happy. For all the years I knew him, I never expected him to always have a smile on his face. It’s like he’s always thinking of my sister-in-law, Scarlet, and my niece, Molly, even when he isn’t with them.
“How’s the rascal doing?” I ask as he closes the door.
Elio turns to me, his smile widening. “Last night, I held her in my hand. One hand, and she just lay there, staring up at me with so much love in her eyes. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t. She’s just perfect.”
“And Scarlet?”
Elio smiles. “We’re all fine, Luca, but you’re not.”
I laugh savagely. “What makes you say that, bro?”
“You wanted a meeting with me and Dad. That means it must be serious.”
“I need to do something which might have repercussions for the Family,” I say. “I might be running the day-to-day, but you’re in charge, Elio. You deserve a say.”
He nods, sitting behind Dad’s old desk, fiddling with a golden letter opener. “Tell me, then.”
I explain about the gym, Ruby, and what the congressman’s son did.
“Oh, Christ,” Elio says, and I can tell he’s thinking of Scarlet and Molly. He stabs the letter opener into the table. “Christ, Luca. This is bad.”
“I know.”
“No, it’s not what you think.” He runs a hand through his hair. “You know I’ve been handling… the executive stuff?”
I try for a smirk, like the old days, though I don’t like his tone. “Sure, bro. Everything above my paygrade.”
“It’s not that,” he replies, just like the old days, missing my humor. Or maybe I’m just not as lighthearted as I used to be. “I know how busy you are. I didn’t want to come to you until I had something concrete. But…” He runs a hand through his hair again.
“Stop massaging your goddamn head and just lay it on me,” I snap.
“We’ve been in talks with congressman Kingston for a few months. He’s pledged ten million to the orphanage program. We’re going to make this city a better place—less kids hooked on drugs, less kids trafficked, education, the chance to begin anew.”
“So his daddy donates some money,” I say bitterly, “and he gets to do anything he wants? He drugged her, Elio. He took a photo of her…” I can’t even say it. Just thinking about another man seeing my woman makes me ferocious. Just thinking of it makes me want to kill. “He doesn’t deserve to fucking get away with it because of money.”
“I’m not saying that,” Elio says, watching me closely.
“Stop looking at me like that,” I tell him.
“Like what?”
“Like you think you can read my mind.”
The problem is, he can. So I stand up and walk over to the window, looking down at the city. The sun is beginning to set. I wonder where Ruby is and what she’s doing. Is she with a friend, boyfriend, or somebody else? I know nothing about her except I want her.
“When did you meet this girl?”
“I met Ruby earlier today,” I say. “It doesn’t matter, though. I could’ve met her right before I walked in here, and this would still be the right thing to do. If this creep did this to her for grades, just think what else he’s done.”
“It’s a question of numbers,” Elio replies. “Hundreds, thousands of kids will be helped by this?—”
I turn to Elio. There must be something in my eyes because he cuts himself off. I’d never think my big brother looked scared of me. It’s more like he’s scared of what I might do. “I’m going to force him to delete that photo,” I tell Elio. “That’s the end of it.”
“Luca, please…”
“Please, what?” I snap. “He’s a little scumbag who doesn’t deserve your protection. What’s wrong with you?”
“If you do anything to Nate, we’ll have the Feds on our asses. We’re talking about a congressman’s son here. We can’t disrupt our lives.”
“No, what you mean is you can’t disrupt your life. I get it. You’re happy. I’m happy for you. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stand aside and let this little prick get away with this.”
Elio sighs. “You’re not leaving me much choice here.”
“Don’t get all ominous with me.”
“I’m Don, Luca. I know you’ve been working hard, but that hasn’t changed. You said it yourself.”
“What else would you let happen, brother, to keep playing happy goddamn families?”
