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“Stefania,” Saul says with a groan. He pries me away. “Could you not right now?”
“Nah, I definitely will. Maddie and Allegra are sitting out back. Can I introduce her?”
Saul rubs his face. I look from him to Stefania, and for the first time since Saul suggested this visit, I feel like it might not be all that bad.
“I don’t mind going with her,” I say, touching his arm. “But I’ll stay with you if you need me.”
He softens and hesitates. I can tell he wants to say something, but he’s holding back with his sister nearby. “No, I’m fine. Go ahead. Stef will be nice to you. Right, Stef?”
Stefania’s hands are clenched under her chin and she looks like she’s about to explode from joy. “That was so fucking sweet,” she whispers. “Holy shit. You two are incredible.”
“For the love of God,” Saul says. “I’m finding Renzo. You be good.”
“I will be,” I say at the same time as Stefania says, “No fucking way, dude.”
Then Stefania grabs my arm and hauls me away. “Welcome to the family,” she says, sounding absolutely delighted.
I glimpse Saul one more time before rounding the corner. His face is grim, his hands are curled into fists, and I can tell he’s barely keeping it together.
Chapter 29
Saul
I fucking hate this.
There’s nothing more degrading than coming to my brother’s office to kiss the goddamn ring.
I’m seething angry as much as I’m nervous for his reaction. Despite everything, I’m still a loyal Rossi soldier—even if my loyalty’s been a bit split as of late.
I care about what Renzo thinks. He has the power to take my family away from me. If he declares me an enemy, every one of my brothers and the full organization will treat me like I’m dead. Or they’ll try to put a bullet in my head. Renzo can destroy me, all because he’s the damn Don, and I’m just his brother, underboss or not. The world revolves around him.
I knock then open the door without waiting for him to call for me. I step into his office and hesitate. Gian’s sitting on a couch against the far wall while Carlo’s got his legs stretched out in front of him, a glass of whiskey in his hand. Renzo’s behind the desk, looking very unhappy.
My brothers look at me as I walk into the room. Gian says nothing and his face is impossible to read. That guy’s better than anyone I’ve ever met at keeping his feelings hidden.
“Alright, the party’s here,” Carlo says, hopping to his feet. He walks over and gives me a fist bump. “You good, bro?”
“I’m good,” I say, giving him a nod. Carlo grins in response, but I’m looking past him, over toward Renzo.
“Get in here.” The Don doesn’t sound happy. “We have to talk.”
I shut the door behind me and walk over, but I don’t sit. Carlo joins Gian on the couch, the two of them bickering about who gets more leg room. Renzo silences the pair with an annoyed stare before turning his gaze back on me. I wish the peanut fucking gallery wasn’t here for this, but maybe it’s better. We can get this all out in the open.
“How long?” Renzo asks.
“A few weeks.”
“When I asked you to marry the Milano girl?”
“I turned you down because I was already married.”
He grunts and leans back. “You lied to me.”
“Yes.” No reason denying it. I could argue that I only kept Molly from him and didn’t actively lie, but that’s splitting hairs, and I’m not going to take the coward’s way out.
I’ll own this.
Because I’m not ashamed.
