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We’re putting on a show for other men. Another one of my father’s capos, Nuncio, sits next to Sonny, his mouth pinched into a thin line of disapproval. He and I have never seen eye to eye. He was closer with Vinny.
Next to him is Emilio, Nuncio’s son and Sonny’s godson, and I notice him wince.
My father loosens his collar. “They want you, Antonio.”
I shake my head. “No.”
His tone deepens. “Do it for the family. As you just told Sonny, you’re now my successor.”
All eyes are on me.
If I disrespect the boss, then when I take on that role, they’ll think they can do the same with me. I need to put on an obedient show for the sake of that.
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” I lie. “We’ll speak about the details later.”
Sonny grunts, as if not believing me.
“Yes, we will work out the details and share once we know the plan,” my father says while staring at me, stone-faced.
Our conversation shifts from marrying me off to the next move in our conflict with the Marchettis and then to casino business. Throughout that time, I brainstorm ways to get out of this marriage with Serena.
When the meeting is finished, I linger as the men leave until it’s only my father and me.
He stares at me grimly. “The marriage with Serena will happen, Antonio. I’ll see how much time I can spare you before it does.”
“The marriage with her won’t happen.” I furrow my brow. “If you want me to succeed you, you’ll find a way to break that contract.” Standing, I lower my fingers, flex them, and set them on the table. “Otherwise, I’ll let Sonny take that position and live a peaceful fucking life.”
“Now’s not the time to play games.”
“Which is why I’m being completely up front with you.” I stop talking when my phone rings, and I find a text from Clara. “I need to get home to my daughter, whowon’thave a new stepmother named Serena.”
Now, I’d love for her to have a stepmother with the surname Marchetti, but that’s an entirely different conversation.
I exit the house through the back door to prevent a run-in with my mother and find Sonny standing next to my car, waiting for me.
“Step away from my car before I bash your skull into the window,” I warn.
He moves closer as I circle my car. “We need to speak privately.”
“No, we don’t.”
“Why are you keeping tabs on Gigi Marchetti?”
I ignore him and unlock my car.
“Either use her as a pawn to get back at Cristian or leave her the fuck alone, Antonio.”
I open my car door and wait for him to go on. Sonny plays dirty, so as much as I don’t want to entertain him, I need to know what he knows.
He comes closer, and we’re face-to-face, staring each other down.
Getting out of the marriage with Serena won’t be my biggest problem.
It’ll be dealing with Sonny’s ass.
He puffs up his chest, and I can’t stop myself from chuckling harshly.
“Your father might be oblivious to what you’re doing, given his health is in the shitter and he lost his son, but I’m more keen to my surroundings.”
