“I know that but you can’t date Elio. You’re young. There are plenty of guys you can date that have no mafia affiliations.”
Gigi stamps her foot. “You can’t stop me from seeing him. You’re not my mother.”
“I’m not your mother, but you’re not going to see Elio. And Mama isn’t going to let you date him when she finds out that he’s working for the Neri Family.” I sigh. “Look, just give me a chance to talk to him one on one. If I get the vibes that he’s clean you can see him again.” I take a spoon and stir my coffee.
“You think you’re Dad, don’t you. You think you can boss everyone around and tell them how to live their lives. Well, you can’t do that with me.” Gigi’s eyes glisten.
“Gigi, please,” I beg. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
Her heels click angrily on the wood floor as she storms to the door. She pulls it open then turns back to look at me. “I will see Elio again and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.” She slams the door.
I reach for my phone and send Enzo a text telling him to make sure Gigi is tailed until further notice.
Dominic enters the kitchen, shirtless with his sweats hung low. His dark hair is tousled from sleep. “That was Gigi.”
My pulse spikes as I stare at the V-line that dips below his waistline. All I can do is nod.
“It sounded like you two were having a good time.” He gives me a kiss.
“Gigi didn’t take it too well that I told her to stop seeing Elio.” I stare at the cup of coffee. “I told my men to keep an eye on him, but he’s very elusive.”
“She’s young, Cipi. She’s in love. Elio must have told her some story and she believed it. When people are in love, they can be hard to dissuade.” He pauses at the cabinets. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m sore, but I’ll survive. I’ve been through worse.”
“You always say that and it never makes it easier to hear.” He takes out the frying pan. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll make us some eggs.” He turns on the gas. “I’m going to head into the office today. I want to look at the reports forensics took of the study on the day your father died. Maybe we missed something. Then I’ll swing by Elio’s and have a chat with him. I’ll see what his exact dealings with Valerio are.”
I snap to attention. “I was planning on having a chat with Elio. I have to vet him and make sure his feelings for Gigi are valid. She’s already pissed at me.”
Dominic takes the eggs out of the fridge. “You’re still injured. Let me have some fun for a change.” He grins.
My stomach flips. This is a new side of Dominic and I kind of like it.
I sip my coffee. “Fine. Then I’ll go talk to Nonna. I want to see if she can remember anything else about that night.”
“It sounds like we have our schedules planned,” Dominic chuckles, cracking the eggs into the pan. “After we’re done, I’d like to take you on a date.”
“Sounds good to me. Hopefully we’re both still alive by that time.”
Dominic chuckles. “Always so romantic.”
“You knew what you were getting into.”
He looks up and locks eyes with me. “I did.” He cracks another eggs and I hear the sizzle of the yolk hitting the hot pan. “And I’d get into it again and again if it means I get to be with you.”
“Cipi, I’m appalled at your accusation.” Nonna turns on the hose.
It’s later in the morning. I’m over at Nonna’s house. She’s tending to her garden but now she’s angry with me over the question I’ve just asked her.
Today I seem to have a habit of making everyone upset with me.
First Gigi.
Now Nonna.
