I walk toward Gina. After giving her a kiss on her forehead, I say, “Stay out of trouble today.”
She giggles as I leave the room.
***
“You’re what?” my father yells.
“Pop, wait,” I say, trying to explain.
“Michael, what’s the matter with you? Have you gone stupid or something? Have you let a pretty girl mess up your brain?” He paces in front of his desk. “Why on earth would you lie to that sweet girl and tell her you are engaged? Why, Michael?” He stops pacing and looks at me.
“Okay, so I know you’re mad, but will you just hear me out, please?”
“Fine.” He leans against the front of his desk, crosses his arms, and rolls his eyes. “I can’t wait to hear this one.”
I take a deep breath. “You know there’s always been a connection between Zaira and me—”
“But that doesn’t give you an excuse to lie to her about your relationship.” He’s so fucking right.
“Awe fuck, Pop. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. I saw a chance for her to see me—I mean really see me—and I took it. I didn’t think of the ramifications. I just acted,” I say defeated.
“You didn’t think, Michael. Period,” he says. “Now the question is, what the fuck are you gonna do about it?”
I look at the floor. I really hate to disappoint my father, and I’ve done it now in spades. “I’ll tell her the truth,” I say.
“You can’t.”
“I can’t?” I ask, surprised by his response.
“No, you can’t. Not in the state she’s in right now. She has no memories, and she’s scared. God help her, for some reason, she trusts you,” he says sarcastically. The irony of his statement does not go unnoticed. “You tell her you lied to her about the engagement, and you will send her over the edge. She will have no one she can trust, and that is an awful position for her to be in.”
Damn, my father has made me realize I put her in a no-win situation. “So you are saying I continue to lie to her?”
“Yes, and pray to the Father Almighty she forgives you when all is said and done.” He pauses. “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
“And what do I tell Vince?” I ask.
“What do you think you tell him, Michael?” He looks at me as if he is waiting for an answer and then says, “You give him the respect he deserves, and you tell him the fucking truth.”
“Fine.” I look at my watch again. 11:45 a.m. “He’ll be here any minute. Shall we meet with him in here?”
“That depends. Do you want to handle this in your office or mine? It’s your call.” My father is releasing the reins. He made it clear I’ve fucked up and that he’s pissed, but he is letting me take ownership of my mistake as well as the family.
“I’ll meet with him in my office,” I say. “You’re welcome to be there.”
My father doesn’t say a word, just smiles. After a moment, he says, “Thank you, but I think you can handle this on your own. Just remember, Mikey, you are the head of the most powerful crime family in New York. You kowtow to nobody, not even your future wife’s brother.” His last comment takes me by surprise. He would have never said that if he didn’t think this would all work out in the end.
“Thanks, Pop,” I say sincerely and get up to leave.
When I get to the door, he calls after me. “Good luck. You’re gonna need it.” And then he begins laughing.
“Yeah, like I said, thanks, Pop.” I respond like before, only this time it’s laced with sarcasm. After closing the door behind me, I turn and walk down the hallway toward my office.
Once inside, I sit and think through how I am going to handle this with Vince. I’m lost in thought when my phone beeps. It’s a text from Ricco.
Bonita is here. Want me to send him in?
I reply:
