A knock behind me jarred those tangled thoughts. I looked to my grandfather, who gave me a nod. The door swung open, and the family doctor smiled up at me.
“Signori, mi scusa,” he chimed.
“Di nulla,” my grandfather responded. “What can we do for you, Dottore?”
“I have your evening medicine, and I would like to check your vitals, Signore.”
My grandfather scoffed. “I’m fine, Augusto.”
The doctor looked around the room for help. His gaze landed on mine. There was a plea deep in those chocolate brown eyes.
“Nonno, the good doctor is responsible for your health,” I responded. “We need you at the helm, and if a little TLC right now ensures you have years left to lead us, then call it quits tonight.”
“TLC?” Grey Tony muttered to Alfonso.
The other capo snorted. “Fuck if I know.”
“Fine,” my grandfather ground out. “You make a good point, nipote.”
His easy acquiescence shocked me. It told me how badly he actually felt.
The capos rose and began to file from the room. The don made no move to leave.
“Go join the party, Dominico.” My grandfather glared at me.
“Signore—”
“Out,” he barked. “I only want Augusto.”
A stone sank in my stomach. He could be in that room for hours at this point. Someone else would come and chat with him. He might look over the books, working until the wee hours of the morning.
Rae didn’t have that long.
I stormed from the room, blew past the ambling capos in the hall, and pushed into the party. My gaze swept over the throng until I spied my grandmother. As if she’d been waiting, her eyes turned to me. She began walking, even before I jerked my chin.
“One of the maids is missing,” she sighed, stepping into my side. “Sanderson’s been having so much trouble with that girl.”
The housekeeper lived on borrowed time. Someday soon, I was going to let Franky can her.
“I’ll deal with that.Youneed to make Nonno go to bed.”
My grandmother gave me a bewildered look. Her soft, paper-thin hands trembled. “He’ll never listen.”
I pursed my lips. “Back me up.”
Nonna nodded.
“Attenzione!” I boomed.
The hush spread through the gathering like a wave racing back to sea.
“I want to thank you for coming.” I smiled. “Please forgive my lack of tact, but the night is late. My family needs to rest and recuperate after the week we’ve had.”
Beside me, Nonna gasped softly. “Nico! So rude.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder. “We are grateful for your support, but please excuse us for tonight.”
“It is late,” Guilia agreed, turning to Alfonso. “We should let them rest.”
