“He did hurt me. He knew how I would feel about it, and he tried to manipulate me into accepting it anyway. It hurt to know that I worked with men who would do that to innocent people. It hurt me that he knew how my mother had been treated, and he just disregarded it. He was like a father to me. He’s literally known me since I was a kid. Watched me lose my mother and then myfather. Watched me lose everything.” I stared her down like she was the one who’d hurt me because these memories made me seethe. “And he did it anyway.”
Her eyes flicked back and forth between mine as she listened. She swallowed.
“People make mistakes—but this is not a mistake. This is a crime against humanity. And he only disbanded it when he needed something from me…or because his business went under because I made sure it went under.”
“How did you make it go under?”
“I told everyone I knew that if I ever found out they went there, I’d kill them.”
She continued to stare at me.
“Maybe he’s being sincere. Maybe he’s not. It doesn’t matter. I don’t give a shit.”
She gave a slight nod.
“So don’t let that asshole manipulate you,” I said. “Because that’s all he’s doing. I’m sure he regrets it all. It was a stupid business venture, disgusting and inhumane. And I know criminals like me don’t have the best morals, but no person wants to pay to rape someone…except the evil kind. And there are so few of those out there, it all blew up in his face. He lost money, then Icarus showed up, and Don Russo was forced to acknowledge how badly he fucked up. I’m sure it humbled him. I’m sure it opened his eyes to his faults. I’m sure he and everyone else started to see the consequences of that decision and he lost authority. And I’m sure he realized that he’d lost a lieutenant who would have bledhimself dry for him and the rest of Cosa Nostra. It’s a shame…really.”
She continued to watch me.
“But I don’t think we can ever come back from that. It’s done.”
“I admire your principles.”
“It’s the only principle I have. I kill assholes and rob them blind and hang them from trees and carve out their guts. I don’t have a conscience, and I sleep well every night. But I’m an old-fashioned criminal like your father. I don’t involve innocent people in my business. If they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, I always let them go. And I think it’s despicable to harm women and children. Other men will come for someone’s family, but that’s never been my style.”
“It’s because God is in your heart.”
He smirked. “No one’s in my heart except for you. I’m sure when my time comes, I’m going straight to the boss downstairs. But that’s fine. I’ve earned that. I’ll probably have a better time down there anyway.”
She continued to stare at me with the same seriousness, analyzing my expression and searching for the emotions under the surface.
But my rivers didn’t run that deep. Neither did the roots from my lungs. And my heart lay in a shallow grave.
I pushed aside my plate then leaned farther over the table toward her before I lowered my arms across the surface. My fingers were in reach, so I gently touched her fingertips, feeling the tiny spark between us when we came into contact.
“Now I understand why you chose to work for my father, even though it’s a major step down for you.”
“More like a major step up,” I said. “He would never stoop that low, so I consider him to be the superior boss. I think he needs to be sterner in his operations and a lot more proactive in his negotiations, but he’s an honest man doing honest work. Despite the way our business relationship ended, I still respect the way he does business.”
She gave a slow nod, the sadness drifting into her expression.
“Both of our pasts are behind us now,” I said. “I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
The sadness remained for a moment longer, slowly dissipating as she let my words sink into her flesh. “I hope one day we can be a family again.”
I knew Don Mancini had made a grave mistake when he dismissed me. But he’d also made a grave mistake with Francesca too, which was unfortunate because I knew he truly loved her. He’d lost sight of that behind his enormous ego, but that love was still there. “I have no doubt, Francesca. But it’ll just take some time.”
20
WOLFE
After Francesca fell asleep, I texted Leo.Have you handled Warren?After the shootout at the house, my focus had shifted entirely to Francesca. She was traumatized by what happened and then overwhelmed by the falling-out with her father. I had every intention of destroying Warren myself, but the days with Francesca in Palermo had sped by. I knew Don Mancini would want revenge against Warren for coming for his daughter in the dead of night, so I decided to let them handle it.
Leo didn’t respond.
Asshole, I asked you a question.
His three dots popped up right away.Yes.
