“But not because of me.” He stared at the burning cigar for a moment before he looked at me again. “It was because of you and Francesca…and Leo.”
“Either way, it all worked out okay.”
He brought the cigar to his lips and took a drag before he released a heavy cloud. “She said it’s either them or Cosa Nostra. I have to decide.”
“I think that’s a little unfair.”
“Really?” he asked with slight bewilderment. “They were almost hanged.”
“Almost. And they’ve gone their entire lives without a single instance of danger. You’ve done a remarkable job keeping them safe, Don Russo. Pretty phenomenal in this line of work.”
He took another puff of the cigar. “She won’t change her mind.”
“It’s been a couple hours. Maybe in a couple weeks, she’ll come around.”
He released a quiet scoff. “You don’t know my wife, Wolfe. When she decides something, that’s it.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
He’d barely released the smoke before he took another puff then smashed it into the black ashtray in the center of the table. “My family means everything to me, Wolfe. Cosa Nostra has been my life, but they’re my world.”
I nodded in understanding.
“I’ve done this a long time, and within the blink of an eye, I became an old man. It’s time to move on anyway.”
“You aren’t an old man. Fifty is the new thirty-five.”
He released a quiet chuckle as he shook his head. “Trust me, when you turn fifty, you won’t feel that way.”
“I think you’re being a little dramatic.”
He ignored what I said and gave me a hard stare.
I knew what was coming. Could tell by the energy and the look of assumption. “My answer hasn’t changed, Don.”
“Even after everything that’s happened?”
I gave a slow shake of my head.
“Because Francesca doesn’t have to be the wife who stays upstairs and raises your children. She can be a donna beside you. You could rule together—and that sounds a lot more exciting than running a vineyard.”
I shook my head again. “Doing anything with Francesca is exciting. I consider it a privilege to help her with her family business. Her family are descendants of the original Mafia, and that’s pretty fucking cool.”
“Well, we’re theactualMafia.”
“Don, you know Cosa Nostra will always be an ally and a friend, but I’m ready to move on with my life. Have a nice change of pace, take things a little slower for once.”
“And you won’t get bored?”
“Have youseenmy wife?” I asked with a laugh. “Nope, definitely won’t get bored.”
He gave a quiet chuckle. “She’s a tough cookie. I like her. And I like her for you.”
“She’s my one and only.”
“A little bummed we missed the wedding.”
“It was just the two of us. Even her brother wasn’t there.”
