Page 33 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

“It’s what I didn’t do.”

Affonso cocked a brow. “Oh?”

Calisto didn’t see how it was any of his uncle’sbusiness, but he’d brought it up first. “She’s mad that I didn’t spend moretime with her over her break. I apologized. She’s still angry.”

“Fickle things. Spoiled things.”

“Who did that to them?” Calisto asked.

Affonso made a face. “Easier to spoil them than tolisten to their complaints. The next man they’re handed off to can deal withtheir extravagances. I did my part.”

In Calisto’s humble fucking opinion, Affonso’s part inhis daughters’ lives hadn’t been a very damned big one.

“As for the one upstairs,” Affonso grumbled, stillfumbling with the cufflink on his right arm.

“What about her?”

“She is pulling on every last nerve I have today. Idon’t have time to feed into her whims. I have a meeting to be at.”

Calisto checked his watch. “Breakfast with CarlCalabrese, I know. That’s why I’m here. To take you. You’ve got another hourand a half. You’re not late, chill out.”

“Sì. But I feel like I’m late.”

Because apparently that made all the difference.

The Calabrese syndicate was the only other Cosa Nostrafamily ruling in New York besides the Donati and Marcello families. Affonsomade an effort to sit down and chat with the boss of the Calabrese family atleast three times a year to discuss business and whatever else. Affonso claimedit kept his friendship with Carl at a respectable level, while reminding bothDons’ families that there was no need for any territorial squabbles.

“I’ll have Turner drive me,” Affonso said, glancing atCalisto. “Make sure that wife of mine is out of the bathroom in the next halfhour, dressed respectably, and at that breakfast no later than a few minutesafter it starts. I can excuse her for that long, surely. Any longer and Carlmight take offence. This is her first sit-down with another family. The leastshe can do is follow my goddamn rules.”

Affonso’s fury bounced off Calisto. It wasn’t unusualfor his uncle to throw a temper tantrum.

“I’m supposed to be at the breakfast, too,” Calistosaid. “Why can’t Turner handle Emma this morning while I drive you, like weoriginally planned?”

Calisto didn’t think Emma would appreciate himdemanding shit from her first thing in the morning. He certainly didn’t needthe trouble added onto his plate. Hell, he’d managed to stay away from her forthree months.

A little longer wouldn’t hurt. It might even help toget rid of the last bit of his lingering feelings that kept urging him to seekher out simply because he couldn’t forget. Calisto was not a weak man. He wasnot going to let the memories of one fucking night, the morning after, and hisunshakable guilt ruin him.

Calisto did that once with Emma.

Look at where it got him.

“I don’t have time for this,” Affonso grumbled. “Do asI said, Cal.”

Damn it.

“Fine,” Calisto agreed.

Affonso headed for the front entryway. Calisto wasalready halfway up the staircase when he heard the door open behind him.

What a great day this was turning out to be.

Calisto knocked on the bathroom door for the fourthtime, ignoring the irritation settling deep in his gut. It unsettled him to bein his uncle’s and Emma’s bedroom. He didn’t like the somber feel of the room,and just looking at the unmade bed was enough to turn his stomach.

It still pissed him off.

It still made him sick.

Clearly, he was not over whatever little issue he hadwith Affonso marrying Emma. Calisto couldn’t seem to move past the idea of thewoman having to share a bed night after night with Affonso, despite the factthat she obviously did.