AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, I thinkyoubenefited from a nice, happy childhood as well.”
Dom lifted a brow, and Vincenzo began to laugh.
“For the most part. Maybe it was a little unusual, but look what thinking outside the box got us.” He gestured around the restaurant and vast casino.
“Yes, but have you forgotten the name of the restaurant and why we’re here?”
Like the cracking of a whip, Vincenzo snapped, “Ineverforget.”
Dom stared into eyes dark as night, an ice-cold shiver racing down his spine. The stark reminder of who the boss was at this table had been received loud and clear.
“You’re right,” Dom said, lowering his eyes. “I apologize.”
Just as quickly as he’d lashed out, Vincenzo relaxed and sat back in his chair, the tension between them smoothing out. He drummed his fingers along the edge of the table, and the faraway look he had told Dom he was lost in a memory.
“It’s no small thing that the boy fell into our lap. Such an opportunity… And at the perfect time. You sent Ennio as a messenger?”
“I did.”
“Hmm. No wonder you’re in a mood. No blood spilled today.”
“I wouldn’t saythat, but he’s alive. Our guys trailed him straight to Fiore’s place.”
“Once their mourning period is over, we can count on things getting ugly.”
“I’d say so.”
“We should expect they’ll be coming at us full force. Especially at you.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”
“No. Not this time.”
Dom reared back as though his father had slapped him. “No? What does that mean?”
“It means you’ve played your part here. The whole point of this was to wipe out the Fiore heirs, not to lose mine as well. Do you really think I’d let you roam the streets when they retaliate?”
It wasn’t often that Dom was at a loss for words, but as he stared at his father, hisboss, he couldn’t get past the wordno. No? He’d never heard it before, not in relation to doing the job he’d been brought up to do.What the fuck?
“With all due respect, I think that’s the wrong decision. You need me out there when shit goes down.”
“No. I need you safe.”
“I’m always safe.”
Vincenzo shook his head. “Not this time. This time, you lie low.”
“And how do you expect me to do that?”
“By staying here.”
Dom blinked. “Here.”
“In the penthouse.”
A derisive bark of laughter left him. “You want me to stay in the penthouse of a high-rise like it’s some gilded fucking cage? That’s ridiculous.”
“What’s ridiculous is your stubborn resistance to what you know is right. You are my heir. You are also the one who took something essential to their family’s survival. That makes you their number one target.”
“But I—”
“Enough. I’m done with this conversation, Dom. You will stay at the penthouse and Chef will be on you like glue.”
He has to be fucking kidding.It was one thing to sentence him to a full lockdown, but to saddle him with Chef? “Don’t you think that’s a touch extreme?”
“I think you need to stop questioning me.” Vincenzo glanced over his shoulder where the waiter was now headed their way with a tray of food. “Once we are through here, you are to head upstairs and stay put. If I hear from anyone that you have left for any reason, I will not be happy. Capiche?”
Fuck.“Yes, sir. And the kid? What should I do with him?”
“Keep him alive…for now. And keep him close.”
