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“I don’t know.You know, I left because well, everything with Dad was still really fresh and new, and I was scared that they’d want me to turn him in or his friends.But I need to do something for me, and I’ve always wanted to be a cop.I’ve always wanted to be on the right side of the law.I’ve always wanted to do the right thing.And recently, I feel like I’m not getting to do that.I don’t want to be the bad person in these situations.”
“How are you the bad person?”Santino was frowning.“You’re the best guy I know.”
“The last case, that case with Hamilton and Valentina, it didn’t feel right,” I said.“I’m ashamed of myself.Valentina is a really great woman, and I betrayed her.And there are some things not worth that money.”
Sergio looked at me for a few seconds and nodded.“You really like her, don’t you?”
“I do.”
I sighed and rubbed my forehead with my fingers.I could feel a headache about to hit.
“She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.I feel like I had my moment.You know?That moment you see in romantic movies where the man meets the woman and sparks fly, and they just connect, and they know they’ve met their soul mate.And well, I think I had that moment with her, and I screwed it up because I’m a mess and—”
“Hey, don’t talk about yourself that way.”Sergio squeezed my arm.“You’ve always been here for us, Sam.And you did what you thought was best for the family.That’s admirable.You put us before yourself.”
“And I would do it again because I love you guys, but I didn’t want to hurt her.I saw her cry.I—”
Santino jumped up.“Come on.”
“What are you doing?”I frown.
“Let’s get shots.We need to drink your sorrows away.”
“Alcohol doesn’t fix everything, Santino.”
“But it sure as hell helps.Right?Plus, I need a shot myself.With this news that Mom is back, I just don’t even know how to think or feel.”
Sergio nodded.“I could do with a shot too.”
“What has you upset?”I said, hoping he’d be honest.
“I feel bad about Gabriella.”
He let out a deep sigh, and I could tell how genuine he was.
“She’s a genuine person, and she was honest and sweet with me.I feel like I kind of disrespected her, and I didn’t mean to.I was just joking around, but I get it.We’re just men.And we’ve never really had a woman in our lives to show us how to be softer or kinder or gentle.”
“Had Sienna,” Sergio said.
“True.She would be pissed off with all of us.”
I shook my head.“By the way, does anyone know what’s going on with Elise and Stefano?”
“No, but I know Stefano is pissed as hell at her,” Santino said.“I don’t think they are even talking right now.”
“Because of Bradley?”
“Yep.Stefano says he feels like he’s been betrayed by his best friend.”
“Oh my God.He’s so dramatic.”Finally, I stood.“Come on, let’s get these shots.It’s been a really long week.”
“You can say that again,” Sergio said, and we all laughed.
I reached out to my brothers and pulled them in for a bear hug.
“I love you guys.And even though we’re not perfect, we’re doing the best we can do.And that’s okay.”
“It sure is, bro,” Sergio said as he hit me on the shoulder.“Just remember that you’re not a bad guy.You didn’t intend to hurt Valentina, and you certainly didn’t intend to hurt yourself either.”
