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“Likewise. Now, if you can excuse us, my son and I need to discuss some private matters.”
I frowned. “Mamma...whatever we need to discuss can wait.”
“No, it can’t.” She smiled at Diamond again. “Ms. Domonique, is it?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“My son will join you later if he so inclines.”
Diamond raised both hands placatingly and didn’t look at me again as she left my office.
I stormed to my desk and flopped down in my chair. “Mamma, how dare you intervene like that. I’m not your boy anymore. I’m thirty-six years old.”
“I know how old you are more than you do.” She pounded on my desk. “Have you lost your mind? I know what you were doing in here, and judging your irritation, you didn’t finish. Leave her alone, Gianni. We have amassed too much for you to mess it all up by listening to the wrong part of you. You keep dealing with her, and we’ll lose everything. Mark my word.”
“You’ve wanted me to be serious about someone. What if it’s Diamond? She knows the game and understands what it takes to be a boss. She might be my match.”
Mamma shook her head. “She might be able to rule the Desire, but she doesn’t understand what it means to be in the mafia world. She can’t be your wife or the mother of your children. You just met her. You can’t be that smitten already. If you are, I have to give her more credit than I already have.”
“I once knew her years ago and fell for her then. I ended our relationship because I didn’t want her in this world. I didn’t want to worry about an enemy killing her to get at me.”
“Except that now she’s the enemy.” Mamma tilted her head, her eyes searching my face. “Gianni, she is not simply a beautiful woman who you want to get to know more. We already killed one of her men. What do you think she’s going to do to retaliate? She’s just biding time, but she hasn’t forgotten that she lost a man. She might just take you out herself the moment you and she are alone again. Don’t be stupid.”
Hating the worry that crossed her beautiful, usually serene features, I went to my mother and hugged her reassuringly. “You’ve taught me everything I know, and I’ve never fallen prey to women. And it won’t start now. I would be a fool to risk all that you and I have built.” I bent to kiss her furrowed forehead. “Now, can we stop talking business and please enjoy this expensive party that you urged me to give. It’s almost time for us to speak anyway.”
She patted my cheek. “Oh, my handsome son, if only your father was here to see you today. The man you’ve become.”
I ducked my head from her approval. “He wouldn’t be proud. This is not what he saw for me.”
She raised my chin. “Hold your head up. You’ve already accomplished more at thirty-six than your father did in his fifty-two years on Earth. We did what had to be done for our family. This world has always been the survival of the fittest. The weak will always perish. It’s the law of the land. You come from a family of strength, of wisdom, of tenacity, of leaders. I named you Gianni because I was told I couldn’t have children. And when you were born, I believed it was God’s grace. You, my son, will never be weak.” She tapped on the security screen. “This is all yours. This casino will bring all kinds of revenue to this city and hundreds of jobs. You are feeding many people. Be proud.”
I hugged her tightly. Over the years, we’d often butted heads or disagreed, but our undying love for each other remained steadfast. “Thank you, Mamma. Ti Amo.”
She pulled back from my embrace and smiled brightly. “Enzo sends his blessings with a small monetary gift to your favorite charity.”
“If Enzo sent money, it is never small. I’ll call him later and thank him.” I took my mother’s hand. “Shall we?”
As we walked arm in arm through the party, I searched for a beautiful woman in purple. I was most definitely smitten, and despite my promise to my mother, I would risk everything to see her again. Disappointment hit me harder than expected when I didn’t see her or her men.
Chapter Eight
My driver and bodyguardparked on a side street downtown two days later. He checked the area before I exited my car. I rarely traveled the streets of New Orleans during the day. I was too recognizable. I moved at night and spent my days at my restaurant or home in the Garden District not far from where I grew up. I walked briskly into Whitney National Bank, and the branch manager greeted me. “Mr. DeLuca, we were so excited when you called us this morning, and we thank you for your business. I’m Mark Watkins, and I would love to be of personal assistance.”
“I appreciate that Mark, but I would like Ms. Domonique's help. She’s supposed to be working today.”
