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He backed up, sitting as he crossed his leg over his other knee. Pulling out a cigarette, he lit it. I also lit one before sliding an ashtray to his side of the desk. He sat silently smoking for a moment as I processed my thoughts. Alessandro’s temper was a force to be reckoned with.
“If I tell you,” I sighed, “it will put you in danger.”
Dropping his foot to the floor, he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees, “I don't fucking care!” He sat back, taking a long drag of his cigarette. “You're my brother and I got your back so talk because I am about to fuck his world up.”
“Okay, this is why I didn't tell you.”
I took a deep breath before I began to explain the series of events that took place over the course of the last year. His eyes widened and he chain-smoked while I talked, paying attention to every small detail that came out of my mouth. When I told him about London and the incident there, my ill-tempered, short fused, brother stood. He started to pace back and forth in front of my desk as he continued to take forceful drags of his cigarette.
“What you're saying is,” he chuckled menacingly, “you're dating the niece of a fucking drug lord and our brother is dead because of this?” He stopped in front of my desk, pointing his cigarette at me. “Tell me please, how I am not supposed to go off on you about this?”
I quickly stood, slamming palms on my desk, snapping, “Because I will beat your fucking ass if you do!”
He took a step back as his eyes expanded, “As much as I hated Marco at times, he still didn't deserve that shit.” He suddenly changed his attitude, becoming solemn.
I dropped my head, “I know.” Taking a deep breath, I slowly roamed over to my office window, peering out at the city. “He chose to save Tanya, William, and Joseph's lives though.” I placed my hand above my head, leaning on the glass, “No one made that choice for him and he even helped get both William and Tanya to the hospital before he collapsed on me in the hall.”
“Funny,” he snorted sarcastically.
I spun to face him, confused. “What?”
“His last moments were spent being selfless,” he sighed. “It's just poetic I guess.” He slid his hands in his pocket after snuffing out his smoke. “His daughter will never really know him though, and that's a bit sad.”
I hastily marched to my desk, sliding my hands into my pockets. “What are you talking about,daughter?"
He nodded, smirking, “He never told you, did he?”
I threw my hands out, shrugging, “Clearly not!”
He massaged his temples with his fingertips, muttering, “Marco was a father.”
I gasped, “The little girl at the funeral with the brunette woman standing with us?”
He bowed his head, “That was her and the mother, yes.”
“Shit!” I placed my hands on my hips and brought my hand to my forehead as my eyes averted to the floor, “Now I feel even worse.”
He shrugged, “I mean there's nothing you could have done better, right?” He folded his arms. “He made the choice to help.”
“Yes,” I sighed, “but it's no excuse.” I lifted my gaze. “I want to meet the mother and our niece.”
“I actually keep in touch with them,” he murmured, “so I will see what I can do for you, but I make no promises.”
“Bring them to me.”
He rolled his eyes, snorting, “God, why are you so demanding?”
I shook my head as I sat down. “Get out, I have work to do.” I waved my hand at him, shooing him toward the door while finishing up writing some business notes on paper.
He snickered, “Alright, I have to get back to Jersey anyway.”
Before he left, he turned to me and froze, waiting for me to speak.
“Yes Alessandro?” I asked sarcastically as I set my pen down then leaned back in my chair.
“Just thought you might want to know our mother is in town,” he smirked, instantly exiting the room before I could reply.
I rolled my eyes, leaning my head back, staring at the ceiling. “Figlio di puttana,” I muttered under my breath.
