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17
Milana
Ifinish off the last bite of salmon and push my plate away. My father insisted we have dinner together. He was anxious to know how my meeting with Stefano went.
“He’s setting you up for failure,tesoro.”
“I’m aware. I don’t intend to fail, though.”
My father smiles, damn near appearing proud of me. He finishes his food, pushing his plate away much the way I did.
“I truly believe Salvatore is the way to accomplish your goals. He recognizes the families need change, possibly even new leadership.”
He shakes his head. “He is loyal to Stefano. I’m not willing to risk my life or
yours or your mother’s in the hopes he would take my side simply because you have a fondness for him. Don’t beinfantile.”
“My judgment isn’t clouded by my fondness and I am not childish. I’ve known Salvatore for a long time.”
“You think you know him? Salvatore does anything Stefano bids him to, including using bolt cutters to chop off a man’s thumbs. He’s not the kid you once knew,tesoro.He’s as ruthless as his father. And while I despise Stefano, at least he doesn’t hide who and what he is.”
As much as I want to believe that isn’t true, my father is right. Salvatore is not the kid I once knew. Still, I think he would help us.
“You must trust me. I have a plan already in motion. It’ll unite the families. Ensure our safety.”
“I didn’t realize we were in danger.”
“We’re always in danger.”
“What about the other families? Do they feel the same?”
“I have allies. Milana, it’s imperative you trust me. No matter what happens. I will always do what is best for you and your mother.”
“I trust you,Padre.I simply wish you would tell me what’s happening.”
I uprooted the life I’d built to come here. Granted, it wasn’t much. My apartment. A plant on its last life. A sexually unsatisfying relationship. ButIhad built it and hadn’t relied on my father’s name or money. I gave all that up to come home and help him, and he won’t even tell me what he has planned.
“In time.”
“Can I at least get a timeframe? Are we talking days, weeks, months…years?”
“In time, sweetheart. Everything is going to beperfetto. Now, how about dessert?”
I nod. “Sure.”
He orders without asking what I prefer. Good thing I’m in the mood for chocolate. In fact, I’m always in the mood for chocolate. The triple-decker chocolate fudge brownie just might brighten my mood.
We finish our meal, and my father stands first, helping me from my seat. Despite the conversation, I always enjoy spending time with my father. I don’t do it often enough. Now that I’m home, I have the opportunity to rectify that.
Maybe if I spend enough time with him, he’ll trust me and tell me his plans. Trust me the way he expects me to trust him.
18
Salvatore
My jaw ticks, annoyed I’m out at three in the morning to settle a grown man’s nerves. I don’t have time for this shit, especially when Milana is naked in my bed. Jesus, I find myself craving her. Thinking of her when I shouldn’t. Hard as a fucking rock fantasizing about her. I didn’t give her a second thought while she was away. I simply hoped she was safe and happy. Now that she’s here? My lust for her is insatiable.
“Things are not going as planned, Salvatore.”
