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“Dante!” I scold him.
He holds his hands up as he backs away, then turns on his heel and books it out the back door, his phone attached to his ear. I watch him pace around the backyard, then turn back to Raul.
“That went well,” he says sarcastically.
“You weren’t exactly welcoming,” I counter, giving him a pointed look. “Finish up breakfast, and I’ll put your shows on. And don’t think that because your son is here, I’ll let you get out of your daily meditation.”
“It’s going to take more thanself-reflectionto patch things up with Dante,” he sneers.
“Well, why don’t you try it first, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll move on to something more ground-breaking, like starting a conversation or not insulting him in the first thirty seconds of seeing him.”
Raul grumbles something, but he’s smart enough not to argue with me.
As I sip on my now lukewarm coffee, I wonder if this surprise visit was a terrible idea after all.
CHAPTERFIVE
DANTE
“Ithought Dante was out of town for the week. Why is he calling in for the meeting?” Armando whines.
“I’m gone three days, and you’re already looking to take over my position?” I snap.
My eyes wander to the window overlooking the backyard, immediately settling on the little cottage in the corner. I haven’t seen Cambria since lunch, and while that shouldn’t bother me, I’m unsettled. What is she doing in there? Meditating? Yoga?
I try not to let myself think about her entertaining a man. For some reason, the thought of her having a boyfriend triggers some long-dormant possessiveness way down deep.
“So be careful, okay?”
I realize I’ve zoned out the last few moments, and Armando is talking to me.
“You be careful,” I shoot back automatically. I don’t mean to start shit with him; it just comes naturally.
“Dante,” Romeo says, his voice firm and commanding. “Armando is trying to say that the Colombos have noticed your absence. Word on the street is they have their men looking for you.”
“Caught a guy going through your garbage,” Armando adds. “Took him out with an uppercut and a boot to his neck. You’re welcome.”
“Really?”
“Are you calling me a liar?” Armando growls.
“No, Jesus,” I grunt. “I believe you beat the shit out of someone. I meant I was surprised that someone was at my home, digging through my trash.” The meat head snorts. “Thank you for doing your job,” I eventually say, my words dripping with sarcasm.
Armando sighs heavily, and I feel a flicker of guilt for a moment. I’m hard on him, and we don’t see eye to eye on anything, but he did me a solid.
“I’m not your enemy,” Armando says, most of the anger drained from his voice.
“I know,” I admit, rubbing a hand down my face. “My head is all fucked up from being here.”
“Nah, you’ve always been an ass.”
Romeo and Valentino are also on the line, and both are trying not to laugh. For some reason, I don’t mind. I know they’re messing around and giving me a hard time, like Cambria. It doesn’t sting as much when I think of it that way.
Valentino jumps in and updates us on the latest deal with the UFCW union, which appears to be back to normal. We can launder our money through the union pensions for a small fee. We’re still working on getting that fee down, but the money is flowing. For now.
Romeo thanks Valentino for his work, then dismisses him and Armando from his office. It’s just him and I now, and I have a feeling the Boss wants to share a few words of wisdom.
“How are things going with your father?” he asks.
