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My father refuses to stay home.
My sisters are lost.
They all deal with their pain in different ways.
I feel almost selfish for having Benny—for having someone unbroken to lean on during this time.
I’ve been at my parents’ from sunup to sundown for the past week. I spend time with my sisters, tend to my mother, and assist with any arrangements for Tommaso. Benny works and then returns to my parents’ around dinner. We eat with my sisters, or Benny and I go home and have dinner. He hasn’t spent one night away from me, not even staying late at the club.
It’s like I have a true marriage.
A real husband and partner.
It’s midday, and I’m helping Bria and Isabella with lunch when my father pokes his head into the kitchen.
“Neomi, can we talk in my office?” he asks.
I drop my knife on the cutting board. “Of course.”
He doesn’t wait for me to wash my hands and is already seated behind his desk when I enter his office. I gulp while sitting, remembering the last time I was here. It was the night of my engagement party, when he scolded me for my behavior.
That all seems like it happened so long ago.
I shut my eyes and remember how Tommaso was pushy about me behaving with Benny. I should’ve put two and two together then.
For years, Tommaso had talked shit about Benny and didn’t support our marriage, but suddenly, he had a change of heart. I thought my father’s influence had changed his mind, but he did it for his survival—further proving every man is for himself.
That also proves people aren’t as indestructible as they believe.
Tommaso had the Cavallaro name and Benny as his brother-in-law, and he still couldn’t stay alive.
No matter who you know or where you come from, your actions will always carry more weight. You can have the brightest future ahead, but one wrong move can destroy it all.
My father grabs a handkerchief from his desk and wipes his clammy forehead. “Hi, honey.”
“Hi, Daddy,” I reply softly.
The tension is heavy.
My father stares at me, his face a mixture of anguish and sternness. “If something happens to me, you must stay strong for this family.” He holds his fist to his mouth and clears his throat to erase the emotion cutting through. “Your mother and sisters will need you.”
“Why would you say that?” I harshly squint at him and wish I could raise my voice. “You’re not going anywhere for a long time.”
He sighs and slumps his shoulders. “The Cavallaro name will die with me.”
“No, it won’t.” My voice breaks. “Don’t say that.”
My father—the boss of a Mafia empire—stares at me in pain.
Devastation.
No amount of money or power can fix heartache.
He plans to kill whoever killed Tommaso. I can see it in his eyes.
I want to tell him Benny has it covered, but I don’t.
He wouldn’t allow that since he wants it himself.
