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“She’s also engaged,” I say and keep heading up the stairs. “I’m going to crash. I have a meeting at eight tomorrow.”
“Luca?” he calls after me. “Was that a gunshot we heard earlier?”
“Yes.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“Nope. Go back to bed, Damian.”
When I reach the third floor, I drop by my bedroom to collect the phone charger and a change of clothes for tomorrow, then head into Rosa’s room to sleep.
Chapter 3
Two months ago
(Isabella 19 y.o.)
I sit at the edge of the bed and take my grandfather’s frail hand in mine. I’m trying to be careful not to nudge the attached IV, supplying fluids to keep him hydrated. I gently rearrange the tube and move the pole so I don’t accidentally bump it with my knees. The nightstand on the left is covered with all sorts of medicine bottles. At least ten of them. The air in the room feels stale, permeated with the smell of pharmaceuticals that seems to cling to everything.
“Nonno,” I whisper. His cheeks are sunken, and there are big black circles around his eyes. He looks really bad. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been hit by a train.”
“You had a heart attack. It’s to be expected. You’ll get better in a few days.”
He smiles sadly. “We both know that’s not true.” I start to say something, but he squeezes my hand and continues, “We need to talk. It’s important.”
“It can wait until you’re feeling better.”
“No, it can’t wait.” He shakes his head. “When I’m gone, there will be chaos. You know that.”
“You are not dying anytime soon. The Family needs you.” I press my lips together tightly. “I need you.”
Giuseppe Agostini has been leading the Chicago branch of the Cosa Nostra Family for twenty years, but he’s also been the rock of our own family. While he had his own wing, we all lived in the same house. I can’t imagine not having him here.
“It’s the circle of life. The old are meant to go, and the young stay.”
“You’re sixty-nine. That’s not old.”
“I know, stella mia. But, it is what it is.” He sighs and squeezes my hand. “You know how things work in our world. If a don dies without a successor defined, there will be an internal war within the Family. I called the capos to come the day after tomorrow, so I can name my replacement.”
I don’t understand why he’s telling me this. He’s not dying. It was just a minor heart attack. People live for years after that happens.
“The man I plan to name will need the connection to our family to ensure no one will confront him and make matters worse,” he continues, “Do you understand what I’m saying, Isabella?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“We need to tie our families together. By marriage.”
Things finally start to make sense and chills run down my spine. “You want me to marry? Right away?”
“Yes. Will you do that, Isi?”
Tears start to gather in the corners of my eyes. He’s the only one who ever calls me that.
“Did you talk with Angelo already?” I ask.
I have nothing against Angelo. He’s a nice guy, and we’ve been on a few dates, but I never felt anything for him, not even a spark. And I hoped I’d get a few more years of freedom.
