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His little typing dots come up instantly, and I read his reply with trepidation.
Alessandro wants to see me.
Once I’m done with him, where shall I meet you?
L x
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Outside my family church. Drive round the back.
X
He sends a thumbs up, and I get changed. Instead of a gown, I wear more conservative Sunday dress clothes. I take a deep breath and walk to the living room where Tori is reading. Roman is playing on the floor.
She looks up at me and raises an eyebrow. “Yes?’
“I want to go to night mass,” I say. “Since the only places my father approves of is this house and church.”
Tori turns back to her book. “That’s kind of weird, but sure. Do me one favor and don’t stay out late with my brother. Get home before your father, or he will suspect you’re together, and that won’t help anyone.”
I don’t acknowledge her words. I leave.
The guards don’t stop me. I think Tori may have told them to stand down.
I will remember that.
Chapter 22 - Luigi
After arriving at my cousin's house—my Don’s house—I sit in my car for a moment. I can see Dominic is here because his car is parked not far from mine.
Great.
He’s always the hardest on me.
I enter the house and take a deep breath. I stand tall as I walk into Alessandro’s office. Dominic is sitting near the door and instantly comes to me. He moves next to me, raises his hand and slaps my head so hard that I jerk forward.
“What the hell were you thinking?” he growls. “Playing around with the daughter of Ivan Volkov?”
I don’t reach for the back of my head because Dominic will get angrier at a sign of weakness. I glare at him. “It wasn’t anything serious. Everyone is blowing this out of proportion. It’s not like we’re in love.”
“That’s even…” Dominic roars, but Alessandro silences him by lifting his hand.
“Enough,” he says. “Have a drink, Dom.’
My cousin goes to the mini-bar while Alessandro scrutinizes me. I feel a pang of guilt. I feel like I’ve betrayed him, a man who has always protected me and helped me in life. He’s like the big brother I never had.
Alessandro sighs and rubs a hand over the stubble on his face. “You’re placing the unity of our two families in jeopardy.” He stands up. “If you’re not happy anymore, if New York is boring you, I can move you to the West Coast with Shirley and Pierce. They will have their uses for you.”
I frown. “May I speak freely?”
“I wouldn’t,” Dominic says to me, raising an eyebrow.
Alessandro shoots him another dark look but nods toward me. “You can speak freely.”
I take a deep breath. “All my life, I’ve been loyal to this family. To Nonno, to Zio Romero, and then to you. From the moment I could form a fist, I became a soldier for this family in one way or another.”
“Is there a point to this?” he asks, staring into my eyes.
