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Before we left the office, Gabriel looked at Jacob. “Jacob,” said Gabriel coldly. “You will never speak like that to me or my Consigliere, or raise a gun to us, ever again. I don’t give a shit what the reason is. I won’t tolerate that sort of behavior or disrespect from any of my men. Am I making myself clear?”
Jacob looked him hard in the eye and nodded once. “Understood, Capo,” he growled, before striding out of the room without a backward glance.
JESSICA
At last, the office door finally opened, and the men stepped out. Jacob still didn’t look happy, but he was somewhat calmer compared to when he had arrived.
“Come, Mother, we’re leaving. I have business to attend to. Jess, I’ll call you later,” said Jacob, obviously wanting to talk to me in private.
“But we’ve only just gotten here!” Mother was oblivious to everyone’s eagerness to end this visit and I had to practically push her toward the door as she continued rabbiting on about her coffee mornings. “I really must insist that you make an effort to attend my next coffee morning, Jessica. It’s the least you can do for me. You will be the guest of honor.”
Jacob finally managed to get her out of the house and Gabriel shut the door after them. “That woman is fucking irritating,” he muttered.
“Yep, she sure is,” Rafael agreed. “Gabriel, why don’t you go to the club without me. I’ll follow once I’ve talked with Jessica.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked Rafael.
“Yes, it is now. Your brother is understandably upset after finding out about what happened to you. I assured him neither Gabriel nor I had any knowledge of it before the wedding and that we have dealt with it.”
“I’m sorry he acted like that.”
“Gabriel warned him not to speak to either of us or raise a gun at us like that ever again. Once your father dies, he is supposed to take over and become an Underboss. But brother-in-law or not, I won’t accept that sort of behavior from any of our men, nor will Gabriel.”
“He was worried about me,” I said in defense of my brother.
“I know. That’s why I let it go this time. For you. Because I care about you, Jessica.”
***
That afternoon, Jacob called me.
“I’ve spoken with our parents and I’m sorry, but they won’t have you back in their home. I’ve thought about it though, and I could get a house and you could live there with me.”
“You know that wouldn’t work, Jake. Rafael would hunt you down for taking me away from him. But thank you and please don’t worry—he’s not that bad.”
“Not that bad? You are my sister and you deserve the best, not the son of a monster.”
“He’s nothing like Emanuel. He’s treated me well so far.”
“For fuck’s sake, Jess. I can’t believe this has happened to you. First Juliana’s life was fucked up and now yours. I’m so sorry, I should have protected you better—both of you.” His voice was more distraught than I’d ever heard of him.
“You didn’t know what Emanuel would do. No one could have guessed, not even his sons.”
Jacob blaming himself was self-destructive. Emanuel had already destroyed part of me. I didn’t want the effects of his actions to destroy part of Jacob too.
“Jake, you’ve always been there for Juliana and me. You’ve been the best big brother I could have asked for. You’ve never let me down and I know you never will.”
We talked for ages, but nothing I said could convince him that he hadn’t let me down.
“Damn it, Jake, you can’t blame yourself. Please don’t do this to yourself.”
“Don’t curse,” said Jacob automatically.
I gave a small smile. “So, I’m old enough to be married off, but I’m still not old enough to curse?”
“You’ll never be old enough to curse.” Jacob was suddenly more serious. “Whatever happens, you’ll always be my baby sister, and I’ll always be here for you if you need protection—you just have to say the word.”
I told him how grateful I was for his support. But deep down, I knew that no member of the Santino family would ever let someone else tell them what to do. They ruled the Società and did as they pleased in this city.
