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He clasps my forearm. “You’re not asking, I’m offering.”
“Marriage is your worst nightmare.”
He shrugs. “Yeah but it's inevitable, might as well get it over with. Plus, if not me, Salvatore will only make Fran do it, and if I have to watch Callum Murphy put his slimy hands on her, I will murder him.” He sighs, releasing my arm. “They probably won't accept the offer so it will mean war either way.” He’s right. At this point, they’ve already got the best option. Their daughter married to the Caporegime of The Family; anything else we offered them would just be disrespectful.
“I don’t know what to do, Luca,” I say putting my head in my hands.
He lets out a loud breath and mutters. “Jesus, Enzo.” To be honest it’s a new feeling for me, I don’t think I’ve ever said those words out loud in my life. He pushes himself off the ropes and slaps me on the back as he walks past towards the exit. “I can’t help you with that one, but whatever you decide, I’ll stand with you.”
25
Enzo
Ten Years Earlier
Manhattan, New York City
It was my eighteenth birthday earlier this week and it’s been a shitshow from start to finish. For one. I've been hungover for most of it. Second, there was a meeting yesterday between the five families of New York. We all govern over parts of the East Coast. Not that my father attended. No, he left it to me and Luca and let's just say it wasn’t taken lightly.
The Morettis, The Rafaellos, The Bianchis, The Marinos and The Gallos all hold a seat of power spread across the East Coast; we make up the five families. Every family has a boss that works in collaboration with each other. The meeting was run-of-the-mill. It happens every six months to keep on top of business and keep relationships strong but it went to shit. The Rafaellos and the Marinos walked out, not before telling me and Luca exactly what they thought about the fact an eighteen and a sixteen-year-old were attending in my father's place.
Salvatore has been useless. Most responsibilities have fallen to me now, although he still likes to think he's in charge. I think he’s deluded. He never leaves the house for anything, yet he expects me to still answer to him.
I’m still lying in my hotel room from last night. I sent the two women I fucked last night away before I went to sleep. Grateful I did because I have the biggest headache and I don't feel like pretending to be pleasant this morning.
My phone rings and I press answer, holding it to my ear even though the movement makes my head split.
“Salvatore.”
“Enzo, I hear the meeting went well.” My father drawls.
“As well as expected, considering you didn't show up.”
He's silent for a second. “I don't need to show up, you should be able to handle something as small as a meeting with the five without me holding your hand.” I roll my eyes and he carries on. “I called to tell you, I've sold the house and I will be moving out at the end of the week.”
I sit straight up. “What are you talking about?”
“I see no reason for me to live there anymore.”
“What about Benny and Francesca? Are you taking them with you?” He isn’t.
He lets out a cold laugh. “No Enzo, I'm moving out to the penthouse on my own.”
“Well, where the fuck are the rest of them going to go?” I snap.
He sighs like I’m being a great inconvenience. “You're eighteen now, old enough to sort yourself out. Choose from the multiple properties we have under our name, it's not rocket science.” His breezy attitude is pissing me off more than his words. The audacity of him.
“So you're just done then?”
“I will continue to run things like I always have. You, Luca and Raff, will continue to follow in my footsteps, there is no need for us to live together.” I know he just doesn't want to have us there as a reminder of our mother or the house. There's too many memories for him. It doesn't excuse the fact that Fran, Benny and Raff are still kids and they need a parent. Not him but they need a parent.
Arguing isn't going to change the fact and maybe it's for the best. It's not as if he actually has anything to do with us other than in a professional aspect. I end the call there and jump out of bed throwing on my clothes and storming into the corridor, slamming my fists onto the suite next door where Luca is.
A blonde girl answers the door, wrapped in a sheet and I push past her into the bedroom where my brother is propped up against the headboard smoking a cigarette, bare-chested, his tattoos already covering most of his skin.
He takes one look at my expression and rolls his eyes. “What now?”
“Salvatore sold the house.” He doesn't react but he doesn't react to anything anymore, not really. His eyes flick to the door behind me where the girl reenters. She's scowling at me and Luca's lips lift. “Fun’s over, you need to leave.” He says.
