AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The town loves me,” Shane says. “No one could beat me.”
“You know Samuel Citrino?” Arturo asks, naming a family friend who, for years, I was sure would marry my sister. “A friend of mine. Would love to see him take over. Make it easy for him to do so or we’ll make it hard on you.”
Shane's skin goes white.
He knows what they’re saying is true—how, I don’t know. But somehow, Sam is endorsed by the Russos, and that means bad news for Shane.
“You don’t have to decide here, yeah?” Arturo says, slapping Shane on the back way too hard. He flinches. “We’ll set up a meeting. Make sure your assistant knows to accept it, Turner.”
The meaning is not lost.
Accept the meeting or we’re making you.
Shane doesn’t even look my way as he nods and walks off.
A fucking coward.
And then I feel it.
Eyes.
Burning on my skin.
And when I look to the right, I see him—Dante, shaking hands with a mourner, his head facing me, his jaw tight.
God, if I don’t appease him, he’ll come racing over here.
I give my husband a small smile, but a genuine one, and even from here, I can see his jaw relax. His eyes flick to Marco, and mine do as well, catching him nodding at Dante.
The silent, She’s good. I got her is transmitted across the graveyard.
“You say the word, that man is as good as gone, Delilah,” Alfredo says under his breath, and I go back to looking at him. “I have more than enough reason to do the job myself. But he’s your blood, in a way. You make that call.”
All the more reason I regret not knowing this family sooner.
The respect.
The kindness.
Giving me the ability to make decisions that impact me and for my family to trust that I’ll make the right decision.
“That’s . . . I appreciate it. But he’s Lola’s father. I don’t . . .” I sigh, looking at the light-grey sky. “I have no parents. It doesn’t feel great. Lola doesn’t have a good father, but I don’t want her to have that. She’d still mourn him.” I don’t look at Alfredo when I answer, instead looking around, avoiding eyes.
I’m embarrassed.
Does it make me weak? Not wanting to punish a man who harmed my family and me so terribly?
Will he think less of me?
But then a warm finger is under my chin, tipping and moving my head until I’m staring up at my grandfather.
“That’s brave. That’s kind. You’re a good woman, Delilah. Better than me.” I make a pained smile, his words proving my fears right. It’s weak. It’s— “But your father. He would have made that decision. He was a better man than I could ever hope to be, and I know he’s proud right now. I know I am.”
I don’t know what to say.
I don’t know how to respond.
The words are stuck in my throat with no way out.
