I sit across the table from my soon to be father-in-law, Romano, and his wife, Celeste. He is the epitome of suave, with his gray slicked-back hair and Ray-Bans covering his eyes. Even through them, I can feel him assessing me.
The waitress delivers our espressos. “Thank you.” I nod to the waitress as the rest of the table ignores her.
Maria looks at her like she’s dirt on her Jimmy Choos.
“Business is going well, son.” Romano breaks his silence.
I nearly cough out my coffee at the word son. Nobody other than my mother calls me that.
“Yes, very. We’re ready for new shipments. We have warehouses lined up for storage. Buyers from all around the country want in.”
“Good.” A heavy ring on his hand reflects the light as he reaches for his drink. After a long sip, he looks at me over his glasses.
“And your commissioner–he’s still on board?”
“Of course.” The real crux of the problem. The commissioner is the only thing keeping me alive right now. I’ve failed to mention to Romano the fact that Chief O’Reilly will only work for me.
“I have a business partner I’d like you to meet in Italy. It would be nice to have my daughter home for a few days. Why don’t you come? Bring all your family for the weekend? Little Darcy would love the beaches, I’m sure.”
The bastard. Reminding me of his threat, disguised as a big, happy vacation.
My family won’t be going anywhere near him. Keeping my anger at bay, despite it threatening to boil over, I manage to say, “Sure. I have a jet. Just let me know when.”
“I’ll be picking up my wedding dress this Saturday. So it will have to be in two weeks,” Maria chimes in, and I have to physically stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“Of course, darling.” I draw out the last word and give her a cheesy grin.
“It’s a date, then.” Romano slams his palms on the table, and suddenly the eyes of the entire café are on us.
“Only six more weeks till the big day! I can’t wait!” her mom excitedly says. “I’ve got your brother’s suits already.”
Maria stiffens next to me, and I raise a brow. Her father remains expressionless.
“Brothers? I thought it was just Antonio?”
Maria leans into me. “I have a half-brother,” she hisses.
Interesting. Another to add to the hit list.
My phone starts vibrating in my pocket. Maria wrinkles her nose at me, but I ignore her. Rosa’s name is flashing up on the screen.
“I have to take this.” My chest feels tight with excitement.
“Hello.” I try to sound professional as I leave, pulling out a cigarette and heading to the outside seating. “How are you, tesoro?”
“I’m fine. Are you busy?” Her soft voice is like music to my ears.
“For you, Rosa? Never.”
I light my cigarette, looking at the couples sitting in front of me, all deep in conversation. As I glance through the window to the café, I can see Romano and Maria having a heated conversation. As her mother locks eyes with me, I look away.
“I’m on my own,” her voice is so quiet I can barely hear her.
“Then why are you whispering?”
“I don’t know,” she giggles, and I remember how much I miss that sound.
“I’m in a meeting at the moment. I can come over after that?”
“W-what, here? What if Dante comes home?”
I know he won’t be. I have him out on runs all day.
“I was going to go to Dr. Jenkin’s in a minute. Could you meet me after that?”
As she goes to reply, Maria storms out. “Luca, your lunch is here.”
I hold up my cigarette to her and excuse her. The line is silent.
“Rosa, are you still there?”
“Huh-yes. Just forget about it. We can see each other another time, maybe. Sorry.”
Before I can get a word in, she cuts the call, and I shake my head.
Fuck.
I head back to our table and as I approach, Maria flicks me a look as I limp towards my seat next to her.
“Why the hell are you limping?” she hisses in my ear as I sit.
“Jumped off a bridge trying to kill myself to get away from you.”
She huffs and carries on picking at her salad. I sit there, not being able to get Rosa’s voice out of my head.
I need to see her.
