“No, why don’t we all just stay a little longer? We can do our classes online for the next week or so, no problem.” Yes, and I can give Gianna another couple of days before she learns about her dad.
“If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.” He hugged me, and I could feel that he’d relaxed. I didn’t feel guilty about deceiving him because it was for his own good. I’ll do it every time.
* * *
DRACO
* * *
Okay, what the hell? Is the boy up to something or not? I’m confused as hell. I guess I can put his coldness aside as just being angry at reliving what had happened to his mother; somehow, I’m not so sure that I can let my guard down. Then it hit me. What am I so worried about? Now that my father-in-law has been found, there’s nothing stopping me from going after Ricci and putting an end to his pathetic existence. Then there’d be no reason for Gabe to do anything, and I can stop second-guessing my son.
I still have a lot of questions, though, like how the heck had he found the nun? Who is she? I know she was a cohort of Ricci’s since she’d been there the night he attacked Mr. Antonelli, shit, I don’t even know what to call him yet; Papa maybe like my wife? Anyway, back to the nun and the missing pieces of the story. There’s something there, I’m sure.
But the boy asked about university. That’s gotta mean he’s done, right? I wish I could believe that, but something in my gut is telling me to be cautious, which would mean me not trusting his word, which is a dumb fuck thing to do to my kid. Still, the boy is smart; I also know he wouldn’t want me to go after Ricci because of his fear that something would happen to me.
I don’t have to have that conversation with my son to know that he thinks that way; we’re so much alike that I can figure out that much. But what the hell am I supposed to do now? I can send my guys after Ricci, but that fuck is my mark and mine alone. I don’t plan to get caught, so I’m not worried about that shit. I just have to figure out when and where at this point.
The problem is that since Ricci has got it into his head to run for office, he’s never alone. Along with the security he’s always had because of his family wealth and standing, he now has even more trained men by his side. Sicily is not my battleground, so it would mean rearranging some things about my former plans. I can do that; I just have to get ahead of my son.
* * *
SOFIA
* * *
My Papa is here; he’s really here. I don’t think I have any tears left in me; I’ve cried so much in the last few hours that my eyes are almost swollen. He’s tired now, poor thing, and fell asleep just a few minutes ago, but still, I find it hard to leave his side. Part of me can’t believe that he’s here, and I haven’t even had time to wrap my head around the fact that it was Gabe who found him and brought him to me.
I felt like a child sitting there next to his bed, but I was afraid that I’d wake up and he’d be gone if I left. It took Draco coming to the door and knocking to get me to leave. “He doing okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine; it’s been a long day for him. My Papa got so old.” I missed so much, and my heart aches at the state he’s in.
While I’d been living a life of luxury, he’s been shut away somewhere away from everything he knows, living as little more than a pauper. I know it’s silly to feel guilty about something I had no control over, but I can’t help it. “He’s going to be fine, sweetheart; you need to get some rest; we have a lot to do tomorrow to get your dad situated.”
Yes, he didn’t have anything with him, no ID, nothing. I’m sure Draco can handle it, but it might take some time. We’d already discussed staying here longer and sending the kids back home for school, but now I wanted my kids with me; I want family here. Another silly fear, but for whatever reason, I don’t want to let anyone out of my sight.
“Can we keep the kids here with us?”
“Your son already suggested it. They’ll take their classes online, and we’ll all enjoy a few more days here while we take care of your dad’s stuff.” I wrapped my arms around him and rested my ear over his heartbeat. “Thank you.”