“I want you safe, you can’t do anything. I have to try to keep Papa’s legacy. You know how it is.”
What he’s saying is this is a game that isn’t over until he or his opponent is dead.
“What is your plan?”
“To stay alive.”
“Don’t joke.” But, in the face of death that’s so close, I can understand him being glib as strange as it sounds.
“I think Papa knew who was stealing from him, that’s why he was murdered. He made him look bad and then he died, unable to exonerate himself. It’s a brilliant plan, I just don’t know who is behind this yet. I’ll find out who was skimming from us.”
“That’s unbelievable.” And now I know why Papa sold me the way he did. Of course Massimo would have plenty of money to walk away with anyone that night.
“Tell me about it,” Giovi says. “I have a loyal army around me and we just have to find the man behind the thugs running through the streets.”
“Oh, Giovi, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sis, I love you. I’ll be fine.”
“I love you too. I think Massimo can help you, he’s incredibly wealthy.”
“And what if his grandfather, who is the don of the Albanian mafia, is in on this plan?”
“I don’t think that’s true, but, I don’t know. I’m not privy to all of Massimo’s dealing but, his grandfather has been on his nerves recently. He only mentions it when I ask what’s wrong when we play chess.”
“You, chess?”
“I know, right? I love Florence, I’m getting a life.”
“You sound happy.”
“I think I am.” I smile into the cool night. Massimo makes my newfound life more meaningful, and the job shows he’s listening to me and wants me happy.
“Good, enjoy. Don’t worry about me, you know how hard headed Sicilian men are.”
“Don’t I?” I tease. “I love you Giovi, I better get back to the wedding we’re attending.”
“Go, talk soon.”
I wave to Savio and Micro, who nod in return as they rub their hands after pulling their jackets closer to themselves.
As I enter the restaurant, I’m immediately aware that something has changed. The air is charged, and the men have been joined by Francesca and Prende. Curiosity gets the best of me.
I walk cautiously and listen to see if anything is being said before I officially arrive.
“Hey, is everything okay?”
“I’m just taking in the fact that we have a brother we never knew,” Marchello says.
“I have proof. The adoption papers,” Massimo states.
“That’s not necessary, in fact, I think we’ve all known for some time that our father could have had a kid out there with as many women as he had over the years. He hid it from Mama, maybe she pretended not to know.”
“So where does this leave us?” Sal asks.
“We’ll have to break the news to Mama, I’ll do that, but not tonight.” Dante drains his drink.
“Fuck, what is it with weddings?” Dante asks.