“Deal.” I laughed and raced up the stairs, surprised to be met at the top by Mariano.
“Hey, sorry. My papa was using the restroom downstairs, and your mother said to use the one up here.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll be right down.”
“Sounds good.”
The rest of night went smoothly, and Francesco, true to his promise, kept Bria well away from me. Mariano and I decided on a plan to meet in the city for drinks later in the week. I found I liked talking to him, and he seemed to enjoy it as well.
After they left, I heard my parents quietly talking outside, but when I joined them, they quickly changed the topic.
“Everything all right?” I took a seat next to my mother and eyed them both.
“Yes, son, and thank you both for your help in entertaining tonight.” My father gave me a squeeze on the shoulder. “I think they will be a good asset to the family business, plus their syndicate is fading fast and the wolves are circling.”
“What do they bring to the table, Papa?” I was curious why these people had surfaced all of a sudden.
“They have a connection with Naples.” He gave me a dark look, one I knew all too well. The Naples syndicate had been after us for a long time. The news of my father’s recent illness spread quickly, and the sharks were out for blood. Little did they know my father was an ox, and it would take more than a mild heart attack to bring him down. Nevertheless, we had a bright, bold target on our backs.
“Roberto wants to join us and help keep Sicily under our rule.”
“Do you trust him?”
My father thought for a moment, then he looked at Mama. “I don’t think we have a choice right now. Not with your two uncles over on the mainland working in the north. Until they return, we need all the help we can get.”
“A watchful eye and an open ear are more important than you know,” Mama said quietly. “It’s a powerful tool to have, despite,” she paused, “an inappropriate trophy wife. She was interested to hear of your love interest.” She gave me a knowing nod as if to sayNow you know why I brought up Sienna.We could never be too careful with what we shared with people.
“Understood.” I read her loud and clear.
“Elio.” My father drew my attention to him. “What are your feelings toward their son?”
I leaned back and nursed the water Francesco had given me. I felt better now that I knew what was going on and that my father felt good with his decision.
“I like him. We’re meeting up in the city later on in the week.”
“Did he pry?”
“Only about my initiation.” I held up my ring. “I didn’t say much, and he never once asked about the business.”
“Did he share anything with you?”
“No, we kept it light.”
“Good.” He lit his cigar and puffed the smoke away from us. “I think this is good.”