Maybe he is telling the truth, that all the years of trying to control me were because he cared about me and wanted what was best for me. I never thought of it that way because he disappeared during a really shitty part of my life, and the next minute, he reappeared throwing money at whatever problem came my way. I didn’t think he actually cared about what I did or who I was becoming.
I reach out my hand, and he takes it in both hands. “I’m sorry I made you worry, Papa. I didn’t mean for it to happen. The guy who attacked me, Dave, I won’t be seeing him again. He attacked me because I broke up with him. After all, he’s not good enough for me.”
No one is, I think to myself, and I’m sure that my father feels exactly the same way. He kisses the back of my hand and gives me a rare smile. “It’ll be okay, Mia. You just need to be a better judge of character.”
I may be laid up in the hospital, but at the very least, I think I trust my father a little bit more.
Chapter 4 - Frankie
What I like most about the business I’m in is the routine. I get so annoyed when things crop up unexpectedly, even though I know it’s part of the job. Things happen, but those things still fall under my routine. Those problems are routine. Paying off some cops, paying off politicians, getting plans through, starting a new business, or buying new land. This is what life is about, and I’m good at what I do.
I can’t help but wonder if I’ve ever been a fun person as I sit with my bodyguards in my office. I wonder if that’s what Amelia is searching for, adventure and fun. If it is, she’s looking for it in all the wrong places.
My phone is resting on the desk, and I glance at it as it buzzes, lifting it to my ear.
“What do you need, Alessandro?” I say by way of greeting.
My brother doesn’t beat around the bush, “We have a meeting shortly. I want you there. Dad will be there as well as Dominic. We’re meeting with a family friend about a problem he has that I think you can take care of.”
“What’s the problem?”
“Amelia,” Alessandro says casually, and I don’t falter as I reply. “Where and when?”
“Let’s meet at the bistro on Fifth that dad likes so much. I’ll arrange a private area for us to talk.”
I don’t doubt he’ll clear the entire bistro for this. “I’m leaving shortly.”
I hang up and go to stand in front of the mirror in the corner of my office. I smooth my hair back and pick up my suit jacket from the back of my chair.
“We’re going to the bistro on Fifth,” I say to Joel. The six-foot-six bodyguard nods. “Yes, sir.”
He leaves to get the car ready, and I turn to the young men sitting opposite my desk. “I’m trusting you to take care of business while I’m at this meeting. If anything goes wrong, just leave town because you don’t want to know the alternative.”
“Yes, sir,” they chorus, getting up to go out.
I walk out of the office and down the steel stairs. We’re in the factory that we use to ship a lot of our drugs through. Various people work the lines, sorting the drugs out of the false bases we use. Different family soldiers walk amongst them, keeping an eye on them, so no one gets clever and steals a stash. We’ll keep this factory for a week or two before we relocate. We can’t have the DEA busting down our door.
I walk through the small side door and to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class that sits idling in front of it. A cursory look around the area tells me it’s safe as I climb into the back with Joel.
The car pulls out into traffic, and I allow my mind to wander. I don’t know what game Alessandro is playing, but he is one of the few people who knows about my previous relationship with Amelia. I doubt he knows how much I cared for her, though.
I hope he never finds out.
A man is weak when he is emotionally charged, and that woman emotionally charges me off the scale.
It doesn’t take us long to reach the bistro, and I leave Joel outside to monitor the street while I go in.
Alessandro is already there with Romero, my father, who was the previous head of the family. Dominic stands near Alessandro. He never was one for sitting. Then to my surprise, I see that Gustavo is also seated at the table.
I should have known.
If anyone were going to try and protect Amelia, it would be her father. The man would take down all of New York for her and then some.
I nod my greetings. “Gentlemen,” I say lowly. “Mr. Fernando, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
“And you, Frankie,” Gustavo says, pouring me a glass of red wine.
“You were telling us about what you want, Gustavo,” Alessandro says, sitting back. “Can you repeat it for Frankie, so he’s up to speed?”