“Are you not safe? Did Kington send the men you asked for?”
“Kington sent everything I asked for. Thank you. You did well, Gio. It’s just not wise for me to remain here for long. No one can know I’m still alive.”
“Okay,” I reply and pull her into another hug before I head out to get Jace.
I note that Kington is someone I can trust. He didn’t tell Ma of my request and he still honored hers. It was all a test. If he would have sent word of the deal we made, I would have lost a resource.
Good, I can move forward with my plan. First, I need to reveal everyone’s wants and needs. What are they after?
Then I’ll control their access until they’re no longer needed. I’ve paid attention to the lessons Nonno has given over the years.
His need to teach me may have changed, but class has always been in session, and I’ve had a front-row seat by choice.
CHAPTER 7
Not As Planned
Gio
Three months later…
We’re at the old farmhouse in the country in Italy. It’s where Mom and Gwen have been staying. There’s not much around so there’s little to do outside the video games Nonno bought for us.
Jace and I are standing outside my mother’s office as we listen to the three-way call she has on speaker. She and Gwen—who now goes by the name Denise—are talking to Dad and Elijah. They’re getting an update on things back home. While I haven’t answered any of Ny’s calls, I do want to know how she’s doing.
However, I haven’t liked a word I’ve overheard so far. Ny is struggling without me. Without us.
“I don’t understand,” my mother says angrily. “What’s going on? How was she suspended?”
“She keeps everything bottled up. She won’t talk to me. I’ve tried,” Elijah says.
“That I understand, but why was she suspended?”
“Ava, let him explain,” Gwen says.
“She’s been training a few girls at the school in self-defense and combat. Apparently, all girls who have been picked on or who have predators in the home.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Ma asks impatiently.
“I don’t think there is one,” Gwen bites out.
“I don’t either, but what the school is taking issue with is that one girl placed her stepfather in the hospital and the mother blames Ny—”
“What bullshit,” Ma growls.
“I’m not done. Ming, one of the other girls beat up one of the students on campus after finding him slapping around her sister who he’s dating. His family is pressing charges on Ming. They want to sue Ny and the estate.”
“That’s a money grab. Those assholes are money hungry and already have enough. I’ll take care of that,” Dad says.
I work my jaw at the sound of my father’s voice. I’m still processing the fact that he’s my dad. For eight years he’s been a father to my best friend, but I’ve been starving for a father like him.
I push back my anger as my mother’s voice pulls my attention. She’s getting more pissed by the second. Her accent is starting to show.
“Again, why is my goddaughter suspended?”
“It has all been adding up, but yesterday she broke a boy’s arm. It was off campus but not far and they’re using it against her. Some kid she used to date or something.
“She still won’t tell me much. Her friends stopped by and that’s how I found out what I know.”
I grind my teeth. Matthew Pike is lucky I’m not in the States. Although, I’m considering going back. I look at Jace and he has the same scowl on his face.
“Elijah, pull her from that school. She’s too smart for them anyway. She can handle homeschooling,” Ma bites out.
“Babe, I’ll call you back. Let me talk to Ava for a sec,” Gwen says and ends the call.
“This was the wrong thing to do, Gwen. I left my best friend’s babies. Ny needs me.”
“We… we left our best friend’s babies in the hands of a man who will die covering them and will always make sure they’re safe. I’ve been working things out for my return. I’m ready to go back. I’ll handle this. We have to stick to the plan.”
“Stick to the plan? This all sounds crazy now. Have you seen Gio? Jace? They’re miserable. All the shit they had to go through just to come stay with me this weekend alone is enough to break their spirits.”
She’s wrong. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having to detour a few times was nothing compared to not spending time with her at all. This is all my fault to begin with.
“Beth would have wanted us to finish this. This is what you two always wanted. A place in your world for women and others. Don’t tell me Emil and Beth died for nothing.”
“But they’re gone. Why am I still doing this?”
“Because of your son. They told you, you couldn’t be a female and be Don. They told you, you couldn’t be in love with a woman and be in this thing. They told you I couldn’t be more than your consigliere and even then, I could never be made so I don’t count for shit.