“Actually, that’s a pretty sound logic,” Luca pointed out. “If she wants to fuck around and have a good time, we should keep it to us. People we trust won’t use it against her. Once people know who she is and how fucking hot she is, they will be swarming her. I say we offer our services and keep her safe while we’re at it.”
Smirking at Luca, I had to hand it to the man, he was one sly motherfucker. “Doesn’t hurt that we get to cockblock every other man who will be drooling over her in the name of protection. Sounds like the best plan anyone of us has ever come up with.”
“What! So we’re agreeing she can fuck any of the six of us but no one outside of that? She’d never go for that,” Ryker challenged.
I snorted. “You think we’re going to tell her? Nah, man, this is a bro-code moment, not to mention the boss made it clear we are more than her lieutenants. He wanted us to protect her as added security, which is why we all got the added training.”
“Fine, whatever. You guys do what you want, but don’t come crying to me when she sets her eyes on someone, and you have to change her mind. Astin is stubborn as fuck, and no one, and I mean no one, has ever gotten her to let go of something once she makes up her mind,” Ryker announced.
Pushing myself off the couch, I patted him on the shoulder. “That, my friend, is why you need to be the person or persons she picks. Ship’s sailed for you, but the rest of us haven’t fucked it up yet. Order a pizza and watch your stupid-cooking shows all of us hate since you’ll have the room to yourself.”
“Asshole,” Ryker muttered as I headed to my room, needing to get ready for the night out.
thirteen
Therestofthemeetings were uneventful and rather boring. Everyone was on their best behavior or caught on quickly that I wasn’t someone to fuck with. Daddy had been right when he said the meetings were pretty straightforward today. Most of them were merely introductions and setting expectations going forward that I’d be the new contact person, and if I couldn’t deal with it, then Daddy would be brought in. The whole reason for having an underboss was to take some of the weight off the boss’s shoulders. I felt like about half the groups we met with would follow the new order while the others would take some time to learn.
“Is that the last one?” I asked, flopping into the chair the union leader vacated moments ago.
Daddy nodded, looking down at his watch. “Looks like dinner should be ready shortly. Why don’t you walk with me to the dining room?”
Standing, I wrapped my arm around his as we headed out of his office. “I forgot to mention it before, but I ran into Casimira earlier. When you said your office, I assumed it was your personal one, but she led me down here.”
“She’s been pestering me for weeks to know when I was bringing you home,” Father shared. “I thought it was best to let you get right to business and deal with personal things a little more slowly. Was that wrong of me?”
“No, it’s not like I didn’t know she existed. You’ve always been incredibly honest with me, even sending me pictures of Jamison when he was born and growing up. While I haven’t met my half-brother in person yet, I’ve known he’s out there. Seriously, you even told me that others have tried to convince you to make him underboss,” I said, not wanting him to doubt how he handled things. “I’ll just need some time. I want to get to know them. It’s just I’m not sure that’s going to be a priority for me right now.”
“That’s quite understandable. When the time is right and you have questions, I’ll answer any of them you have. There are no secrets between you and me, Astin. Some matters I might not be able to discuss with you right away but know that whatever I know you will know in time as well,” Daddy assured me.
“I know, Daddy,” I murmured, keeping my voice low. “Damn, I really need to stop calling you that.”
He stopped and looked at me, perplexed. “Why on earth would you need to stop calling me that?”
“You’re the head of the Caprioni Family,” I reasoned.
“Yes, but first and foremost, I’ll always be your father. If anyone has a problem with my daughter addressing me as such, then that’s a conversation I’ll have with them personally. So don’t you dare get all formal on me. I’ve been waiting fifteen years for the chance to hear you call me that again in this home,” Daddy announced as we resumed our journey to the dining room.
“I’ve missed you so much, Daddy,” I said, leaning into him.
“Not as much as I’ve missed you, but that phase of our life is over now,” he reminded me as he patted my hand. “I believe we’re having salmon tonight. Simon makes the best fish, part of the reason I hired him.”
Clearly, Daddy was over the emotional conversation and wanted to move on to more neutral topics. “It’s been ages since I’ve had any seafood. Glenda hates it. Where’s the old battle ax anyway?”
“I felt like she deserved a vacation after putting up with you alone for so many years. I believe she’s boarding a cruise for some tropical island tomorrow,” he answered.
“Together so many years, and she couldn’t even say goodbye before she left.” I sighed.
Daddy just chuckled as we entered the dining room, where Casimira was already speaking to a young man. When she turned toward us, I realized she was with Jamison, my half-brother.Nice of the old man to give me a heads up he’d be here too.
“Darling, Astin,” Casimira greeted with a soft smile then turned back to Jamison. “Sweety, this is your older sister, Astin.”
Jamison took a step forward and offered his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
The nineteen-year-old was tall and gangly like he’d had a growth spurt but hadn’t filled out quite yet. He had his mother’s eyes, but his face reminded me of Father’s, making it clear I was indeed related to him.
“Same,” I answered, taking his hand.
The handshake he gave me was limp and lifeless, making me worry I might hurt him.Lord, has no one taught him the importance of first impressions?