When I returned from Huntingford, Colmazio took me under his wing and watched over my training personally. He needed to make sure I learned everything I needed to keep the princess of the Caprioni Family safe.
“How are you?” I asked. “Seems a little late for just a simple conversation,” I pointed out as I sat on the leather couch across from him.
“Ha, I see you’ve finally decided to take me at my word and speak honestly when we are alone. Your father was always so good at doing that. I miss my friend dearly.” Colmazio sighed, swirling his glass.
My heart squeezed as I thought of my father who passed away last year from a sudden heart attack. We’d kept in contact regularly, but I didn’t get to see him in person before he died, and then I was looking at the man I’d idolized most in a casket. The world wasn’t fair, but I knew neither of us left anything unsaid, knowing the world we lived and operated in.
“Yeah, my old man was never shy to tell someone he cared about that they were being an ass.” I chuckled.
“My hope is one day you’ll be that same person for my Astin. I know you two were incredibly close growing up, even through high school,” Colmazio commented.
I looked down at my hand, rubbing a finger over the scar. “We were best friends growing up, but I don’t know about now… it’s been almost six years since I’ve seen her.”
“Ah, yes, I remember her telling me about your blood oath during one of my visits. It’s actually why I picked you for the job. Not that you didn’t already have good breeding and loyalty to the family, but I needed her to trust you implicitly.” Colmazio got up and refilled his glass while making another. “She doesn’t like to be caged, and that’s all I’ve done to her since she lost her mother. I’m waiting for the day she rebels and does something utterly reckless that I can’t protect her from. This is where you come in. If she trusts you, hopefully, she’ll tell you what she’s doing.” He finished, handing me the second glass.
Taking it, I relaxed back on the couch. “Sir… I don’t know if we still have that same relationship anymore. As you know, she wrote to me when she thought I was sent off to college, and I stopped answering. I’m not an expert on women, but I don’t think that bodes well for me in keeping her trust.”
Her father nodded, thinking this over. “I believe you’re in love with her enough to put forth the effort that will be needed to fix things.”
“What?” I blurted, sitting upright.
Colmazio just gave me a deadpan look before taking a sip of his drink. “Did you think I’m that old and out of touch not to notice a man pinning over my only daughter? You’ve always kept her secrets. Your father and I appreciated you were more loyal to her than anything or anyone else. It makes you perfect to keep her safe.”
“So you’ve always known?”
“Let’s just say after a year of being in this house, you got much better at hiding your emotions.” Colmazio chuckled. “I want you to go pick her up tomorrow… the drive will help you test the waters.”
Finally, finally, Astin was coming home.
I had a gut feeling this was what the whole party was about—her birthday and homecoming. Now I was allowed to let myself feel excited and slightly terrified at the thought of seeing her again.
Then the important part of what he said clicked. “Me? Are you sure that’s a good idea? She might not even get in the car if she sees I’m the one driving it.”
“Take Braxton.” Colmazio laughed, slapping the armrest of his chair. “He’ll be able to charm her if you piss her off.”
Braxton was one of the newer capos, or lieutenants, of the Caprioni Family and a good friend of mine. Since Colmazio had been cleaning house in preparation for Astin, a large influx of men in their late twenties and early thirties were being groomed to work under her. The boss knew the older crew would never stop trying to undermine her, so he was doing what he could for his little girl. Now when it came to people outside the Family, we’d just have to pray it doesn’t end up in a war.
“That’s a smart idea. He gets along with everyone,” I admitted.
“It’s about a three-hour drive, and I have our men watching the border, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting through. They’ve been well paid to make sure no one knows our movements or who might be in the car,” Colmazio informed me. “Finish your drink and get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be an eventful day. I can feel it.”
Tossing back the brandy, I set the glass down and left Boss staring into the fireplace where the flames flickered. Even though it was late April, the weather still had a brisk chill at night, making the fire welcome. That, and though Boss would never admit it, he was losing weight and wore thicker fabric suits longer into the season. It wasn’t my place to question our leader’s health—he had people around him to do that—my job was to be focused on Astin and keeping her safe.
“So are you finally going to tell me why we’re driving all the way to Apria?” Braxton asked with a yawn. “It’s nine in the morning on a Saturday. This better be fucking important.”
Braxton let the seat fall back as he tried to get a little more sleep after having been out with Jace and Luca last night. I had texted and told him he needed to be ready for a job in the morning, but he didn’t see it until too late. Braxton was in charge of skin—or as normal people called them strippers, prostitutes, and or escorts. He dealt with all the clubs we ran, making sure the clients and the merchandise were well taken care of. This meant he had an all-access pass to any nightclub, bar, or strip joint whenever he wanted. His favorite excuse was needing to check this place or another to see if the competition was doing things better than us, which they never did because Braxton was fucking good at his job.
“This is one of the most important jobs you’re ever going to be on,” I commented.
This caught his attention, bringing the seat back up as he looked at me expectantly. “Which is?”
“We’re bringing her home.”
“Holy fuck! You mean the two of us are driving to pick up the boss’s daughter?” Braxton all but yelled. “What the fuck, man? I can’t go with you to do this. Look at me… I’m wearing all the wrong clothes. I didn’t get a chance to shave or do my hair. I look likeshit.”
“That’s what you’re worried about, your appearance?” I laughed.
“Fuck you. How many times have you told us how goddamn hot she is? I mean, there was that night you were almost black-out drunk and showed us a picture from one of the parties she went to. That ass is something men weep over, and you wanna laugh at me for being worried about my appearance? I’ll own it, hell fucking yeah, I’m nervous.” Braxton huffed, falling back in his seat, arms crossed. “I’m totally making you stop for coffee at Truebucks even though I know you hate it.”