Letting the matter drop, we got into the limousine where the guys were already waiting for us. Each was dressed in their typical suits, projecting a normal state of events. While it was unusual for them to join us for a meeting we told them we were having, the plan was for them to be at another table to start. Luca hadn’t gotten the note translated yet, but he thought he was close and continued to work on it as we drove. The bar that Braxton had a meeting at was neutral in the sense we owned the building, but the actual bar was owned by someone else. It was an upscale bar that specialized in various whiskey drinks. It was also themed in a manner of the twenties when alcohol was illegal and you had to have underground bars.
Wanting to keep this meeting more private, Braxton chose wisely as it was on the outer side of the city limits. It was still in the thick of things but not where most people would choose to go out for a drink, lessening the chance we’d run into people we knew. I had no idea how they would react to our showdown, but it wasn’t going to be favorable. In fact, I almost had Braxton warn the owner things might get a little heated but I thought better of it. The more people who knew too much, the higher the chances of getting into trouble. Yet there could be a happy medium.
“Brax, do you think it might be a good idea to let the owner or manager know this could get messy?” I asked.
He contemplated that for a moment. “Part of me agrees, but I’ll have to make that call when I know who’s working. Miles is more levelheaded about things, but if it’s Carl, then I would say no, that will only make matters worse.”
“Fair. We chose to do this in public so they wouldn’t cause a scene, but I can’t help being overly cautious. It would be worse if innocents got hurt or involved in a situation we caused,” I reasoned.
“These are the risks we take, my dear,” Father reasoned. “There will always be innocents, but we also need to protect ourselves, and they’re our best chance. Besides, if something were to happen and they start it, their witness would help us.”
Leaning into him, I kissed him on the cheek. “This is why you’re the boss.”
“Astin, I didn’t get a chance to say this earlier, but I’m sorry for my outburst,” Daddy said in a low voice for only me to hear. “You did what was necessary, and I was clouded by seeing you as my little girl when you’re also the underboss. The choices we make are hard and only you know at that moment if it was the best choice. Sometimes, it’s not, and we learn how to do better next time. I went through the same process with my father, but no matter what, I want you to know I trust your judgment.”
“Thank you, Daddy. I’m sorry for what I said too. I was upset at someone else and took it out on you,” I shared.
He looked me in the eye with a knowing expression. “You have to let him out of the doghouse eventually. It’s my fault he’s there in the first place. I’ve seen the way he looks at you… it’s the way I used to watch your mother before she passed. Our lives are hard, and there are few to trust and lean on, so don’t lose someone without trying to fight for it first.”
I looked at him in surprise. “You know Boykov said almost the same thing to me earlier.”
“He’s a good man. I was thrilled when he asked to be the head of your detail. It’s hard for a father to let his little girl walk into danger, but that’s the life that was chosen for you as it was for me,” Father murmured as he relaxed into his seat, and I rested my head on his shoulder.
I feel things between us will always be volatile—we are too similar for our own good. Even though I hated how he handled the issues with Casimira, Jamison, and Liu, it didn’t change the undying love I’ve always had for my father. Some days I might not like him or want to be around him, but I will always love him. When it was just the two of us, it was easy to forget the rest of it. Yet as I sat here in the silence of the car, I could hear his labored breathing and the unusually slow thump of his heart. We seemed to have less time together than I thought.
“We’re all clear, Boss,” the bodyguard said once he opened the door to the limo.
When had we gotten to the bar? How long had we been sitting here waiting for them to check the place?Sitting up, I shook off the concerned daughter and squared my shoulders, ready to defend our family against those who would dare to destroy us.
This time when I stepped out, Ryker was there to take my hand and help me out. I gave him a grateful smile and followed Father into the lobby of the old historic building. The bar was set on the fourth floor, giving us the chance to arrive and have the rest of the guys follow behind in a moment. Boykov and Daddy’s personal bodyguard were with us since the rest of the team was already up there.
“You ready for this?” I ask.
“Are you referring to defending my empire or confronting a man who claimed to be my friend for the past thirty years?” he asked, cocking a brow.
“Either, I suppose,” I said with a shrug. “You just seem so calm. I’m not sure I could do that when someone’s done what he’s doing to you.”
“After years of betrayal, you get plenty of practice keeping the illusion of calm,” Father answered before he stepped off the elevator.
That made me pause for a moment, wondering if he’d wanted to come to this meeting all along but didn’t want to step on my toes. Either way, we were here now, and the show was going to happen one way or another.
A waiter led us over to our table where, to my surprise, Harrison and Raymond were already seated. The table was in the middle of the space with a group of four mismatched armchairs that looked like they could be out of Sherlock Holmes’s study. The table was made from old whiskey barrels adding to the theme of the place.
“Colmazio,” Harrison greeted cheerfully, standing to clasp my father in a hug. “How are you, my old friend? I was delighted to get your invitation to drinks with your daughter since we were unable to make it to the party. Now, where is she?” he asked, glancing over me like it was perfectly normal for my father to bring along a random woman.
“Harrison, allow me to introduce you to Astin, my eldest child and heir to the Caprioni Family business,” Daddy said, gesturing to me as I smiled and held out a hand.
“It’s lovely to see you again,” I greeted.
The look of horror that crossed his face was priceless in its own way as Raymond quickly stood as well.
“Raymond, you’re here too. How nice that we all get to enjoy each other’s company once more,” I said, my tone so full of delight it made me want to gag.
“Forgive me, but I believe the last time we met, you said your name was Angelica,” Raymond challenged.
Father took his seat, and I did the same, holding my clutch in my lap as I looked contrite. “I’m sorry for the deception, but I was afraid if you knew who I was, you wouldn’t give me a fair game. I do love to play poker, but when people learn who I am, they won’t play to beat me.”
Both men nodded as they took their seats, still looking a little blindsided. They were saved when a waiter came over and took our drink order then left.