“What am I going to do?” I whispered.
Mom seemed at a loss too. “I wish I knew. Maybe you should think about talking to your father.”
“If he knows, he’ll stop me from seeing Amo. I can’t risk that.”
“That’s a possibility. He might not listen to me either in this case.” Mom brushed her fingertips across her temple as if she had a headache. “I want nothing more than to see you happy. But I also want you to be safe. You meeting Amo behind everyone’s back is a risk.”
“Amo won’t hurt me, Mom. I trust him absolutely.”
Mom pressed her lips together in a tight smile.
I shrugged. “And you thought Nevio was the only trouble maker.”
Mom laughed. “Nevio is causing havoc for every reason but love.”
“The end result is the same. Love can be as destructive as hatred.”
I spent the night at the Trevisan house. It reminded me a little of Greta’s sanctuary, but Maximus’ family kept only dogs, mostly Pittbulls, Staffordshire Terrier, Bulldogs and Rottweiler. As per Maximus’ request I didn’t join in the torture, neither did his father or brother. Romero and Maximus had taken the Russians to one of the kennels at the end of the premises, but the screams carried all the way up to the porch where I was sitting with Primo and Growl. The dogs in their enclosures and houses howled and barked.
“Sounds as if they want to join in,” I said.
Only five dogs lived in the house with the family. The rest wasn’t socialized enough or too dangerous.
“Maximus knows better than to use the dogs for torture. They’ve tasted enough blood in their lives.” Cara, Growl’s wife, stepped out onto the porch, wrapped in a wool blanket. Her gaze sought the distance as if she was trying to see what was happening.
Growl pushed to his feet and walked over to her. He touched her shoulder. “You should go back in. You shouldn’t hear this.”
“I hear it inside too.”
“But inside you won’t see Maximus once he’s done. I don’t think you want to see him like that,” Growl said.
“Ryan, I don’t care if he’s covered in blood. I’ll be there for my son when he needs me.”
Growl gave a nod and led Cara over to one of the cozy rattan chairs.
Maximus didn’t return until the early morning hours. I patted his shoulder as he stalked into the house to go to bed. Romero was close behind him. Neither was in the mood to talk, no surprise there. Growl, Primo and I went to the kennel and cleaned up the mess that was left.
After a late breakfast, Maximus and I headed to the Famiglia gym to let off some steam. Maximus didn’t want to talk about last night’s events so I didn’t push him. After a heated training session, we went into the changing rooms, but I could tell something was bothering Maximus.
He sank down on the bench across from mine. For a while he watched me removing the tapes from my wrists before he leaned forward, arms on his thighs. “What the fuck is going on?”
I motioned at the two men who were hurriedly getting dressed. They grabbed their stuff with a nod and gave us privacy. When the door fell shut, silence settled around me and Maximus. I wasn’t sure how to say what I’d decided. It was absolute madness. I trusted Maximus with my life, and through his marriage with Sara we were practically family. “I know you’ve been taking days off for months now. I didn’t ask questions but I can’t help but wonder where the fuck you’re going. It took you hours to get to Newark yesterday. You weren’t around the corner.”
I stared down at my boxing shoes. “I came back as fast as I could.”
“I know, and I’m not here to play the guilt card. You have a fucking life. That’s okay. I just want you to know that you can trust me. You helped me after the shitshow with Sara. Fuck, you’re still there whenever I need you, so why the fuck are you keeping a secret from me?”
I smiled bitterly. “Because I’m betraying the Famiglia.”
Maximus leaned back slowly, his nostrils flaring, eyes full of disbelief. “Never. You’d die—” He searched my eyes. I wasn’t sure what he was trying to see. Then he shook his head and let out a laugh. “I hope I’m wrong with this, so please tell me you’re not seeing Greta Falcone behind everyone’s back.”
His voice had been so quiet if I hadn’t known what he’d say I wouldn’t have heard him. I looked at him, tired of lying to him.
“Amo.” Maximus shoved to his feet, running a hand over his head. He stared at me, then shook his head again. “What the fuck is wrong with you? We’re at war and you go fucking the enemy’s daughter.” He tilted his head and a hopeful smile pulled at his lips. “Or is this a devious plan to break the Camorra?”
I really wish that were the case. “No devious plan. And I’m not fucking Greta and I won’t until she’s officially mine. I won’t dishonor her.”
Maximus plopped down on the bench, utter shock on his face. “I hope this is a joke.”