“Sure,” he said slowly, glancing to Marcella who had appeared in the doorway again.
“Then I’m going to ask for your oath very soon—if we all survive tomorrow’s meeting.”
Maddox nodded wide-eyed. “It’s an honor, Luca. I’ll have your and Amo’s back tomorrow, don’t worry.”
Marcella bit her lip, smiling proudly. She sent me a thankful smile before she and Maddox left.
“That’s been long overdue,” Amo said.
“Sometimes it takes me a long time to make the right decision,” I said. I still regretted my decision about Cressida.
Amo nodded. “Tomorrow we can try to make it right.”
It would take more than one bloody meeting to make things right. The months and years to come would be hard. Keeping the Famiglia united, and uniting two families that hated each other. Just thinking about it gave me a headache. But for Amo I’d do it.
Amo’s face had lost the last hints of boyishness. This world didn’t leave room for it. “I’ll always be grateful for what you’re doing for me tomorrow.”
I touched his shoulder and squeezed. My decisions from the past had ultimately led to this point. I should have made a bloody statement sooner. I wouldn’t show mercy this time.
Aria wrung her hands.
“Last time you ordered a meeting at the Yonkers power plant I didn’t sleep all night. I was terrified of losing you.” She swallowed hard, her eyes full of fear. “Tonight I’ll have to worry about you, about Amo, Marcella, Valerio…” She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them, the determined gleam in them made me shake my head. She had made up her mind about something and I had a feeling I wouldn’t like it.
“Let me go with you.”
“No.”
“Luca, please. I need to be there with you, with my family.”
“No.”
She pressed her palms against my chest. No matter what she did she wouldn’t soften my resolve. Tonight’s meeting was too dangerous for her to be present. “Luca, I know you’re worried that things escalate and I die. But if things escalate, and all of you die, my whole heart dies, and then I’d rather die by your side than live on without my family.”
“Aria, I love you more than anything else in the world, and nothing, absolutely nothing will convince me to have you there. If I die, if we all die, I still want you to live your life.”
“What life?” She glared but then her expression shifted. “Would you want me to remarry?”
Possessiveness raged through me, as Aria had intended. I’d never not be madly jealous at the thought of anyone having her. She gave me a knowing look, because she’d been certain of my reaction. I loved her absolutely, and wanted her to be happy, but still my cold, possessive heart couldn’t bear the idea of her ever being with another man even once I was dead. “I know what you’re trying to do, love, but the answer is still no. Tonight might make history, and if that’s the case, I don’t want you around.”
“You’ll need every trustworthy man at your side. I don’t want protection if that means you’ll be low on men.”
“I have enough men,” I said. But of course, Aria had seen the problem. There were many people I needed to protect. Romero’s family, Matteo’s family, Aria. Though, Matteo had refused to join the meeting. He was still pissed and didn’t want to be near the Falcones. Matteo had always been by my side, no matter how dangerous or difficult the situation. That this decision might drive a wedge between us hurt like a fucking knife in the heart, but I’d made up my mind and wouldn’t change it again. I owed it to Amo, and his girl too.
Aria began to shake her head. I touched her cheek. “I never thought I’d say this, but considering that we’ll create a bond with the Camorra that’s stronger than ever before, I accepted Fabiano’s suggestion that he would watch you. Adamo will be there as well.”
Aria’s eyes grew wide in surprise. “You’re accepting help from the Camorra?”
“Not in my fight against the Traditionalists, should it arise. That’s my responsibility. The Falcones can kill the people that hurt Greta, but the rest who might want to revolt are mine. The Famiglia is mine to deal with but if Adamo and Fabiano’s help guarantees your safety and that of your sisters and their children, then I’m going to trust them.”
I glanced at my watch. We needed to leave soon. Before the official meeting, I’d meet with the most loyal men in my rows.
The bell rang and glance at the camera showed Fabiano and Adamo. Fuck. If someone had told me this would happen a month ago, I would have silenced them with a bullet to the head.
Amo joined me in the lobby, patting Aria’s back when she hugged him tightly as if he were a small boy. For her our children would always remain her babies. It was difficult for her to see them in danger, and it wasn’t easy for me either. But this was our life.
I opened the door and let Fabiano and Adamo in. Aria tore away from Amo and went over to her brother, hugging him too. Fabiano briefly hugged her but public displays of affection weren’t his thing.
I stepped up to Adamo. “This is a major show of trust. I hope you know this.”