Page 105 of Vicious Intentions
No.
I’m angry because my girl is hurting, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.
She’s been sending me pictures all day long of her spending time with the people she loves most. The gifts her family gave her. The cake her sister-in-law, Frances, baked. All the things that should have lit up her face.
Even as she smiled at the camera, however, I could still see the sadness behind her eyes. And when she sent me the video ofher blowing out the candles, I knew in my heart that the wish she made was for me to be there with her.
For that reason, I’ve been barking orders all day, my temper shorter than usual. Even Niccolò notices I’m not myself today. Thankfully, he waited until my last meeting ended to finally broach the subject.
“You okay?” he asks as we step out of Moretti’s and onto the crowded streets of Little Italy, the noise of the city rushing back in around us.
“I’m fine,” I reply through gritted teeth.
“Really? Because your face is saying something different.” Rocco laughs at my expense.
Instead of a reply, I throw him a look sharp enough to wipe the smirk off his face.
“Jesus! When you look at me like that, I feel like I need to bathe in holy water or something,” he adds with a nervous chuckle. “What do you think, Nico? Maybe it’s time we start asking around for an exorcist to rid him of whatever demon is possessing your brother today.”
My arm shoots out, my hand wrapping around his neck. “I’m in no mood for jokes, Rocco. Don’t test me.”
“Matteo,” I hear Moretti call out, stepping out from his restaurant where we just finished business. “I strongly advise you to let go of my son. I know Rocco can be a pest sometimes, but he is stillmyson.”
I tilt my head to the side, watching the fear begin to overtake the green in Rocco’s eyes, and only after it has completely dimmed his light, do I let go.
“Jesus Christ… you’ve got a grip on you,” he chokes out, stumbling back, hands braced on his thighs as he tries to catch his breath.
I turn to Moretti standing behind me, my expression void of all emotion. “Never threaten me like that again, Don Alfonso. No matter who gets in my crosshairs.”
Moretti’s shoulder slump somewhat, looking more disappointed than angry.
Fuck… he should be. I’m out of fucking control right now. And I know it. The worst part is, so does everybody else.
Kiss me.
The memory of Anna’s breathy plea, begging me to kiss her, finally snaps me out of my uncontrollable temper. It reminds me that even though I can’t be with her today, in a few hours, I get to at least hear those words again.
However, it still feels like an eternity separates us. Between where we are now and the day I can actually press my lips to hers—if that’s even a possibility in my future.
No one says a word as I tip my head back and look up at the New York skyline, taking a moment to cool off.
“My apologies, gentlemen. It seems I’m not myself today.”
“No shit,” Rocco says with a grin, still rubbing the soreness around his neck. “No worries, boss. We all have bad days.”
It bothers me how easily Rocco shrugs off an offense like the one I just made. Whereas I hold grudges at the slightest transgression, he just lets things slide off of him with ease. Just another trait to add to the list of things I envy about him. Growing up with a loving, protective father sitting at the very top of that long list.
“Matteo saw our father today,” Niccolò adds by way of explanation, Moretti’s furrowed brow evening out instantly.
“Ah. I see,” Moretti says, placing a consoling hand on my shoulder. “My condolences.”
“You’ll have more than enough opportunity to pay your respects after the fucker is buried ten feet under,” I say, squaring my shoulders.
“As long as you’re not the one doing it, then I look forward to that day,” Moretti replies.
Niccolò throws me a worried glance, but thankfully Moretti doesn’t pick up on it.
More than a few times, Niccolò has reminded me that I can’t be the one to end Carlo Senior. That, due toCosa Nostratradition, a Don’s hands must be clean of his predecessor’s blood if he’s to take his place as the head of thefamiglia.
