Page 129 of Vicious Intentions
“And by affairs you mean—”
“His men ready to strike the Irish when the time comes.”
“Are you still certain Vincent will reach out to the Irish? That he’ll double-cross you? That instead of a sit-down, it will be a trap?”
“That’s how I would have played it in his position.”
“Not everyone is as clever as you, Matteo. Or as unscrupulous.”
“Romano is both. It’s his ability to stay two steps ahead that made him theCapo dei Capito beat. Trust me, it will be his move.”
“And ours will be to rid the streets of the Irish mob once and for all.” Don Moretti smiles
“The gift I promised Don Vitale for his patronage.” I smile sinisterly back.
“Yes, though the Old Fox is still disappointed he couldn’t throw one of his daughters into the deal,” Moretti says with a chuckle.
I crack my neck, Anna’s face flashing through my mind with the remark.
“I have a wife. I have no use for another.”
“You don’t have a wife yet. But I like your confidence. Do you really think you can convince the girl to marry you? Willingly?” I nod. “Then there shouldn’t be a problem convincing anyone the marriage is legitimate. Vincent won’t be able to contest it.” Moretti pats my back. “Though, just to be safe, it would be prudent to produce an heir as soon as possible.”
Still carrying the tumbler of Macallan, I down it in one go, then slam the empty glass a little too hard onto a nearby table.
“There, there, Matteo,” Moretti laughs, picking up on my discomfort. “I know the idea of bedding the Romano girl may not please you, but remember what we’re fighting for. The honor of theCosa Nostra.Besides, my Rocco told me he saw her at the airport when he and Nico went to pick you up. He said the girl is quite stunning. I’m sure you can manage an heir or two.”
For all the respect and fondness I have for Don Alfonso, everything he’s just implied grates on my nerves.
“It’s getting late. I should go.”
“Late?” Moretti laughs harder. “It’s not even midnight.”
I clear my throat and force a smile.
“What I mean is, I still have work to do. I can’t afford to slow down now, not when we’re this close. I’ll celebrate after we win the war. Not before.”
Moretti’s grin softens as he places a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry Carlo never saw your worth, Matteo. Since he was too blind a fool to ever say it, let me be the one to say it for him.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I’m proud of you, son.”
I don’t know what stuns me more—that Moretti said such a thing to me, or that I care. He’s not my father, and yet his words of pride matter more than I’d like to admit.
“I… um…” I clear my throat again.
“Yes, yes, go, Matteo.” He laughs, giving my shoulder another squeeze. “You have a kingdom to win back.”
I offer him a curt nod and get the hell out of there. Unfortunately, by the time I get home, Anna is already fast asleep. Ever so slowly, I walk inside, careful not to wake her. And then, like the creeper I apparently am, I just watch my girl sleep.
My fingers ache to touch her. My lips long to kiss her. And still, I stay rooted to the spot, knowing that watching her like this is all I’m allowed to do.
Anna isn’t ready for the truth yet. She still has to come to terms with losing the life she once had, the world she once knew. But with time, she’ll accept New York as her new home. Maybe she’ll accept me, too.
No. There’s no maybes about it.
I’ll win her back. I’ll win her love back.
I did it once. I’m sure I can do it again.
