Page 38 of Forgetting the Enemy
“I just sent Vince to Pennsylvania to help out Ice. Apparently he’s gotten himself arrested and needs a good defense attorney. He’s meeting with them tomorrow in Edinboro. I expect he’ll be back in a day or two.”
“So you want me to arrange something for Friday?” Ricco asks.
I nod. “Friday is good, but let me confirm with Pop to make sure it works for him.”
“Got it,” Ricco says.
“Ricco, I need you to get a phone for Zaira. Find out what she prefers, and make sure it has all the bells and whistles on it. Whatever she wants,” I say.
“Sure thing. You want it for her today?” he asks.
“Yeah, as quick as you can get it to her. Once you’ve secured it, get one of the guys to pick it up. I want you staying close to the house.”
“I’ll take care of it,” he says with a nod. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, I almost forgot. I told her to put a list together of the things she needs or to get it off Amazon. If she’s got a list, then get it from her, and whoever goes to pick up the phone can get the items on the list as well. Kill two birds with one stone.”
“Consider it done.”
Rubbing my temples again, I say, “Good, that’s a few things off my mind.”
“What else is bothering you, Mikey?” Alex asks. “You seem stressed.”
I shrug. “Oh, brother, if you only knew.”
“It’s Zaira, right?” he asks, and Ricco chuckles. Oh great, just what I need, comic relief.
“You know, when it comes to handling this family, I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m in control, methodical and objective. When it comes to that woman, I’m totally in the dark. I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing.” When Alex doesn’t answer, I go on. “I’m the master when it comes to women. I lure them in, I fuck ’em and then leave ’em. No long-term commitments, no emotions, none of the bullshit.”
“Mikey, you’re in love with her. You’ve always been, but I think you’re just realizing how much,” Alex replies.
“What makes you say that? Other than a childhood together, I hardly know her.”
“Now you’re fucking lying to yourself, brother,” Alex says. “You and Zaira were inseparable as kids. I remember being so jealous of her because she took you away from me. And then I was jealous of you because she liked you better than me.” He laughs.
“But we haven’t spoken in years,” I say.
“It’s only been five years, and she seems fine with you now.”
“Yeah, because now she doesn’t think I killed her mother, even though I didn’t.” I sigh audibly. “And she’ll really hate me when she finds out I really did kill her father.”
“Michael, you’re worrying for nothing. Who was the first person she trusted when she woke up the other day? You! She may not remember who you are or how you are connected to her family, but she knows there is something familiar about you, and that is what she is trusting.”
“Fuck, I hope you’re right.”
Ricco sits back in his chair and laughs.
I look over at him. “What the hell is your problem?”
“Nothing, boss, absolutely nothing,” he replies, still laughing.
I open my desk drawer and pull out my Glock. The slide lock is on. I may be showing my power with the gun, but I’m not gonna accidently blow someone away and be unsafe. I casually lay it on my desk and ask, “Are you sure you don’t want to tell us?”
“Fuck, Michael! Fine, I’ll fucking tell you, but you’re not gonna like it.”
Putting the gun back in my drawer, I reply, “Anything is better than you laughing at a private joke going on in your head.”
“I’m laughing because that woman is giving you a run for your money. She had you at her mercy this morning, and you didn’t know what the fuck to do. It was the first time I’ve ever seen you at a loss where a woman was concerned. The great lover, Michael Vitali, is pussy-whipped,” Ricco says, and now heandAlex are laughing. What. The. Fuck.
I shake my head. “Now you both are pissing me off.”
“Michael, listen. I’m your brother, and I love you, and Ricco is your best friend.” He hits Ricco on the arm and says, “And he loves you. Forget the fact that you run this family, and look at this conversation as just guy talk. You’re fucked up over a woman, and we’re the only two you can confide in. We’re all you got, bro. You might as well accept it.”
“I’m so screwed.”
They’re both laughing harder now, and I find myself laughing with them. Sometimes it’s really nice to kick back and just be one of the guys.
After Alex and Ricco leave, I decide to go search for my father. I want to talk to him about meeting with the other families and get his take on my plan. After finding Marco posted outside the garden entrance, to my surprise, I find him and my mother strolling in the garden. I really don’t have the heart to bother him with business while he and mom are spending time together. Lord knows they didn’t get much time over the years.SoI decide to catch up with him later, and I turn back toward the house. As I walk away, it occurs to me: Thatcould be me.I shake my head. No way. I will not let that happen, no matter whom I marry.
Looking at my watch, I realize it is getting close to dinnertime, and a wave of dread washes over me. I’ll have to see Zaira at dinner. So much for keeping my distance.
