Page 35 of War Within
Suspecting they would be exiting any moment, I rushed to the kitchen to call home and check on my brothers. I had received a text they were unsuccessful at gathering intel from a prisoner. I wished I had not needed to focus on Serbia. I knew I was needed back home. I wanted to be there.
Valentina had insisted on cooking, wanting to impress Jane. I was pleased my daughter had inherited cooking skills from my mother and not my ex-wife. Abrielle did not know how to boil water.
She also insisted Emir join us, however he was called back to the guardhouse shortly after we finished due to texts I had been getting while we were eating. He assured me he was still digging into the information I had given him about my Serbian account. I felt like a sitting duck. I was not a very patient man and wanted this to end as soon as possible.
Valentina talked the entire time we were at the table. Whether it was to fill a possible silent void, or she was genuinely excited. It seemed no matter the situation my family was in, she always saw the silver lining. Though she never knew the details of my illegal business, she did not live under a rock. She was fully aware what I did. She filled Jane in on her life, detailing her plans to attend fashion school in Paris next fall.
Marco remained quite silent through dinner and did not much involve himself in the after-dinner conversation either. The air was so dense you could cut it with a knife, but the girls were oblivious as they chatted about fashion and traveling. Jane had been to many places, though I never would have expected that.
My son sat across from me, brooding, watching my every move. It was strange to me why he would have been so upset. They barely knew one another. In the years she had worked for me, my kids never once met her. They always came up the service elevator and left the same way. I was very private.
Jane and Marco may have had made up in the den, but something was extremelyoff. He seemed antsy, bouncing his knee as he gnawed the inside of his cheek. It was only when Jane spoke about their mother did he jolt out of his thoughts.
“I have to say dinner was great, Valentina. Did your mother teach you that recipe?”
Valentina shook her head giggling. “Nope. My Nonna did. It was the first time I made it. Didn’t know how it would turn out, though.”
I smiled, placing my arm around Jane, leaning closer to her. “Well, it was great.”
“Thanks, dad!”
Marco froze, his jaw clenched as he watched my hand. “I’m going to bed, but I have to make a phone call first.” He stood, stretching, and sliding his phone from his pocket. “Night.” Without another word, he exited in a hurry.
Valentina yelled over her shoulder, “Goodnight, big bro.”
He did not respond.
“God, he has such an attitude tonight.” Valentina snickered, unaffected by her brother’s mood swings.
“I hope things will be okay.” Jane glanced at me with concern.
I nodded. “He’ll be fine.”
“I wasn't trying to cause any trouble.” Jane sighed, worry appearing on her face.
“Don't be silly.” Valentina shook her head, smiling. “Marco can be a dick.”
“Valentina!” I scoffed, hating when she used foul language. It reminded me she was not a little girl any longer.
“It’s true, dad, and he’ll get over it.”
I rolled my eyes, but I started to feel terrible about the strife between Marco and me. I had to glue my little family back together. Though I was Don Giovanni, I was a father first. I know that was never the Mafia way, but it was mine. Family was my everything.
“You girls should go shopping or something before the shops close.” I dangled the idea in front of my daughter’s face.
Her mouth fell agape. “You know I can’t turn down a trip to the mall.”
Standing, I reached in my back pocket, pulling out my wallet. “Take this.”
“The black Amex?!” She gasped.
“Enjoy yourselves.” I tucked my wallet back where it belonged, offering Jane a subtle smile. “There is a catch.”
“I knew it.” Valentina huffed, rolling her eyes.
Darting my eyes back and forth between them, I folded my arms. “You have take Emir with you.”
Valentina coughed. “O-okay.”
