Page 59 of War Within
“People either sucked up to me or were scared of me. I had three very close friends. Carmine, who you met in my office, and he also turned you over to Emir. Mary was his girlfriend. And Abrielle, who was pregnant with Marco. We later married and had Valentina.”
“You were friends with Carmine?!”
“Hard to believe but, yes.” I chuckled. “We were inseparable, actually. He’s Marco’s godfather and he was like a brother to us.”
“Sooo um, what happened there?” Her eyes expanded again as she took a sip of her water.
“Well, there was one problem. Carmine came from a rival family, and we were not allowed to be friends any longer. Since I was taking over the family business, we definitely could no longer associate. We cut all ties.”
Our server appeared. I sat back and Jane shifted in her seat.
“Can I get anything else for you, Mr. Rovati?”
I shook my head. “No thank you. Here.” Reaching my pocket, I slid out my wallet, handing her my credit card.
She nodded with a wide grin. “You don’t need the bill?”
I smiled, politely. “I’m going to pay it regardless, so no.”
She giggled, hastily striding away.
Jane waved her hand at me. “Okay this is so interesting. Continue!”
“And just like the doctor said, within six months, my father was gone. Carmine transferred colleges, and I was officially the leader of the…” I paused, glancing around once again. “Family. By this point—”
The waitress approached once again, handing me the card and a receipt. “Have a wonderful night, and we hope to see you again soon.”
“Thank you.”
She sped away to another table. I took a moment to sign the receipt before standing. Stepping around to the Jane’s side, I helped her slip her coat on, before taking her hand in mine, guiding her through the restaurant to the exit.
Once outside, she squeezed my hand a bit tighter. “Do you feel like taking a little walk?”
“Do you? You’re the one who’s still recovering.”
She nodded, hooking her palm in the crook of my arm. I slid my hands in my pockets. We strolled along the sidewalk in the opposite direction of the cars, among the little village shops.
“We were already in America, by that point.”
“So, when did Marco go, uh, crazy?”
I shrugged, “I really didn't even know there was an issue. I've yet to even figure that out. I have to go visit him soon.”
She froze. “Where is he?!”
Removing my free hand from my pocket, I patted the back of hers hooked on my arm. “He's being held in a secure location, don’t worry.”
She exhaled audibly.
“I have to be honest, I’m a little surprised you are taking this so well.”
“I would never ask you to change.” She grinned, leaning her head on my bicep. “I feel so safe with you.”
My phone rang and we stopped. Rolling my eyes, I answered.
I am kind of busy at the moment. Is everything okay?
Sir, Marco escaped!Emir huffed, panicked.
