Page 57 of Vicious Union

“Emilio,” he says after answering the door. “This is a surprise. Come in.”

“Oh, I can’t stay long. I just wanted to say your daughter is a good person. I never should have said the things I did about her.”

“She and I talked about it. We’re on good terms.”

“I’m glad.” I clear my throat. “I just wanted to let you know I’ll do everything in my power to see her safe.”

“I know about Dante. And I’m glad you saved you.”

“I would give my life for her. I’m confident in that. No matter the problems Caterina and I have had in the past, that’s no reflection on the kind of person she is. I can tell she’s a good daughter to you. You’re a good father.”

“You could learn a thing or two from me when you have kids of your own one day.”

“You’re right. I could.” And I mean it. If there’s one thing I learned from almost losing Caterina, it’s that I need to put my pride aside and do what’s right. I need to listen to those around me. I don’t have all the answers.

And though I don’t know what’s going to happen with Dante, I know I’m not going to go after him.

Not if it puts Caterina at risk.

“You take care, Emilio,” Francesco says. “And take care of my daughter.”

“I will.” Because I’m going to be better for her.

After talking to Francesco, I go to Rocco’s house.

“I knew this was coming,” he says as we settle into chairs in his office. “Call me out for how I acted. I deserve it.”

“I know you want to do what’s right by our family. And I know Dante scares you.”

“He’s unpredictable. That’s what scares me.”

“But,” I say, “you will never put my wife in harm’s way again. If it were Lara, you wouldn’t have hesitated to let Dante go. We’re supposed to be a family, and he’s tearing us apart. I’m tired of it. I know I’ve been stubborn, but Dante taking Caterina was a huge wake up call for me. It taught me what’s important in life and what isn’t. Dante’s not worth all this effort. Our family is.”

Rocco leans back in his seat as he looks at me for a while before saying, “I’m proud of you, you know.”

“You are?”

“You’re putting your family first. That’s all I ever wanted you to do. And I’m sorry for putting Caterina in a potentially dangerous situation. That wasn’t right of me. It will never happen again. Now, you should go home and spend time with your wife. After the crazy ordeal you’ve been through, you deserve it.”

I stand up and look back at him before I leave. “Thank you for making me marry Caterina. I wasn’t happy about it at first, and honestly, we’re probably still going to have days we bicker like crazy, but I can’t think of anyone better to be my wife.”

“That’s why I chose her for you. I knew you needed someone just as stubborn.”

I smile.

* * *

“So, this is a real and proper date?” Caterina asks as we walk through Central Park.

“This is. I said I’d make the time for you, and I am.”

She leans her head against my arm. “I appreciate that. All I’ve ever wanted was to spend time with. Get to know you.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Um … your most embarrassing childhood memory.” We sit down on a bench.

“Of course, you’d ask me that,” I mutter.

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