Page 92 of Now and Forever

Our father stood. “You’retellingme.” Spittle flew from his lips. “You can’t tell me shit. I’m still capo. I’m just pissed off my man got injured. That fucking guard should have been out cold. He fucked up.”

“You’re not denying your involvement.” His last sentence registered. “Why are you trying to hurt Jasmine?”

“No. I’m not denying it. For you to be capo, you need to wipe the remains of the stray off your fucking shoes. Instead, you send her to a private college.” His volume rose. “That shows your weakness. It’s on open display, Dario. No one is going to follow a weak man.” He looked to Dante. “Maybe you should be capo when I’m ready to step down.”

My phone vibrated again.

Dante stood statuesque; his lips pressed together.

Ignoring my phone a second time, I took a step toward my father. “Capo is my birthright. I’m going to tell you again: Jasmine is off-limits. When I find your man, I’ll kill him myself. No one fucking touches her.”

Sitting back down, our father laughed. “Things haven’t worked out the way you thought they would.” He was looking at me. “You thought this alliance would give you power. It’s done the opposite. I spoke to Roríguez.”

“About what?”

“I told him you weren’t taking over. I was staying in charge of the famiglia, and I decided to go another direction.”

“What direction?”

“I want more product for less money.” He shrugged. “We accepted one of their whores in exchange for the first part of the deal. I offered one of ours for the new deal. Roríguez’s son showed an interest in her—thinks he’s getting her, but I promised her to Herrera. He has a soldier who is interested.”

Herrera. No fucking way are we doing business with him. “Who did you offer?”

“Aren’t you fucking listening?” Father screamed. “Your stray.”

Jasmine.

“We’re not doing business with Herrera. No one can have Jasmine.”

“Fuck, she’s inconsequential—a small price to pay for the new alliance. You haven’t fucking learned anything that I’ve shown you.” His volume rose. “The way to keep control is to show power. Herrera has the real power. Roríguez doesn’t know it yet, but we’ve changed our alliance. His men are coming to get the stray, and your uncles are meeting the plane.” Father laughed. “Roríguez will get the message.”

“His men?” I asked. “Herrera’s?”

“Your wife’s family. It’ll be their last trip.”

He's double-crossing Roríguez.

Ending our alliance.

“What will that mean for my marriage and my wife?” I asked.

“Fucking keep her or let her go. You could put her to work at Emerald Club. She’s nice on the eyes if you like that kind.”

The handle of my knife found its way to my grasp.

What I’d told Catalina came back to me. “Every knife has a life of its own. It’s important to feel secure with the handle in your hand.”

It felt fucking secure.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Catalina

Dario didn’t answer the first or second time I called. My next call was to Giovanni. He answered after the first ring.

“Ma’am?”

“Where’s Dario? I’ve tried to call him twice, and he isn’t answering.”

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