Page 24 of Fix You

Callum’s past was part of the reason I’d lost my shit when I’d received a call from Caterina on her wedding day to the bastard. To my surprise, my sister wasn’t despondent about her new marriage like I had imagined. Instead, she was actually happy with her new role as the wife of a clan leader. The arranged marriage was sweetened with the fact that Callum had promised to let her go to college and have a career, which had always been Caterina’s dream. I had no idea the bride stealing fucker was so progressive.

Just as I was reeling from Caterina’s news, she and Callum threw me for a loop by telling me that my father had tried to kill not only Callum, but Caterina as well. At first, I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that my father would order his men to fire on the car Caterina was escaping in. Not to mention they had men stationed at the airport to take them out.

But Gianni corroborated the story. Father had ordered him to stay at the hotel when he went to “rescue” Caterina. I wondered if the real reason he’d sent me and Leandro to Philadelphia was to prevent us from foiling his plans to murder Caterina.

After I’d promised Caterina to attend her wedding reception, I’d hung up and sat staring ahead for close to an hour. In that hour, I didn’t consult Leandro or Gianni. After all, I was the future capo–it was my decision to make and mine alone.

Once I had my head sorted, I phoned Father. As soon as he answered, I said, “I know you tried to kill Caterina.”

Silence hung heavy on the line. “What do you presume to do about it?” Father finally replied.

“I’m glad you didn’t try to deny it. That would’ve made things even more complicated.”

“Do you honestly want your sister spreading her legs for that mickstronzoand bearing his mongrel children?” he snapped.

“Watch your fucking mouth when you speak of my sister!” I shouted.

“Or what, Raphael?” he countered.

“I’ll fucking end you like Callum did his father.”

“Is that what you already plan to do about my assassination attempt on Caterina?”

“Regardless of what I want to do, I have the Famiglia to think about. Killing you would send more than just our family into chaos. So for now, I’ll keep you alive.”

Father chuckled. “Now you’re sounding like a capo.”

“But hear me when I say this. I’ll burn the Familigia to the fucking ground if you so much as ever think of harming Caterina again. Do you understand? I’m talking fucking scorched earth of everything you’ve worked so hard to build.”

“Fine. You have my word,” he snarled.

“To be crystal fucking clear, that means you lay off of any assassination attempts on Callum. Caterina is an extension of him now, and she is to remain safe and sound at all times.”

Father exhaled a harsh breath. “As you wish.”

“Good. I’m glad we could be in agreement.” Leaning forward in my chair, I said, “Caterina has requested us to attend her wedding reception on Saturday, and by us, I mean her brothers only.”

“I’d rather you shoot me than attend it.”

“Fucking bastard of a father,” I muttered.

“Is there anything else you need from me?”

“We’re to meet with Callum at the reception to discuss the benefits of our alliance. I will let you know what is decided upon.”

“I appreciate that.”

And then he’d hung up on me.

Now I found myself within just a half an hour of having to face the man who had kidnapped my sister. The pressure was already intense enough without Leandro being on edge.

As the plane skidded across the runway, Leo finally collapsed down into the seat next to me. Cocking his head at me, he asked, “You’re sure she sounded happy?”

“Fucking positive.”

Leo grunted. “She always wanted to go to college and be a nurse.”

“And Callum is going to allow her to do that. She can even work and be a mother.”

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