Page 126 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

GRADUATION DAY

RYAH

SITTING AMONGST THEclass of two thousand and sixteen, we listened intently to the first black class valedictorian of Princeton University. That was a monumental moment in the school’s history as well as my life. Even though I was mixed, half black and half Italian I was still viewed as a black woman. And I was proud of my heritage.

My family’s soul food business had been in existence for forty years. My mother owned her own restaurant now. We were living proof that with a little hard work, you could be powerful in your community.

I’d become the first black CEO of Conti industries. It was an honor to control the boardroom and the streets. I smiled inside. All I’d learned over the years would help to legitimize most of our business dealings. It would be a few years before I took over the family business, but I was eager to share what I learned to help us get ahead in the meantime.

I cheered as Rocco walked across the stage first to receive his degree. Once my name was called, my heart pounded in my chest as I took to the stage to receive my degree. I turned to the audience and threw my fist in the air. My family cheered and shouted. Every nerve ending in my body blossomed with happiness. I was a college graduate.

Our families put their differences aside after the ceremony and embraced both me and Rocco. I wished we could’ve been one strong family unit, but seriously, how could we be? My grandfather tried to kill me. Rosetta was there, and she hated my mom. She was playing the supportive wife and stepmother role. I overheard part of Rocco and Mom's conversation at the safe house. Mom said that Jackie and she were no longer friends because of Rosetta. It wasn’t Rocco’s or Ercole’s place to tell me what happened between them. It was time to hear all the dirt from Mom’s mouth.

Dad and Urbano were cordial to each other. Rocco and his father had done so much damage to Dad’s face, he had to have plastic surgery on his eye and his jaw. You couldn’t tell by looking at him now. He looked the same.

I scanned the busy reception area. Faith beamed in the presence of her family. She tried to keep her eyes off Alejandro. The first dirty look she received from his mother, Mrs. Ruiz, was enough for her to return her gaze to her family circle.

Alejandro’s family demanded he remain at Harvard. He transferred to Princeton anyway. It was obvious they loved their son. They supported him on graduation day. His parents couldn’t get behind their son’s final decision to marry Faith and be a part of the Jiménez empire.

Dad and Urbano didn’t speak to either of the other families. They couldn’t. They never knew if the feds were watching.

Levi approached our family circle. I introduced him to everyone. He congratulated me and Rocco.

Levi didn’t have anyone there to support him. I set aside the kiss that shouldn’t have happened and invited him to dinner with my family.

Rocco wasn’t happy. What could I do? No way would Urbano, Dad, and Rocco sit through dinner together, too. Well Rocco would, but his family wanted to take him out to dinner. So, we went our separate ways. I’d see him at home later.

***P***

Lying on the sofa in front of the TV, I channel surfed. I heard the garage door close. It was a little after one in the morning, and I hadn’t talked to Rocco since the graduation ceremony. He sat at the opposite end of the sofa. I peeked at him. His tie was missing. Rocco probably partied with Josh and Mara.

The pain was etched in his handsome face. I didn’t know what to say. Arguing at this hour would only result in sleeping in separate bedrooms.

He pulled my bare foot into his lap and applied pressure to the middle of my foot.

It felt amazing. “How was dinner?”

Rocco stared at the TV. “It was cool.”

An awkward silence hung in the air like dirty clothes.

“Why did you leave the party early?”

“Why didn’t you show up?”

“My grandfather had a party at his house. There were so many people there I’d never met before. Dad encouraged me to stay. I’ve only been home a short while.”

“Did you take Levi to the party?”

He was simmering with anger.

“No, he only joined us for dinner. He doesn’t have a family, Rocco.”

“So...fucking...what,” he bit out.

I yanked my foot back. “He’s my friend, Rocco.” I shook my head. “Good night.”

Arms folded across my chest, I stormed up the stairs. Rocco was on my heels.

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