Page 128 of Empire of Temptation

Waiting, I held onto her like a talisman, a beacon of light in mydreary and lonely existence. Praying she would arrive, forgive me, and stand proudly by my side.

I’m not going anywhere with you. I’ll never believe another word that comes out of your mouth.

At least I had tried. No woman had received such declarations from me before, my heart and soul bared so vulnerably. Yet it hadn’t worked. She wasn’t coming.

I stared out the tiny window into the darkness, failure bitter on my tongue.

My mobile rang and my heart leapt into my throat. I looked at the screen. Gabriele. “Pronto.”

“She’s not coming.”

My shoulders deflated, hope popping like a balloon. “Thank you for letting me know. We’ll speak later?—”

“Wait, Papà. Before you ring off, I want to tell you something.”

“What is it, figlio mio?”

“I’ve been listening and researching. I think there's true opportunity here. No one is leading, and D’Agostino’s brother is up in Toronto. He could be a partner. You should consider staying.”

“And here I thought you were only tending bar.”

“What can I say? People like to talk to me. You would not believe the things I learned working at the trattoria. Allora, this could be a way to expand.”

I liked that he was thinking about the family. It showed maturity and foresight. “This is surprising, but a nice surprise. I’m impressed, Gabriele.”

“You are? Does this mean you’ll do it?”

Expanding into New York sounded exhausting, especially when there was much work to be done back home. But I didn’t want to crush his confidence. “I’ll consider it. Okay?”

“Grazie, Papà. A presto.”

Putting down my phone, I pressed a button to connect me to the cockpit. “Andiamo, per favore.”

The wheels began turning and I heard Dante mutter in the back, “Thank Christ.”

My stomach cramped when we lifted off the ground, proof that it was truly over. I was leaving her behind, yet it felt like a piece of me was still there with her.

You’re asking me to sign up for blood and crime . . .

Valentina’s parting words raced through my mind. She was not wrong. I had no right to ask her to come with me, but I was a selfish man. I wasn’t ready to let her go.

I poured another glass of whiskey and took a swallow.

My brother spoke quietly. “You should’ve kidnapped her and turned her over to the GDF.”

“If you say it again, I will break your teeth.”

Sergio sighed heavily. “We have bigger problems now. Your life is at risk. If Rossi doesn’t decide to kill you, he will throw you to Palmieri.”

“I’m not afraid of Rossi or Palmieri. I don’t believe Niccolò gave the GDF any evidence against us.”

“I hope you are right. I’m assuming you will go and visit Rossi right away.”

“Seems foolish, if what Segreto said is true.” And I was inclined to believe Valentina’s father. “We need to prove that Rossi is the one who ordered the hit on Palmieri’s daughter.”

“Sure, sounds easy.”

“Someone knows. Rossi is too stupid and lazy to plan a hit himself.”

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