Page 69 of Driftwood Daffodil
Romeo took a sip of his coffee and said, “I’m not talking about her brother.”
Then who the hell was he talking about?
My father looked up at my brother, “she’s too young.”
“Not for Gio.” Romeo argued.
That made my father set his paper down on the walnut countertop.
Neither one spoke for a few seconds, and I couldn’t help but wonder what I was missing. The only Ford I knew of that crossed us was Kato, but the looks they exchanged said there was something I wasn’t being told.
“What exactly are you suggesting?” My father asked.
“The girl could be our way in.”
Way in for what?
“No,” My father shook his head. “It won’t work, she’s too paranoid.”
“The sister is,” Romeo interrupted. “But not Nova. She won’t see him coming.”
Coming for what? And what did Nova’s sister have to do with anything?
“Either of you want to fill me in?” Don’t know why I said anything. Neither one of them seemed to notice or care that I was still standing right there.
“If he pulls it off, let him take the oath.”
My heart sped up for half a second. All I’d ever wanted was to join the family business. I was starting to think I’d never get the opportunity.
Then my father spoke. “No, he’s not ready.”
Our father seemed to have something against me taking the oath. Every time I brought it up, he would say ‘you’re a kid. Enjoy your childhood.’ Atlas and Romeo took it when they were teenagers, yet I was left behind. Like I was too fragile after mom’s death to handle that world. If anything I was more prepared than them. They just found her body. I had to listen to her die.
“Yes he is.” Romeo argued. “You know he is.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about my brother’s sudden faith in me. Most of the time I wanted to punch him, but when he added, "It's either that or orphan a child," I could've kissed him.
If that didn’t work, then nothing would. My father used to be ruthless and cold. Our mother’s death changed him. Now, he went out of his way to keep children out of the line of fire. Someone had to really fuck up for that to happen.
I held my breath as my father folded his hands on the countertop. I could picture the word no coming out of his mouth, but the adrenaline surging through my system hoped for another response.
All I got was a simple nod, before he stood up and walked out. Leaving me alone with Romeo to wonder if that just happened. Did my father agree to let me take theOmerta? It didn’t seem real.
“Huh,” Romeo grunted as he refilled his mug. “That was easier than I thought.”
I still wasn’t sure it actually happened.
“Want some?” Romeo asked, holding up the pot.
“Ugh,” my lip instantly curled. “No.”
Just thinking about coffee made my thigh hurt. I should call Nova’s boss and get her fired for that shit. Actually, that wasn’t a bad idea. I could black ball her for every restaurant in town. Let’s see how proud she was when she wasn’t making any money.
Romeo shrugged and set the pot back in the back in the chamber.
This all seemed like some kind of dream that would fracture at any moment. I kept waiting for my brother to walk away, but he just stood there eyeing me.
Annoyed by his staring, I barked out, “are you going to tell me what’s going on, or hope I figure it out on my own.”
