Page 41 of Inevitable

Giovanni and I are toe to toe, I see his hand flex like he wants to grab me and drag me to the car, but he must think better of it because it remains clenched at his side

“What the hell were you thinking!” He shouts.

I look at him with a bored expression and roll my eyes. “I was thinking about how stuffy that place gets, I had to get out. I have been cooped up in that place for over a month and have only been allowed to leave one time.”

“And that one time you left you and The Boss were attacked, you were shot! The people that did so are lurking in the shadows somewhere and you are a weakness to our entire organization. They know that if they take you, they will have The Boss by the balls.

“He would do anything for you, which could get us all killed. So, do me a favor, next time you feel like going for a drive let someone know and they will go with you. Don’t run off to where no one can find you and put us and our families in danger. Maybe you don’t care about your safety, but I have a son to think of!”

Gio practically screams at me till he is red in the face and then stalks over to the Bugatti and gets in the driver's seat. I don’t want to wait around to see if he has another lecture in him, I sulk over to the car and get in.

Giovanni starts it up and we drive back in silence. If I am being honest with myself, I actually feel bad. I never even considered what it would be like for everyone if I was taken. Giovanni was right. Luca would do anything to save me, even if that meant putting others at risk. It also never occurred to me that these made men had lives outside of the mafia, that they have wives and children sitting at home waiting for them to come home just like I do for Luca. After an hour or so I finally turn to Giovanni.

“I didn’t know you have a son.”

Giovanni keeps his eyes trained on the road and gives a terse nod. Scowl still in place.

“How old is he?” I ask, interested to get to know this man as someone other than a big brute.

He gives me a sideways look before turning back to the road. I think he is about to ignore me when he mutters, “4.”

“That is a fun age, what is his name?”

“Alessandro.”

I smile at that. I have always loved children. As a kid I always wished I had little brothers or sisters. But then I was grateful that I didn’t because I wouldn’t wish my father on anyone. Though Giovanni’s answers are short I see some of the tension leave him as he talks about his son.

“Well, if Luca doesn’t kick me out and leave me on the streets for this, I would really like to meet him. If I am going to be stuck at the house all day long maybe he could come over some time to visit?”

After a moment he looks at me fully, making eye contact and searching my face like he thinks I am tricking him somehow. He looks confused, his eyebrows furrowed as he stares at me.

“What?” I ask. “Is that not allowed or something?”

“No, no it’s fine it's just… None of us really know anything about you. Boss keeps you tucked away whenever anyone is around and he definitely doesn’t speak about you, not even to me. I guess I just imagined the daughter of a senator that use to be Luca’s employer more…uptight? Rigid? Not as…kind I guess.”

I shrug. “That was the life I was born into, not the one I wanted. I have always tried to be a better person to overshadow my father’s behavior and actions. I want to be kind to everyone that deserves it. Wait, how did you know that Luca use to work for my family? I can’t imagine a Mob Boss is forthcoming about his servant days.”

Now he cracks a small smile. His hand rubs across his jaw as he tries to hide it. “Well, I’ve known him since he was just Luc to me. We joined the family around the same time and climbed the ranks together. I met him just a couple days after him and his family were banished from The Adams Manor.”

I grimace at the reminder of the pretentious plaque my father had created for the front of our house. Who the hell names their house?

“I thought he was such a pussy when I first met him. He was sulking constantly and when I finally got him to tell me what was wrong, he said he lost the love of his life. At the time I was young and had no clue what it was like to love or be loved so I didn’t get it. But after meeting my wife, if I had to do what he did I don’t think I would have been in any better shape. I mean, to choose between your only family or the love of your life? What an impossible decision.”

I nod at his comment. I never imagined that life was difficult for Luca after he left. I guess it was easier to paint him as the bad guy that willingly broke my heart and walked away without missing a beat. But it sounds like he suffered like I did.

“You are married?” I ask.

His smile slides off of his face and his grip on the wheel tightens as his jaw ticks. “No,” he says coldly.

I bite my lower lip and look out the window. It doesn’t sound like something he wants to talk about, so I am not going to push the issue.

“She died shortly after Alessandro was born,” he says softly.

My face falls and I reach over to touch his shoulder. His muscles are tight under my hand but slowly relax.

“I am so sorry for your loss,” I say solemnly. “And your sons. Losing a mother…” I swallow roughly and look out the window to discreetly pat my eyes so the tears won’t fall. “It is one of the worst things that can happen to a person, and for a mother to die before a child has memories of her…” I shake my head roughly, thankful that at least I had the time I did with my mother.

Giovanni sighs heavily, pain etched clearly across his face as he nods. “She was killed…because of me,” he says, his voice hoarse.

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