Page 104 of Deceitful Oath

I also know he’s been working for the last month, mafia business, but I wasn't sure to what capacity. To his credit, he never came home covered in blood anymore, so I was happy to turn a blind eye for now.

“I’m not sure,” he admits, clearing his throat. “I guess I would have to commute. Maybe work from home whenever I don’t have to be there.”

“Would you consider…quitting?” I finally ask, sucking in my breath.

That’s the question we’ve been skirting around all this time, trying our best to avoid. This topic always brought out the worst in us—my anger at his career choices and his determination to carry on the family name.

“Honestly, I don’t know if I can do that,” he admits, pain flaring up in his eyes.

Chapter Forty-Three

Rafael

I hate the look on her face when she asks the question. Her eyes shine with hope, her lip quivers, like she could cry at any moment.

She hates what I do, more than she’s probably ever hated anything. But what can I say? You don’t justquitthe mafia. You can’t just walk away from the family. It’s in my blood, in my DNA. I was programmed for this life.

I wince as she sighs with disappointment, pulling away to pick up her sandwich. As much as I hate disappointing her, I also know that I can’t just step back.

That leaves the door open for more Vince copycats to try and dismantle the reign my family has over the city.

If that happens, I won’t just leave myself vulnerable, I’ll be putting my family in danger.

We finish our lunch in silence, both of us lost in thoughts of the future. The look on her face when she saw the pink farmhouse haunts me, calling me a failure.

Why can’t I give her the life she deserves? One where she doesn’t have to fear that her husband will die on the job? That he’ll come home soaked in blood and scare the crap out of her kids?

I was exposed to that life fairly young. My mother tried to protect me from it as much as possible.

But nothing can prepare you for your father striding into your room at midnight, another man’s blood on his hands. He did it to show me what success looks like—what to expect from the future. I know his heart was in the right place.

He wanted to harden me because softies die fast in this business. He wanted me to be aware of the consequences of having empathy for others because it’ll get you killed in seconds. He trained me well, but is that what I want for my own child?

These questions plague me as we drive around Willowdale, checking out the layout of the town. It conjures up Grant Woodesque images of small-town Americana—white-steepled churches, kids playing in the road, soda shops, and old-fashioned wooden signs.

My uncles would have a field day if I moved out here. They’d never let me live it down.

One look at Lux’s face as she spots a public fairy garden down the road and I know I’m done for.

I’ll endure my entire family’s bullying and snide whispers of “going soft” if I get to see her face light up every day. She points out the fairy garden, smiling like a fairy herself, and I can just imagine her taking our Bean out to play in there.

Maybe I can’t quit the mafia life, but I can give her everything else she desires in this world.

As we head back to the city, we pull in at a rest stop for Lux to use the bathroom. Ever since she entered her second trimester, she’s had to pee non-stop. I take the opportunity to call Enzo.

“I’m moving into a Norman Rockwell painting,” I say before he can even greet me. “Tell me I’m insane?”

He laughs entirely too long and I almost hang up on him.

“Aww, boss,” he drawls, taunting me. “It’s finally the day for friendship?”

“Shut up, Enzo,” I warn, but there’s no malice behind it. I’m starting to really like the little shit. Plus, his wholesome friendship with Lux is adorable. It’s like watching two golden retrievers play.

“Damn,” he sighs, sounding put out. “Youdowant something from me, don’t you?”

“While you’re enjoying the multi-million-dollar penthouse I gifted you,” I warn him. “Do me a favor and buy me an 1800s bubble gum pink Victorian farmhouse?”

He starts laughing again as Lux slips out of the bathroom. “I’m sending you the link right now. Get that house, no matter how much she tries to gouge us on the price, got it?”

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