Page 112 of Divine Obsession

I stood in front of the massive mirror in the entryway of the mansion, adjusting my tie.

The last time I saw Natalia, things got…Complicated.

But today was just another job; just another day. Her father’s plan, my father’s plan… That was all it was supposed to be.

I grabbed my suit jacket from where I’d thrown it over the back of an armchair, ready to head out, when I heard the familiar footsteps behind me.

“Going out?”

I turned to face my father, hands clasped behind his back, his sharp gaze assessing me.

“Yeah,” I said, already feeling the weight of his silent scrutiny. “Meeting Natalia for the job.”

He nodded once, his face impassive, but I could tell he wasn’t entirely pleased. Not that he ever was when it came to the Morettis.

“Be careful, Trevor.” His voice was low but firm. “You can’t trust the Morettis. Especially not her.”

I stiffened, my jaw tightening. His warning felt more like a reminder than advice.

“I know how this works, Dad.” My voice came out more clipped than I intended, but it was hard to sound respectful when I knew he wasn’t saying anything new.

Richard Su was always in control. Always one step ahead. He didn’t get close to or trust anyone – except my mother.

“She’s smarter than you think.”

“I can handle it.”

My father didn’t blink. “Don’t let your guard down, Trevor.”

I swallowed, his words digging deeper than I cared to admit. “I know.”

“You have everything to lose. Don’t forget that.”

I nodded. “I’ll make sure your empire survives.”

Chapter 30

Present

There was something comforting about Little Italy in the spring. The air felt lighter, carrying the scent of freshly baked bread and the faint sweetness of cannoli from the vendors lining the streets.

This neighborhood had been my sanctuary long before I knew what the word even meant. Back then, it was just a corner of the city where Maria and I could sit and dream about lives bigger than the ones we’d been handed.

Il Piccolo Morettihad been a constant through it all. I’d never thought much about the name. We’d been eating at the same corner table since we were kids, sharing plates of pasta and stolen moments of laughter.

Only years later had I learned the truth – it was my father’s restaurant. Which also served as a mob meet-up spot.

It was strange how life had a way of tying loose threads when you least expected it. When Maria disappeared, I never thought I’d get the chance to tell her about reuniting with my family. But when she came back two years ago, we laid everything bare – her years away, my sudden plunge into a world I barely understood. She’d tilted her head, her expression unreadable,before muttering,Guess we were always closer to that world than we thought.

Across from me, Maria laughed at a story I’d just gotten done telling. Her laughter was genuine, full of life. I was happy she was happy.

The waitress, Miss Gloria, approached as we stood from the table. She had been here for as long as I could remember, her warm smile unchanged by time. She still looked amazing, neither Maria nor I could believe she was thirty-six.

“You girls heading out already?” She asked, wiping her hands on her aprons.

“You know we’ll be back next month. We always are.”

Gloria’s smile faltered, her eyes softening as she looked at Maria. “You better. Don’t go disappearing on us again,angelita. You know how much we missed you last time.”

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