As Raz strode past, he could've sworn he heard Leo mutter under his breath,"You're gonna regret this soon."
Raz stopped and faced his guard. "What did you say?"
Leo frowned. "I didn't say anything, boss."
Raz stood there staring at Leo for a long time.
Leo glanced down at his watch and said, "We should hurry. You don't want to keep your future father-in-law waiting."
Motherfucker!Rage surged through Raz as he turned and stormed away from his office, ready to get this damn meeting over with. They arrived at the restaurant at the same time Miconi did.
Miconi smiled when he saw Raz. Though Raz was tall, the older gentleman was a few inches taller than him. Miconi's gray hair was combed to the side, and he was dressed in an all-black suit with silver cufflinks.
He looked like money. Money that Raz hoped would soon be flowing through Cattaneo Corp. He also looked like someone who shouldn't be fucked with. Raz understood why many in their circle feared crossing Frederico Miconi. Raz respected the man. He hoped they both left there today, still respecting each other.
"It's nice to see you, Mr. Cattaneo," Miconi greeted Raz.
"Likewise," Raz drawled, shaking Miconi's hand.
The older gentleman had a firm grip.
"I was surprised when my daughter received a special invite from the don himself," Miconi told him. "I know this meeting is last minute. But when it comes to my princess, I become a papa bear, or at least that's what she tells me."
Raz forced a smile, trying to remain cordial.
"As you should," Raz told him as Leo held the door open for both men to enter the restaurant. "After you," Raz stated, motioning for Miconi to enter before him.
With a nod, Miconi strode forward. Raz's smile disappeared as he followed the man inside. They didn't get to the point of the meal until after their food and wine was served. Miconi sipped from his wine as he stared around the restaurant.
"This place is nice," Miconi observed. "It reminds me of home. It's good to see you haven't forgotten your Italian roots."
"Never. Italy runs through my veins."
Miconi nodded. "It's important to remember where you come from. My daughter loves America. But I never want her to forget where she's from. This is why I hope she marries a man who will uphold many of our Italian traditions. And I would like for my grandchildren to have Italian names. That's important to me."
Raz nodded but remained silent. He didn't have shit to say to that.
"I'm old now," Miconi stated.
Raz chuckled. "You don't look old at all."
The compliment made Miconi smile. "I may not look it, but I feel it. I'm definitely not getting any younger. My daughter has remained by my side because she doesn't want to see me alone. Lately, she's been pestering me to date."
"Do you have plans of remarrying?" Raz asked before taking a sip of his wine.
Miconi shook his head. "No, I'll never remarry. But, once I've settled Isla down with her future husband, I will consider dating. I don't want a wife. I just want someone I can talk to and spoil. Isla has gotten me used to going on shopping sprees. I hope to date a woman who loves to shop and travel."
Raz chuckled. "Finding a woman like that shouldn't be too hard."
"But she must also be kind and not a gold digger," the older man added. "That's where the challenge comes in," Miconi joked.
I found someone like that,Raz thought.But I pushed her away.
"What about you, Orazio? What type of woman are you looking for?" Miconi asked.
A beautiful black woman with curves that take my breath away and a smile that shines brighter than the sun.Raz couldn't say that, of course.
But he also didn't want Miconi to believe that he was some knight in shining armor who was ready to sweep his daughter off her feet. He was the don. Love wasn't necessary in his marriage.