Page 43 of Alfie: Part Two

Giulia ranted to herself in Spanish, then turned back to me.

“You have met Finnegan O’Shea and Liam Murray,” she stated.

I hesitated, unsure of where she was going with this, but I nodded in the end. It was no secret. I played golf with Shan, I went to Finn’s kids’ birthday parties, and twice last week, I’d met up with Alfie and Liam at that pub for a quick lunch.

Liam shared plenty of traits with Finnegan, but he was a little older, a little less hotheaded, appeared to think more before he spoke… Oh, but both were definitely equally observant and calculating. And fond of Alfie. Without having said it outright, Liam seemed to view Alfie as a brother, or close to it—definitely family—and I knew it was mutual.

“You say they are not monsters?” she challenged.

Oh, hell.

My choices were a philosophical debate on the definition of monster or a cluster headache. Actually, the latter might not be a choice at all. I rubbed my forehead and set down my cannoli.

Now wasn’t the time.

“I’m not going to defend two men for alleged crimes they’ve undoubtedly committed,” I said. “I’m only saying the word monster is a cop-out. It’s an attempt to create more differences between them and your son. But the truth of the matter is, Giulia, all three men have children and families they adore. All three men help friends and host birthday parties. All three men are loved by their closest. Two of them grew up within the syndicate, and one of them walked right in as an informed adult.” It was my turn to give her a pointed look. “We are not two different species. We are humans, and we are capable of doing both good and bad.”

The decisions she had to make were difficult without turning Alfie into an angel and the Sons of Munster into Satan.

“What I want to ask you,” I went on, “is if you can imagine spending the rest of your life half estranged from your son. Theone who willingly joined the Sons of Munster. The one who’s a good man but, let’s face it, will probably do some incredibly stupid shit.”

She flinched and dropped her gaze, and I felt for her. I understood how conflicted she was.

“We should have gotten tequila instead of cannoli,” she muttered.

I chuckled. “Next time?”

“Trip?” I called. “Do you know where I can find the napkins?”

I didn’t understand Alfie’s kitchen. It was so narrow and long and…frankly, lacking as fuck. Not enough cupboards, barely any space in the freezer, and zero organization. Though, I suspected my mobster was to blame for the latter.

The kitchen wasn’t his area.

Trip strolled in and pointed at the small countertop on the other side of the stove. “We use that.”

Paper towels. Got it.

“Thank you. Did you finish your homework?” I asked. I grabbed the whole roll since…well, Ellie.

“We don’t have any.” He shrugged. “I’m doing an extra assignment Ms. Chen gave me when I had nothing to do.”

I frowned and looked at him. “Do you feel like you’re not being challenged enough, sweetheart?”

He shrugged and scratched his belly. “Ms. Chen promised we’ll get more soon. She said school just started.”

Fair point, I supposed. It was still early.

Before I could say anything in response, the front door was unlocked, and Alfie, Liam, and Colby entered with our dinner in white plastic bags.

Whatever they’d bought instantly filled the air with a heavenly scent of cheese and garlic.

“Hi, Dad!” Trip ran out to greet everyone, and I smiled at the sight of Alfie. I’d missed him today, particularly after my cannoli date with Giulia.

I’d called him to give him an update, but he’d been called away after getting the gist, and that had obviously worried me. I knew him. He’d overthink and get sad.

His mother was similar. I’d dropped her off at home, and she’d squeezed my hand and said she had a lot to think about.

“Uncle Liam, come meet Poppy!” Ellie hollered from the living room.

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