Page 21 of Promise Maker

“Unbelievable,” he huffs. “Do you think I’ll letyou call your friend now?”

“Ugh!” I point to the door and yell, “Get out!”

His eyes enlarge. “This ismyhome.”

“Your mother gave me this room.Thereforeit’s mine, and I’m telling you to get your ass out!Esci!”

Domenico clucks his tongue and slants to leave.“You need your strength. Eat. Or no phone.” He looks at the food once morebefore storming out the door.

That fucker.

Who does he think he is, telling me what to do?

I can’t believe I ever fantasized about giving himpussy, much less marrying him.

Then again, he does seem to be looking out for my well-being,just like in the garden when he told me not to smoke.

Maybe my resentment is inhibiting me fromrealizing he cares. Yes, he failed to keep a promise he made at eighteen. ButDomenico is right.

This is different.

My dad’s dead. My life is in danger.

I have to let go of that childish promise andfocus on survival.

“Fine…” Just like in the garden, my body becomesobedient, and I plop down in the chair and eat as much as my stomach willallow.

6

Fuck!

I swig the whiskey and slam the glass on the bar.

Solari is something else. Doesn’t she realize howbadly I want to take care of her?

I understand she’s in pain. It’s embedded in hereyes and plastered all over her body. I know I can’t erase it. I only want toensure she’s at least not ignoring her health.

Frustrated, I pour another glass.

“Don’t muddy your head,” Father says in Italian,walking into the sitting room. “Come with me. I have a problem to handle.” Itseems my dark side will come out tonight.

We leave with a few men, heading to his club inCanicatti. After greeting familiar patrons and associates,we descend to the basement, passing the security outside the door and enteringthe gambling area.

Only well-vetted businessmen and women are privyto his underground gaming spots. Tonight, my father is permanently kicking oneof them out.

“Emanuele!” Giuseppe cheers, raising his drink.“Nico. È bello vedervi entrambi.”

“You as well,” I reply, stepping to the side towait with my father’s men.

“Playing, Emanuele?” Giuseppe asks after drinking.He motions to the female dealer.

Father sits at the table but stops her fromissuing cards. “Not tonight. I have another reason for coming.”

Tension instantly cloaks the table.

Giuseppe curls his brows, asking, “What is it?”

Father smirks and braces forward. “Someone herestole from me.”

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