Page 107 of Deception

“Where the hell else would we be?”

“We’re yours, until the end.”

“Yeah. Not just because we’re your brothers and we have to.”

Adriano points one finger, hard, into my chest. “You’re not just our brother. Not just the guy who raised us. You’re our general. Our king.”

“Fuckin’ respect!” Ciro chants, pumping his fist.

“Jackass. But he’s right. You’ve earned every bit of respect from every member of this family. Don’t fucking forget it.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, Coach,” I punch Adri in the arm.

“That’s Coach Nonna, to you.”

“Fuck, maybe I should get some sleep.”

“Yeah, the lack of shut-eye is making you weepy and weird.”

“Alright, I’ve had enough harassment. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I grumble, taking my leave.

My eyes feel full of sand, grainy and bloodshot.

Bed is finally sounding appealing. But as I head down the hallway and up the stairs, I feel the tug of fatigue wearing on me in a different way. Weariness is tugging at my willpower, eating away at my resolve.

I wish Isabella was there in my bed waiting for me.

Just to see her face, to smell her hair. Feel her skin under my fingertips…

How much better would it be making these decisions, doing meaningful work for my family if I had someone waiting for me at home. Making the hard calls with me, supporting my decisions, offering wisdom, and challenging me.

And at the end of the day, ready to fulfill my needs, and I hers.

A reason to come home. A reason to fight on.

I wrestle with my tattered heartstrings as I slump down on my bed. Tossing my shoes off, I’m a second away from falling back when it clicks, a memory. Isa was supposed to meet Angelica today. And Gigi.

What if …

No. Forget it.

Go to bed.

But it gnaws at me. Wiring me up, sending me pacing the room, running restless fingers through my hair.

“Fuck it.” I cross to the door, flinging it open. “Tomas.”

“Yes?”

“Bring Isabella to my room. Now.”

Weakness. That’s what this is. Any excuse to see her.

“Sir?” he wouldn’t question me outright, but Tomas is one of the few people in the world who can ask twice, essentially offering me a chance to change my mind about a potentially disastrous decision.

“Please, bring her.”

“Right away, Alessandro.” He’s gone in a moment, vanishing down the hall.

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