Page 56 of Married to the Mafia

Dino hugs me, and I’m sobbing. I can’t stop for what seems like forever, but I wipe my eyes as best I can. I need to see him, and this is taking too long. I shut down the emotions in me and then I’m able to walk down the corridor and around the corner.

We’re in a room with a single bed in it. They attached monitors to Dad, beeping loudly. His eyes are shut, and he’s still, but when he hears us coming in, he looks up and manages a weak smile. “Still here,” he says, sitting up slightly. “Doped up to the eyeballs too. Whatever they put in that tube is good shit.”

“I never heard you curse before,” I say.

“I never got shot before,” he replies. “Well, not for many years.” He beckons me over and I sit beside him. Dino and the doctor are murmuring in the doorway, but Dad wants both of us together. “Dino,” he adds. “Get your ass over here.”

Dino comes over and stands next to me, his hand on my shoulder. “Yes, boss?” The doctor ducks out, the door swinging shut after him.

“You’re the boss now,” Dad says. “You need to get used to life under the radar. Gordon’s Cove is the perfect place to lay low. There’s a file in my house on the computer. Code is 7823XX14. You got that?”

“Got it.”

“Contains all the details about the job. How to use the messaging system, who’s in your pocket and who to avoid. Everything you need to take over.”

“You sure you want me for the post? Doc says you’re going to make it.”

“As far as anyone is concerned, I died here in hospital.”

“What?” I say, taking his hand in mine. “But you’re okay, right?”

He smiles back at me. “Underground is the only way out of this life. I’m going to vanish, Rose, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you, making sure you’re doing all right.”

“But, Dad, why?”

“Because I’m getting too old for all this. I fake my death or I get bumped off. Not much of a choice. At least this way I get to say goodbye. Do one thing for me, Dino.”

“What’s that?”

“Be good to her.”

“I will.”

“Now get out of here and send me Corrado. He can make all the arrangements.”

“Got it.”

Dad squeezes my hand for what I feel might be the last time. “Love you, Rose,” he says, kissing my fingers. “You got yourself a good husband there.”

“I don’t want to say goodbye,” I reply.

“It’s not goodbye,” he says. “It’s just arrivederci. Go out and leave me with Dino for a minute, would you?”

I let go of his hand and walk out the room, standing in the corridor and wondering what the two of them are talking about. When the door opens, Dad’s hanging up his phone, waving me over.

“It’s done,” he says. “The families won’t know anydifferent. Far as they’re concerned, the Capo dei Capi is still in charge. They’ve no idea someone has taken over my role.”

He nods at Dino. “You stood up to me,” he continues. “I told you to get rid of her and you didn’t. That’s love. You found out I was taken by Belucci and you came for me because of her. I needed someone strong enough to know his own mind, someone who could take on my daughter and give her the life she deserves. That’s you.”

Dad turns to me. “I never thought I’d put you in this much danger. I should have told you earlier, given you a chance to prepare. When Ricardo got hold of you, I knew I’d fucked up. Dino came through, though. He’s a good man, Rose. You take care of him and he’ll take care of you.”

He takes a deep breath. “Below the radar,” he adds. “Fade from view. That’s how you stay alive, Dino. Don’t get your hands dirty unless you have to.”

“Not until I’ve dealt with Ricardo,” Dino replies.

“Wouldn’t expect anything less. He took a flight to Rome while I was in surgery. 17 Via Torello. That’s his safe house. Go get him, Dino.”

He kisses my hand again, and I hug him. He grunts in pain and shoos me away. “Off you go, Rose. I need to rest.”

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