Page 39 of Merciless Monster

“Angelo is a good kid. He looks a lot like Mia.”

“Has she said anything about his father?”

“No. It doesn’t matter to me, as long as he doesn’t interfere. Mia says he’s out of the picture.”

“Do you believe her?”

“She hasn’t given me any reason not to.”

“Oh, by the way, you’d better be back here by the end of the year.”

“Of course. Why?”

“Because your baby brother is getting hitched.”

“What? I don’t believe it.”

“Lisa is finally making an honest man out of me.”

“Congrats. I’m happy for you, Elio. Please give Lisa my love.”

“I will. Talk to you soon.”

“Okay.”

My brother is getting married. That’s great. Not so much for me. My mother will no doubt be all over my ass soon about doing the same. It’s our duty to have scores of children while we forge ahead and build a legacy.

I wonder what Mia would think of the whole Italian mob lifestyle. Gina was right. I’ll have to tell Mia sooner rather than later but I’m in no rush. She’s American. All she knows about the mafia is what she’s seen in movies.

It’s a merciless life and I don’t know if she’ll understand our ways. But, nonetheless, I want her by my side. All I have to do is figure out how to get her there.

* * *

“It’s very nice to meet you, Dante.”

Mia’s mother is a beauty. She has such soft eyes. Her father is ogling me. I wonder what he must think of the Italian man moving in on his princess. I imagine I wouldn’t be any different if I had a daughter. He’s polite enough though.

“Good to meet you, Dante, he says, extending his hand to me.

“So nice to meet you both,” I smile.

“Can I get you a drink, Dante?” he offers.

“Thank you.”

“Beer? Wine? Whiskey?”

“A beer sounds good. Thanks.”

“Mia tells us you live in Rome?” her mother says.

“Yes. My family lives there. Have you been?”

“Harold and I went there when we were first married. It’s a beautiful city. I’m sure much has changed since then.”

“Yes, as with all cities, change is inevitable, I suppose.”

“Christine is a hopeless romantic,” Harold grins. “I wanted to go to Sicily and see where they filmed that great Italian movie, In the Name of the Law. But my dear wife here wanted to see the great cathedrals of Rome. No prizes for guessing who won that argument.”

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