Page 125 of Merciless Monster

“Yeah, I think so too.”

* * *

We’re in the car, on our way to the airport where my jet is waiting to take us to Italy. Dinner with Gina and Jeff was pleasant. My cousin has decided to give me a break, but the looks of it. No more hairy eyeballs or snide comments from her.

Angelo is as excited as I’ve ever seen him. This is my son’s first airplane ride and he’s beside himself with excitement. He wasn’t impressed when we told him that Splash couldn’t come along for the trip.

I’m looking forward to seeing my family again. Mamma has been cooking for days, even though she has a more than full complement of staff to help. She insists that no one but the mother of the groom should ever prepare the feast of the best day of his life. Elio daren’t argue with a Sicilian Mamma. Men have been found at the bottom of the ocean for less.

There’s so much happening at the moment but all I can think about is the conversation that Mia and I had about our future. I’m thinking about it now as Mia and Angelo chatter away to each other about all the plans our son has for the two weeks that we’ll be in Rome.

“You know what I’m going to say, don’t you, Dante?”

“Yes, I have a pretty good idea.”

“You know we can’t carry on like this, don’t you?”

“What do you want me to do, Mia?”

“I want you to leave the mafia, Dante. Everything bad that’s ever happened between us has been a direct result of the people with whom you’ve surrounded yourself. Our son was kidnapped, my love. Our son! And God knows what would have happened to me if Franco hadn’t driven my car to where they were holding me hostage.”

“I hear what you’re saying, my love. I do. But, a Don doesn’t just grab the keys to his jet and fly off into the sunset. Who will run the organization if I’m not there? What you’re asking me to do isn’t as simple as you think.”

“You wouldn’t be the first one to do it, Dante, and I’m guessing you won’t be the last. Men make sacrifices for their families every day. The question I have for you is, are you willing to do this for Angelo and me?”

“You Amricans see things in black and white. I’m Italian. There are a host of colors in between for us.”

“Well, Dante. Then, you’re going to have to make your family an offer they can’t refuse.”

“Did you just quote from The Godfather?” I grin, thankful for the temporary break from this tough discussion.

“I did. I know them all, including ‘Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.’ I’m begging you, Dante. Take the cannoli, Do it for me. Do it for Angelo.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to Elio when we’re in Rome.”

“Thank you, Dante.”

“Don’t thank me yet. This is by no means a done deal. But, I’m willing to try.”

Yeah, if only that were as easy as it sounds.

“Hey, Daddy. Is that your plane?”

“Yes, my son. Do you like it?”

“Wow! It’s big.”

Mia chuckles at the wide eyed wonder of our little man.

“Do you think he’s excited?” I whisper.

“What was your first clue? He’s been talking about this trip since we first broke the news to him. He’s been driving me nuts.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry I’ve been missing in action the last few days. Been catching up on everything I missed in Rome. The time difference does make it a little tough.”

“It’s fine. All I’m saying is he’s your baby once we get in the air. I’m going to take a well deserved nap.”

“No problem.”

---