Page 59 of Owned by the Italian Mafia Boss
I study his eyes for any lies, any deceitfulness, but I find none. I also do not find any fear. I like Victor. He hasn’t ever caused me any issues. He’s never lied or flinched because he always says there was nothing to fear if the truth was told.
I liked that about him. He was honest, but I’ve known honest men who have mastered lying.
“Okay, I have to go.” Delilah rushes by me and kisses my cheek. “I love you. Bye. Have a good day. I’ll be back soon. Don’t stain that blazer with blood. I like it too much on you.” She gives me a wave with a gentle smile before rushing down the steps, and Victor follows.
I stand motionless, staring at the door as it closes. “I love you too,” I whisper too late.
I haven’t said the words again since I said them weeks ago and she didn’t respond. Now, she says them so casually as if we say them all the time.
“Love?” Matias whistles under his breath. “That’s new.”
“I think it’s great,” Ari says, dropping his toast. Marie slaps his hand with a spatula. “Ow, I’m eating. I’m doing it. God, you’re so mean,” Ari grumbles, scooping eggs into his mouth.
Marie pinches his cheeks. “Only because I love you.”
Ari’s demeanor brightens, and he smiles, eating happily as the stress leaves him. He looks like a child, looking at a woman who is like his mother. And a child would do anything to make their mother happy.
“I like how casually she said don’t get blood on your suit. It’s an interesting way to leave for the day.”
“She understands how my days go. Now, are we ready to go to the docks? We have merchandise to pick up. And we need to stop by Lucky Sevens. They haven’t given us a cut in weeks, and we know what happens when we aren’t paid.”
Matias cocks his gun and smiles. “I’m ready when you are, brother.”
“Let’s go.” I turn to leave and see Nicky on the couch, sleeping, his arm still in a sling. Alex is next to him, watching TV and keeping an eye on his best friend. I have too many men out. “Alex, you’re coming too. We need all the backup we can get.”
“Yes, Mr. Milazzo.” Alex stands, looks at Nicky, and joins us in the kitchen.
“You’ll be okay, Ari?”
“I’m fine. I’ll stay on security if you want.”
“No, just get some rest. I can’t have your focus split with the pain. We will see you when we get back.”
I turn and leave. Matias, Alex, and Gianni following after me. As I open the front door, I found a few men outside playing dice and smoking cigarettes, laughing and having a good time. I slap one of them on the back of the head. “You five are coming with me too. We are going to the docks. Make sure your weapons are ready. The Romanos won’t blindside me. We’re at war, so remember that.”
Victor took the G-Wagon, and we climbed into the Tahoe. Tinted windows and bulletproof glass protect us just as the G-Wagon does. Every car I have is equipped with safety features from top to bottom.
The ride to the docks will take about an hour. It’s out of the way and in the middle of nowhere, which is perfect because the fewer people know about it, the better.
“I hope Romano is there,” Matias says, popping his fingers as if he is ready for a fight.
I don’t want to fight, but I’m always prepared to. I don’t like Romano just as much as he doesn’t like me, but neither of us wants to lose men.
The war between us has caused us to bury too many. Now that I have Delilah, I need to be extra careful. I always want to come home to her. I’ve never had to worry about that before. Coming home during a war is a luxury and an afterthought. In this life, tomorrow isn’t promised.
But I need it to be now. I always want to come home to my wife.
I think I might need her more than she needs me.
“How much longer until we arrive?”
“Another half hour, give or take,” he says.
So we’ve been driving for thirty minutes already and I haven’t heard from my wife. I check my phone and notice Delilah hasn’t called or given me an update.
Neither has Victor.
Victor never fails to check in with me.
