Page 13 of Memento Mori
“Take me home and try to get there as soon as possible, Joey.”
“You got it, boss,” he responded.
I continued to dial her number, but when it no longer rung and went straight to voicemail, I knew I had to do whatever needed to be done to find her. “Shit!” I shouted, punching the black leather seat, then settled on sending her a text message although I was sure it would go unanswered too.
Joey’s gaze flicked up to the rearview mirror, and I saw the questions in his eyes. He had been by my side since we were kids, but at this moment I couldn’t explain my fuck up, so I focused on the passing traffic, and people going on about their day like nothing or no one else existed.
When we pulled into the private garage of my condo after a short drive from the restaurant, I jumped out of the car, and raced towards the private elevator that opened directly into my home.
I paced inside like a caged animal. My neatly cropped hair was now disheveled from my hands running through it in desperation while I waited to reach my condo, hoping, and praying she was at home, so I could explain what she thought she saw.
As soon as the metal door slid open, I wasted no time. I needed to find her.
“Aaliyah! Baby!”
Normally stepping foot into my home, which had an impressive view of the city, peace settled within me. It was the place where I was just Tony Rizzo. Not the CEO and not the Underboss, just me. The stresses of the outside world disappeared, and it wasjust me and her. Me and my future. But now the place seemed empty, cold.
I knew she wasn’t here.
Every time she returned home before me from a business trip, she would rush into my arms as soon as I stepped off the elevator.
After I searched everywhere, my heart breaking with every step, I stalked over to my mini bar, poured me a drink, and tried calling her phone one last time. To my dismay the voice over the receiver informed me that the number was longer in service.
“Goddamn it! She got rid of the phone.” I tossed my cell on the couch when I sat down. “Where would you go? Who would you call?”
As I picked up my phone to call my sister, who happened to be good friends with Aaliyah, an alert flashed on my screen notifying me that my private elevator had been accessed. Only three people other than me had the code. My father, who I was sure wouldn’t come here. He never did. My brother, and the one person I longed to see. As I walked up to the elevator, my heart pounded in anticipation, and when the doors slid open, a sinking feeling washed over me.
“What the fuck did you do!” Alessandro pushed me when he stepped out of the elevator causing me to stumble. I caught my balance and lowered my head.
“I fucked up, bro. She’s gone, and she’s not answering any of my calls or texts.”
“What happened?” he asked as he stalked over to the bar, and poured two drinks, handing me one when I walked over to him. “Papa called and said I needed to find your ass pronto. He had no idea what the hell was going on, just that you freaked out at the restaurant. So, what did you do?”
“It was all an act, but she saw me with Francesca. I wanted to explain, but fucking Abel stopped me.”
“Stupido! I told you, Tony.” His finger pointed directly at me, accusingly. “I told you some shit like this would happen!”
“I planned to tell them about us at breakfast, but mama blindsided me with Francesca.”
I wiped my hand roughly down my face in frustration.
“You should have already told them!” He tossed his hands in the air. “I told you that playing along with this arranged marriage bullshit was going to blow up in your goddamn face. Don’t put it on mama, this was all on you.”
He was right. I wanted to blame my mother, but I had opportunities to put an end to all of it but kept putting it off. I kept telling myself I had to play along with whatever my parents wanted because of my family’s legacy. I kept telling Aaliyah over and over that I would choose her when I really hadn’t. I chose to put her through all this bullshit. For what?
The realization of what I had done hit me like a sudden blow to the stomach. If I were in her position, I would have just left and never put up with such an idiotic thing. But she loved me unconditionally and believed I would choose her if it came down to it.
I understood my brother’s anger. Aaliyah was like a sister to him and over the past few months he had become very protective of her. They had become so close I became jealous and questioned their relationship. They both gave me hell for it but forgave me for my momentary lapse in judgement. My girl loved me, just as much as my brother loved me and neither would hurt me like that.
“I know,” I said. “I fucked up. But I’ve got to find her to make it right.”
The chime of an incoming text sent a jolt of adrenaline through me, quickening my heartbeat. I rushed over and grabbed my phone and read the text. Relief hit me instantly.
“Is that her?” Alessandro asked while he paced.
“No, but I know where she’s going.”
He stopped in his tracks and placed the glass on the coffee table. “How?”
