Page 25 of Blood and Penance
“Yes. I’ve hired a few guys, but I don’t know if it’s going to be enough.”
“Okay. I’ll get in touch with Lorenzo. He can help me on that end.”
She’s shaking her head. “I don’t want to depend on the Puglisi’s any more than I already am. Your father will believe I owe him something. He's already demanding to see him, I don't need to give him any more reason to come after Giancarlo.”
She’s right but the connections I had back then I don’t have now. And if I call and ask for any favors, they will believe that it’s coming from the Puglisi’s not me.
“Can I speak to him?” I ask, hopeful that she’ll give me this opportunity. “Does he know anything about me?”
I don’t know how much she’s told Giancarlo about me or about my family. However, I hope Giancarlo knows something about me. And more importantly that he knows I didn’t leave him on purpose. If I had known he existed, he would have been a part of my life. I would have made sure of it.
The smile that crosses her face hits me square in the gut. I’ll be so grateful if she gives me this chance. Am I still pissed she didn’t tell me about him? I am. But I have to trust that God had a better plan for me and at the time having a child hadn’t been the best option. Now things are different. I need the chance to have a relationship with him. I just need him to know he’s loved by me even if I haven’t been around.
“Sure, if he’s awake.”
We sit on the edge of the bed, and she pulls her phone out of her pocket, puts it on speaker, then dials Seraphina’s number.
“Thank God,” Seraphina says as soon as she picks up. “Where the hell have you been, Phee? I've been worried sick. Did you talk to Gianni? What did he say? Is he going to help? We can’t do this by ourselves.”
Seraphina bombards Phoenix with question after question, causing me to smile. While this isn’t a laughing situation it reminds me so much of the time when Phoenix and I were together. Seraphina has never been a patient person and wants answers to her questions at once. I didn’t know how much I’ve missed her too until now.
“If you give me a minute to breathe, I’ll answer all your questions,” Phoenix says, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Seraphina releases a breath. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried.”
“I know. First of all, I’m fine and I did talk to Gianni.”
“Alright. That's a good thing, right?” she asks, and I can hear the relief in her voice. “What did he say? Is he going to help?”
“Yes, I’m going to do everything I can,” I say, and Phoenix looks at me with a tired smile.
“You don’t know how happy I am to hear your voice, Gianni,” Seraphina says. “And she told you everything?”
“Sera,” Phoenix groans.
“What?” Seraphina asks, innocently.
“Yes, he knows,” Phoenix says.
I chuckle and squeeze Phoenix’s thigh. “She’s told me everything.”
“We have some things to go over with you,” Phoenix says. “But first, is Giancarlo awake?”
“He is. Giancarlo! Mama wants to talk to you!” Seraphina shouts.
I look over at her as my heart races inside my chest. I can’t believe I’m about to talk to my son.
God, I thank you.
Chapter Sixteen
Phoenix
The look on Gianni’s face causes my heart to ache. He looks so excited at the chance of talking to his son for the first time, but he also looks terrified. I would think it’s funny that this man is scared of a five-year-old, but I understand.
“Mama! Mama! Where are you?" Giancarlo asks. "When are you coming home?”
Gianni’s gasp causes me to look at him. His watery gaze lands on mine and I grab his hand and squeeze it.
