Page 41 of Corrupted Memories
My father scoffs. “Is that how you answer your phone?”
I roll my eyes. “Only when people insist on calling over and over… and over.”
“Pick up the first time I call then.” His rough demand grates on my nerves, the same sensation I’ve always felt since I was young. My father was never one to be ignored, and I learned that lesson early on.
My jaw tightens. “I would if you didn’t call me for frivolous things like a gossiping hen.”
His laugh booms out. “A gossiping hen. I like that, I’ll have to share that with Christian.”
I relax. He’s in a better mood than I expected, though the mention of Christian leaves me uneasy. Name-dropping the head of the Outfit is strategic on his part.
“Is there a reason for this call? I’m a busy man.”
My father scoffs. “Yeah, busy chasing a woman who ran away from you.”
Nevermind on the fucking mood. I rub my hand down my face.
“She was just confused. We’re sorting it out,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Mhmm. Christian wants to know when you’re coming to start the office over here.”
My body tenses back up and Nico watches my expression with a frown. My tongue drags along mybottom lip. “You agreed to give me some more time.”
“That was before, when we weren’t aware you already found her.”
My mind spirals in multiple directions. How’d they know I found her already? How’d they know I had her location previously? Who told them? Distrust bleeds into my heart and I grit my teeth.
“I don’t see how that matters,” I say slowly, trying not to convey my anger. I write what he just told me on a piece of paper and slide it to Nico. His eyebrows dip and then he gets up, moving to one of the cupboards before pulling out a small device to check the room for bugs.
“It matters because it’s time to grab your woman and come back home, Son. You’ve played for way too long, it’s time to settle.” My father’s tone is harsh, leaving no room to argue.
I blow out a long breath. “I want Gianna to come willingly, to start our life as partners. I can’t do that if I grab her and throw her on a plane. There’s also the pesky problem of kidnapping being illegal.” I already got away with it once, but I doubt she’ll allow me to blindside her a second time.
My father is silent for a moment. “Life partners, ehh? You don’t got feelings for the bitch, do you? You said you wanted retribution for what she did.”
With a pounding heart, I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to calm my breathing.
“All I meant is that it’s easier if she comes willingly. She’s going to be my wife, regardless of what she wants.”
He grunts. “You sound like you care an awful lot about how she feels. Do I have to remind you what loving bitches gets you?”
A rock sinks in my stomach, and dread claws at my insides. “Nope. I got it. You don’t have to worry, it’s not like that.”
Nico is watching curiously, but I look away from him. He had been my first friend when we moved to America, but he never understood why we moved. Just like the rest of Chicago’s Outfit, who believed my father was there to help shape the city.
“Good, because I’ll put a bullet through her myself before I let some pussy ruin my son’s life.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, controlling my fury because I know the place my father comes from. He’s protective of me, his only son left, but I hate how he talks about Gianna.
“Like I said, I got it. Why don’t you focus on your business and I’ll focus on mine?” I grit it out, ready to be done with the conversation.
My father hums. “Ah, yes. That reminds me. There’s some rumbling coming from a couple of Arthur’s boys. I guess he’s not too happy with the time you keep spending around Manhattan.”
My eyes snap to Nico, who is already frowning. “Why would that matter? Christian allows me to take the spot there for the Outfit. Arthur doesn’t have a profitable company to move and expand past Chicago.”
“I know, Son, but you’re given a lot of leeway for a city under Arthur’s control. It doesn’t look that great for him, letting you run around to do whatever you want.”
I laugh. “I don’t give a fuck what it looks like or how he feels. If Arthur wants my respect, he can earn it. He could die tomorrow and he wouldn’t be worth the effort it would take to roll out of bed.”
