Page 21 of Fall
7
Antonio
Natalia has no idea who she’s dealing with.
She thinks she can convince me to disobey orders with a smile and that sweet was she saysplease, but it’s her father we’re talking about. This set of instructions coming down the pipe is about everyone’s safety.
Life and death. Including her own.
Plus, I know my place.
Orders are orders.
Just because he treats me like one of his own, doesn’t give me license to do what I want. I’m the only one from the protection detail that’ll sit at the dinner table tonight for Natalia’s party. It’s only because my kid brothers and I spent over thirteen years under Romano’s sister and brother-in-law’sroof. We’re not blood, but we’re practically family. Romano saw to it that my little brothers had a shot at a normal life. They’re both at Florida State now, on football scholarships and well on their way to solid careers in the NFL instead of having to fight for scraps, which is where we were headed after Mom died, no thanks to the fucking system.
Romano was the one who helped me keepmy word after Vinny had my back for that potential manslaughter charge. He plucked Vinny out of the foster care system and placed him in a good home with one of his top protection guards at the time.
I won’t take what Romano did for us for granted. Even if it means saying no to Natalia. I’m still coming to terms with the fact that I probably won’t ever have a chance to lay claim on thiswoman, or to sink my cock into her before she leaves for God knows how long.
But that’s life. A string of peaks and valleys, including shitty outcomes that are out of anyone’s control.
I cross the small field beside the house on my way to the protection detail staff members' sleeping quarters, passing by a rush of last-minute activity by the event staff who all have new instructions.The guest list of the party they were planning for has been whittled down from a hundred and fifty people to around twenty. The tent outside has to come down. Dinner will be served inside now, in the ballroom. And two of the three live bands they booked had to be cut from the schedule too. The head caterer and the lead decorator didn't like the changes, but everyone has to deal when new orderscome down from the boss.
Everyone including me. Which is why I’m looking for Vinny. There are so many moving parts to stay on top of, and everything is a priority. This party tonight, travel plans for each family member, and a fuck ton of contingencies for every detail we’re implementing.
I can’t be in two places at once. I need at least one man from my team to step up.
SomeoneI trust.
I find Vinny in his room with the door open.
“Hey, I need your help with something,” I tell him from the doorway, looking around his quarters. His army training shows. The quaint space is spotless and organized. Nothing’s out of place. But the temperature in there is hot as fuck. “Dude, something wrong with your air conditioning unit? It’s hot as balls in here.”
“Naw, man. I hate the noise from the air-con… can’t hear what’s going on around me when it’s on. Plus I like it hot.” He turns from his spot at a two-person dining table, revealing the disassembled Smith and Wesson 1911 .45 ACP pistol on the tabletop in front of him as he cleans each part. “What’s up?”
“You’ve got a valid passport, right?” I ask.
Vinny glances over at me for a second,eyebrows raised, then continues maintaining his weapon. “Yeah, why?”
“The boss is gonna need three to four of the guys to be with him and the family. They’re traveling for a while. I want you to head up the team.”
His head snaps around to me again. “Where to?”
"It's on a need-to-know basis for now," I explain what I can, keeping all details to a minimum.
“Understood.Sure, I’m in. Whatever you need.”
I lean against the door jamb. “It’s a big responsibility. You’ll be in charge of protection.”
“Who are we talking about? Just the boss?”
“And his mother… and Natalia.”
Vinny sets down the weapon parts and cleaning rag, and takes a long moment as he studies my face. “You’re not going?”
“I can’t. I have to stay back to keep aneye on a few things for the boss.”
A half smile rises on his face for a split second, then disappears. “And you cleared my name with the boss?”
