Page 41 of Gianni DeLuca

“Mamma, you underestimate Enzo. He knew you would do exactly what you’re doing right now. It’s why he let you visit yourfriendin Barcelona. He knew you were really coming to see me. He wanted Wisdom to know.” I turned to Courage. “You asked Enzo permission to alert your uncle, didn’t you?”

Courage snuck a glance at his mother before he nodded. Despite my son’s strength, intelligence, and strong will, I wanted to smile; his mother could still bring him to his knees, much like my mother with me. “Good, means you still respect your mother and uncle. And that Enzo wants a fair fight if negotiations don’t work.” I squeezed Paris’s hand. “Call Laffy. Tell him he needs to get here ASAP. We can’t take the risk of communicating by phone. Enzo isn’t after him or me right now, so this may be his only chance to see us anyway.”

Paris glared at my mother and walked closer to her. “You are family because you’re my husband’s mother and my son’s grandmother. Other than that, I would kill you myself. Walk in my home again, ask my son to side against us, demand that my brother give up what my father died for and Laffy has worked hard for, and I’ll forget you’re family.” She gathered our baby and strolled out of the room as if we were simply discussing what was for dinner.

Mamma’s forehead remained wrinkled, and then she turned to me with a slight smile. “I like her. Get why you married her. Reminds me of me.” She palmed Courage’s cheek warmly before squeezing his chin, her voice steely. “Don’t ever keep anything from your grandmother, especially your conversations with Enzo. He will divide us to get what he wants.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Courage agreed quietly, his eyes downcast, rightfully sensing that looking her in the eyes now would be a sign of disrespect.

“Gianni, I’m going back to my room. We won’t speak further on this matter until Wisdom is here.”

I watched my mother leave the room with her head held high before turning my attention to my son.

“I’ve been scolded and hit already. Say or do what you need to do, so I can leave.” Courage’s honey skin reddened as he searched my face expecting more censure.

I leaned my back against the desk and folded my arms. “I understand your ambition, your drive, your need to lead. But your motivation is weak. I killed Tucci and ascended to the top because he murdered my father and was ruthless to his people. Enzo’s motivation is ego and pride because he can’t believe I gave New Orleans away without consulting him. A city that wouldn’t be DeLuca’s if I didn’t fight for it in the first place. I think you’ve spent enough time with your grandmother to understand her motivation.” He nodded. “You and I hadn’t had the time to get to know each other before I left. I hope we can rectify this somehow in the coming years. In the meantime, you’ll hear me now and clearly because it served me well for years. Violence happens when we get thirsty, greedy, or vengeful in this game. These needs are based on emotion and not logic. Right now, you’re operating out of emotions, trying to prove you’re worthy of being a leader to me, your uncle, and even Enzo. You’re not ready, and you’ll die if you take charge now.”

Courage tightened his hands that remained by his side.

“You and I know Wisdom will die fighting for the Desire Crew. Or kill anyone he believes betrayed him. Don’t think you’re immune from his sword because you’re his nephew. And if you are ready to take your uncle out simply because you believe you can run New Orleans, you’re not the man I hoped you would be. Definitely not the leader I know you can be one day.” I walked up to him and lightly jabbed his chest. “And if none of that matters, side with Enzo and forever break your mother’s heart.”

I then headed out of the room to find Paris, praying that my son would heed my advice.

***

PARIS WAS ALONE INour bedroom, pacing while on the phone with Wisdom. She must have taken Safiya back to the nursery. “Catch the next flight to Grenada. Do you think I would tell you to come if I didn’t think it was safe? You always do this bullshit....”

Needing to avoid an argument between the stubborn siblings, I took the phone from her hand. “Wisdom, you’re needed here. Get here tomorrow. Call this number when you land, and I’ll pick you up.”

“See ya in the am, G,” Wisdom responded and ended the call.

“What did you tell him?” I asked.

My still annoyed wife walked to our balcony and looked out into the lush yard. I followed behind her, curved my body to hers, and gently kissed the side of her neck.

She settled in my arms and snuggled against my cheek. “That Courage is being a fucking idiot. That he needs to get here so we can prepare for war. Then he had to accuse me of the emotional bullshit he always does. See how he listened to you, no questions asked. I fronted the Desire Crew so he could stay hidden until he was ready to reveal himself. I made many decisions that put the Desire Crew on top again, yet he still questions my judgment. Me his twin? Just because I’m a woman, he dismisses me.”

I hugged her tighter. “Laffy values your opinion, Paris. He never wanted you to leave the Desire Crew. But you do get bent out of shape when it involves Courage. We can’t ever afford to let our emotions rule our decisions. I don’t know if it’ll be a war and if you get Laffy riled up before it’s necessary, there’ll be a war I’m afraid we’ll lose.”

She turned in my arms and looked up at me. “Thank you for saying “we’ll lose.” I know how your mother tugs at your heart. And you are a DeLuca first.”

I dipped my head to kiss her bow-shaped lips reverently. When I lifted my head, her eyes were soft and loving as we gazed at each other. “I will always love and respect Mamma. But I am your husband first and then Courage and Safiya’s father second. My job is to protect you at all costs, even if that means I go up against Enzo.”

“Do you really want to battle your cousin? His power is far-reaching.”

I chuckled. “Something I’m aware of more than you.” I wrapped my arms tighter around her waist. “Thinking it’s time I stop running from him. We have Safiya now, and I hate that our families can’t watch her grow up. If we meet with Enzo, maybe he’ll forgive me. I think it’s a good sign that Enzo seems to like Courage. Maybe it’s Enzo’s new woman that’s made him warmer. He’s giving us a chance to give him what he wants instead of taking it.” Lately, Enzo seemed to soften after learning the identity of the person who killed his father and falling in love. The fact that my mother was here and his people hadn’t tried to kidnap or kill me was a testament.

“What if the Desire Crew can’t compromise? Laffy won’t be here tomorrow. Wisdom will.”

“Also, something I’m more aware of than you. The last time I saw him was after he shot me.” I pressed my forehead against hers. “If I go back in, it’s only with your permission.”

“Gianni.” She drew a ragged breath. “What if you can’t get back out? What if you don’t want to after a taste of that power again?”

“I’m serious, baby. I don’t care about the power. The life, the peace we’ve created over the last two years, is what I want with you forever. After we speak with your brother, we’ll do what’s best for us. And if we disagree, I’m taking your lead on this one.”

She tugged my chin down and opened my mouth with hers. Her sweet tongue was my reward. I lifted her up on the balcony, her silk robe opening naturally with the sudden movement. I pushed her gown up enough to insert myself between her caramel thighs. Within seconds, I surged into her body, becoming one again with the woman I never again wanted to live without.

***

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