Page 71 of Highball and Chain

I cleared my throat and all thoughts of Nico. “What about Dahlia? How do you manage her?”

“We’ve established a don’t ask, don’t tell policy. She knows, but she doesn’t know, capisci?”

“Capisco.” In hindsight, I should have done the same with Shanna, but that ship had sailed. I wanted her to know. I wanted her to know and to understand. What’s more, I wanted her to accept me, and for better or for worse, the family business came with the package.

Leo said, “It’s best you don’t leave the house. If you have to go to the restaurant, you’ll need security. How many guys do you have on-site?”

“None during the day. Two on the premises for overnights.”

“Get four on around the clock.”

“This place is harder to break into than the Federal Reserve.”

“Regardless of who’s behind the attacks, all four families want business as usual. They don’t give two shits about changes in the laws or issues with Homeland. And they’re not listening to what Pops and Gabe have told them. I think things will get worse before they get better.”

“I agree.” I stood and paced the office.

“Then get more security.” Leo lowered his voice. “Gabe needs out. He has a family now.”

“I’ll step in. Sell Gabe the bar, and you the restaurants. You guys can make them legit, and let me handle the Sicilian problems.” The words fell out of my mouth out of habit, but for the first time, I didn’t mean them. I didn’t want any of it. Maybe Shanna’s right. Maybe there’s a way to take care of the people in Comiso that doesn’t involve the mafia.

“We’re keeping the properties in Louisiana, letting the rest go, and we’re all getting out.” He sucked in a breath. “Marco’s handling the legalities of your rebuild.”

“No fucking way. I’ll handle my business.” My voice rose.

“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. Gabe made the call.”

They pushed me out of Sicily, now they’re pushing me out of my restaurant?Something snapped, be it the last straw or my sanity. “This is complete bullshit. I’ve run that place since day one. I built it from the ground up.”

“Calm down. It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“How can I calm down when I’m not allowed to handle my own fucking restaurant?”

“Pull your head out of your ass and listen. Marco’s role is strictly to deal with the authorities and insurance company.” Leo hesitated. “Enzo, this isn’t a competition. Gabe’s trying to do what’s best for all of us.”

“I get it, but what’s good for you two may not be good for me.” I disconnected the call.

I needed to cool the fuck off and speak with someone who didn’t have their head up their ass. I needed Shanna.

I made my way upstairs and knocked on her door.

No answer.

“Shanna?” I turned the knob, but the damned thing was locked. Knocking harder, I shouted, “Shanna, it’s me. Open the door.”

Where the hell is she?

I ran my hand over the top of the doorjamb, retrieved the key, and unlocked the door. I’d never been so damned happy to see a suitcase in my life. She didn’t leave for good.

I checked my room, the bath, and the rest of the second floor. No sign of her.

Dialing her number, I took the steps two at a time and swept the ground level. When she didn’t answer, I hit redial and strode to the pool deck. Where the hell is she?

I hit redial again.

“Hello.” I could barely hear her voice over the telltale sound of the streetcar.

A lethal recipe of anger, fear, and frustration, with a sprinkle of relief, bubbled inside me. “Tell me where you are. I’m sending security to get you.”

“I have to run some errands. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

“Sweetheart, listen to me. I spoke to Gabe. It’s not safe for either of us to be on the streets. I need you to tell me where you are.”

Shanna went quiet.

“Come back and tell me why you lied to me.” My grip tightened until the phone case cracked. The fact she’d deceived me hurt. However, the realization that I was completely and unequivocally in love with her hit me like a bullet to the heart. “Please.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be careful.” She hung up.

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