Page 109 of Single Malt Drama

He glanced toward the house as if looking for my mom and motioned me even closer. “Because I loved her.”

“Whoa, Pops. As angry as I am at Ma, I don’t want to meet your mistress.”

“Marco—” More coughing stole his words.

Something felt off about the entire thing. Twenty-six years ago was around the time I’d been born. “Were you cheating on Ma while she was pregnant with me?”

He patted my cheek. “I said I loved her, not that I was her lover. She was like a sister to me. Besides, she was married to someone else, and so was I.”

I thanked God that Nico and I had married each other. I couldn’t imagine living my life watching her with another guy.

He stared out over the water. “Not a day goes by that I don’t regret not doing more for her. I visited and sent money to the nuns to keep her comfortable, but I should have gotten her out of that place…”

“At least she was safe there.”

My father dipped his chin. “Yes, she was, but I was a coward. I was too afraid I’d lose her for good if Lazio found out she’d escaped.”

Unsure what to think of his confession, I whispered, “And now? Is it too late to make it right?”

My father turned and met my gaze. “No. It’s not. If anything, this is the perfect time. Pietro’s strangle-hold on the other families is finally loosening. He’s desperate.”

“Desperate men do desperate things.” I thought of Nico trapped in that house and balled my fists.

Pops shook his head. “Desperate men make mistakes. Lazio made a big one when he went after your brother.”

“Is he aware you know where this woman is? By the way, does she have a name?”

“Of course, she does, but it’s her choice whether or not she wants to share it.” He sighed. “As far as I know, Pietro has no idea we’ve kept in touch over the years. His ego would never allow him to realize his plan didn’t quite work.”

I felt like I’d entered some sort of alternate universe. “We ask for the Mother Superior, and then what?”

“Don’t worry about that. She will know what to do.” Another coughing fit robbed him of what little energy he had left.

My father’s full-time nurse came out and wheeled him back inside.

Gabe motioned between Pops and me. “What happened? What did he say to you?”

“He’s sending me on an errand.” I stood, surprised by how off-kilter I felt, but I didn’t think it had anything to do with my concussion. “I’m not sure what, if anything, will come of it, but I’ll go.”

“I’ll get a security team ready.”

“I won’t need them for this.” At least I hoped not. “You don’t happen to have Giancarlo’s phone number, do you?”

Leo scoffed. “Why would you call that asshat?”

“Because I need him to go with me to Riesi.” I spoke plainly, as if my explanation should have made sense, to piss him off. I might have grown up, but I’d be dead before I stopped enjoying irritating my brothers.

Leo glared.

My new right-hand man, AKA consigliere, pulled out his phone. “I’ll text you the number.”

Wincing, I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m going to need a phone. Preferably one loaded with contact information.”

Gabe motioned to the wrinkled shorts and T-shirt I’d found on the plane. “It’s a good thing you left most of your clothes here when you went to the States. You’re going to need a suit.”

“Hook me up, bro.” The capo thing had its perks, but I’d gladly trade it all in to have Nico back by my side.

Gabe handed me his phone. “Use this while Leo sets up a permanent replacement, and Dante gets your clothes ready.”

Leo smirked and Dante groaned.

Yup, being the head of the family definitely has its perks.

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