Page 19 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

He snapped his head toward me, narrowing his gaze on my hand. Jerking my hand away quickly, I stepped out. Darting my eyes back and forth watching for cars, I jogged across the street.

Joey sped off and I trudged to my house. I dreaded having to hear about the D'Angelo family. I could only hope to sneak in and go to my room.

I called my father's driver. He picked me up within the hour. I sat in the back of the SUV, watching out the window as we headed down the coastline in the direction of my home. I did not know how I would help my father and Giuseppe, but I knew in the absence of the Don and Underboss, it was a rule in our own family that the consigliere would not take the role as boss.

My father made that rule after his first one betrayed him seven years ago. He was a rat and spilled many details to the FBI about my father's business affairs. It launched an international manhunt, causing the arrest of twenty-three of his men.

I weighed options in my mind. This time, I wanted to help my family, but only this once. It did not mean I wanted to join the family business. I only needed to get my father and uncle Giuseppe out of jail somehow. They had not posted bail, so I had some time to meet with my father's consigliere and caporegimes.

Time in the SUV flew by and when we arrived on our street, there were news vans and trucks all over the road on both sides. People stood around talking as if they were having a block party. I took a deep breath.

“Do you want me to pull around back?” The driver glanced back in his rear-view mirror, meeting my gaze then slowly drove through the crowd.

“No, it's fine.” I watched the people as we passed.

Cameras begin to flash through the windows in my face. I drew my jacket over my head to cover any photo they might get through the tinted glass. Then in a split second, I felt something bump the side of the vehicle. That's it!

Lowering my window, I pointed at every person and camera. “Fuck off! Why are you here? Why are you here? Go away! Fuck off all of you!”

Paparazzi cameras began to flash faster and people from everywhere began to swarm us. Reporters shouted questions. I flipped them off, rolling up my window. The driver hurried through the gate as security stood outside with the media, stopping anyone from trying to barge through.

The vehicle stopped in front of my house. He opened my door and I stepped out, not glancing toward the gate again.

Gavino! Gavino! Look over here! What do you think about your father?! Can you comment on the murder of Donato Barone?

They were shouting all sorts of things at me. I ignored them, walking toward my front door. When I reached the porch, I threw my middle finger in the air without turning around. The moment I stepped through the entrance and closed the door, I marched toward noise in the back of the house.

I found my mother in the kitchen sobbing with my sister and Joey's mother. When she saw me, she jumped off a chair at the breakfast nook table and threw her arms around me.

“Gavino, I'm so happy you're home!” She choked through her tears.

Leaning into her embrace, I hugged her. “Ma, I have to go get ready.”

“For what?” She took a step back. “You just got here.”

“I’ll be holding a meeting with dad's men in the office, and I need to shower.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

She nodded. “We will have to attend the arraignment at some point just so you know.”

I nodded in return and glanced at the others in the room, offering a small nod before I walked out.

Forty-two minutes later, Joey showed up with the leaders. It felt strange standing behind my father's desk, but I had no choice and wanted my father home even if he pissed me off with our different views about my future.

Folding my arms to my body, I watched as the five men came to a stop in front of me. Joey took his place next to me, causing confusing glances at one another.

“As you all know, our fathers were arrested for the murder of Donato Barone. I don't know what is going on, but I do know that someone needs to take over the business while my father is away.”

There were sighs around the room.

One of my father's captains cleared his throat. “I will not take orders from you.”

Arching a brow, I scowled.

My father's consigliere, Federico, stepped forward with a folder pinned under his arm. “Actually, you will have to listen to him.”

I shot a glance at him then Joey, wrinkling my nose. Joey shook his head subtly, shrugging. He had no idea what Federico was talking about either. I had only planned to take charge and self-appoint myself as acting boss.

He opened the binder, turning a few pages. His eyes scanned the paper. “In my absence, whether time away or death, my underboss Giuseppe shall replace me. In his absence, whether time away or death, my son Gavino, shall continue as acting boss.”

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