Page 66 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

Meet me on the rooftop of the Paragon Hotel in an hour. He hung up.

Without knocking, my mother opened the door and poked her head in. “Gavino, can I see you and Sofia alone for a moment, please?” She gasped as her gaze discovered the open wall. “Where did that come from?” She took a full step in the room.

“Ma, we’re busy.”

“I need to see you and Sofia immediately.” It did not matter how old I was or what my rank was in the Mafia. My mother would always be my mother and nothing else. “Right now.”

In the past, I had been extremely disrespectful, and I knew part of my transition was to respect my elders; at least the ones who deserve my respect. Even though I was not my father’s biggest fan, my mother lost him, and it was clear Alphonse was not on his way here.

I offered a nod to the guys then followed my mother to the stairs where Sofia was waiting. A small smile inched on my face as we neared her. My mother paused and turned to us. I braced myself, waiting for a lecture I did not have time for.

“Follow me.” She led us upstairs and down the hallway to her bedroom. Holding up a hand she motioned for us to stop before sauntering to the jewelry box on her dresser. “Sofia told me the details about your wedding.” She closed the box and gripped her fist closed as she scuffed back over. She opened her hand and peered down at her palm. “These were the first rings your father and I had before we gained all this. These remind me of a humbler time before I was self-aware of the world I was raising you and your siblings in. They are real and your father did not use any illegal money to buy them. They’re probably the only thing I have left that was not bought with the blood or deceit of others.”

Sofia sniffled. I turned to see her wiping tears from eyes. I draped my arm around her shoulders.

My mother continued, curling her fingers tightly on the two wedding bands. “I want you to have these and always remember to remain humble even in the toughest decisions.”

Humility was not my strong suit. While I was not used to the new lifestyle yet, it was still the only lifestyle I knew. I nodded. “Thank you.” I gave her a hug.

I began to process her words as Sofia, and I slipped our new wedding bands on each other’s fingers. Remain humble even in the toughest decision. The decision to kill the man who abused my wife. I would humbly kill him alright.

As I stepped back into the library, I glanced around. Five of my men had their sights set on Nick, who was leaning against a wall, smoking a cigarette nonchalantly. I narrowed my gaze on him. “Why are you smoking in my house?” I grabbed it and inhaled a deep drag before snuffing it into a decorative metal tray on a nearby table.

Nick scoffed.

“What the fuck is he doing here?!” One of the caporegimes barked.

I spun on my heels, adjusting my tie. “He’s my family now and he’s going to help me.”

“Family?” Another spoke from the front of the room.

I nodded. “I married Sofia Barone.”

Several gasps and groans echoed through the room.

“HEY!” I bellowed.

They quieted down instantly.

“I’m in charge now and you will listen to me! I was in charge before my father died and I’m sure as hell in charge now that he’s dead! I just watched Bellagio get shot in the head and my father-in-law wants me to meet him in,” I flipped my smart watch over, “twenty-seven minutes. Fuck.” I spun to Federico. “I want you to dispose of Martina immediately. I don’t need anything from her anymore.”

“You don’t want me with you?”

I shook my head. “I was clear.”

He bowed his head. “Yes, boss.”

I turned to the captains and my bodyguards. “I’m doing this by myself, but I want you guys close. Joey will give you orders, and you will listen to him. I’m changing leadership so your jobs are all now on the line.” I pivoted to Joey. “I’m taking Nick and you up with me. Make sure these guys are guarding every entrance in and out of that hotel before we enter.”

He nodded.

I spun to Nick, took a deep breath, and turned back to the captains. “Nick is also your superior now. You will also be taking orders from him too. He might be from another family, but when here, you listen to him. If anyone fucks this up, I’ll kill you myself. Do not underestimate me.”

Nick opened the door leading out onto the rooftop of the Paragon Hotel, twenty-five stories above the still bustling street below. Joey strode through the threshold first, followed by me, then Nick. Alphonse waited with his arms crossed in the middle of two of his men. He tried to make himself as tall as he could muster against my towering, muscular physique. I smirked as we came to a stop. I matched his stance, folding my arms over my chest. I had made it clear no one was to kill Alphonse but me. I wanted the pleasure of watching him suffer before I ended his life.

“Leave us.” Alphonse shouted at everyone who was not me.

His men both took steps away from him. Joey and Nick did not budge. Within an instant they drew their guns simultaneously.

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