Page 34 of His Broken Queen

“He doesn’t think we’ll be able to do that on our own.”

“He’s probably right.” I hated having to call in favors, but I was boxed into a corner and needed to get out. “What do you think?”

“We need to hear him out. It might end up costing us, but right now we’re not doing so well. Our options are limited.”

“A trip might be necessary.”

“It might not be a bad idea. No one here will dare come after us on Malatesta territory. It could buy us some time.”

“What is that?” I pointed to the envelope he held. “Is it a potential problem?”

The way my week was going, why not add to it?

“I hope not.” He stared down at the envelope. “It’s the DNA results.”

“Did you open it?” I wanted a rush on the results, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the answer.

“Rocco’s on his way up.” He held up the results. “I figured we should wait for him.”

“It’s going to be a hell of a lot less complicated if he’s a Torrio.” I took a seat at the desk. “Vincent and Antonio aren’t going to like the alternative.”

“What about us? What does it mean if he is a Bilotti?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, but he can’t be loyal to both families. He may be able to co-exist between us, but in the end, he’ll have to make a decision. It will come down to who he chooses.”

“I don’t envy him.”

“This is just another way Dad screwed us.” I tapped my fingers on the desk. “There isn’t anything we can do about it now. It is what it is.”

“You’ve been saying that a lot.”

“We’ve been dealing with a lot of shit.”

The knock at the door halted Gio’s response.

“We’re about to find out what it is.” Gio opened the door. “Rocco, come in.”

“How are you?” Rocco asked.

“I survived.” I leaned back in my chair. “I’ll feel better when I retaliate.”

He nodded.

“I’m guessing you’re here because of this?” Gio held up the results.

“You got them too?”

“I didn’t open them yet,” Gio said. “I wanted to wait for you.”

“I didn’t either.” Rocco took out an envelope from his inside pocket. “I thought I should do it in front of you both, so there were no doubts.”

“Let’s get it over with,” I said.

Gio shot me a displeased look, but I didn’t have any more fucks to give this morning.

Rocco opened his envelope, and then took his time reading the results. Gio and I watched as he soaked in the information. For a man with an Ivy League education, it took him long enough to process what he read. Maybe he just didn’t want to accept it.

“What does it say?” Gio asked.

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