Page 23 of Merciless Desires

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not the family she was born into. We didn’t get to choose our path either. It’s the same thing.”

“It isn’t.”

Our father was a ruthless mobster who ran the New York City family. Before he was assassinated, he was at the top of his game. Romero and I despised him. When he died, we fled to Italy to escape the life he had built for us. We didn’t want his throne or his territory. Janero took us under his wing and protected us. Years later, we returned to the states on our own terms, making our own way in this brutal business.

“We figured it out,” I reminded him. “We could have chosen a different path.”

“But we didn’t because we bleed this life. The same way Cinzia does. The same way Luciana does. She married me out of duty. We all have a cross to bear.”

“It’s fucked up.”

“You’re only saying that because you want her.” Romero stood from his desk. “You know the rules and the codes we’re bound by. Sometimes negotiations have to be made for the greater good of the family. Whatever Janero has in store for his daughter is his business. We have to support him if we want to stay his ally.”

“That’s easy for you to say. That shit deal you made with the Torrios was bad business, but it still worked out for you and Lu.” Luciana’s family sent her here to spy and report back to them. Romero married her because he thought it would be a solid business alliance. In the end, Luciana chose Romero, but it took a while for him to trust her. “What if Cin isn’t as lucky? What if she ends up with a man who hurts her the way Dad did to Mom?”

“Janeiro wouldn’t risk his daughter that way.”

“You don’t know that.”

“This is out of our hands,” he said. “But you know I’ll support you no matter what happens.”

“I appreciate that, but nothing is going to happen.”

“Did nothing happen at the club last night?” He smirked. “I noticed when Cinzia left she was a little disheveled. Her dress wasn’t intact either.”

“I may have taken it a step further than I had to.” That was an understatement. “But we’re on the same page now.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

“I’ll trust your judgment.” He took his gun from his desk and secured it in the back of his pants. “Let’s get to the club.”

“Do you think you’ll need me there all night?” I stood and stretched out my back.

“Why?” he asked.

“I should probably go home and have dinner with Cin. Maybe if I take a different approach, she will settle in faster and cause us less problems.”

“Or you just want to have dinner with her.”

“Can we go to the club?” I opened his study door. “Why are you so concerned about what I want and don’t want to do?”

“Because if you continue to act like a little bitch, you’re going to get us both killed.” He followed me down the hall. “Put her in her place or don’t, but make up your mind. Janero won’t tolerate any more fuck-ups when it comes to her.”

All seemed well at the club. It was the portion of the evening where things were calm. A few people sat at the bar, enjoying Happy Hour. The regulars wouldn’t start filtering in for a few more hours. Once the city filled with the club-goers, the line to get in would wrap around the building.

Most people came for the drinks and the music, but there were many others who came to get a glimpse of Romero and I. We tried to keep it low-key when we were here, only allowing the occasional selfie with us. Now that we were working with Janero, we didn’t want to alert the FEDS where they could find us every night. Although most of them knew. It helped having our half-brother Rocco, who was an attorney, get us out of jams that mostly amounted to harassment on the cops part and nothing more.

“I’m heading out,” I said. “Try to stay out of trouble.”

“I could say the same to you.” Romero handed the tablet back to the bar manager. “These numbers look good.”

“Gio.” Conti approached us.

“Is the car ready?” I asked.

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