Page 134 of Mafia Angel

“All right. It’s there. You could have told me about the neighborhood, Enzo.”

“Don’t you like it?”

“What’s not to like? I’m raising kids surrounded by—”

“Men who will always make sure you’re safe.”

There’s a long pause, and we see him stop walking. He looks around as his dog sits beside his left leg.

“Thank you.”

The call ends as we pull up around the corner. It’ll be dark in about five minutes. It’s already past dusk. We wait fifteen before I slip out of the car. I’m already in dark clothes, so I’m not too noticeable despite my height and size. I flick on my phone’s flashlight just long enough to spot it. I pull it out and head back to the car. I wait until we’re on the bridge into Manhattan before I turn it on.

“Motherfuckers. I’m going to fucking kill them.”

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Sinead

Relieved doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel right now. Euphoric might be a closer term. I’m trying not to bounce off the walls as I wait for Gabriele to get home. Neither Serafina nor Carmine expect me to pay much attention to the conversation, and I appreciate it. I know I’m being rude, but I can’t help it. All I can think about is Gabriele’s going to remain free. This nightmare is over. At least the part with him possibly spending life in prison. I don’t want to know how things stand with the Polish Mob. If he could call me, it’s because he left that place. I don’t think he’d leaveandcall me if it wasn’t done.

Duffy and Philip… It didn’t surprise me they couldn’t find Philip. I paused when I talked to Gabriele in case he wanted to say something. I’m glad he didn’t lie. If he had, it would have been because he thought he was protecting me. I’d rather have the silence. I’m certain no one is finding Duffy either. I won’t think about how the Mancinellis will handle people asking why both men are gone. I won’t make it my business unless I have to defend someone.

I’m out of my seat the moment I see the elevator doors parting. Gabriele practically shoves Lorenzo as his long legs eat up the space between us. I throw myself at him, and he lifts me off my feet. You’d think he’d just been let out of prison the way I cover his face with kisses before we share one that makes my toes curl. When he finally puts me down, he holds onto me as he whispers.

“I love you,piccolina. I love coming home to you. I love knowing we’re going to curl up together, and being with you is going to make the rest of the world disappear.”

“I want to curl up with you and a good book, Daddy. There is no rest of the world. I love you, too.”

I feel him sigh, and I know the rest of the world is still here. I gaze up at him and wait.

“I have the dashcam, and I’ve seen what’s on it. I need to meet with my family, and this can’t wait. We need to go to Uncle Salvatore’s.”

It’s my turn to sigh. This is one of those times where I— where we —can’t come first. The family does. I step away. I expect the three guys and Serafina to head toward the elevator. Lorenzo, Carmine, and Serafina do, but Gabriele doesn’t.

“Sinead, you’re coming too.”

He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me tight. He keeps his voice low, but I’m sure the others can hear.

“You’re my family now, too.”

“But we’re not—”

“We can be by tomorrow night.”

I stare, barely blinking. I don’t know if he’s serious. He kisses my neck just behind my ear.

“That’s not how I’m proposing,cuore. But I am proposing soon.”

I’m back to grinning like a fool. Lorenzo drives himself along with Carmine and Serafina. Gabriele and I ride in the back of a town car together. A trip to Queens has never been so short. We only have enough time for me to come twice before Gabriele realizes we’re pulling into the neighborhood. Three more thrusts, and we’re both panting. We’re straightening our clothes as we pull into the circular driveway.

It's a veritable mansion-slash-castle. The home is huge. If you didn’t know where to look, you would never imagine so many distinguished homes existed in Queens, but they do. And I’m now standing in front of one.

Gabriele slides his hand into mine and leads me to the front door. He punches in a code, and I follow him inside. The first thing I notice is the aroma coming from the kitchen. It’s a gastronomic delight before you even taste anything.

We follow the voices into the kitchen, and I can’t help but stare. Salvatore, Massimo, Luca, Carmine, Lorenzo, Marco, Matteo, and an older man I don’t know are washing and drying dishes.

They have matching gingham aprons on. As if that weren’t enough to boggle the mind, it’s impossible not to laugh when you realize the aprons would be nearly knee-length on most women but are like micro-minis on them. Good thing they’re all wearing pants. I sweep my gaze around the kitchen and spy two little girls standing between Massimo and the man I don’t know. I can’t hear them, but it looks like they’re both giving very strict instructions.

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