Page 82 of Made to Sin

I left the flowers and sat on the ottoman next to Tori’s recliner.

“It was his death anniversary. I visited his grave, laid flowers, and left some endearing words like the good son he expected.”

Pity filled Tori’s eyes, despite her efforts to hide it. The idea that my father could be so fucked up that Tori felt bad for someone like me was revolting. Sometimes I wished I wasn’t trained to read into body language.

“What were those so-called endearing words that you said?”

“Told him the family he prioritized over his own was still up and running. Though what I should’ve said was that he deserved to die and was lucky I didn’t do it myself. Yet, all these years, the looming presence of his fist still hangs around my neck like a fucking noose.”

She rubbed the back of my shoulders for comfort. “Sweet child, nobody can truly break free from the mold that created us.”

I laughed. “Tell me about it. I hate him, but I’m exactly like him.”

She slapped the back of my head. “Stupid! If you were exactly like him, you wouldn’t hate him. The difference is enough to know you’re a good person, Luciano.”

“My enemies would disagree with that.”

She shrugged. “Maybe, but you don’t get to blame yourself for your father’s mistakes. Look at me, I’m a woman in her forties but has an attack as soon as I leave this place. I never blamed myself for it. My husband was the monster. Similarly, your father’s mark on your character is not your fault unless you let it be.”

“Isn’t failing to stop Mamma’s abuse my fault? I could have done something. Instead, I waste my life hating the dead and spitting on his grave.”

“The past is the past, dear. Like I said, his mark is not a bearing. What you can do is learn to forgive. The best revenge is forgiveness.”

Deep down, I knew Tori was right. By hating my father, Iwas giving him too much power. Still, I couldn’t help the nauseous burn that coated my bones at the mere thought of him.

“The best revenge is to aim my gun and shoot,” I grumbled.

Tori burst out laughing, and something about it was so contagious, I found myself smiling too.

“Then, you go to his tomb and shoot that shit up. Now, shall I tell you about what I overheard the other day?”

—

My visit with Tori was cut short when Dante called and informed me that Sergio wanted to talk. I didn’t know if he wanted to shoot me or what, but it intrigued me enough to come.

Sergio Camello, Marco’s replacement, stood in front of his cousin’s very own killer without a clue.

“What do you want?” I asked as he walked closer.

I ran a gaze down the all-white suit he was wearing. If he was so confident in the color, violence was most likely off the checklist for today’s meeting.

He sat on one of the chairs in front of my desk and clasped his hands in front of his bulging stomach.

“I was made aware Marco had an alliance with the Benevetis. Pardon me for speaking ill about the dead, but my cousin didn’t know how to rule the family. I propose we make a new one that is beneficial for both of us,” he suggested.

I didn’t need to keep the alliance with the Camellos, but considering I was the one responsible for their tragedies as of late, I entertained him. “What do you have in mind?”

A smirk rose to his lips as his shoulders sagged, relieved I was willing to listen. A grave mistake to show your enemies that you’d put down your defense.

“As you’ve heard Marco was killed by the Bartolos. I need to continue getting more of your weapons.”

I lifted a spare pen, twirling it around my fingers. “What do Iget in return?”

“The whore you’re fucking was my cousin’s wife. That would make us even. Wouldn’t you agree?”

I paused. Despite the itch to reach for my gun and shoot his disrespectful brains out, I kept a stoic face. I didn’t want to think about what would happen if he found out I had a weak spot for Katarina. My family and I survived as long as we had because I had no apparent weak spot. To admit to my weaknesses was essentially signing my family up for the chopping board.

I released a humorless chuckle. “Watch your mouth, Sergio. It makes you look pathetic when you speak lowly of women.”

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