Page 87 of The Fall of a Promise

Reaching into my drawer, I pull out the special pen Anya got me for my birthday. I laughed then, but now it’s more useful now than ever. I initial on the tabs, sign the dotted line, and vow to kill this son of a bitch.

My phone dings with a text from my father:

Let me up.

Without a word, I switch over to the app and grant him elevator access. He’s walking through the entryway in less than a minute.

“Giuseppe,” Dante greets him, and my father dips his head.

I stand to greet my father as he pulls me into a hug, kissing both cheeks.

“What are you doing here?”

He makes himself at home, walking over to the bar and pouring us both a drink before he nods over to the balcony. I follow him without a word, and he only hands me my drink once we’re outside.

“I came to check on you.”

A rub my face with my palm. “Look, Pa. I appreciate it, but—”

“Your mother was taken from me.”

I rear my head back. “What?”

He takes a slow drink before answering. “We’d only been married for two years. I had guards on her at all times, even ones she didn’t know about. I did everything I could, and somehow, someone got ahead of me.” He pauses. “She was pregnant with Bash at the time. She hadn’t told me yet.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I know what you’re thinking. And you’re wrong. You didn’t forget anything, and you’re certainly not a failure.”

“How can you say that?” I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror without feeling disappointment. “Look—times were different back then, technology was different. I could’ve done more. I feel so incompetent.”

“You’re both still young, despite what you might think or feel.”

“Meaning?”

He laughs into his drink.

“It means you’re both idiots, and sometimes, your ego and arrogance will be your own worst enemy. You are only a man at the end of the day.”

“You’re saying there’s no way to protect my family?”

“I’m saying you can try, but nothing in life is guaranteed. You are not the only one with access to advances in technology. Caishen isn’t like us. Nothing is off limits, not women, not even children.”

Scoffing at the last part, I shake my head. Men like Caishen were scum of the earth. He has plenty of money but would do anything for more, and it would never be enough.

“No one blames you, son. And Anya is a tough one. Caishen is probably questioning his decisions as we speak.”

That earns a laugh out of me.

“Dante said the same thing. I hope she’s giving him hell.”

“She’s going to do what she needs to do,” he replies before taking a sip.

“So, what doIdo? I just have to hope every day nothing happens to her.”

He scoffs. “I didn’t say that. You’ll get her back, and Caishen will pay. Then we’ll send a message that the Cosa Nostra, Triad, and Outfit alliance is not to be trifled with and we’re not to be underestimated.”

“Thanks.” I turn to him as he pulls me in for another hug.

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