Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Renzo’s going to be proud.”
“Yeah, I don’t know.” I stare at the building, feeling sick. “But that doesn’t matter. Whatever happens with him, I know I did the right thing tonight. I can look myself in the mirror.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you too. When will you be home? I’m still at Nana’s apartment.”
“I’m going in to visit Renzo now. Call you when I’m done.”
“Good luck.”
I hang up and square my shoulders. I don’t have to feel like I let anyone down. I have Molly, I have our baby, and I still have my family. Even if Renzo doesn’t like it, I still have them.
Carlo meets me by the elevators with coffee and we ride up together. Gian’s in the hall and he makes us give him all the details about what happened all night before bringing us back to see Renzo.
“He’s just waking up,” he says. “Maddie’s still a wreck, but she’s hanging in.”
“You look like shit,” Carlo says, squeezing Gian’s shoulder.
“You’d look bad too if you slept in a hospital waiting room.”
“Fair enough.”
We reach the room. The nurses give us plenty of room—I wonder if they know who we are. Probably, considering how much money our family donates to this hospital every year. Renzo’s got his own private suite, and all things considered, it’s pretty nice.
Maddie’s sitting next to his bed with Allegra on the other side. Stefania’s next to Allegra, looking exhausted. She comes over and gives me a hug. “This sucks,” she whispers, and yeah, she’s not wrong.
Renzo’s awake, sitting up, and looks so fucking strange in the hospital gown with IV lines running into both arms. He looks exhausted, and I expected him to harden the second he spots me, but that doesn’t happen. Instead, he only gives the three of us a weary nod.
“I’ve been hearing the sirens,” he says, his voice a rough croak. “Tell me what you did.”
“It was mostly him,” Carlo says, gesturing at me.
I hang back at the foot of his bed. Everyone turns to stare, but I can only look at my older brother. His eyes narrow, and his head tilts.
Then a smile brushes his lips.
“Took up the gun for me, huh, brother?”
Hearing that word, brother, it feels better than I ever expected.
“It’s what you would’ve done for me.”
He nods once. “You’re right.”
“You should’ve seen him,” Carlo says, grinning like a maniac. “Master fucking tactician. The Russians had this elaborate trap planned, and Saul kept us from stumbling into it.”
Renzo grunts and waves me closer. “Tell me everything.”
I spare no details. The girls don’t love it, but Maddie can’t drag herself from Renzo’s side, and Allegra’s been in the mafia world her entire life and she’s used to this shit. Stefania squirms, but she’s my sister and she can handle it. Renzo listens patiently, interrupting only a few times to ask good questions.
When I finish, the room is subdued. Renzo looks thoughtful, but exhausted, and I’m reminded that he nearly died barely twelve hours ago.
“Can I have the room?” His voice is still strong though.
Maddie sits up. “That’s not a good idea. Are you sure?”
“Saul and I need to talk.” Renzo looks at her and pats her hand. “Give us a few minutes.”
“Are you up for this? It can wait.”
“I’m fine. I promise.”
She looks like she’d rather cut off her own arms than leave, but she kisses him gently and lets Allegra lead her away. The others file out after them, but not before Carlo gives me a thumbs-up.
I’m left alone with my older brother. The strength seems to drain from him and he gestures at the chair Maddie vacated. “Don’t get shot,” he says. “Fucking sucks.”
“Doesn’t look fun.” I sit down and lean forward, elbows on my knees. “For what it’s worth, we made them bleed for it.”
“Thank you,” he says. I sit back in surprise. “Carlo would’ve run off half-cocked and gotten himself killed. Thank you for stepping up, even though you didn’t need to.”
I nod and look away. “I may not be the underboss anymore, but I’m still your brother.”
He doesn’t respond right away. I can tell he’s struggling to keep himself together. That’s Renzo—even after nearly dying, he hates showing any weakness. I may not always agree with him, and I think the position’s gotten to his head, but he’s a solid Don. The family’s in good hands with him.
“I shouldn’t have said those things,” he says, which isn’t an apology, but it’s more than I expected.
“I should have told you about Molly from the start.”
“There’s a lot we both fucked up, but I overreacted. I should’ve understood, but I was too angry.”
“I know. There’s a lot of pressure on you.”
“Always.” He leans his head back. “You’re not dead to me, Saul. You never really were. I’m sorry.”
I reach out and put a hand on his arm. He nods at me slightly and I nod back. “I’m sorry too. And I’m glad you’re not dead.”