Salvatore(74)

They both nodded and left. Everyone was tired.

Rainey went to Natalie and took the bag off her shoulder. I’d woken her to prepare a room.

“Natalie, I’m sorry to keep you and Jacob up so late, but I thought you’d be more comfortable here,” I said.

“I’d be most comfortable in my own house,” she said, glaring at my father’s receding back.

Lucia giggled, then had the presence of mind to cover it up with a cough.

“This is Lucia,” I said. “Lucia, Natalie. And my nephew Jacob.”

Jacob stirred, opening his eyes then closing them again. I watched how Lucia looked at Natalie and saw Natalie with renewed eyes. I’d known her for so long, and she’d been so much like a sister to me from day one that I sometimes forgot how attractive she was, even with her long dark hair wound into a bun, wearing no makeup, and dressed in an old pair of pajamas.

“Nice to meet you,” Lucia said. She then peeked at Jacob. “You probably want to get him to bed.”

“And me too. It’s nice to meet you. Salvatore’s told me about you.”

They both glanced at me.

“Should I be worried?” Lucia asked.

Natalie smiled and shook her head. “Not given the way he looks at you,” Natalie said with a wink.

“Why don’t you go up with Natalie and help her get herself and Jacob settled,” I said to Lucia. I then pulled her in close. “And this time, stay up there,” I whispered, squeezing her ass so she knew she’d pay if she came down again.

“Fine. I don’t want to be around your father anyway.”

I didn’t offer to help her upstairs this time. She’d refuse anyway. Instead, I went into the dining room and closed the doors.

“Where’s Dominic?” I asked.

“Don’t know,” my father answered.

“I thought he’d come home,” I said.

“Why would you think that?” my father asked.

“Because I talked with him. He was at Isabella DeMarco’s house.”

My father’s lips tightened. “What the fuck was he doing there?”

It wasn’t my place to tell him about Effie. I’d let Dominic do that when he was ready. Strange. I realized just then how difficult these last five years must have been for my brother. He’d abandoned his child and a woman he’d at one point cared about all out of fear of my father’s disapproval, his wrath. He’d wanted his acceptance, his approval, as much as I had. Maybe he still did. He was as much a puppet to my domineering father as I was.

Roman cleared his throat.

“Why do I get the feeling you two know more than you’re letting on?” my father asked.

“Let me make a call. I think I may know where he is,” Roman said, standing.

“It’s important he’s here,” I said. “Critical, actually.”

He nodded and made the call. My father and I waited in awkward silence until Roman returned. Rainey knocked and entered with a tray holding a bottle of whiskey and several glasses. I poured for everyone and sent her to bed. She’d need to be up early to greet the remainder of our guests. It was only a few hours before they got here.

“I know who was behind things.”

My father drank his glass of whiskey then pulled the bottle over to pour a second.

“Isabella DeMarco and Dominic have been working together with Pagani’s son, Paul Jr. Luke was just the front man, acting on her behalf.”

“I knew that fucking bitch would be trouble. Only good DeMarco is a dead DeMarco,” my father said.

“That’s enough,” I said more calmly than I expected I could. “I called this meeting to put an end to this stupidity. This feud that’s torn your own family apart. When will it be enough for you?”

“When I’m dead.”

“Don’t push me.”

“Gentlemen, we’re on the same side,” Roman said, standing between us with a hand on both our shoulders. “I’m having someone pick Dominic up and bring him here.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“He has a bar he likes to go to.”

Roman didn’t expound on that, and I left it alone.

“He’s got some explaining to do, that fucking bastard,” Franco said. “Cancel the meeting. I’ll deal with my son myself. You deal with the DeMarco cunt, and Pagani will deal with his son.” He rose to his feet. “I’m fucking tired. You called me here for this bullshit?”

“Sit down,” I spoke quietly, not rising but remaining where I sat, feeling more in control than I ever had in my life. I knew what I wanted, what I needed to do. It would all truly end tonight.

“Be careful, son,” he said, but he lowered himself back down into his chair.