Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
“To be honest, I could never understand how you forgave him for kidnapping you.”
I laughed. “To be honest, I don’t always either, but I did, and not just because of Nevio and Greta. It’s hard to explain, but I guess love always is. I know Nevio hurt you too, even if I don’t know what exactly he did, and I’m not telling you to forgive him. I just ask you to listen to your heart. I know you’re the person Nevio needs by his side. I know having you and Battista in his life would make it easier for him to become an even better version of himself. But I want you to know that I won’t blame you if you won’t or can’t give him another chance.”
I got up and squeezed Aurora’s shoulder. “Sleep well.” I turned and left. I’d said what I wanted to say, and now things were out of my hand. I wasn’t sure if Aurora would give Nevio another chance.
Remo was in bed when I came into the bedroom. His expression tightened with concern upon seeing me. “I hope Nevio didn’t do anything to cause this look.”
He was angry. He’d never understood why Nevio had left. For him, Nevio should have fought harder to maintain control and taken responsibility. Seeing how wary Battista was of Nevio had awakened his anger again.
“I talked to Aurora.”
“I hope you didn’t try to talk her into forgiving our son. Because I’m not sure he won’t fuck up again.”
I gave him a stern look as I changed into my nightgown. “He won’t, Remo. I talked to him. He’s determined to win her back, to be a father for Battista, to take over more responsibilities in the Camorra.”
“Just took him a year. A year he won’t get back with his son. I always regretted not getting to experience many first with the twins, and he just threw the chance away.”
“He did, but I think he did it out of responsibility. He knew he was on the verge of something bad and didn’t want Battista and Aurora to be affected by it.”
“He and I, all of us Falcone men are always potentially on the verge of something bad. It’s in our blood, in our nature. He can’t always run. He’ll have to face his demons and shackle them.”
After I was done with two high-profile debtors in the early afternoon, I called Diego to tell him I’d take over a few of his customers. He was glad for the free time that gave him so he could visit his sister. I couldn’t return home right now, not knowing that Nevio was back, that it would be so easy to kick his sorry ass. I needed more time, and I needed to get rid of some of the violence that filled every fiber of my being.
I sent Leona a short message so she wouldn’t worry, though she probably would anyway, then I drove to the first address that Diego had given me.
I hardly felt less violent when I eventually entered our mansion shortly before midnight. Leona had fallen asleep at the kitchen table with her head on her work folders. Her maroon hair was a mess, having fallen out of her ponytail. A pen was still clutched in her fingers. I gently pried it from them then lifted her in her arms. She stirred but I shushed her and carried her upstairs. After I’d put her down on our bed, I went to pull the curtains shut but spotted light in the former ballet studio on the Falcone premises.
Nevio, no doubt. I jerked the curtains shut and stormed out.
“Fabiano?” Leona called drowsily but I didn’t stop.
When I reached the ballet studio and ripped open the door, it wasn’t only Nevio who was inside. Of course not. The Unholy Trinity was finally reunited and was up to no good again. They sat on the ground. Alessio was smoking a cigarette while Nevio and Massimo drank beer.
“Fabiano,” Nevio said with a tight smile. His eyes were vigilant. Seeing him back in this place, already looking as if he had never been gone in the first place only multiplied my anger.
“I hope you’re not drunk. Kicking your ass will be less fun if you’re inebriated.”
Massimo put down his beer and got up, opening his arms in a disarming gesture. “Fabiano, this is something Aurora and Nevio have to settle.”
“Don’t interfere. This isn’t your business.”
“You two can leave. Fabiano and I will talk about this like adults,” Nevio said as he put down his beer and rose to his feet too.
“Now you’re trying to be the reasonable adult?” I growled.
Alessio and Massimo left the studio. I hoped they wouldn’t run off to their father.
Nevio pushed his hands into his pockets. I stalked toward him, but he remained like that, as if he didn’t have a fucking care in the world.