Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Shouldn’t that be my happiness?”
“Yes, but you don’t know or see what we do.” She runs a hand over my hair and tucks it behind my ear. “I believe we need to give you time to see it for yourself. Your father, on the other hand, wants to rush you to figure it out by telling you.”
“Telling me what?”
She shakes her head. “Even if I tell you, you won’t hear me. This is a lesson you’re going to have to learn on your own. You’re brilliant, Carleen, you come from my womb. The womb of a surgeon and scholar. You will figure it out in time.”
I sag my shoulders. My head is starting to hurt. Mom wraps her arm around my shoulders and follows after everyone else.
“It will all work out,” she whispers.
Chapter 12
You Will Understand
Dario
I’m still seething from the conversation I walked in on earlier between Dante and our father. However, one thing in particular has been bouncing around in my head.
And why are you avoiding love?
I stand here with a drink in hand, watching my niece with the men in my family. If only my father knew, I’m no longer avoiding the inevitable and that’s what’s making me resentful. This burden shouldn’t be mine.
Gio is well, competent, and alive. How is he being passed over for me? It’s leaving a burning taste in my mouth. Having to leave Carleen earlier to come here already placed me in my feelings. I’m already being pulled from her and I’ve yet to step into this new role.
Bella’s laugh rings out, grabbing my attention. My niece is the most adorable kid I’ve ever seen. Her little brown cheeks speak of her mother’s African American and Asian Indian descent. I can’t help thinking about what children with Carleen will look like.
No doubt her Bajan and African American heritage will make for gorgeous babies mixed with my Italian blood. My mistake the first night we slept together comes to mind. I know I should have told her I came inside her in my drunken state, but there’s a part of me that wants nothing more than to be the father of a child with Carleen.
Would that stop all this and hand Gio his rightful seat?
“You’re so funny, Uncle Lucas.” Bella giggles.
I turn my attention back to all of my family again. They’re laughing and smiling happily. We look so much like a normal family.
On the surface we are. If you don’t count the men I’ve lost over the years or the occasional threat that needs to be silenced when someone grows enough balls to come for us, we are normal.
Dante has spent five years ignoring his position as Capo and it’s been fine. I haven’t had to chastise him for not covering his shit. He seems to have balance. That’s all I ask.
Yet, deep down, I know if Dante were to stay with Bethany and have a son, my nephew would never be made, just as my sons would be passed over. That shit pisses me off and makes me wonder—why I’m changing my life around an oath that doesn’t respect the things I love and hold dear.
This isn’t the old country. To be honest, when listening to Nonno speak, I don’t think we do shit the way it used to be done or the way it was meant to be done.
Most captains outside our family are greedy fucks with their hands so far in the drug business a jail cell awaits them with their names on it. If they’re not selling the shit, they’re using it. All nasty business.
Nonno has kept us smart and on our toes. Not one of us has allowed drugs to become a main earner. Pussy, booze, and gambling have done us well, especially with the age of the internet. It’s growing too fast for the Feds to regulate what we can and can’t do before the next loophole is created.
Dante was smart about the few relationships he made in the drug business and all with the understanding that he could pull out clean when needed. I frown and drain the glass of brandy I’ve been clutching.
“What’s this look?” Nonno asks as he comes over and pats my cheek.
“Why me? Dante builds business and brings in earners. He always picks the right civilians to bring in—the ones who keep their mouths shut and get us our money. Gio is a master at keeping things in order and enforcing when needed. He keeps the peace. Either of them would be right for this. Why me?”
“Dario, I want you to look at the bible. When God picks a chosen one, He always picks the one who seems least likely. It’s always the one who doesn’t want it.
“I have a responsibility to our family. I will pass the family to the grandson I know is most capable of the storm I plan to leave in his lap. Before I can do that, I need to create a little storm of my own.