Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 94048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“He keeps saying you need to be ready for the big responsibility of a Don, right? Then maybe you need to do something to show him you’re ready.”
I lean against the tree. “I’ve been thinking about trying something like that. But I don’t know if it’ll work. I feel like he’s at the point where, even if he understands that he’s not capable of staying Don through this war, he can’t accept it. And he sure as hell can’t act on it.”
“Force his hand. Do what you have to do.” My sister’s eyes narrow. “You know you have my support. Davide would back you. I don’t know about Laura or Angelo, but I can find out.”
“It won’t come to that.” I stand up straight and stare into the branches. God, I can’t believe it’s come to this. I remember climbing this tree and my dad laughing as I got so high that the branches could barely support me. He was so damn proud that I got over my fear of heights, at least for a few minutes of freedom.
“What’s the plan then, big brother?” She punches my arm. “Gonna just keep on going and hope Dad gets better?”
“No,” I say, batting her away and slipping past. “You’re right, I have to try something drastic. I have an idea, but I just—I didn’t want to follow through with it.”
“Want to be a little less vague?” Her eyebrows raise at me.
I let out a long breath. “It’s what Dad’s been saying all this time. He wants me to be more serious. He wants me to step up and prove I’m ready. Well, I can give him one thing he’s been wanting for a long time. I can get married and start pumping out kids.”
Elena stares at me then bursts out laughing. She pauses, doubled over, and slaps the hood of a random car. I’m not even sure who parked it there. I glare at her and wait until she’s done.
“Are you kidding me? You, get married? Simon, your longest relationship is with your right hand. Don’t stand there and tell me you’re going to get married and have children.”
I’m tempted to throw my shoe at her. “Davide did it.”
“Dad forced him to, and it just happened to work out. Why do you think that’ll happen for you?” She wipes tears from her eyes and slaps my shoulder. “Come on, think of something else. The marriage-and-kids thing is pretty good and Dad would like it, but it’s not going to happen.”
She walks off, still laughing to herself. I stop on the stoop of my house and glare at my sister, annoyed that she finds my idea so fucking funny, but I understand her reaction.
I’ve never been with a woman for more than a night. Why bother when my family name can get me any piece of ass in the city?
Things are different now. I’m not twenty-three anymore, and the Famiglia needs me to step the fuck up and do something about our situation. Dad’s spiraling and the war with Santoro’s coming, whether he likes it or not, and if getting married and having kids proves that I’m stable and ready for leadership, then I’ll fucking do it.
And I already have the perfect girl in mind.
Chapter 5
Emily
I half expect Ethan to throw me out on my ass when I show up for my shift at Cucina Amore, but it’s like nothing happened the night before. He only gives me a look like he’s never seen me before then assigns me some tables and throws me to the wolves like usual, and I don’t mind one bit.
Rachel’s working too. Apparently, she made up with Danny after their fight the night before, and he put hands on her once again, but this time she says it with a big wink and a huge grin, which I guess means Danny’s magic dick solved all their problems. Good for them. I’m not super into joking about domestic violence, and I wish she’d dump that freaking asshole, but she’s the sort of person that has to get to there on her own. I’m here when she’s ready though.
The tips are good tonight. Maybe it’s because I rolled the dice and wore a lower-cut dress than usual. After seeing my father’s empty refrigerator, I’m doubly motivated to earn as much spare cash as possible. Though if I’m being honest with myself, maybe I dressed a little sexier than usual because I kept thinking about Mr. Bianco and those big hands of his, that low voice, those gorgeous eyes, the perfect stubble on his chiseled jaw, his plump red lips ripe for riding.
I’m at the lowest point of my life, and I’m pretty sure the bank’s going to foreclose on my childhood home, but I somehow have time to fantasize about an attractive stranger.