Chapter 18
“Morning,” I greet the managers gathered around the mahogany table, their faces blending curiosity and apprehension. “Thank you for taking the time to come here today. We have a lot to discuss.” They know me as Anthony’s daughter, but they’ve never seen Gia Casaletto take the reins like this. These were my father’s top soldiers, but I know that trying to secure that same loyalty will not be easy.
Marco stands by the door, his presence a silent pillar of support. His dark gaze follows my every move, but he doesn’t speak. It’s my show now, and he is here only to ensure they listen.
“First off,” I say, flipping open my sleek leather notebook, “we’re overdue for an inventory audit of every asset, every account. I need to know what resources we have if we are to start making the right moves.”
Murmurs ripple across the room. Pens scratch against paper as they scramble to jot down notes. Good. They’re taking me seriously.
“Second,” I continue, my voice firm. “There’s a shipment request under the auto division. If we are not filling these orders, it won’t be long until our overseas clients turn elsewhere to have their requests taken care of.”
“Is it smart to boost luxury cars when the cops were sniffing around so recently? I’m guessing they’re keeping an eye on most of your father’s operations, trying to discern who took over for him,” Peter, one of the more senior of my father’s soldiers, asks, glancing back and forth between Marco and me.
I lean forward, meeting each manager’s gaze with unwavering determination. “Did any of you ever let cops scare you from doing what my father asked of you? No, I don’t think so. We can’t afford to lose that business, so I don’t care how you do it, but get it done.”
They nod in unison, the air thick with a newfound sense of urgency. I glance at Marco, his expression proud but guarded. He knows this is only the beginning of a long road ahead if we want these men to accept my direction as if it were his.
Their pens pause and hover. “Any objections?” I ask.
They shake their heads in a collective surrender.
“Great, then I want the entire order filled in a week,” I state. The room erupts with arguments about why that is impossible and how my expectations are ridiculous.
Marco steps forward, filling the space behind me. He has been so absent lately, filling in for Vincent during his trip, so having him in the same room with me feels comforting. His voice cuts through the tension. “You heard her, gentlemen. Let’s make it happen.” His authority is unquestioned. “Also, going forward, you should all be aware I am relying on Gia to stand in and run all of her father’s operations. Not one among us knows the ins and outs of these businesses better than she does. Treat her with the respect you would show me.”
The room falls silent, the weight of Marco’s words sinking in. I see the subtle shift in their expressions, a mix of surprise and begrudging acceptance. My heart swells with gratitude toward Marco as he stands beside me, another instance of him showing me he means what he says.
Marco turns to me as the men begin to file out of the room, his gaze softening. When the last one leaves, he says, “You handled that well.”
I exhale, feeling the tension drain from my shoulders. “Thanks. I appreciate you being here. It’s pretty clear they wouldn’t have listened to me without you.”
Marco steps forward, his touch light as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “Just remember this will take time. They won’t all be as easy to convince. You have to be careful how hard you push them and be patient.”
I nod, knowing the challenges that lie ahead. The Mafia world is unforgiving, especially for a woman trying to assert her authority. “I know. I just want to make sure they don’t view me as weak.”
Marco chuckles. “I don’t think anyone who has ever met you would view you as weak,” he says before pressing his lips to my forehead.
He glances down at his watch, and his smile is replaced by a frown.
“Gotta go?” I ask.
“Unfortunately, I have a meeting back at the penthouse with Bobby,” he explains.
“I’m glad you were finally able to get him out,” I reply.
His brow stitches together with concern. “Vincent was right to be upset. It shouldn’t have taken as much effort as it did. I wonder if more is happening than we’re aware of.”
“What do you mean?”
“We have people in place to... prevent these kinds of issues from being a problem,” Marco answers cryptically, but I know he’s referring to the cops on the King payroll. “The fact that it took the levels I had to go in order to have him released makes me wonder if the network that existed to protect us when Edward was alive has started to crumble.”
“What are you going to do?” I frown, my mind racing with the implications of Marco’s words. If we’re losing our grasp on our protection within the police force, it will only be a matter of time before that ripples throughout the organization.
Marco shrugs. “For now, I’ll talk to Bobby and find out what they questioned him about. Maybe that will help me determine if they were just fishing or if the NYPD has plans we should worry about.”
“You think it’s that bad?”
“Honestly, I have no clue, but someone has to look out for this family,” Marco growls as he stiffens. He doesn’t need to say anymore. I can see the anger radiating from him about Vincent. Marco’s eyes have been opened. Vincent didn’t only hurt me; he is certain destruction for the King’s empire if he remains in control. Marco may not be ready to see we have no choice but to remove him, but time will show him how right we are.
I nod, silently acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “Be careful,” I murmur, a hint of worry seeping into my tone.
Marco’s eyes lock with mine, a silent promise in his gaze. “I always am.”
“Are you free after?” I ask as he turns to leave, desperate to spend a little more time with him. “For lunch?”
He considers my request before replying, “I’m probably going to have a working lunch at the penthouse.”
I hated going to Vincent’s home. Even though he was on the other side of the world, his fortress oozed his essence. As much as I loathe being there, I want to spend more time with Marco. “Want me to bring you lunch?” I offer.
He studies me for a moment. “Really?” He knows how I feel about being in that place. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough the last time I went to see Marco.
I assure him the offer is genuine.
“Don’t go getting a big head or anything, but I miss you. I’d love to have a little more time with you.” I smile at him.
“I’d love that,” he answers before suggesting a time and leaving.
As I wait for the time to approach, I receive word from two soldiers that multiple vehicles matching the requests on the list have been located. Despite the dangers that are always present in our lives, it’s starting to feel like trusting in Marco was the right decision. He has given me authority over my father’s team, and I will always be grateful to him for that.
After finishing up a few details at the auto body shop, I leave and make my way to the deli a few blocks away from the King’s penthouse. The bell above the door announces my arrival. The scent of fresh bread and herbs swirls around me, a comforting embrace.
“Hey, Gia!” the owner, Tony, calls out from behind the counter. “The usual?”
My stomach sinks when he makes the offer. The usual included the sandwich that I used to pick up for my father. “Hi, Tony,” I greet him in response, trying to keep my voice from cracking. “Actually, can I get two of the turkey gobblers today?”
“Coming right up.” He gets to work slicing, layering, and wrapping with practiced ease.
I text Marco that I’ll be there soon, but he doesn’t respond. I’m sure he’s hard at work as the leader this family desperately needs. I wish he could see what Nico, Dante, and I see when we look at him. Marco is the only person holding this family together since Edward died and Amelia joined the Ivanovs.
“Here you go.” Tony hands me the package, the weight of it reassuring in my grasp.
“Thanks.” I pay, leaving cash on the counter.
I slide into my car, the leather cool against my skin. I set the package on the passenger seat. My phone is heavy in my hand. The screen lights up at my touch, my fingers hovering, then diving in.
Me: Can’t wait to see you. On my way. -G
Send.
I pull away, the streets unfurling before me, leading me to Marco, to us. When I arrive, Nico is standing by the security desk chatting with Walter, the man who has worked at his post since I was a little girl.
“Hey,” I greet, shifting the carryout to one hand.
Nico’s head lifts, a grin breaking his stoic facade. “Gia! Here for Marco?”
“Yup, I convinced him to take a break long enough to actually eat a meal with me.” I laugh.
“After Bobby left, he mentioned that you would be stopping by. Come on, I’ll swipe you up,” he offers, moving toward the elevator.
“Do you want to join us?” I offer, happy to share my meal with him.
Nico’s eyes soften at the invitation. “I appreciate it, but duty calls. Next time, though.”
I nod in understanding and step into the elevator. He swipes his card, and the doors close, leaving him in the lobby. The familiar sensation of being whisked upward washes over me, anticipation building with each passing floor. When the elevator doors open to Vincent’s opulent penthouse, I can’t help but feel a pang of discomfort.
My hand grips the carryout tighter as I step out, calling Marco’s name. A moment later, he emerges from the living room.
“Hey you,” he chimes with a smile, and in two long strides, he closes the distance. We collide, an inevitable force, my name on his lips as he wraps me in his arms.
As much as I didn’t want to have feelings for Marco, how he cares for me has made it impossible not to. “I missed you,” I confess into his neck, inhaling the scent of his skin, a mix of sandalwood and danger. I don’t want to let myself get carried away by the emotions I experience when it comes to Marco, but his actions have shown me he really is different than most men in our world. He means what he says, and his promises can be relied on.
“Me too, every second,” he replies, his breath hot against my ear, sending shivers cascading down my body.
We pull away just enough to drink each other in, faces inches apart. His fingers trace the line of my jaw, gentle yet possessive. He takes the carryout from me and guides me into the living room with a hand on my lower back.
A few minutes later, the food is splayed out on the coffee table, and we sink onto the couch, our legs touching each other, both desperate for contact.
“How did things with Bobby go?” I ask as we each take a bite of our sandwiches.
He considers the question as he finishes his bite. Marco’s gaze is heavy with the weight of the day’s events as he chews thoughtfully, contemplating his response. Swallowing, he finally speaks, his voice tinged with concern. “Honestly? It’s a mess. I figured out why our guys couldn’t get Bobby out.”
I know the answer immediately. “The feds?”
He nods. “Yeah, it ends up they were behind the arrest.”
“What do they have?” I reach out, placing my hand on his knee in a silent gesture of support.
“Honestly? The weird part is I don’t think they have anything. Based on what Bobby said, it sounds like they were just fishing. If I had to venture a guess, between Edward’s dying and then your dad, they are curious what it means for the organization’s infrastructure,” Marco explains. “You know Bobby, though. They probably are more confused than before they brought him in.” We both laugh.
He leans into my touch briefly before shifting slightly, his expression turning serious. “Gia, I know I’ve been busy with all of this, and I am so sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize for your work,” I assure him.
“Maybe, but I wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten my promise. I will figure out how to handle this situation with Vincent and what he did to you.”
My heart clenches at the mention of Vincent. “I know you will.”
His touch is gentle yet electric. I’m unguarded and vulnerable with him in ways that terrified me until recently. But the unease melts with each tender kiss, shared secret, and effort he makes to prove his loyalty to me.
“Will you come to my place tonight?” I ask, voice raw with emotion. “I need to spend time with you.” I know it is a lot to ask with the burdens hanging all around him right now, but the truth is I have been desperate to reconnect with him ever since our shared experience with Nico and Dante.
Marco’s eyes search mine for a moment, a silent conversation passing between us. His hand cups my cheek, thumb brushing over my lips. “Of course. I’ll be there,” he promises.