Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
T he Business
Uri
“If I give you my credit card, will you make sure your mama doesn’t spend all of my money?” I coo to Vita as I hold her up in the air as I walk to the kitchen.
She giggles excitedly like she understands exactly what I’m talking about. Showing off her tiny teeth while kicking her chubby legs and clapping her little hands. In her excitement, she drools right into my mouth. I close my mouth and pull a face.
“Why on earth is it always so bloody cold?” I grumble. “I’m starting to think your mum tells you to do this.”
I move her onto my hip as she continues to talk gibberish. My phone pulls me from my conversation with my daughter. I frown and pull it from my pocket.
“Hello,” I say into the phone as I put it between my ear and shoulder while I brush at the drool that missed my mouth and landed on my shirt.
“Donati, this is Brooklyn. We’re going to need to meet about all the transplants on the roster. We should know who belongs to us and who doesn’t. Things are going to move fast once Logan gets home.”
“You don’t have Michael’s number? This is something the two of you should address.”
“Aye, you would think that. Dealing with the McGowans isn’t going to work that way. LaSalle wants them in. They will send Ronan if they agree to this.
“I’m like one of his nephews. He’s not going to listen to me. I don’t care how many men’s blood I have on my hands. He’s been doing this shit since I was in diapers.
“Besides, Michael isn’t a don yet. As a New York member, I think you should sit in on the conversation, at the very least, as a show of respect. He probably won’t speak slowly enough for you to understand him, but if we show a united front, he might listen.
“Why isn’t LaSalle handling this directly?” I ask as I hand Vita to Tina.
Then I take one of our sons from the little contraptions in front of her. As I cradle him in my arms, I lean to kiss Tina’s lips, then place a hand over the chest of our other son.
“Because once things are in play, Logan and LaSalle aren’t going to micromanage any of us. Older members are going to want us to handle them with a different kind of respect.
“Ronan McGowan will be one of those members. I’m just looking to get ahead of things. I will call Michael to handle everyone else, but Ronan should get the red carpet. Logan would want me to show him that respect,” Brooklyn says.
I sigh. Politics, I hate them. This is why I’ve always done things my way.
Symphony’s laugh fills the kitchen, grabbing my attention. I look to where she and Micheal are. Michael is sitting on one of the bar stools at the kitchen island and Sim is sitting in his lap. He’s feeding her mini quiches and fruit while they smile at each other and laugh as Michael murmurs low to her.
My brother finally looks happy. Symphony buries her face into his neck and inhales. Michael tightens his hold around her and kisses her forehead. Watching them reminds me why I’m doing this in the first place.
“Done. Set it up. Call Michael later. He’s taking care of family business at the moment.”
Brooklyn chuckles on the other end. “Maybe it’s time I stopped by. I still have some unfinished business under your roof.”
I snort. “Do so at your own risk. You know where to find her.”
“Aye, I do. I’ll be seeing ya soon, Donati,” he says, allowing his Irish Brogue to slip.
With that, he hangs up. I put my phone away and turn my attention back to Michael and Symphony. I note something right away.
The way they look at each other. The way they move together reminds me of me and Val. Michael should know. I want him to know.
Symphony
“Symphony,” Uri calls as Michael whispers dirty things in my ear.
I turn to look at my brother-in-law. He is standing with his wife and their babies. Vita, Inzo, and Nori.
I have a little niece and two nephews. Their names are Vita, Inzo, and Nori. I find this very exciting, although I haven’t been willing to hold them yet. Val has offered, but I am not ready.
“Yes, Uri?”
“Have you closed down the business?”
I gasp and widen my eyes. Why would he ask me this in front of Michael? My heart begins to race.
“No. I have not. I don’t have any clients currently, but I haven’t shut down the operation,” I reply as steadily as I can.
“What business?” Michael asks near my ear, but still loud enough for Uri to hear.
A shiver runs through me. I ignore the way his breath tickles my skin. It was a fight for us to climb out of bed this morning to come down to breakfast.
“Would you like to explain?” Uri asks.
“Yes, please.”
I turn in Michael’s lap so I’m looking directly at him. I fight against the need to pop my wristband. I knew I would have to tell him about this at some time.
“I have been running an assassin-for-hire business. When you told me I couldn’t be with you because I wasn’t like you, I did my best to become just like you. I have done very well.”
“Wait a minute. You knew about this?” Michael hisses at Uri.
“I learned about it after some time. I allowed it to continue once I was made aware of the results. You weren’t the only one allowing the jobs to keep you going.”
“Seriously, Uri?”
“Why is it that this is a problem? Is it because you think I am not capable? Valentina does the same thing. Why are you upset?”
“Valentina isn’t my wife. You are. How long did you plan to keep this from me?”
“I don’t know.”
“I would like you to see her in action. She is quite impressive. I have witnessed one of her jobs.”
“What? How?” Michael and I say in unison, causing the baby in Uri’s arms to begin to whimper.
I believe he’s holding Inzo. Uri kisses his head and places him back in the bouncy chair in front of Valentina.
“Adriano. I requested he send me footage. Don’t worry. It was encrypted and immediately destroyed,” Uri replies.
“What the fuck have I been paying him for? How did this happen?”
I am getting angry. Michael still wants to treat me like a child he needs to protect. I’ve become more than capable of protecting myself. I am smart, I have skills, I always do my best. I jump up from his lap and glare at him.
“Things cannot continue like this. I want to be your equal. Nine years, sixty assignments, one hundred and forty-two kills.
“Not once have I taken a hit. Not once have I missed my target or failed a mission. Why do you treat me like I can’t do this?
“I thought you, of all people, would be proud of me. I did this for you. I did this so you wouldn’t have to worry about me, so we could do what Nonno wants. Together.”
Michael stands and closes the distance between us. He cups the back of my neck and places his forehead to mine. I feel the tears building up.
“I have done my best. I am one of the best,” I choke out.
“I know you are. You are the best at anything you put your mind to. That doesn’t mean I’m okay with the woman I love placing herself in those types of situations.
“Can you give me that? Do you understand how that makes me feel? I’ve been trying to keep you away from all of this for as long as I can.
“Your grandfather plans to give me the promotion soon, but it’s your family now. I know I can’t keep you hidden forever. I will have to allow you to become who your grandfather wants you to be, but that’s not going to be easy for me.
“Not because I want to be the don, but because I always want to keep you safe. Your grandfather’s wish is for you to be known as the head of the family. I have every intention of making that happen.
“We are making that happen. Just give me some time to wrap my head around this. I’m still reeling from the promotion and all the other shit that will come with it.”
“How do you think that will happen when you have kept me away from knowing anything about the family?” I ask.
“Because I’ve been slowly preparing you. Or should I say guiding you,” Uri says.
“What do you mean?”
“Adriano has introduced you to the right element to move you in the right direction.”
“The O’Sheas? You know about that too?”
“I am the reason he connected you with them. I am also the reason they pulled you in close. Nothing has happened in your life that I haven’t had knowledge of.”
“So you’re okay with her being a hitter but I had to retire?” Valentina snaps.
Uri snorts. “As if you have remained retired in any sense of the word.”
“We will talk later,” she says tightly.
“I’m sure we will, love,” Uri says and kisses Val’s forehead. “Michael, I have a reason for bringing the business up.”
“I bet you do.”
“You two should work together. Allow Symphony to show you what she’s capable of. Things are changing and I believe we will all need to be open to this change.
“Despite making the world believe it’s so, we can’t be everywhere all the time. You will rest easier knowing she’s capable of returning home to you no matter what. I say this from experience.”
“Way to save your ass,” Val says under her breath.
I snicker. I like her more and more. She is the one who told me I needed to stand up for myself when it comes to Michael.
Michael sighs and turns me in his embrace so he can wrap his arms around me—my back to his front. He kisses the side of my neck. I close my eyes and soak him in.
“We have a lot to talk about. You should know what’s going on in Italy. We will call your nonno as well. He will be happy to know you are with me.”
“I would like that.”