Chapter 59
Maximo
As the days pass, Elena and Julianna heal, but I can’t get the carnage out of my head.
Blood and gore everywhere. Each room told its own story of the violence it saw that day.
Dario lying prone, blood literally everywhere.
In the next room, Niccolò’s broken nose, missing eyeball, cracked head…
and that was all before I got to him and caved the rest of his skull in with the butt of my gun.
That was only a quick outlet for my anger after seeing him on top of my wife.
Elena and Julianna did the majority of the damage.
My chest swells with pride. They’re survivors. Fighters. I’m so proud of both of them.
At the same time, they never should have been in that situation. I failed them both. I should have taken the warning signs about Lazaro more seriously.
In hindsight, I should have brought Lazaro in as soon as I suspected him. Fuck the rules. To hell with the need for evidence.
If I’d acted sooner, Elena and Julianna never would have gotten hurt. Their pain is my fault.
Now that the worst is over, the other dons have not only condoned what I had to do, but they’re also conducting a sweep among our ranks. Anyone who sided with Lazaro is a threat against us all. We stand united as those loyal to us track down every single one of the traitors.
Loyalty.
Silence.
Those are the only two things we demand. The two promises of a made man who joins one of the four families. Those who break their oath die. It’s as simple as that.
I sit in my office, needing solitude away from our relatives who insist on checking in on us throughout the day.
I appreciate their concern, they’ve helped us a lot with meals and errands and such.
But I’m also ready for the revolving door of people coming and going to end.
I miss my time alone with Elena. Truly alone with her.
My phone vibrates on the desk. I glance at the screen and my heart drops into my stomach. It was only a matter of time before he called. I’ve been expecting this, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
Bracing myself, I answer. “Hello Papa.”
“Maximo. Do you realize how lucky you are? Everything could have gone terribly wrong. What would I have told your mother? You could have gotten yourself killed.” Of course he knows about it all.
I cringe. “I know.”
“Your sister could have been killed.”
“I know.”
“Your wife, too.”
A wounded sound rumbles in my chest. “I know.” The words scratch up my throat.
He sighs. The sound’s heavy with meaning. You fucked up, son. But also: I’m so glad you’re alive.
I screw my eyes shut. Enduring my father’s disappointment in me is one of the worst feelings in the world. I’ve broken his trust, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever get it back. Not after what happened to Julianna.
“I just spoke with your sister. As much as I should insist that she comes home, she doesn’t want to. She wants to stay with you in America.”
I hold my breath, hope fluttering in my gut. If he lets her stay, I know it’s a test. He’s giving me a second chance to prove myself. To not disappoint him again.
I hear my mother’s voice in the background. He covers the cell’s microphone to answer her, his words a hushed jumble that I don’t catch.
“I told her she can stay as long as you agree,” he says.
“She can stay.”
“She’s your responsibility now, Maximo.”
“I know, Papa. I won’t let either of you down. I promise.”
“I believe you. Keep her out of trouble and away from danger. While she’s there, I’m working on finding her a suitable husband, one strong enough to stand up to Nero if he becomes a problem.”
“Have you told Julianna about this plan?” Knowing my sister, she’s going to hate it.
He grunts an affirmative. “She’s known the terms for years. She either stays hidden or she marries. She chose to come out of hiding, so I will make sure she marries well.”
“Okay. Hug Mama for me.”
“I will. Talk soon.”
“Arrivederci, Papa.”
A mix of determination and dread floods my veins.
On one hand, Papa has given me another chance to earn his trust. On the other, Julianna’s no easy assignment.
My sister’s always been rebellious, and I’m not sure how she’s going to take it when our father finds her a groom.
Will she accept the arrangement or make our lives hell?
Flip a coin because I don’t fucking know.
“Maximo?” A light tap comes on my door.
“Come in.” I lean back in my chair, ribs aching. Those are going to take a while to heal.
Julianna steps inside and I internally berate myself for the condition she’s in. Yes, she’s healing up well. But every time I see the purples and greens that discolor her face, I’m reminded of how close I came to losing her forever. That cut across her eyebrow is going to leave a scar.
Her eyes warm with hope. “Did you talk with Papa?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“You can stay. But—”
“Thank you!” She bounces on the balls of her feet.
“But, there will be rules. If you break any of them, I’ll send you back to that convent in Estonia. Capiscimi?”
Vigorously, she nods. “Absolutely. I’ll be good.”
I struggle to keep my expression neutral. I give it two weeks before she starts testing the bounds. My sister needs a strong, firm hand. I have no idea how the convent dealt with her for six whole years.
“What? Maximo, why are you giving me that look?”
“What look?”
Her hip pops to one side, her hand landing on it. “You know which look. Like you don’t believe I can behave myself. That look.”
I guess I failed to hide my doubts. “Your track record works against you.”
“Whatever. Give me your stupid rules and I’ll follow them to a T. Just watch.”
Oh, I’ll be watching her. Though that’s a full-time job on top of my regular work. I know my limitations. I’m going to need help. Professional help.
“We’ll discuss it over dinner tonight.”
“Okay.” She beams. “Thank you, Maximo.”
Bounding out of my office, she leaves me alone with my regrets and guilt.