Chapter 15
Sebastian
After the third ring, Nico sighs, giving me a look to answer the fucking phone.
He’s still sifting through Matt’s call records and other communications to see if we can find his connection to the FBI.
I’m sure they’re smart enough to use a burner, but it’s better to confirm, instead of relying on that assumption.
I grit my teeth and stare out over Chicago in my company’s office. It’s not far from the penthouse, but since Gianna is staying there, I prefer to keep my private life separate.
I pick it up with a curt “What?”
My father scoffs. “Is that how you answer your phone?”
I roll my eyes. “Only when people insist on calling over and over… and over.”
“Pick up the first time I call then.” His rough demand grates on my nerves, the same sensation I’ve always felt since I was young. My father was never one to be ignored, and I learned that lesson early on.
My jaw tightens. “I would if you didn’t call me for frivolous things like a gossiping hen.”
His laugh booms out. “A gossiping hen. I like that, I’ll have to share that with Christian.”
I relax. He’s in a better mood than I expected, though the mention of Christian leaves me uneasy. Name-dropping the head of the Outfit is strategic on his part.
“Is there a reason for this call? I’m a busy man.”
My father scoffs. “Yeah, busy chasing a woman who ran away from you.”
Nevermind on the fucking mood. I rub my hand down my face.
“She was just confused. We’re sorting it out,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Mhmm. Christian wants to know when you’re coming to start the office over here.”
My body tenses back up and Nico watches my expression with a frown. My tongue drags along my bottom lip. “You agreed to give me some more time.”
“That was before, when we weren’t aware you already found her.”
My mind spirals in multiple directions. How’d they know I found her already? How’d they know I had her location previously? Who told them? Distrust bleeds into my heart and I grit my teeth.
“I don’t see how that matters,” I say slowly, trying not to convey my anger. I write what he just told me on a piece of paper and slide it to Nico. His eyebrows dip and then he gets up, moving to one of the cupboards before pulling out a small device to check the room for bugs.
“It matters because it’s time to grab your woman and come back home, Son. You’ve played for way too long, it’s time to settle.” My father’s tone is harsh, leaving no room to argue.
I blow out a long breath. “I want Gianna to come willingly, to start our life as partners. I can’t do that if I grab her and throw her on a plane.
There’s also the pesky problem of kidnapping being illegal.
” I already got away with it once, but I doubt she’ll allow me to blindside her a second time.
My father is silent for a moment. “Life partners, ehh? You don’t got feelings for the bitch, do you? You said you wanted retribution for what she did.”
With a pounding heart, I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to calm my breathing.
“All I meant is that it’s easier if she comes willingly. She’s going to be my wife, regardless of what she wants.”
He grunts. “You sound like you care an awful lot about how she feels. Do I have to remind you what loving bitches gets you?”
A rock sinks in my stomach, and dread claws at my insides. “Nope. I got it. You don’t have to worry, it’s not like that.”
Nico is watching curiously, but I look away from him. He had been my first friend when we moved to America, but he never understood why we moved. Just like the rest of Chicago’s Outfit, who believed my father was there to help shape the city.
“Good, because I’ll put a bullet through her myself before I let some pussy ruin my son’s life.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, controlling my fury because I know the place my father comes from. He’s protective of me, his only son left, but I hate how he talks about Gianna.
“Like I said, I got it. Why don’t you focus on your business and I’ll focus on mine?” I grit it out, ready to be done with the conversation.
My father hums. “Ah, yes. That reminds me. There’s some rumbling coming from a couple of Arthur’s boys. I guess he’s not too happy with the time you keep spending around Manhattan.”
My eyes snap to Nico, who is already frowning. “Why would that matter? Christian allows me to take the spot there for the Outfit. Arthur doesn’t have a profitable company to move and expand past Chicago.”
“I know, Son, but you’re given a lot of leeway for a city under Arthur’s control. It doesn’t look that great for him, letting you run around to do whatever you want.”
I laugh. “I don’t give a fuck what it looks like or how he feels. If Arthur wants my respect, he can earn it. He could die tomorrow and he wouldn’t be worth the effort it would take to roll out of bed.”
He’s silent for a moment and a flicker of apprehension settles in my chest. It’s been a long time since I deferred to my father for anything, but something about his silence leaves me wary.
Nico clears his throat, tapping his watch.
I sigh. “I have to go, but I’ll take your… advice to heart.”
He hums. “Sure. See you soon, Son.”
My father is gone before I can grimace and I groan, setting the phone down to rub my face. “Fuck.”
“What?” Nico asks.
“I’m pretty sure he’s coming here now. Whatever he’s heard about Arthur has him that concerned.”
With a scrunched nose, Nico turns back to his laptop and shakes his head. “I’ve had eyes on Arthur. Nothing has changed much.”
“That we know of,” I say with a shrug. Then we both pause and stare at each other.
“He’s been awfully quiet,” Nico says hesitantly. “Almost too quiet.”
Picking up my phone, I bury the unease and dial the number I didn’t expect to use so soon.
“Genovese.”
“Oh good. You didn’t give me a fake number. I was worried,” I quip, because what pretentious prick answers his phone by his last name.
Luca sighs.“Nico must find you exhausting.”
I hold my hand over the end. “Do you find me exhausting?”
Nico nods. “Incredibly.”
“He says not at all,” I say to Luca, who actually laughs a little. I scowl at both of them and then clear my throat. “I’m thinking I may visit the city sooner than expected. The invitation still open?”
He’s silent for a moment. “Yes. What’s bringing you to the city?”
“I can’t just come see an old friend?”
“Sure, if you had any.”
I scoff. “Well that wasn’t very nice, mate.”
Luca rumbles something under his breath. “I’m in the middle of something. The invitation is always open, as long as you understand the rules.”
“Good, see you then.” I hang up before he can respond, knowing it will piss him off.
Nico shakes his head. “You know they only let you get away with the disrespect because you’re not aligned with the Outfit.”
I shrug. “Maybe it’s my sunny disposition.”
“I doubt that. When are we heading to New York?” he asks.
Not wanting to leave Gianna too long, I grimace when I remember I left her in my room an hour ago. “I’ll get back to you on that.”