6. Vincenzo
Vincenzo
I slide out of Anna’s bed quietly after she slips off to sleep, after making her come time and time again. The whisper of her declaration of love still rings in my ears as I drag myself from her bed, get dressed, and head into my office.
Not that I doubted Doc’s abilities for a minute, but I never thought I’d see the need for my mother to go under the knife either.
I zip off a few messages, knowing that when I wake in a few hours, every single thing I’ve ordered will be handled down to the letter.
And that after last night, I won’t see Anna until she’s walking through the living room to the makeshift altar that will be placed on the balcony so I can marry her overlooking all of Atlantic City.
After tomorrow, everyone in the criminal underworld, including Massimo and the Gallinis will know who Anna belongs to.
If the Gallini fucks want to get to her, they will have to get through all of my soldiers in this town with the added security in place since Anna’s escape, in addition to the barriers the elders back in Italy will create.
Even Bastian and the Gallini connections in Italy will be hard pressed to get them to consent to a bloodbath of these proportions to their soldiers without solid evidence, and up to this point, I’ve seen not one thing that substantiates the rumors he spills all across the land.
All the details for tomorrow are arranged, and I know Nicolo and all of our men will have already done what I asked and have ensured all the necessary paperwork is getting couriered over in short order.
I don’t question them at all, the only thing that worries me now is exactly what the Sarones and Gallinis may know.
Pa taught me right. No matter how airtight your plan is, always consider what could happen and get a backup plan in place for the fucks who may be coming in from behind.
Because sometimes when you think you’re fucking them, they’re coming in the back door to fuck you.
After last night, I want every detail to be special for Anna, knowing that she won’t be able to have her family present when we say I do. I may not be able to bring her family to the wedding, but I can make it as memorable as possible.
If they want to blame Massimo and me for Barcelo’s death, fine, I’m sure my future brother-in-law will agree that we’ll spill their blood into the streets as they come to seek their ill-placed revenge.
Nicolo answers the call before it’s barely had a chance to ring. “Thanks for the text updates. How is Mom now?”
“Doing well. I decided to hang out here and stay with Lanah. The others will be back in the morning to relieve me so I can be at the wedding.”
I nod. “Good. Everything’s arranged. The marriage certificate will be couriered over in the morning. I want guards between our guy and this penthouse and after that I want an extra patrol on his place just in case the bastards decide to attack him and find out what he brought.”
“Consider it done.”
“How’s Lanah holding up?” I ask.
“Exceptionally well for everything that’s happened.
She’s barely left Ma’s side since she came out of surgery.
You know I wasn’t too sure we needed this full-scale hospital and safe center but damn, I feel a whole lot better with Ma in here than if she had to be in a hospital anywhere else.
I hope to hell we never have to use it again, but if we do, I’m glad we built it now. ”
“Couldn’t agree more. I’m going to get a little shut-eye.
I’ll see you about ten.” I head back to my bedroomplace my cell on the bedside table, and undress before sliding into the covers, wishing to hell my mother wouldn’t think my marriage was cursed if I saw the bride before the ceremony on our wedding day.
Only for Ma and her damn superstitions would I sleep against a cold pillow instead of my warm-bodied princessa who lies not twenty feet away.
One more night, and then she’ll be next to me for a lifetime.
The thought is reassuring and allows pure exhaustion to drag me under and into a deep slumbered sleep.
My eyes stretch open after only a few hours. I’ve come to learn being the boss means running on little to no sleep and answering calls at all hours of the night when shit’s going down, but no matter the responsibility at all hours of the day, I’ll do what it takes to protect the family.
For them and for Papa. I check my phone for the umpteenth time, my jaw tightening with angst when I don’t see any word from Pa.
I should have heard from him by now. I do the math, the time for new identities and documents but knowing Pa already had those in place, just in case.
He should have been here by now which makes me uneasy all the more.
I call Nicolo and he answers groggily. “Yeah.”
“Sorry to wake you, but nothing unusual going on there?”
“Nothing. All’s well. Ma’s a little groggy and wakes up for a little bit than falls back asleep. The nurses have been coming in and out taking Ma’s vitals and Lanah finally fell asleep. First thing when we get out of here, I’m gonna order some fucking chairs that don’t break my ass.”
“The designer said they were top of the line.”
“Yeah, you spend a night in one of them. I’m ordering different ones.”
I grin. Leave it to Nicolo to help alleviate a little of the tension.
“Anything I should be worried about? Other than your ass and some chairs?” I know the security of this complex and everything that went into keeping it secure but that doesn’t mean I’m still not worried about my ma and family who are sitting by her side.
“I’d tell you if there was something for you to be worried about, right? Now go back to sleep and quit busting my balls.”
I grin, looking at the clock on the wall.
“See ya later.” I disconnect, crawling out of bed and walking to the floor-to -ceiling windows overlooking Atlantic City which even now, a couple hours before dawn, is lit up with the activity of the boardwalk and surrounding area that never truly sleeps. In this city, the vibrancy never dies.
My hands feel cool against the bulletproof glass, looking out over the legacy that Pa left me to control and to safeguard for the family after generations of DeLucas did the same. Where are you, Pa?
I can deal with anything that gets thrown at me and the family, our rivals, territory battles and wars on the horizon, but the look on my family’s face when they realize Papa is alive and I’ve known it all along, I’m not sure I can deal with the backlash that will surely come.
I should wait, but it’s been longer than it should since Pa touched base.
I hit the secure line and wait while technology does its thing, sending signals across different parts of the globe to throw off the feds and anyone in the underground looking for my dad.
The phone rings for a few minutes after that and I’m almost convinced he’s not going to pick up, that he’s changed his mind, or he’s been caught, and the feds have his phone.
Pa’s gruff voice comes over the line. “I’m on the ground for refueling. How’s your ma?”
Relief floods my veins. “Nicolo and Lanah have been by her side the entire night. Just got off the phone with him and he said she’s doing well. A little groggy from the drugs but that’s all. She’s going to make it, Pa.”
There’s a long silence. Pa isn’t known for emotions, but I can’t think of another reason for that long pause. “Heading to your ma. Be by her side at two p.m. your time.”
I suck in a breath. “I’ll see you then.” I don’t tell him about the wedding. He has far more things on his mind than attending a wedding he may or may not condone.