Chapter 20 #2
“So go ahead,” I say, ready to get the coming argument out of the way. “Talk.”
“What’s this about you marrying Marlena?” Frankie accuses me, getting up in my face like he’s got something to prove. “She’s half your age, for God’s sake.”
“You want to be very careful,” I warn my son.
“No,” he snaps. “You want to be careful. I’m done being careful. You’re just a dirty old man who wants to get into her pants.”
I seize him by the collar and drag him across the room. Slamming his back against the wall between the foyer and the living room, I lean in close. I can see he’s scared, but he’s trying not to show it.
From the kitchen, two of my bodyguards peer around the corner, investigating the commotion. They see that it’s just me and Frankie and return to their posts. I don’t pay them to involve themselves in my family business, but if it were anyone else, I know they would make their presence known.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I inform my offspring. “And I won’t allow you to disrespect Marlena that way.”
Frankie laughs in my face. “Me? Disrespect her? It’s you who’s disrespecting her.”
I tighten my grip on his shirt and slam him into the wall again, feeling the grip on my emotions slip.
He makes me want to hurt him, even though I know that’s the worst thing I can do.
I’m supposed to be a role model, not a violent son-of-a-bitch who hits his own kid.
I force myself to get a grip, releasing him before I do something I won’t be proud of.
Frankie sniffs, realizing what’s at stake. He knows I would never hurt him, but he’s no fool. He’s aware that I’ve put other men in their graves, and that it’s only his bloodline that keeps me from punching him.
“Mom would be ashamed,” he spits the words at me, running upstairs like a teenager who’s just been denied use of the family car.
I stare after him, seething with rage. How dare that little twirp bring up Alessia?
There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her.
Doesn’t he know she was the first person I asked before offering my protection to Marlena?
I’m sure that wherever she is, she approves of what I’m doing.
I would never have extended my hand to another woman if I had thought Alessia would object.
But she’s gone, and I’m not. And sue me if I think Marlena’s attractive. I’m not going to tell Frankie that the marriage will be a platonic one. At least not yet. He doesn’t need to know. If he thinks I’m getting it on with his tutor, that’s his business. She’s far too good for him anyway.
Though I’m sure he brought her into my home with the express purpose of trying to date her, that’s not the way things worked out.
Marlena made it very clear to me that she doesn’t think about Frankie that way.
Me, on the other hand, that’s a whole different story.
I can’t forget that kiss or the way she melted into me on the dance floor.
That woman wants what I want, she just can’t admit it yet, not that I’ve admitted it out loud either.
So I’ll take my time. I’ll make sure she feels safe.
But no matter what Giovanni thinks, I’m not locking myself into a life of celibacy.
With or without Frankie’s blessings, I’m going to be happy.
Because Marlena is perfect for me, and I’m sure that with a little time, she’ll realize that I’m perfect for her as well.
I stop by the kitchen to get myself another drink before going back to work.
I need it now that I’ve alienated my entire family.
The thought that Marlena is somewhere in the house gives me pause.
I’m going to have to start behaving like a married man instead of a bachelor.
It’s a sobering consideration, and I set the bottle of wine down without opening it.
The bodyguards have vanished, moving on to complete their rounds. They circle the house every few hours, searching for intruders. We’re safe here. Marlena is safe here. And Frankie, even though he’s mad at me, is safe.
I decide to deal with the cigarette thing tomorrow morning. For the moment, I’m beat. I go up to my room, pausing on the landing to glance down at Marlena’s suite. The man guarding her room looks up but then quickly looks away, giving me my privacy.
I sigh with contentment. I don’t care what mountains I have to move.
I’m just happy to have her with me. I walk over to my side of the hallway and enter my room.
Pulling my suit jacket off, I carefully remove my clothes.
I sleep in sweatpants and a sports shirt, not business attire, but not pajamas either.
I need to be ready for action in the middle of the night if all hell breaks loose.
So, I dress as I would like to appear during a gunfight, in comfortable, breathable attire that commands respect even though it’s not a three-piece suit.
I’ve just settled down to sleep when I’m interrupted by a horrible sound. A scream rips through the night, and it can only be one person, Marlena.