Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
"And where am I going? I'm your driver, kid."
She grins and jumps out, almost barreling over an old couple on the street. The lady gives Lyndall the finger.
"Gotta love New York," I mutter, pulling out my iPad.
The program has been doing the work, and I follow the trails I have uncovered, my stomach sinking.
Whatever was going on with Mom and Lola's dad had been going on much longer than I thought, but I can't find anything to state they had an actual affair. My mom knew Lola's mother from school, I think.
And Lyndall's mom?
Now that one...
Fuck.
From what I can piece together that started before she married Dad. Nineteen years ago, Emilio and Jana were photographed together in a very grainy photo for some social page. It wasn't long after Mom died.
And then she hastily married my father sixteen years back...an old-fashioned shotgun wedding because...
Oh. Fuck me.
What if Lola's father is Lyndall's father, too?
And that would then mean... Christ.
Lyndall would have to deal with all the baggage that brought with it because she didn't know Jana. She was very small when she died.
I try to think of a joke about all the dead women, but I can't, because there is nothing at all funny about it. Nothing suspicious, I don't think. Just tragic.
Lola was small when her mother died, I was young when mine... And poor Lyndall...
Then it hits me.
The other thing.
And my stomach coils on itself.
I'm not related to Lola. We were always around each other when we were young, but...
But if Jana and Lola's dad made a kid, then that would mean...my sister is actually not my sister at all. She is Lola's sister.
Talk about making something complicated even more complicated.
And if this is true, if instead of a premature baby, Lyndall was conceived earlier by another fucker, then does Dad know his kid isn't his?
And if it is true, did he kill her mom?
I do know if it is true, and he knows, he will never in a million years accept Lola.
It does explain the hatred and the falling out, though.
The affair would change a lot.
Maybe Mom didn't do anything, but they were close, she and Emilio.
But knowing my father...he would spread blame around.
And it would explain why he showed a lack of interest toward Lyndall, his kid or not.
An affair would have burned him deep.
If a kid came from it?
I shudder.
Good thing, though, is I really don't care about Dad accepting my choices. Because he wouldn't accept Lola in any capacity in my life.
But it might explain why he would threaten to cut my sister off from me.
As I said...fucking complicated.
After Lyndall's lesson, we walk around the village, and I buy her a cute T-shirt from some kitsch store. It is pink.
Pink.
I buy her ice cream and then a slice of cheese and pepperoni pizza, making her promise to eat whatever is waiting at home.
"Sure. There's room." And she bounds ahead to stroke a puppy.
There is a hole in the wall full of used books, and I pick up one, flicking through it.
Finally, we head back to Dad's. Lyndall falls asleep as we leave the city, and I want her to have a moment to rest.
It gives me time to think.
I don't come up with any answers, but I'm thinking maybe I will skip texting Lola as Alex today and then tomorrow ask how far she has gotten with her boss. I could suggest she drop to her knees in his office and go to town on his dick. I might like some deep-throat action.
Dad is home.
I press my lips together as we pull up, and I wake Lyndall. "Don't cause trouble and eat dinner."
"Fine, but get me out of there!"
With that charming parting line, she heads in, and I follow, just to make sure everything is fine.
Dad is at the door. "Enzo? Are you staying for dinner?"
"It's getting late, and I have got work."
Dad follows me out to the car and rests a hand on the hood. "I need you to do another job for me."
"What happened with Boston?"
His eyes narrow. "Boston was fine, just done earlier than I had thought. I need you to do a job for me."
My father won't ever ask directly for help, but if he followed me out here instead of making a big production of it inside, he must really need it. I also know he hates owing, so I think I can work it.
I lean against my car door. "Sure, but it's going to cost you."
"You don't know what it is."
"Doesn't matter. I know what I'm willing to do, and you seem to really need me, so here's the deal.
I will do this job, but Lyndall stays the rest of the year at school as a day student, and then she gets to spend half her week with me, the rest with you.
And if you're away or in Chicago, then..
." I shrug. "She can stay with me or at the school.
And next year, she transfers to one of the schools she chose.
But when you're away, she's with me. Got it? Good."
Dad's face turns almost purple. "No one blackmails me, least of all my own son. I will make sure you—"
"Make sure I what? Become your latest victim?"
"Don't fucking push me, Enzo. You're my son, and you're trying to blackmail me."
"I'm not blackmailing anyone. It is a business exchange.
You want my help, that is my price. Or call it the compromise it is.
Whether you can see it or not, Dad, I'm trying to help you.
Lyndall is unhappy, and if you keep acting like you are, you will push her away.
" I step up to him. "Just like you did with me. "
"I don't want or need your advice. I know how to raise my own daughter."
I grind my teeth. I swallow down the poisoned arrow that she might not even be his kid.
But then Dad shakes his head, breathes, and says, "How about a counteroffer?"
"What kind?"
"I will agree to your ridiculous terms on the condition you step up and lead the family business the way you were supposed to."
I hesitate.
I don't want that. He knows it, too. Being a mafia kingpin isn't on my list of anything. It is why I never ask my uncle for favors.
But right now, Lyndall is number one on my priority list. I need to protect her, make sure she is okay, especially with the news that might be coming. "Okay, Dad. I will think about it. Send me the details of the job."
With that, I drive home.
I'm walking in the door when my phone pings.
Lola
Can we talk?
My cock twitches.
I should probably keep my distance on an emotional and sexual level from her until I sort everything with her father, Lyndall's mother, and my dad.
I'm going to have to tell her next week.
But this is my phone she rang, not my Alex phone.
And as much as I should, I can't pass on the opportunity.
Me
Sure. You can come on over if you like.
Lola
Now?
Me
I will text you my address.
Better yet. Give me yours. I will send a car.