19. Chapter Nineteen #2
“What is it?” Rocco asks.
“Matteo is proving to be a problem.” Gabriel sits there with his hands clasped, looking like a true mafia boss.
“We can continue going to war with him or we can make peace. I tried offering him Emma and that was a mistake. I see that now. I shouldn’t have tried giving up a woman who was already married.
But there is still something we can try. ”
“What is it?” Rocco asks in a hard tone.
“Your daughter, Luciana. We can marry her to Matteo for peace.”
Rocco surges to his feet. “I am not giving my daughter away to a madman.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this, Rocco, but your daughter is part of the mafia, just like you are. You knew she’d be used for deals.”
“But she’s my daughter. Mine. Not some lowborn girl you can do with as you please. She’s high ranking. She deserves better.”
“Because she’s high ranking, it might please Matteo. It might make him stop this petty war.”
“Might. Might.”
Gabriel sighs. “I know this isn’t ideal, Rocco. I know you love your daughter. I know you want her safe. But this is our chance for peace.”
“We’re always searching for peace,” he spits out. “But we’ll never find it. We’re the fucking mafia for god’s sake.”
“I know. But this is our chance. Matteo stole my most recent gun shipment. He’s proving himself dangerous. This is our chance to bring him back into the fold.”
“Leo doesn’t want to make peace with him.”
Both men turn to me. “Of course not. I hate him. He tried taking Emma from me. But…”
Rocco huffs. “But?”
“But if this is a chance for Emma to be safe, then I’ll take it.”
“By sacrificing my daughter.”
“I know you’re not happy about this,” Gabriel says. “I know, Rocco. But you have to think clearly. If we marry Luciana to Matteo, it could create peace and we’d gain a powerful ally. It’s a win-win.”
“It’s a win-lose because I’d have to lose my daughter.”
“I know. But you knew this day would come, Rocco. You knew it. I want your support on this. I don’t want to go against you. Think it over and get back to me. But choose wisely.”
“Or I’ll be your enemy then?” Rocco scoffs. “I have been at your side for years, Gabriel.”
“I know. Which is why I want your consent on this but you know I have the power to make this decision without it. Because we’re friends and I respect you, I am giving you time to agree to this. You know it’s for the best.”
Rocco shakes his head, still fuming. “I am pissed, you know that?”
“I do.” Gabriel’s calm demeanor is fucking scary. I’m glad I’m on his good side again. “But you know this is for the best and you will come around to it. You can’t keep your daughter with you forever.”
Rocco storms out of the restaurant.
“What do you think he’s going to do?” I ask.
“He’ll agree to it.” Gabriel opens the menu, looking like he doesn’t even have any care in the world. “Rocco is loyal. He’ll do what’s right.”
“I can’t imagine giving up my daughter like that.”
“How are things with you and Emma? Imagine my surprise when I found out you let her go. After you fought so hard to keep her.” Gabriel’s tone is disapproving but I ignore it.
“Emma needed her own independence. I gave it to her. Hopefully she’ll come back to me. You did this with your own wife, if I remember correctly. So you don’t get the right to judge me.”
“Fine.” He shuts the menu and flags down a waiter. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t wait forever to get your wife back. If you truly love her, that is.”
Gabriel’s words are on my mind as I drive by the bookstore where Emma works. I see her working at the front counter, talking with the owner I convinced to give Emma the job. Emma smiles. Laughing. Actually laughing. I can’t remember ever seeing Emma truly laugh with me.
It stings my chest. This is a reminder that Emma is happier without me. I love her. I fought for her. I almost died for her.
And yet, I’m not sure she wants to come back to me now that she’s gotten her own life. I’m tempted to storm inside and take her back but that wouldn’t make either one of us happy.
So with a heavy sigh, I drive away from the bookstore, giving Emma what she wants.
Even if it’s breaking my fucking heart.
Emma
I return home to my apartment and the sense of loneliness hits me in the stomach so hard, I double over. My mother is dead. My father is dead.
And now, Leo and I are taking a break.
I love having my own freedom but I also hate how alone I feel. When I escaped from my mother, I thought all I needed was my independence but now that I’ve gotten it, I realize I also need people in my life.
I want Leo. There’s no denying how much I miss him.
Why can’t I be with him and also have my own freedom? Surely, we can talk it out. Communication as Margaret told me.
I have to try because staying in this apartment all by myself is eating at me.
Leo gave me the address to his new house so I know exactly where to go. I take the bus instead of driving the car he gave me. I like walking and I like knowing he doesn’t own every part of my life.
After a long bus drive and an even longer walk, I finally arrive at his house. With a deep breath, I knock on the door.
It feels like eternity for Leo to answer and when he does, I feel a lightness in my chest I didn’t know I needed.
“Emma?”
“I want to be with you,” I blurt out. “But I also want my freedom. I want both. I need both. What do you say to that?”
After a beat, he opens the door wider. “Come on in. Let’s talk.”