Alex
I accept another glass of champagne and down it in a single gulp. From my position against the center pillar, I have a view of the entire reception.
I’m surprised the Tacones went all out on Nico’s wedding, considering what it means to the Pachino family. I guess Junior Tacone worked something out with Don Guiseppe, but it seems like a slap in the face, if you ask me.
Of course, no one asked me.
The wedding is at one of the finest hotels in Chicago-top floor, wall-to-wall windows overlooking the city and Lake Michigan. The bride is sweet-not the type I’d ever guess Nico would go for, but pretty, if you’re into that wholesome blonde kinda thing. Her family came from Michigan-a bunch of nerdy small-town WASPs, with the exception of her maid of honor, a leggy redhead who looks like she could hold her own with any of ours. And, if I’m reading the body language right, she might already be entangled with Nico’s younger brother Stefano.
Nico dances with his mom, his bride with her father. It’s so sweet it makes my teeth hurt.
Of course I heard Nico got a beatdown for wanting out of the contract, even though Jenna’s the one who ran away. I also heard Nico might have bankrolled that disappearance. I’ve been fucking waiting for permission to verify that fact.
Because every goddamn day that girl is missing has me itching to punch another hole in my wall. I can’t stand not knowing if she’s safe or in trouble. If she needs my help.
The fact that she went to Tacone for help in the first place kills me, but I guess it makes sense. She needed him to kill the marriage contract. I guess for that reason, I should be grateful to Tacone.
But I’m not.
I want to kill the bastard for knowing something about Jenna Pachino I don’t.
Don G walks over and offers me a cigar. I accept, even though I don’t really enjoy them. It makes the old man happy, and that’s part of my job.
“It’s time,” he rasps.
I don’t recall being given a job. “For what?”
“To bring my daughter back.”
My heart picks up speed.
“The Tacone boy knows where she is. Find out. Go to her. Straighten her out. Bring her home to me. She’s played the disobedient daughter long enough.”
Thank fuck.
I push away from the pillar. “I’ll make sure it’s done.”
“I know you will. That’s why I asked you.”
I dart a glance at him. Jenna Pachino’s been off-limits for my entire life. Well, her entire life, since I’m six years older. The point is, I’ve never been allowed to look at the girl, much less indulge in the kind of fantasies I want her to play a starring role in.
So when Don G says he asked me, in particular, for this job, I can’t tell if he’s putting me on notice to watch my ass and keep my hands off her, or if he’s giving me permission to court her.
I know one thing: when I find Jenna Pachino, I’m going to take my time with the straighten her out directive before I bring her home.
Because in my mind, Jenna Pachino has always belonged to me.
The End