29

Alessio
After checking out our new drug lab and one of our underground casinos, I went to my parents’ house because my father had asked me for a meeting. Of course, I knew what it was about. Gianna. Before I got out of the car, I texted Elijah. He called me a short time later.
“What’s up?”
“She is insecure with me. She seems to notice that something is wrong, but I don’t think she knows what to think about me yet. She is good with the children and the dog.”
“Is she?”
“Very patient. Just really lovely.” Everyone used that word for my wife, and damn, she was really lovely.
“Mmm. Don’t come to her too quickly. It might make her suspicious.”
“All right, boss.” I hung up and got out of the car. The door to my parents’ house opened before I had a chance to ring the doorbell. I cast a glance at my mother.
“Did you look out the window?” She shrugged her shoulders.
“I wondered what you were doing in the car.”
“Working, Mom. I’m always working.”
“Even so soon after marrying that girl?”
“That girl’s name is Gianna, and stop calling her a girl. It makes me feel old.” My mother touched my cheek.
“You’re not old.” I moved out of her reach.
“Where is my father?””In the cigar lounge. He won’t listen to me. Can’t you tell him to give up this horrible habit? He’s already had three heart attacks. Smoking doesn’t help.”
“My father won’t listen to me either.” The cigar lounge was filled with the thick, sweet aroma of Cuban cigars. Dad sat in the armchair in front of the fireplace, with a glass of whiskey in one and a cigar in the other.
He smiled as the wrinkles on his face deepened.
“Nice to see you, Alessio. Have a seat.” I reclined in the chair next to his and shook my head as he offered me a cigar. I had never really liked the taste. “What did you want to discuss?”
“How are things at home with Gianna?” I gave him an exasperated look.
“Is that what this meeting is about? Marriage counseling?” Dad leaned forward, placing the cigar in the tray. “Our men admire you. They are afraid of you, too. Some may even hate you. If your second marriage ends as unhappily as the first, then the hatred and fear might become too dominant.”
I got up from my chair, but my father put a wrinkled hand on my arm.
“Stay. I am an old man. I have permission to tell the truth to my son.”
“It is the truth as you see it, Father.” He waited. Sighing, I sank back down and leaned against the backrest. “Things are going well, considering Gianna’s age and the situation as a whole. There is nothing ideal. I’m trying to do damage control.”
“Damage control,” my father scoffed. “Marriage is about emotions. If you expect the worst, the worst is what you will get.”
“If you expect the worst, you are prepared for the worst. I will never be caught off guard again.”
“Maybe you should give Gianna the benefit of the doubt. She’s a lovely girl. She has nothing to do with Gaia.”
“I don’t know what kind of woman Gianna is.”
“And whose fault is that?” My father asked. I shook my head.
“Does this conversation have any other purpose than to criticize the way I run my marriage?”
“I’m worried about you, Alessio,” Dad said quietly, his eyes full of pain.
“You are everything I wanted in a son. You are strong, you are fair, you never shy away from difficult decisions. I never doubted your ability to rule Philadelphia.”
“But do you now?” My father’s shoulders slumped. Although his living room was pale, he picked up his cigar again.
“A temple needs more than one pillar to stand. There is more to life than work.” I stared into the flames of the fireplace.
“Work is the only constant in my life right now.”
It was a confession I regretted the moment I said it. Dad
leaned forward and stroked my leg.
“Then change it.” I glanced at the clock.
“I have to go now. I’m meeting with Christian to discuss his findings on that new chapter of the Tartarus MC. They are sprouting up like weeds.”
I stood and this time my father did not try to stop me. My mother followed me to the door, trying to convince me to stay for lunch, but I was no longer in the mood for their meddling. I kissed her cheek and then hurried to my car.
Christian and I met at a small Italian place that served the best risotto in town. Christian was already sitting in our usual booth when I entered. I gave him a dry nod as I slid into the seat across from him.
“Any news about the chapter?” Christian said nothing for a while. “How is Gianna?” I didn’t like the undercurrent of warning in his voice one bit.
“She’s fine. She’s my wife now, Christian. She is not your concern. She is mine.”
“I can accept that, as long as you promise me that she won’t end up like Gaia.” I jumped up and leaned over the table, grabbing him by the throat and pushing him against the bench. His face turned red, but he held my gaze.
“Be careful, Christian. In this city, my word is law. Your father’s protection, and even that is limited, ends at the borders of Baltimore.
“I don’t need my father’s protection, or I wouldn’t be here, working under you,” he insisted.
“Gianna is my little sister. I will try to protect her the best I can.”
I tightened my fingers on her throat.
“Gianna is safe with me. She doesn’t need your protection.” I let him go and sat back, pushing my tie under my vest and smoothing my jacket.
Christian rubbed his throat.
“No wonder Luca likes you so much. You and he have very similar tics.” “The bikers are planning something. Look what they did in New Jersey and New York. We’ll have to keep an eye on them.”
“I am. It’s not easy to make contacts.” After that we talked only about business, although it was clear that Christian was not happy about it. Too many people were trying to meddle in my marriage, and I didn’t appreciate it in the least.