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"I'll be fine."
Deciding that Aria is well-settled, I head down to my office where Bruno is already waiting.
“Capos are on their way,” he reports, sitting with a cup of espresso and checking his phone.
"Good. How's the Sabini cleanup?"
"Pretty much done. The police reported that Sabini’s business imploded from the inside out. An attempted takeover from within that caused an internal war.”
"Good. What about his business?"
"We've moved in without much resistance. We handed the trafficking victims to the cops."
Along with a few extra bribes, one of the other perks I handed to the police was credit for bringing down Sabini's sex trafficking scheme. It not only makes them look good, but it also protects me. No one will believe that honorable police who free kidnapped women are going to be corrupt. It's a win-win.
Once all my capos arrive, we get to work. Some of the work is tedious, and some of it is annoying, especially when it's clear that Gino is posturing for more control in the business. He’s asked to oversee all of Sabini’s clubs. That’s not happening. Clubs are ideal for money laundering, but also an easy place to skim. I won’t give him a chance to steal from me. It’s for his own good. I’d have to kill him if he stole, and I don’t want to have to do that since my father liked him.
"Everything all right with your new plaything?" Gino asks when we break for lunch.
All the chatter in the room stops, and they know what Gino either doesn’t know or care that he’s inching over the line. I’m thinking he’s posturing to create strife within the organization. If he rattles me or makes me look inept, my men might cross over to him.
I think back to Aria asking me about Electra. She said she saw a picture of Electra with me. It doesn't take much for me to put two and two together. Gino was at the club that night, and he must've sent a picture to Bianca. Bianca is too smart to share it with Aria, but I don't doubt that she shared it with the other wives. That must be how she saw it.
I am calm as I lean back in my chair, lacing my fingers over my belly as I look at him. Outside, I might seem cool as a cucumber, but inside, lethal rage is building. The way my men watch, they know it.
"I made a vow to my father to keep you in the Family, Gino, but you’re precariously close to forcing me to break that vow. If I hear you speak Aria’s name, or talk about her one more time, I will kill you.”
Gino's eyes narrow, but he wisely shuts his mouth.
Deciding I need a moment, I rise from my desk. "Please excuse me. I'll be back in a moment."
I leave my office thinking I'll get some fresh air. It gets pretty stuffy in my office with a bunch of old men, some of whom stick to the old-fashioned ways of bathing, showering only twice a week. Luckily, my generation and younger like a daily shower.
I hear laughter from my mother's sitting room, and I make my way over to it. Aria sits with the wives, enjoying food and drinks, friendship and laughter. At seeing her, the tension inside me lessens. She looks relaxed and happy, sitting with a young child in her lap. It strikes me that she belongs here. This is her place. This is now Aria's sitting room.
I watch her, mesmerized as she bounces the toddler and makes cooing sounds to him. In response, he giggles with delight. Emotion wells in my chest as I imagine the child being ours. One of many we’ll make to fill this home with life and love.
Aria glances toward me, smiling. It’s one of the brightest smiles I've seen from her. Certainly, in a long time.
I smile back and hope that in my expression she can see everything that I want for us and our future.
Reluctantly, I return to my office. I push my men through all the things that need to be done to keep my business thriving and fold Sabini's business into mine.
By the time I dismiss my men, it's late in the afternoon. I sit back in my chair, tilting my head back and closing my eyes.
A soft knock comes to the door. I call out for whoever it is to enter. The door pops open and Aria's head peeks in. I smile because seeing her immediately lights me up.
She walks in, and as she gets closer, her smile wavers. "Is everything all right?"
I nod as I stand and walk to her, pulling her in for a hug. I inhale her scent, gathering strength from her.
She tilts her head back to look at me. "You look tired."
There's no denying it. "I am."
Her fingers trace along my face, and the look she gives me does more to wash away the fatigue than any nap could. "Maybe you should go lie down."
I turn her, maneuvering her back until she's against my desk. "I have a better idea."
