Page 4 of Duty

Kim’s hand reached out and grabbed Andino’s wrist. She squeezed him tighter than he expected her to. “Don’t say that, Andi.”

“Hmm, what?”

“A game. Don’t call this a game. It has never been that, you know it. If you treat it like it is, then you’ll lose like the rest who treat it like that, too.”

Andino patted his mother’s hand. She worried too much about him, and always had. Kim had never actively discouraged her son to join Cosa Nostra, nor did she say a bad word to him when he’d started dipping his hands in the family businesses and mafia. Kim simply let him live and grow to be whoever and whatever he wanted or needed.

He loved his mother more for it.

She still worried.

“I’m good, Ma,” Andino assured.

“Good is not always safe,” Kim replied.

She was right.

“Where is this coming from, huh?”

Kim glanced down at her hands, avoiding her son’s gaze. “Nothing, Andino. Don’t worry about it.”

He wasn’t sure he could do that, now. Especially not with the fact she seemed like she was trying to drop the conversation altogether, and she still wouldn’t look at him. What was up with his mother?

“Ma?” Andino pressed. “What is it?”

Kim shook her head, looked up at him, and smiled. “Like I said, it’s nothing. I just want you to know something, Andino.”

“Sure, Ma.”

“I’m so proud of you. I always am, no matter what.”

Andino flashed her a smile. “I know.”

“I want to keep being proud of you, Andi.”

He straightened on the couch, surprised at her words.

“Why wouldn’t you be?” he asked.

Kim reached out and patted his cheek gently. “Just remember to follow the rules, Andino. It might not be what you want right now, but it could be the best thing for you someday.”

Andino blinked, more confused than ever.

“All right,” Andino murmured. “Follow the rules. I got it.”

“Good.” Kim stood from the couch and brushed her pant legs down. “Go find your father and tell him supper is almost ready. I wasn’t expecting you, but I’ll throw an extra plate on the table. Is casserole okay?”

“Anything you make is perfetto, Ma.”

Kim laughed. “You are just like your father. Too slick for your own good, and you know it, too, which only makes it worse. Why can’t you find a girl with all that charm of yours, huh? Draw her in, Andino. It’ll be worth it, I’d bet all my money on it.”

Andino didn’t think so, but he didn’t correct his mother.

“You just want grandbabies,” he said.

“I do,” she agreed, totally unashamed. “So, get to work on that.”

Probably not.