Page 72 of Vow

Or make it look like I am doing.

That, too.

“For now, that’s what matters,” Andino added.

Gio tipped his chin up a bit. “For now.”

Ah, fuck.

“Is that because your attention is still elsewhere, and you still haven’t committed yourself to the things Dante has asked of you, or no?”

Andino’s jaw clenched. “Don’t play word games. I hate that.”

“Haven Murphy. You’re still seeing her, I hear. And I only heard it because the enforcer you have trailing you at the moment thought to mention it to me the last time we spoke. You’re still playing with that fire—as much as two days ago, even. She spent the night at your place. How’s that for a word game?”

Fuck his whole entire life.

Pink was still busy elsewhere—the enforcer had to keep an eye on Siena from afar like Andino told him to do. Which meant Andino needed to have a new enforcer watch his back on a daily basis. One he didn’t particularly like, and who didn’t understand the meaning of being loyal to the person who was paying him. Instead, he was loyal to the family.

That was a problem for Andino.

He needed a lot of things from people—most importantly, he demanded their loyalty. That, and for them to be discreet about his business. Private, or otherwise.

Even if it was his father.

“Thank you for letting me know that,” Andino said darkly.

Gio frowned. “What does that mean?”

“It means I have a problem that needs to be disposed.”

“You’re going to kill the enforcer because he spoke to me?”

“Don’t be offended. It’s not about you.”

Gio chuckled. “No, it’s about you, I suppose. You’re going to make an interesting boss, son. I can already tell.”

“That is the plan, apparently.”

“Are you going to tell me what in the hell you’re doing with Haven? And Ginevra? This deal—your uncle? What is going on, Andino? At least give me the respect of telling me what kind of shit I might step into before I put my whole foot in the pile. Allow me to … well, be on your side, son. Please.”

Andino had planned to do this alone—whatever he needed to do, that was, to get what he fucking wanted. He didn’t need help. He just needed the means and the time to get shit done.

Still, as he stared at his father, he had to wonder …

Was that the right choice?

“I want her,” Andino said.

Gio dragged in a deep breath, and took a moment before he spoke again. “Haven.”

“Yes.”

“All right.”

“All right?”

Gio smirked. “If you’re going to pick a hill to die on—why not that one? Yeah, why not that fucking hill, Andino.”