Page 41 of The Mafia's Broken Vows

“Oh my God, Addy. You threw up! You never do. You can’t even gag.”

I snort. “Trust me, I gagged plenty today.”

“Remember that norovirus outbreak at Loyola? We were puking and shitting our guts out, and all you did was rub your nose.”

“I had a very itchy nose,” I say with a smile. “It was awful.”

“Sorry, babe, not the same thing as severe diarrhea. Not even close. Anyway, so is that what’s bothering you? The unpaid leave?”

“No, actually. It’s not that.”

“It’s your dad then.”

I shake my head, already feeling the weight of her sightless gaze. “Seriously, don’t worry about me. This is your day, Kira. Let’s celebrate. Enjoy it.” I gesture vaguely at the party raging inside.

Kira, however, isn’t easily deterred. She crosses her arms, her expression turning serious. “You finally went to see him, didn’t you? How did it go?”

I hesitate for about two seconds before I cave. “Pretty fucking terrible,” I blurt out.

I immediately regret saying anything. The last thing I want to do is bring Kira down with my messy family drama, especially not today. But it’s too late; the words hang in the air between us.

“What happened, Addy?”

How do I even begin to explain it? How do I tell her that my entire world feels like it’s been tilted on its axis? That the only father I’ve ever known, the man who raised me to be loyal and honest, also nurtured me on lies?

My mind is still spinning from the revelation, from the sheer magnitude of his deception. And now, faced with Kira’s innocent question, I realize the full impact of it all. I have no idea who I am anymore.

“I don’t know him anymore, Kira. He’s . . . changed. Things can never be the same again.”

Kira reaches out until she finds my hands and links our fingers. “Hey, Addy, he’s your father. The man raised you into the phenomenal woman you are today. That part will never change. The rest, you guys will just have to figure out.”

I nod, grateful for her unwavering support. “Kira, I’m so sorry for how I was earlier. It just hit me out of the blue. I had no idea the club launch party was in Evanston. I thought it was here in Boston.”

“I know. It’s a swanky new club, and they’re offering me an ungodly sum to DJ for the grand opening and to bring my friends. But it was pretty much last minute.” Then her voice brightens. “Zedd wants to take us. It’ll be so much fun, you know.”

I hesitate. “About Chicago . . .”

Kira raises an eyebrow. “What, don’t tell me you won’t come?”

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I, uh . . .”

What exactly do I say? That someone tried to kill me in Chicago eighteen years ago? That I’ve been banned from stepping into Chicago?

“I really shouldn’t be going there.”

“Addy, did something happen on that last trip? You’ve been acting odd since you got back three weeks ago.”

I take a deep breath. “I ran into my ex.” I brace myself for her reaction and the inevitable barrage of questions.

Kira’s eyes widen. “Your ex, as in Dan?”

“Yes.”

“The New Yorker?”

I shake my head, my brows furrowing. “No, Kira, he lives in Chicago.”

“Wait, what? You said he lives in New York.”

---