Page 25 of Precious Legacy

“Rain check?” I ask hopefully.

“If you can find me, Genovese,” she sighs, picking up my baseball cap from the ring and slipping it onto her head.

Just the thought of her wearing something of mine makes me hard. I’d much rather her be wearing nothing, but I’m not complaining. She hasn’t said no to seeing me again. Even though I asked for one date, I’m pretty sure I’ve just taken down another brick of her cemented wall.

All in good time.

I accept the call before it cuts off, taking a deep breath as I drop down on the bench and watch Lani leave. “Please tell me you have something for me?”

“Now, I wouldn’t be the best at my job if I didn’t, would I?” My uncle’s Irish lilt teases my ears. “It looks like the Russians are your biggest problem.”

“No shit,” I scoff.

“That little issue you had with hosts skimming profits? They were paying the Russians for protection. Clearly, Colombo and your absences were noted, and they took full advantage of that.”

“And what about The Laundromat?”

“I’m still looking into that, but my guess is the Russians were covering their asses and probably called it in themselves. If they’re not getting paid, they won’t want you to, either.”

“Makes sense,” I sigh. At least I can rest easy knowing they aren’t making a profit out of my businesses, for now. They’re still a problem I need to take care of at some point, though, because Haldon and Alvaro can’t handle all this shit on their own.

“I’ll keep looking into it. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Thanks, Kill. I will.”

We say our goodbyes, and I’m soon left with the bitter realization that my return to the city isn’t going to be quite as smooth as I’d originally hoped. Then again, they say that anything worth having doesn’t come easy, and anything that comes easy is usually not worth having.

Funny how that saying applies to all aspects of my life right now.

ELEVEN

“Iknow, Mom,” I sigh as I head up the steps to my apartment. “I’ve just been busy.”

Busy avoiding my problems.

I’m not even surprised that she called me. I was anticipating it after my talk with Lexie, wondering if she was going to expose me or not. As far as I can tell, she’s kept my secret, which I both appreciate and resent her for. The weakest part of me had hoped she’d spill to my mom, just so I didn’t have to sit down and tell my parents. My mom won’t be so bothered about the news, but my dad… that’s a situation I’m desperately trying to avoid. I know I can’t hide forever. Sooner or later, I’m going to have to tell them, but for now, I’m content to live in my little bubble of ignorance a little bit longer.

Mom drones on about coming home for dinner, and I swiftly rummage through my mind for an excuse. I don’t have a job, so I can’t use that as a reason not to visit my parents. They only live half an hour away, which isn’t exactly far in the grand scheme of things.

“I’ll make time, I promise.”

“Good, honey. Your dad misses you.”

I roll my eyes as I reach my front door, knowing full well that’s a lie. “You don’t need to pretend, Mom. It’s okay.”

“Alanis Rachel Bonanno!” she scolds, and I flinch. “If you think for one second your father doesn’t care about you, I’ll be marching over to the Bronx myself and dragging you home.” Her anger is unmistakable. “Don’t test me.”

The fiery determination from my mom is not something you want to mess with. She didn’t become the managing partner in her law firm by being a doormat, so I relax against my door, biting my tongue. For a long time, I just stand there, listening to the patience my mom exudes while spinning my keys around a finger. She’s waiting for me to break the silence; to bridge the gap I’ve dug between me and my dad.

Usually, we fight over the littlest of things—like me wanting to learn to fight or protect myself with a gun. The types of things I thought my father would be proud to teach me so that I didn’t have to rely on others. But he denied me those chances, which caused an argument. Of course, I went and did it anyway, which only caused another rift to form between us. And since I told him I didn’t want any part in the family business, every conversation has been strained, hanging on tenterhooks until they inevitably break.

“I’ll come visit soon,” I sigh, relenting.

“I’m holding you to that.” Despite her rigid tone, I hear the grin in her voice. Mom has never been one to hold grudges or cling onto her anger. She’s always been the understanding one, a stark contrast to my stubborn dad. Sometimes I wonder why they’re together, but then I remember all the moments I’ve walked in on throughout my life when they thought they were alone.Gross.

“I gotta go,” my mom interrupts my thoughts. “Talk soon?”

“Okay.”

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