Page 26 of Family Secrets

“Giovanni,you should know, your father called me not a second after I hung up with you.” Nona Vitale admitted from the passenger seat of Gino’s car. She was dressed in a beaded jacket and satin pants, her hair in the same perfect coif she’d worn since Gino could remember. “He wanted to know if you came to see me and was quite surprised to hear you were on your way to pick me up.”

Gino followed his father’s instructions by sending a bouquet to both Antonia and Felicia but added his own spin, requesting them to each be a dozen carnations, knowing they would turn up their noses and toss them into the trash. He called Felicia and invited her for dinner, however, she declined when he suggested they go to a diner not far from his office. So, he did what any single Italian man would do, he called his Nona.

“He’s jealous I stole your company before he could.”

“I don’t think my company is what he’s craving this evening.” Nona tossed, the disappointment in her eyes too much for Gino to bear. Nona Vitale took him under her wing when his father separated him from his mother. She intervened when things became heated between Gino and her late husband.

Entering the restaurant, Gino helped Nona into her chair, tipping the young man who took her coat a hundred bucks to make sure it was hung the way she wanted. He loved this woman, nearly as much as he did his mother and, like Chiara Vitale, he would do anything she asked of him.

Pulling his chair out to join her, a man approaching their table caught his attention, bringing a smile to his face.

“Would you look at this?” Emilio Vittorio called as he and a handful of his men stopped beside the table, his delighted voice captured Nona’s attention who turned in her seat. “Had I known there were such beautiful women in this restaurant, I would come by every night.”

Resting his hand on Sophia Vitale’s back, he leaned over placing a kiss to her soft cheek.

Shifting his eyes to Gino, a smirk decorated his lips. “I was under the impression you had a business meeting at Leo’s.”

Standing, Gino extended his hand to Emilio, an equally smug grin on his face as he greeted the Family leader. “When Felicia declined my offer to join me, I called Nona. She offered to take the sting out of the rejection by bringing me here.”

“Smart and beautiful, a deadly combination, Sophia.” Emilio praised, creating a blush on her cheeks. “Leo’s is a great place to grab a cup of coffee or chase away a hangover, but not to enjoy the company of a lady such as this.” Picking up her hand, Emilio sent her a wink as he placed a gentle kiss to her soft flesh. Turning his head toward Gino, “I’ll see you later.”

Returning to his seat, Gino unbuttoned his jacket, covertly adjusting the gun on his side.

“Your father tells me you had a pleasant visit with your mother. How is Chiara?”

Allowing the waiter to fill Nona’s wine glass before answering, “Wonderful as always. She and my uncle are building a school; one the church won’t have their hands in.”

Once his mother learned of his father’s betrayal, she went to the church to petition for divorce but was turned down. His parents haven’t laid eyes on one another since the day Jonathan was tossed on a jet and sent back to the States.

“She’s a smart woman, too good for my son.” Taking a sip from her glass, the marriage between the two a sore subject. “Every time I drive by our old house, my blood boils at the stupidity your father showed toward your mother.”

Gino clenched his fists as he listened to the pain in Nona’s voice. After the affair was discovered, the Amato’s demanded the Vitale’s repay them for the expenses of the wedding, forcing Nona to sell her home and several properties.

Reaching across the table, Sophia grabbed Gino’s clenched fist, gripping it tightly and shaking it steadily.

“I don’t care what my son says, Giovanni, do not marry Felicia. She will ruin this family even more than your father has.”

“That may be easier said than done, I’m afraid.” Gino admitted, he had a lot riding on his plans to change the Family, needing to secure the reins first was the problem. His father could hand his position to Sully if he chose, knowing the fucking lap dog would do as he was told, but risked financial ruin if he did.

“You hear me, Gino. If you listen to your father and marry that woman, you will spend the rest of your life questioning if she is telling the truth as to the paternity of any children you have.”

Gino shifted his body forward, looking deep into Nona’s eyes. “You have my word, Nona, I won’t marry Felicia Vittorio.”

“Good, now let us spend some of that money you’ve earned. Your father may be blind to your twisted ways, but I still have a handful of loyal people who keep me well informed.”

* * *

Hourslater as Gino sifted his way through the crowded gym, Elizabeth’s boldness remained with him. Surely she knew of his reputation. Lisa took every opportunity to boast about her proximity to him to anyone who’d listen. Naturally, he’d assumed she shared with Elizabeth. Yet this girl was fearless, taking his hand as if she were the head of a Family and smiling as if she knew a secret. Gino didn’t care for the way her skin felt against his, all warm, smooth, and perfectly proportioned. Or the way his heart leapt into his chest at the sound of her voice and the tingly sensation it left behind.

“Hey, Gino,” Lisa’s breathy voice called to his left, a second before her feminine hand caressed the lapels of his suit. “I was hoping to see you here.”

Dropping his gaze to her face, her lidded eyes reflected at him. He wasn’t surprised to find her here. She, like most of the women in the room, had an agenda to be seen, not to watch the fight. Parading around in ten-thousand-dollar dresses with their talons polished and sharp, ready to sink into the next highest man in the ranks.

“Lisa,” Gino responded, his tone reflecting the boredom he felt toward her. “Can’t say I feel the same.”

“Oh, come on, Gino,” Lisa purred, tucking herself tighter against his body. “You know I can—”

“No,” he snapped, loud enough to cause her to flinch and capture the attention of several men standing around them. “I’m tired of fucking repeating myself. Get rid of those ideas of the two of us being anything other than a business arrangement. Now, if you have something to say about work, I’m all ears, if not, crawl back to the poor bastard you came with.”

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