Page 27 of Impenitent Claim

“I know you aren’t just sitting and playing video games. What about school? Anything new there?” I pushed.

His face scrunched in disgust. “That’s such a waste of time.”

I grabbed the lapels of his jacket and gave him a shake. “You have to study! You think papa came to this country to have his son be an idiot?”

“Don Aldo didn’t go to high school,” Gio muttered. “He said real education is learned on the streets.”

Madonna! He wants to join the mob!I lifted my eyes to the heavens seeking supplication. As if there weren’t enough troubles already on my plate. Deep breaths filled my lungs, but they did nothing to calm my racing heart.

“Gio, you can’t quit school to become a soldier. You need your smarts if you’re ever going to be a capo or—”Or more.

My brother pulled away. “Let’s find you a pumpkin.”

There was nothing to do but trudge after him. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm golden hue over the sprawling pumpkin patch. The perfect fall day was a mockery. Instead of embracing the season’s coziness and the vivid beauty, panic leeched into my veins. Gio was going down the wrong path, and I didn’t know if there was anything I could do to pull him back.

He’s just a kid….

How many youths found themselves thrown into the blood bath that was the criminal underworld? A shudder ran through my body. The vibrant colors faded, and I focused on the dirt and rot that I stepped on.

“These pumpkins are amazing. I can’t believe you aren’t allowed to decorate the house with them. It would make everything so much more festive,” Gio said, pointing at the orange lumps.

I hummed at the back of my throat. What was the point of enjoying these, when it was all a distraction from the harsher truths of reality?

Gio continued to ramble as if my good mood hadn’t shifted. He kept imagining stories for the pumpkins, pointing out the amusing shapes. Some were squat and wide, others tall and misshapen, with odd lumps and bumps that gave them unique personalities. I tried, I really did. But my laughter was forced, and I wanted to smash the quirky gourds, letting them be an outlet for my frustration. Gio was so young!Thisshould be the sum of his life. Not a care in the world—except, maybe a girl in class who didn’t like him back. That was normal young adult drama. But instead, the darker truths lurked like the scavenger birds circling the field.

As if on cue, a crow’s call ripped through the heavens, adding to the haunted feeling that I couldn’t shake. My gaze shot across the patch, scanning for dangers I knew would come. I defied them. I might only be made of flesh and bones, but there was nothing I wouldn’t do to protect this boy.

Maybe fighting Gio isn’t the way.

The sudden realization sent me staggering backward.

“You okay?” Gio rounded on me with a skeptical look.

I swallowed hard. “Great! I think this is the one.”

Dropping to my haunches, I absently patted the sun-warmed pumpkin. The rough texture of the skin under my bare fingers was oddly reassuring as my mind raced with the new strings of ideas. Instead of telling Gio he shouldn’t join the ranks of associates, who needed to earn their place as soldiers, I should help him navigate the course his life seemed destined to take. There would be no avoiding the life of crime. But if he couldsurviveit….

Hope swelled in my chest. Gio squatted to grab the pumpkin. The blade of his pocketknife flashed in the sunlight. In one swift move, he sliced the vine in a vicious flick.

“We should go target practicing!” I blurted out.

Those dark brown brows drew together as he looked up at me. “Shooting? You want to go shooting?”

“Yes!” I nodded eagerly.

“Won’t that ruin your nails?” he teased.

I pursed my lips. “I bet I can shoot more of these pumpkins than you!”

It wasn’t an idle bet either. I was a damn good shot. But we could always be better. And making sure Gio could protect himself was suddenly of the utmost importance.

“Um, sure.” Gio rolled the pumpkin around.

“Great! I’ll have some of the prepicked pumpkins loaded into the SUV, and we can go out this evening before it gets too dark.”

Gio let out a strangled laugh. “Can’t tonight.”

“Oh.” I tried not to let my chest deflate.

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