Page 80 of Capone
My father chuckled and turned to face me. “No, I am not sick. Just…. Analyzing a few things in my life.”
“Oh yeah? Like what, exactly?”
“Like you’re more like your old man than you care to admit. And we’re both stubborn as mules, not willing to bend to anyone’s will.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood as I felt he was definitely here to start some kind of problem with me. “Look, if you came here to revisit this same dead-end conversation, then there’s the door. I’m happy, whether you like it or not.”
My father unbuttoned his suit jacket and took a seat at my desk. “I’m not here to cause problems, Luca. I’m here as your father, trying to make amends for all my wrongdoings toward you.”
This was seriously becoming the Twilight Zone. Hell must have frozen over, and I was sure that if I looked out my window, I would see pigs flying. My father laughed at the stunned expression on my face.
“Luca, you have to understand, I came from nothing. My parents were poor immigrants trying to turn a penny into a dime. We struggled my entire life. From the time I was sixteen, I made up my mind I wouldn’t have the same fate. I did any and everything to reach the top and become the man you see today. When I built my empire, I was proud of how far I had come. It never dawned on me that my own flesh and blood would want nothing to do with my legacy, and I was hurt.”
I sat quietly, trying to digest my father’s words. For the first time, he was expressing himself, and he seemed genuine in hiswords. There was no snark in his tone and no bite to his words. Even in his eyes, I could see the regret swirling inside them. I decided I would fully open up and see where the conversation could go.
“Dad, my not wanting anything to do with your lifestyle wasn’t because I was ashamed. My entire childhood was robbed because of who you were. I couldn’t go out and play with my friends like normal kids. Parents were afraid to allow their kids to get close to me because of who you were. That life came with too much paranoia—never knowing who was gunning for you and constantly having to look over your shoulder. I just wanted to be normal. Then Enzo was killed right in front of me. Even if I did have an inkling of a desire to be a part of that life, it would have died in that moment.”
My father gulped, listening to my truth, finally hearing me loud and clear. It felt good to get this off my chest. This conversation was long overdue.
“I have to ask, Dad, but what brought you here after all these years?”
“That dinner. It was humbling to say the least. Watching Nico lose not only his children but also his wife was a wake-up call. After all these years, I stubbornly thought you would come back. That you weren’t truly happy. Then I saw the way you interacted with Giovanna and her daughter, and I knew that was the furthest thing from the truth. If that wasn’t enough, we were talking to each other like strangers.”
“But that wasn’t my fault.”
“You’re right. It was mine. Over the years, it has been easier to lie to myself and say that it was you who ran and wanted nothing to do with the family, but in the end, I had to face the truth. Your mother lost two sons because of me. That’s been the hardest pill to swallow.” He looked away from me, dragging his palm down his face.
Just as I was about to reply, my cell rang. I looked down and saw Viper calling me. I chose to ignore it. I would call him back as soon as I was done talking to my father.
“So, what are you trying to say right now?” I needed him to be clear on his intentions. I had a woman and a kid now. I didn’t need to get caught up in any of his shenanigans.
“First, I’m saying I’m sorry for everything. You never deserved how I treated you. I should have respected your decision in not wanting to be involved in my lifestyle. And if it’s okay with you, I would like us to start over. One day at a time. I’ve lost out on countless years because of my own stupidity. I just want my son back.”
Again, as I was about to reply, my cell rang again. It was Viper. Automatically, I knew something was wrong. He would never call me back-to-back like this unless something was wrong. I snatched my cell up quickly and answered the call.
“What is it?” I answered, voice laced with panic.
“We got a problem, brother.”
His next words took the breath right out of my lungs.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
GIOVANNA
“Okay, you two, I really need you to choose your favorite cupcake,” I said sternly to Levi and Wyatt.
They had been assigned to follow me whenever I wasn’t at home with Capone. I had no objections to the matter. After nearly being run off the road, I wasn’t about to chance running into the same fate.
For the past few days, these two had been exceedingly helpful. They were my taste testers and critics. I was having such a hard time narrowing down the options for my final menu. Levi and Wyatt were just the thing I needed to make some final decisions. Over the past few days, we had been through cookies, cakes, Danishes, and now cupcakes. I would lay out at least eight different options, and they would choose their favorite three.
So far, our little system had been working, but today, Levi and Wyatt were staring at these cupcakes as if I had asked them to solve the great wonders of the world.
My grand opening was just three weeks away. Although I was nervous, I was more excited. My mom and siblings were going to fly down. I couldn’t wait to show them around town to show them the little town Gabi and I had fallen in love with.
I was also happy my mom would be getting some much-needed time away from home. My father had been a pain in the ass for her. He wasn’t giving up easily. He thought he could strong-arm her out of her home by cutting off all her credit cards. When that didn’t work, he went into guilt-tripping her, claiming she was breaking up the family.
The irony!
