Page 19 of Rome for the Holidays
He also trained with his father’s right-hand man, Enzo, daily. He needed to have his instincts sharp and to not only be able to read people but also take down any threat.
He knew his father stopped trying, knowing his place was secured at the top, because of his marriage and the contacts he had in all of the other families.
Vincenzo didn’t want to be soft, he refused to show weakness. At least not to anyone besides Gio.
Gio knew all his secrets. Was the only one who knew he was speaking to Harper still.
He didn’t want anyone to know that with her, he was soft. She was the only one who could bring that out in him.
His father was proud of how far he had come, and Vincenzo refused to show his father weakness.
That’s what could get you killed.
Vincenzo turned from Gio, “If she wants to speak to me, she will let me know in her next letter. I will have you get me a phone then.”
Gio nodded, “I will wait for the next letter and let you know. This will go out today.”
Vincenzo looked at his oldest friend, “Thank you.”
Gio smirked, “You are welcome. Now get, you know your father has a meeting with the Agosti’s.”
Vincenzo took a deep breath, “Do not remind me. Father wants me to meet the girl I’m promised to.”
Gio’s eyebrows raised, “I thought he let that go.”
Vincenzo shook his head, “He will never let it go. Not if it can help our family by tying more families together. We have to be the strongest, and this is the only way.”
“Fuck Vin. What are you going to do?”
Vin shrugged, “I don’t know. I cannot marry this girl when I’m so deep with Harper. She is my girl.”
Gio nodded, “I know,” but Vin cut him off, “I will do my best to figure it out. Don’t worry.”
“Whatever you say.”
Vincenzo walked out of Gio’s room, tilting his head in acknowledgement to Gio’s mother and then getting on his motorcycle to ride home.
When he got there, he brushed his hair back from his face, put his helmet on his bike and walked in the house.
His father was standing in the doorway to his office, “Vincenzo. Come here.”
Vincenzo walked over to his father, towering over him and inclined his head, “Yes?”
“The meeting was moved up. The Agosti’s are here.”
Vincenzo felt his stomach clench but said nothing, just followed his father into his office.
Two men were standing in front of a small woman, her head bowed, and her shoulders slumped forward as if she wanted to be anywhere but here.
He understood completely.
Another man was standing by the windows overlooking the gardens, and he turned when they walked in, “Ah. Vincenzo. Your father speaks highly of you.”
Vincenzo said nothing, knowing his father wanted to be the one to talk, which he did.
“And this must be Alessandra?” His father said, and she looked up at him.
Vincenzo waited for something to happen, for him to feel anything for the girl, but he felt nothing.
