Page 4 of Bruno
I gritted my teeth. “Fifty-nine minutes.” Her eyes scanned my face as if she could see beneath the skin. She couldn’t. Of course, she couldn’t.But what did she see?No one had seen beneath the glacier I’d become since her. No one knew it was the only way I’d stayed away. I couldn’t risk it. Not when I’d known one look at her would wipe away any resolve. Five minutes with her showed me I’d been right to be afraid. Correct to assume that I’d never be able to have and resist her. That shit did not happen.
Mama had barely been cold in her grave when my father pulled me from college. She’d known there was no getting around this life for me—not as the son of Salvatore Falcone Sr. But she’d convinced my father to postpone it so I could get a college degree. But then she’d been killed. My father’s cousins were all murdered in a brutal war with the Buonapartes. Cosmo was the only one who survived.—the weakest link. He was smart enough to do one thing. Call my father for help.
As soon as he did, Falcone East joined with Falcone West. We went to war. The Buonopartes started the war, but we finished it. It took four long years to exterminate them and then another four years to build our business, gut our challengers, and establish ourselves in both the business world and the streets. We climbed to the top using bodies and cash as steps. Now, we rule Chicago. No one dared fuck with us. It cost a lot to prevail. And I paid the highest price.
I gave her an hour, and she used every minute. Most of the minutes were spent arguing with Christopher. I bit my inner cheek until it bled to keep from snatching him up about how he talked to his mother. She didn’t do this to him.I did. I heard them debating from down the hall in the Crackerjack-sized box they lived in. He had questions, and I got that. I followed her lead when she shushed him and said we’d discuss it later.
“I’m not going.”
“You’re going. We’ll explain later.”
“Explain what? I know he’s my biological. I’m not stupid.”
“I never said you were. Is this all of your clean underwear? When was the last time you washed your clothes?”
“He doesn’t get to just show up from nowhere and demand that we leave. Where is he taking us? Why?”
“Christopher, we will discuss this later. If he’s here and says we have to go, then it’s for a good reason.”
“I’m sure it is if he just suddenly turned up. Does he want to play daddy now? Because that’s a big hell no.”
“You’re crossing a line, Christopher. You don’t get to talk to me like that, and you won’t talk to him like that either. You will show us respect.”
“I’ll show you respect. He’s never done a damn thing to earn mine. And why are you so eager to go? The man dumped you and didn’t send even a card for years. Now he shows up, and you’re ready to jump through his hoops.”
She sighed. “Look, we have a complicated history. I don’t have time to explain it all right now. He’s here, which means he’s worried about us. If he’s worried, I am too. So, I’m going to trust him for now. Until I have a reason not to. Got it?”
“Whatever, Mom.”
She sighed again. “Finish packing, Christopher. I need to get my things together. We don’t have much time”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. But we’ll figure it all out, later. Now hurry up.”
She was getting annoyed, and I didn’t blame her. If I had to listen to any more of this, I might have punched a hole through the wall.
“Is that it?” I asked when they finally trudged down the hall.
“Yes,” Christopher answered. “It’s not much because we’re not staying long.”
He dropped his bags at my feet and folded his arms across his chest. Like he ran my show.This kid…I looked over his shoulder at Attia. “Is that everything?”
She nodded. I escorted them to the door, and even the smart-mouth kid paused when he took in the line of SUVs and the burly men in suits and earpieces standing by. He must have missed them when he opened the door.
“Is all this necessary?” Attia’s wide eyes took in the convoy.
“Yes,” I said. “I’ll explain everything when we get to the safe house.”
The kid said nothing. For once, the surprise held him froze. I turned my head, hiding a smile as I pushed them along.
Welcome to my world…
Chapter 2
As we approach a large, well-built log cabin hidden in the woods, I try to keep a calm expression. The impressive luxury makes me wonder how many people suffered for this wealth. Bruno steps out of the car, dismissing the security detail that hurried to open our doors. He stretches his arms and the wind plays with his hair. He seems completely comfortable here, while I am nervous and unsettled. It’s not every day you get taken away from your life and brought to an isolated island with a man who also happens to be a powerful mobster.
My gaze lingers on Bruno as he moves toward me, admiring the way he navigates the world with an unmatched confidence. A confidence I’m lacking right now. Bruno takes my elbow, guiding me up the winding path that leads to the safe house. I steal a glance at Chris, who’s lagging behind, scuffing his shoes against the gravel, taking in the scenery. It’s not what I expected - not a simple cabin, but a mansion that’s practically a fortress, nestled among the trees.
