Page 157 of The One
“Working on it,” he chuckles, and it’s good to hear some lightness in his voice, even if it’s fleeting.
There’s a pause, followed by the faint sound of ice cubes clinking in a glass. He’s probably outside with a whiskey, staring at the stars.
“Remember what you said to me a few weeks ago?” Tiero finally says into the silence.
“I say lots of really insightful things,” I tease. “Remind me.”
“You said Ella wouldn’t be happy living in a gilded cage with constant danger.”
“There isn’t much you can do about it, though. She needs the protection.”
“I know that, Teo.” There’s another long pause, and I hate the weight I feel pressing through the phone.
“She loves you, bro. She’ll get used to it. We all have to sacrifice something for the ones we love.”
His response comes slower this time, heavy with something that sets me on edge. “I’m not sure that love alone will be enough.”
My heart stutters at the sheer vulnerability in his voice.
“I can’t lose her, Teo. Being apart from her… it’s slowly killing me. Nothing makes sense without her. As much as I hate it, I’ve come to realize she holds all the cards. I’d do anything to have her back, to have her stay.”
What he says next has me sit up straighter. “Even leave everything behind.”
A lump lodges in my throat but I swallow it down. “What are you talking about? You’re the fucking Don.”
“I am. And I’ve accepted my role without question. But I’m having to ask myself what’s more important to me.” He pauses, his words deliberate.
“After Ella got kidnapped by Molinaro, she asked me why I was upholding the legacy of men who are long gone, why I put my life on the line every day for the dream someone else had. What is my dream?
“It’s notla famiglia.It’s a life with Ella. I want a football team of children with her, and I want to be there for them, see them grow up, and not from the sidelines or the grave.”
“So what? You’re going to retire from the job?” I huff, the absurdity of it twisting in my chest.
“Maybe.”
“That’s not possible! We’re born intola famiglia, and we’ll die in it. That’s how it’s always been.”
“Anything is possible if you set your mind to it. You can take over as Don. You’ve been raised to do it as much as I was.”
I get out of bed and start pacing. My chest tightens as I try to process his words. “You can’t mean that. You’re the Don. I’m your number two. That’s how it’s meant to be.”
I’ve never wanted to be Don. Neverconsideredit. Tiero is the born leader. I’m too easy-going for it. It’s why we work so well together. We balance each other out.
“You’d make a great Don,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You have what it takes. Never forget that.”
“Look,” I say, exhaling sharply, trying to ground myself. “Now that I have Mari, I understand where you’re coming from and what you must be going through with Ella gone. But let’s focus on getting her back. That’s step one. The rest will fall into place.”
Chapter Sixty
Mateo
Four days of total bliss!
I’m not exaggerating when I say this. Mari and I spent every moment together. It’s like a cocoon of happiness is woven around us, shutting out everything else from our world. Staying in this bubble with her is all I want.
Before coming here, I already couldn’t imagine a life without her. Now, that imagination is an undeniable fact.
She’s everything.
