Page 80 of Remember When We
“You’re saying my cooking looks like shit?”
“Baby doll, it doesn’t matter who’s soup it is still looks like shit. I don’t want anything like that. I’ll go out and get a burger or something like that.” Again, he tried to make a move to go. Instead I set the soup bowl down on the nightstand and put a hand out to his chest, stopping him.
He looked at me and settled back down when I sat next to him on the bed.
“You got that look in your eyes.” He gave me that sexy smile.
“What look is that?”
“Like you want to ravish me. FYI, my bottom half works just fine. Bullet got me in my side.”
“You were advised against any strenuous activities. Remember?”
“That doctor really needs to get laid. He was jealous of me from the moment he saw you and realized you’re mine.” He nodded like he really believed that.
I just laughed.
He took my hand and gave me a gentle squeeze. I noticed that look in his eyes, the same one he’d been giving me since we came home after all of that craziness.
I didn’t think I’d ever forget everything that happened.
Frankie, the whole Captain Bailey thing.
No wonder some things were better not known. I remember him coming to my school once talking about the dangers of drugs and how to keep safe on the streets.
I didn’t realize he was a monster, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He was the monster that took my brother away from me.
It was him.
“Baby doll. I’m sorry for everything. You’re not used to all this crap. The danger and I put you in that situation.” Gio said with a slow nod.
“It was just something that happened. It wasn’t your fault. I don’t want you to blame yourself for anything ever again.” I shook my head.
“It’s who I am doll. I take responsibility for everything and try to fix what I can.”
“I know, I know you do. It’s good to take ownership of your faults, but you can’t blame yourself for everything. I know that I didn’t help anything with my secrets either.” That was me taking ownership of mine too.
“No, I’m pissed about that and Paul’s lucky I can’t move right now.”
“Gio. I know you can only see the end result of what happened to me, but I had to find a way. He’s my father and I didn’t want to lose him the same way I lost Marshall. Frankie came here and beat him up. He was going to kill him, so I did what he wanted. Paid up and accepted that if I couldn’t pay, he’d get me. I can’t tell you how that makes me feel.” It felt good to be able to talk about it with him.
Carla had been by a few times to see me. Now that Frankie was gone and out of the picture, I selfishly felt relieved. I couldn’t explain how that made me feel either, because I wasn’t the kind of person to be happy about someone’s death.
A lot had happened to change me, and some of those weren’t good changes at all.
It had hardened my heart. Frankie’s death meant Dad’s debt was repaid and he got to keep his house; my family home. I could go to Chicago knowing he’d be here in his own home and he wouldn’t have to worry about Frankie Santora any more.
I wasn’t told the details, but apparently he wouldn’t have to worry about any Santora ever again.
It was something Claudius had arranged. All I knew was he gave them something.
It must have been something very valuable to keep them from blowing up over Frankie’s death and start a war.
“Never again. Never again. It will never happen to you again.” Gio’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“No?”
“Chicago isn’t a walk in the park, but I will always protect you … you and Matthew. No more secrets though. Not ever, we don’t keep secrets from each other.”
