Page 31 of The Sting of Love
I left Sicily as soon as I could, trying to leave the memory behind me. I’m the youngest. My sisters are married to rich, powerful men who took care of them, so I knew I wasn’t needed. Whenever I come home, it’s brief. Hardly more than a week and never long enough for me to start getting settled. Pa knows me, which is why he’s asking.
Pa dips his head for a reverent bow. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s good to have you back and know you’ll be here for a while.” I appreciate the change of subject, although we weren’t really talking about her. We don’t need to. He knows my reasons for leaving and the guilt I still carry. It’s the same as his.
“It’s good to be home,” I state.
“Speaking of which, your house is maintained as always, just waiting for you.”
I smile at that. He’s not talking about my home in the city. He means the beach house in Marsala. It’s on the other side of Sicily. Pa bought it when we were kids and we used to go to it every summer as a family. He gave it to me for my twenty first birthday because he knew my love for it.
He has staff that tend to it on a monthly basis. Last I checked the house was as perfect as I remembered with its beautiful chateau like structure and surroundings. It’s like an island by itself connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land, a lone road that can either take you back to civilization or away from it. I already planned to check on it. It’s always on my to do list when I’m in Sicily. I stay for a night or two, that’s it. No longer.
There are too many memories of my mother in that house. Sometimes I’m fine and I want the memories. I even encourage them by keeping some of her stuff around, and things that remind me of her. Other times are overwhelming. Those are the times I remember how helpless I was when I couldn’t save her.
“I’ll go see if everything’s okay,” I tell him.
“I would love to see you there. It’s a massive house, fit for a family,” he answers with a knowing look. I know what his talk is going to be about next if he’s reminding me the house is fit for a family.
“Yes it is a massive house,” I agree, hoping we can avoid the subject of family.
He chuckles. “My son, I did not get you that house for you to check on it every now and again. You loved that house when you were a boy. We all did.”
“Yes, Pa, I know. I’ll go see it.”
“Now that you’re here, it might be a good time to think of finding a good woman and settling down,” he says, and I chuckle. I knew that was coming. He always tries to fit that talk in somewhere.
“Pa, I’m a busy man,” I answer, but then a rebellious voice inside my head reminds me that I didn’t act like the busy man I claim to be last night, and definitely not this morning. And… if I were too busy, Willow wouldn’t be coming to my home later to spend the rest of the week. How much work am I going to get done with her around? The only part of my body that’s going to be working is my dick.
“Donatello, do not tell me such nonsense. You travel with a pack of guys who know business, and they know family. Nothing replaces the famiglia. Believe me, I know.” Pa nods.
I don’t know how he can say such a thing to me.
Maybe it’s because he didn’t have to watch Ma being killed. By the time he got home that day, it was over, and he found me crying over her dead body. At least I’d managed to lock my sisters in the safe room, just like he made me promise if trouble ever came. I was to take care of my sisters first, then Ma. I was just too late when it came to her. The men were already in the house.
“Okay. I hear you.” That’s all I’ll say. It’s best to.
Things were different for him. My mother’s death came about as a result of a business deal gone wrong, and Pa killed the man who took her from us and made sure none of his family ever came for us again.
The villains I’ve encountered in my time with Claudius and even our former boss, Raphael Rossi, are something else. Pa never had to deal with The Triad, cartel members, and anybody like that we’ve come up against in just the last few years.
It’s all danger and death. The survival of the fittest.
I promised myself I wouldn’t fall in love and lead the life my father is talking about. A woman to love and family.
Damn it though, I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit Willow is the first woman I’ve ever met who makes me want to try, but I barely know her, and she shouldn’t know me.
Chapter Nine
Willow
“I got everything,” Dad says, and my whole body sighs with relief.
“Oh, Dad,” I say and pull in a sharp breath. “Thank you so much.”
“You are welcome, sweet girl.”
He called moments ago with an update on what’s happening. I’ve been stuck in the bubble Donny and I created since yesterday. Being with him left my head spinning so badly I barely remembered the new shit William decided to throw my way. I was too busy thinking of going to Donny’s later and my complete embarrassment at Lurlene catching me and Donny naked. She left the house and hasn’t been back for hours. I’m hoping she returns before I leave, so I can apologize.
“Dad, I’m so glad you were able to sort it out for me.”
