Page 15 of Fall
I’m going to be the interim boss. The Don of Romano’s territory.
And I’m about to lose Natalia before I have her.
I almost don’t know which part of it scares me more.
The boss has been grooming me for years for this moment. I used to fantasize about being in his shoes. I just never dreamed that the day would ever come. And now that it’s here, I’m not sure I have it in me. Iknow every aspect of his business, every facet of the organization, and every contact. From his lawyers to accountants and real estate developers. From corporate CEOs to facilities managers, I know them all.
“Antonio.” The boss calls my name amid Nonna Romano’s raised voice.
“Yes, sir,” I answer, clearing my throat to subdue the obvious anxiousness I can hear in my own voice.
He squares his shoulders, and when he looks at me this time, his unquestioned authority comes over him again, as clearly as the suit he’s wearing. “Have one of the men accompany my mother to her room.”
“Yes, boss.” Rising from my chair, I head for the office door and signal the first man from his protection detail in the hallway. I relay the instruction, and within minutes, he and NonnaRomano are out the door, on their way to her room.
“She’s still got some fire in her. I swear to God.” The boss shakes his head and reaches for his phone after a brief pause. “Got any questions?” he asks me.
“About taking over for a while?” I ask, and he nods but doesn’t say a word. “I’m sure I‘ll have some. Wasn’t expecting this kind of…” I stop speaking to gather my thoughts fora moment.
The boss doesn’t need me to be uncertain, or to second guess myself or his decision.
He needs confidence at a time like this.
He needs strength.
I owe this man everything. He kept my little family together all those years ago. Took me from the gutter and allowed me and my kid brothers to have a proper life. There’s not a thing in this world I’d ever refuseto do for him if he asked me to do it.
“I’m ready, if this is what you want,” I tell him, each word thoughtful and deliberate.
“I agree,” he answers. “You’re ready. Thank you, son. You’ll do fine. And I just want you to know that I’m grateful.”
“It’s the least I can do,” I tell him honestly.
I’ve always told myself that one day, this man might ask me to kill for himagain. Back when I was his trigger man, I would do it without question. So this order to watch over things while he’s away, well, it comes with the territory.
“You’ll have the Pinuccis to help with anything that you need,” he informs me, referring to Lorenzo and Cristiano Pinucci. Lorenzo has been Romano’s lawyer and consiglieri, a trusted advisor since long before I came along. And hisson, Cristiano recently became the family’s accountant. It’s a relief to me that they’re not going anywhere. I know every aspect of the business, but Lorenzo and Cristiano are the ones who understand and implement the intricate details of this company’s operation.
“That’s great to hear,” I say.
“There’s only one thing I’m going to ask of you.”
“Anything, boss.”
"Nataliais not to know any of this until tomorrow. It's her birthday. She deserves at least one happy day before we drop the bomb."
“Absolutely,” I agree. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Father? Can we talk?”
The sight of Natalia at the office door not even a minute after her father orders me to keep this news from her is startling at best. It doesn't help that she looks like she just steppedout of the shower. Her long, dark hair hangs on one side of her shoulder, revealing her long, slender neck and narrow collarbone. And the little number she has on. Jesus fuck. It's a white, sleeveless mesh dress, and it hides nothing.
From her tiny waist to the lush curves of her wide hips and fit legs. Jesus. If she didn’t bother to put on a black bra and matching panties, she’d be practicallynaked. She must have bought it in Italy. I have to reposition myself to hide the bulge of my thickening cock that throbs on the inside of my dress slacks.
And there’s no way in hell that I can look anywhere in the boss’s general direction right now. If he could see the lust and need on my face, if he figures out that I’ve been fantasizing about all the ways I’d fuck his daughter, in virtuallyevery room in his house, under his roof, right under his nose, I’d be dead in two seconds flat.
"Your party's almost here, princess. You should get ready," he tells her and briefly glances away from his phone. His attention is not in the least bit affected by her attire. With the pool in the backyard, we've all seen Natalia in very few clothes. Before she left for Italy this summer, I neverreally noticed her body. But Jesus, I can't stand to look away now.
"What did you tell Nonna?" Natalia demands in a question. "She's distraught. I can hear her shouting on the phone. You know how she prattles off in all Italian when she's agitated."
