Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“A friend of ours wants to meet you. It’s time you know some things your mother and I may have left out.”
“Finally,” I mutter.
Dad glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “You know, we’ve done all this for your good. After tonight you’ll understand.”
I remain silent because I have nothing else to say. I’ve felt for a long time like things were missing from the equation. Things that could help me move things forward faster.
The ride takes about an hour. We pull up to a set of iron gates and Dad pulls through and drives up the long driveway to the house. My curiosity is piqued.
We step from the car and head into the house through the massive front doors. These friends of ours have some old money. From the heavy security, this isn’t just any old friend. We’re here to see somebody.
I suck in a breath when the old man with the acid-burned-looking face comes to greet us. Don Ferrari. I’ve never met him in person, but I’ve heard about him. This old bastard is ruthless—on a Dante level of savage. He hardly comes to the States. I wonder why my father has brought me here, but I keep my face impassive.
Dad kisses Don Ferrari’s ring and the Don kisses my father’s cheeks. He looks Dad over and pats his cheek. “Stai bene, nipote,” he says with a smile.
Nephew? I’m stunned but still school my features. Don Ferrari turns to me and holds his hand out. I kiss his ring before he gives my face a squeeze and kisses my cheeks.
“Welcome, Gio. It’s good to finally meet you.”
“Thanks for having me.”
He grins as he looks me in the face. “You look so much like your grandfather. Can you believe this ugly mug was once as handsome as yours?” He laughs but I don’t say a word.
“Gio, this is Don Ferrari. He’s waited a long time to meet you,” Dad says.
“No disrespect, but I’m a little confused.”
“No disrespect taken. You are here because I need you to understand who you are.”
“Who I am?”
“Si si, do you believe in destiny?”
“I guess you could say that, but I also believe you make shit happen to get the destiny you want.”
“Bene bene, this is good. I believe we are forever and always intertwined in the things that are unexpected and expected. We’re never far from the things that are bound to take us down the road to whatever will define who we are meant to be, whether legal or illegal, we walk the path perfect for us to reach for our star.
“The pieces will always fall into place to grant us what’s ours. You, young Michelangelo, were destined to make the world hush under your feet. It is my hope that this journey hasn’t blackened your heart or your brother’s. All of this will be yours, that is, if you haven’t lost your heart and soul.”
I scoff. That last part is up for debate. My heart is as black as it gets, and I think I lost it and my soul a long time ago. However, I keep this to myself.
“But what does any of that have to do with who I am?”
“We have a great opportunity here and I’m going to step in and help however I can. Giuseppe and I made a deal a long time ago. Before my nephew here and your mother were even on this earth to know a thing about each other.”
“Okay.” I nod and turn to narrow my eyes at my father. He’s a Ferrari. Good to know. That might come in handy down the line. “I’m listening.”
I’m more than listening. The wheels are turning. Nonno has always called me the answer. Now I’m wondering why that is.
Why me? I’ve been raised to believe this, but what does Don Ferrari have to do with that? What am I missing? There’s a thread here, I know it.
“This has always been your destiny. You, Gio Michelangelo have the blood of the foundation of the families, you hold a part of us all, you are the families. Now do you see?”
“You have to be fucking kidding me,” I seethe.
“Relax, no need for your temper here. Come, come.” He waves us forward as he moves to the parlor room.
He signals for one of his guys to bring over glasses and a bottle of grappa. He pours four glasses, handing one to me, Dad, and Jace.
Then he continues. “We had to wait things out and allow the chips to fall where they may. Don Barbieri wasn’t a fan of mine. You have to understand all that has been at play here before you, before Ava and Lucas. Giuseppe and I had plans to do business together.
“I later learned by chance that Don Barbieri was a silent party in trying to erase my family. I had to send your grandfather, my twin brother, to America with your father and grandmother. They started over and changed their last name to Di Rienzo, after some distant cousins we already had here.