The Wrath of Cain(52)

“Never. I get it now. All of it. I’m coming to terms with it all. I’ve accepted it all. My family. You. Everything!”

She grins, then smiles. It spreads wide across her face.

“Now kiss me. It seems those lips have been deprived for way too long.”

I have no problem with that at all.





Chapter Eighteen


Calla



“Really, Dad? A toy hauler?”

I laugh at my dad when he, my mom, and Manny climb out of his truck.

“These f*ckwads want to bring their bikes. And between you and your mother and all of your clothes, you would think we were moving there, for Christ’s sake,” he grumbles jokingly as he climbs up the steps and swoops me up into his arms.

“You look so happy. I do believe we have our baby girl back, Cecily. Who would have thought that this dickhead over here was the one who would bring my girl happiness?”

“Fuck you too, old man,” Cain retorts from behind us.

“You’re not my type, *.”

Dad sets me down, lifts one of the suitcases, and retreats to the back of the hauler.

“This is going to be a long ride. Good thing I brought my computer with all those Nicholas Sparks movies we love to watch,” Mom says, winking at me. We are both suckers for those movies.

The drive seems to take forever, but when I see the New York City skyline all lit up the closer we get, I exclaim in excitement.

“Holy shit!”

Dad catches my attention in the rearview mirror.

“It’s something else, isn’t it?”

“It’s remarkable. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Salvatore lives on Long Island, right on the water. I crane my neck when we cross over the bridge only to head east away from the city.

I haven’t been deprived by any means; my parents and I traveled everywhere when I was growing up. Now that I know what my dad truly does, I almost burst out laughing, remembering all those times we went to Disney World.

He never once complained about having to go on any of those rides with me. Always my protector. Always holding my hand, showing me his love until I grew into a teenager. Even then he would always kiss me goodnight whenever he was home, or if I was already in bed before he got home, he always looked in on me.

Now as I watch him steer us through the traffic with ease, I can honestly say that I love my dad even more. Not at all because of the things he does, but simply because he’s my father, the man who is still protecting me to this day.

His phone rings. He’s short with whoever is on the other line. I’m assuming it’s a job by the way his eyes flicker back and forth between the road and me, where I sit between Cain and Manny, who are both busy on their computers.

Everyone has a job to do in this family at the moment but me. Do I feel left out? No, not at all. I want to finish school and make a life with Cain. Build on it, and eventually have a family. My gut feeling tells me I will finish school. However, I’m more than curious what Salvatore wants to talk to me about.

Both Cain and I think he wants me on his team of legal defense. One of his consigliere, as they call them. A confidant, advisor. It baffles my mind. I’ve researched the mafia online until I was about ready to throw my computer across the room. I know I’m family, but everywhere I’ve looked, they typically don’t have outsiders as one of the closest people to the leader. I mean, hell... they’re pretty much the only ones who can argue with the boss and get away with it. So why me? Being family is one thing; being a minnow in a shark infested ocean full of lawyers is another. And if that’s not what he wants, then what the hell could it be?

“Lost in thought, cuz?”

Manny snaps his laptop shut and sits it on the floor in front of him, shifting my way.

“Just wondering what your dad wants to talk to me about,” I say, hoping he might know.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

I nudge him in the side with my elbow. I’m more than ready to get out of this damn truck, anyway. I want a shower, some decent food, and a bed. That’s a simple enough request, if you ask me. And let’s not forget my clothes and shoes. God, I cannot wait to slip into some heels.

“I know you know what your dad wants with me, Manny. I’m a lot smarter than you may think,” I whisper in his ear.

“I know you know, smart ass, but it’s not my place to tell you. It’s his. My father is one of the most laid-back men in this business. But he expects loyalty, honesty, and most of all, respect. I love my father, and no matter how much you sit there with your little lip sticking out like you’re eight years old, I’m not telling you.”

He gets another nudge, this one harder.

“Goddamn, that hurt.”

“What hurt?” Mom, Dad, and Cain all ask at the same time.

“He deserved it.”

“Like hell I did!” He points into the darkness. “You see that ocean over there?”

I look at him like he’s nuts. It’s so dark outside, I can’t see a thing.

“Yeah, didn’t think so. That ocean is scary as hell at night, and if you don’t keep your scrawny ass elbows out of my ribs, I’m going to toss you in it.”

Mom and Dad start laughing, and then Cain and Manny join in.

We are all still cracking up when we stop at a street light. Then everything happens so fast. Bright lights shine into the truck. Dad draws his gun and screams for everyone to get down, but we are hit by a massive semi before anyone can move.