Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“I’m sure this will come as no great surprise to you, but you’re the one who should take over this business when my time comes.”
I wanted to inhale and exhale at the same time, my body momentarily confused about how to operate. “That is a surprise to me. I always assumed it would be Leo, for obvious reasons…”
“What are those obvious reasons?” he asked. “Because he’s a man?” He gave a slight shake of his head. “He’s physically stronger than you, but you win in every other category, Frankie. You’re smarter, more responsible, have a better temperament. Don’t make snap judgments and you examine evidence with objectivity, rather than emotion. I love your brother and he’s a good man with a lot of admirable qualities, but you’re still superior in every way that matters.”
I glanced at the doorway and hoped no one could hear this. His flattery meant more than I ever anticipated, but it also came with a heavy dose of guilt. “I assumed I would handle the winery while Leo handles our other operations.”
“He will handle our other operations—under your authority.”
“Dad, I’m really flattered you feel that way, but Leo would not take this well.”
“He’ll get over it.”
“I really don’t think he will.”
“He already knows.”
I hesitated before I turned to look at him. “He does…?”
He nodded.
That flush of guilt returned, because I was unsure when or how that conversation had taken place. Leo hadn’t treated me any differently, so I couldn’t even gauge when he would have been informed.
“But for this to work, you need muscle. More than just Leo and the men we consider family and those on our payroll. You need someone to run this with you, someone to protect you, someone no one wants to fuck with.”
I pictured Wolfe in my mind, the scariest, most psychotic man I’d ever encountered. Why didn’t my father suggest him? “And you thought Alessandro was that man?” I asked incredulously.
“He comes from a good family, he’s well-connected, understands the business.”
“And he’s…small.”
“Small?” my father asked with a slight chuckle. “He’s the same size as your brother.”
Alessandro was tall, lean, and toned. But Wolfe had a hundred pounds of muscle on both of them. With arms as big as my head and thighs like tree trunks, he was a massive guy. I understood his size was unrealistic and impossible to attain for most men, but that was my type now.
Because Wolfe had ruined me for all other men.
My father looked ahead. “Whatever your interests are, you need to get out there and find someone. You’re young, but you won’t be young forever. You need to find someone who fits in well with us, someone who’s got a backbone but who also knows how to be respectful to your family. When I mentioned you to Lorenzo and Alessandro, Alessandro pulled me aside and asked my permission to take you on a date. He asked me first—and that means a lot.”
We’re so fucked.
“I know everyone worth knowing in Sicily. I can introduce you to other guys I think will be right for you and this job. I understand your last name will change when you get married, but this business will still remain in the family.”
I wondered why he never suggested Wolfe, the most obvious fucking choice under the sun. The man was pure muscle and loyal and crazy…and hot as fuck. But my father didn’t even consider him, and that told me he didn’t like him.
At least, didn’t like him for me, for whatever reason.
I had been on the precipice of coming clean, but this conversation made it as clear as day that my father would lose his shit if he found out we’d been sneaking around all this time. That he would take it as a personal insult from Wolfe for fucking me behind his back, for keeping it a secret instead of asking permission before he made his first move.
I felt the blood drain from my face, felt the sweat collect on my skin even though I was directly under the air vent and feeling the cool air on my face. My heart raced in its prison of bones in my rib cage.
I felt sick…scared…and fucking devastated.
There was no situation in which this would be the happily ever after that I wanted. My father would try to kill Wolfe, and Wolfe would get shot because he couldn’t hurt my father in retaliation. I could leave the family business, and Wolfe and I could start our own lives separate from all of this…but I didn’t want that either.
“Frankie?”
“Hmm?” He must have said something and I missed it.
“You alright?” he asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face just a foot from me.
“Yeah,” I said quickly, my voice far too high to sound normal. “I was just thinking about something.”
“What?”
Wolfe. “I’ve never seen you with anyone. Never heard you talk about anyone. Have you ever…thought about settling down? You’re still young enough to find someone. Even have more children if you want.” It was something I’d wondered about but never asked, and since I felt cornered at the moment, I decided to mention it.