God Of Vengeance (Kings Of Mafia)

During the helicopter ride to Manhattan, my thoughts turn to the night before.

I caught Gabriella sneaking around the house after midnight, but when she just grabbed something to eat before heading back to her room, I returned to the sunroom.

I spent an hour thinking about the satin robe she wore and how the fabric flowed around her body when she moved. I got glimpses of her toned legs and way too fucking sexy shorts.

By the time I headed to bed, I felt agitated.

When the helicopter touches down on the helipad, I’m pulled out of my thoughts.

I help Mamma out of the aircraft and lead her to the elevator with Gerardo following us. I gave Carlo a rare afternoon off so he can spend time with his mother.

We’re quiet on the ride down to the basement, and when the doors open, I see Vito and Emilio waiting by the SUV.

They signal for the other group of guards that we’re leaving, and Gerardo opens the back door.

Once we’re seated, with my mother between Gerardo and myself, Emilio starts the engine.

Vito glances over his shoulder from where he’s sitting in the passenger seat. “How are you doing, Mrs. Falco?”

“I’m good. Excited to spend time with my son,” she answers. “How’s your foot? Did you try soaking it in Epsom salts?”

“Yes, thank you. It helped, and the foot’s much better.”

“That’s good.” She tilts her head, then asks, “How are your parents, Emilio?”

“They’re well, Mrs. Falco. Thanks for asking.”

With the pleasantries out of the way, Mamma relaxes against my side.

During the drive, silence fills the cab, and when we pull up to Yukhaejang, Skylar’s restaurant, I shove the door open and climb out of the SUV. I glance over the area for any signs of threats before I help Mamma out onto the sidewalk.

Renzo’s already waiting by the entrance, and as we near him, he says, “Wow, who’s the beautiful woman on your arm?”

“Oh hush, Renzo,” Mamma chuckles.

He leans down to kiss both her cheeks. “It’s good seeing you again, Mrs. Falco.”

I shake Renzo’s hand before we walk into the restaurant.

“Damiano tells me you’ve finally found the one,” she mentions while Renzo leads us to a private room.

“Yes. You’ll meet Skylar today,” he replies. His eyes touch on me, then he says, “You just missed Dario. He was here with a date.”

“Oh?” Mamma’s eyebrow lifts. “He’s seeing someone?”

“Yep, we’re all falling, one by one.”

Christ, now that’s all my mother’s going to talk about during dinner.

We walk into a private room, and I pull out a chair before helping Mamma to sit.

Unbuttoning my jacket, I glance at Renzo. “Are you serving us?”

“You wish,” he chuckles. “Brianna will be with you shortly.”

I nod as I take a seat.

“Enjoy the meal,” my friend says before he leaves us alone.

Knowing my mother would want to know, I say, “We’re in a private room. The walls are decorated with bamboo, and there are lanterns. It feels quite intimate.”

“Mhh…” A smile curves her lips while her hands carefully explore the set table to check where everything is.

“Thank you for bringing me,” she says.

“You’re welcome,” I murmur, my eyes drifting over her face.

Even though she’s fifty-seven, her looks are so youthful she could pass for my older sister.

My gaze locks on the scar on her temple, and anger sparks in my chest.

My parents got married when she was eighteen. It was against her will, and she suffered for nineteen years before I was able to end the abuse.

Since then, any kind of violence has been a trigger for her.

I try to keep her life as calm as possible, but Saturday was out of my control, and I hope it didn’t take a toll on her.

“How are you, Mamma?” I ask.

A frown forms on her forehead. “You know I’m doing well. Why do you ask?”

“Just checking. It’s my job to make sure you’re happy.”

“I am,” she assures me. Her smile widens, then she says, “So … Dario’s seeing someone.”

“I heard,” I mutter, knowing exactly how the conversation will play out.

She raises an eyebrow. “You’re the only single capo left.”

“I’m well aware of the fact,” I mutter.

“Are you going to consider marrying Gabriella?”

I let out a sigh, but before I can reply, the waitress comes in.

She gives us a rundown of the specials and after taking our drink orders, she leaves the room.

“So?” Mamma reminds me that I owe her an answer.

“I haven’t thought about it,” I lie because the thought has crossed my mind more than once this weekend.

“You should. You’re not getting any younger and Gabriella is a lovely girl.”

“Do you like spending time with her?” I ask.

“Yes. It feels like she fits in with us. I don’t have to entertain her.”

“That’s good,” I murmur, my eyes scanning over the room.

When the waitress brings our drinks, I place an order for Sushi, knowing Mamma loves the dish but doesn’t get to enjoy it often.

Once it’s just us again, she asks, “How’s business?”

“It’s going well.” Glad for the change in subject, I expand on my answer by saying, “The hotel is almost completed, and I purchased a lot across from it. I might open another restaurant.”

“And the other side of the business?” she asks.

“I have everything under control,” I reply, not willing to give her more information.

Mamma nods and takes a sip of her glass of wine.

We’re quiet for a moment, then she asks, “How are Angelo and Franco doing?”

“Good. They’re knee-deep in diapers.”

“You should invite them over. I’d love to spend time with Torri, Samantha, and the babies.”

Not wanting to make any promises, I murmur, “I’ll see what I can do.”

A comfortable silence falls between us, and my thoughts return to Gabriella.

I’ll have to come to a decision concerning her future.

Should I marry her?

She seems to be getting along with my mother and Aunt Greta.

She’s beautiful. At least fucking her won’t be a chore.

My muscles tense at the thought.

“What’s wrong?” Mamma asks.

“Nothing,” I mutter. I suck in a deep breath, then admit, “I’m trying to decide what to do with Gabriella.”

Mamma reaches out to me, and when I take her hand, she gives me a squeeze. “You deserve some happiness as well.”

“You think a marriage will make me happy?”

Mamma pauses to think before saying, “If you can learn to love your wife, and she loves you, a marriage can bring a lot of happiness.”

Angelo and Franco seem to be over the fucking moon with their wives.

I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll think about arranging a marriage between Gabriella and me.”

A smile spreads over Mamma’s face. “Good.”

The waitress brings our food, and once she leaves, I say, “The plate is rectangular with the sushi in a row.”

“Got it,” Mamma replies.

We enjoy our food while my thoughts keep returning to a possible arranged marriage with Gabriella.

She doesn’t want to return to her parents, so I’m ninety percent sure she’ll agree with the arrangement.

The attraction is there, and we can maybe build a friendship or, at the very least, a comfortable companionship.

That’s if she doesn’t fight me every chance she gets.

Then we might just kill each other.

I’ll take a week or so to think about it before I make up my mind.