Devil’s Thirst: A Mafia Stalker Romance (The Moretti Men Book 1)
Devil’s Thirst: Chapter 41

Perspective is such an odd beast. One minute you step in a mound of horse shit and think your day is ruined, then replace out you won the lottery and decide horse shit is your new lucky charm.

I’m not happy about what happened with Umberto. It’s a tragedy any way I look at it, but it’s in the past. Nothing can be done to change what happened. And if things with my father hadn’t played out the way they did, would I still be here making lunch for my new fiancée feeling like the fucking king of the world? Maybe, but I’d hate to risk it. I’ve never been so goddamn happy in my life.

“Here you go. Turkey on white with the fixings and a dab of mayo, as the lady requested. Wish I was sending you off with something nicer, but this is all we have time for.” I set our plates on the table, then grab chips from the cupboard.

“I can’t eat much before a big night like this, anyway. I’ll throw a protein bar in my bag, though, just in case.” She takes a hearty bite of her sandwich.

I love seeing her eat. I don’t even know why I like it so much, but I have to make myself eat my own sandwich or all I’d do is watch her, and I’m on a time crunch, same as her.

“Once I drop you at the theater, I’m going to visit with Renzo. I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but we got some good stuff accomplished at the AG’s apartment.”

“You guys got in his place?” she asks in surprise.

I give her a smug smile. “Course we did.”

Her jaw stills, a bite sitting in her cheek unchewed. “You replace anything?” Her hesitant question is bathed in a mixture of hope and apprehension.

“No videos of you or Lina, if that’s what you’re worried about. We got what we needed and also found an email from your mother that might relate to his connection with The Society. It’s vague, but it looks like they struck a deal. We can’t replace any evidence he was a member. We think the deal he made with your mother was part of a bribe. Not that his motives matter. The important part is justice will be served,” I assure her.

Her entire body visibly softens. At this point, she’s conditioned to be on high alert for potential dangers. I hope that one day, a second set of conditioning will immediately respond with assurances that everything will be okay. It may take years, but I’ll prove she’s safe in my care.

I scarf down the last of my sandwich and get the kitchen cleaned up while she finishes. “I’m going to run upstairs and grab Freya while you get ready.”

“Thank you! I should be good to go by the time you get back.”

An hour later, Freya is back home, Amelie is safely at the theater, and I’m sitting down with Renzo to talk business and futures.

“Amelie ready for her big night?” he asks as we get comfortable in his living room.

“I think I may be more nervous than she is,” I mutter with a hint of humor.

He huffs. “You ought to try watching the woman you love take on a bear. I nearly shit myself.”

I have to laugh. “Hopefully, that’s a bridge we never have to cross.”

“Things going well, then?”

“You could say that.” A smile bullies its way across my face. “She agreed to marry me.”

“Well, fuck me. Congratulations.” Renzo reaches over to shake my hand.

“Thanks, man. Coming back was definitely the right move for me. And there’s no way I could ask her to leave her sister and move back to Sicily, so I want you to know I’m here to stay. I want to pledge my loyalty and do whatever I can to prove myself to you.”

His gaze takes me in with careful consideration. “You’ve got nothing to prove, Sante. It would be an honor to work with you.”

Fuck, that hit harder than I expected.

I have to clear my throat before I respond. “I appreciate that. Though, there’s something I need to tell you, just so you’re aware.”

He lifts a brow for me to continue.

“I found out that Umberto was our half brother. It’s sort of a moot point now, but I felt like you should know, especially considering I killed him.”

The master of stoicism doesn’t even flinch. “This may sound cold, but your mother was my family. A traitor’s bastard son means nothing to me.” Renzo never did pull any punches.

I dip my chin in a respectful nod. Whether I agree or not, he’s made it clear that’s the end of the subject, and I’m happy to oblige. “That leaves us with the matter of John Talbot and finishing what we started yesterday.”

“We need him to be caught in the act of something—anything. For someone in his position, it doesn’t take much to get the feds involved. We could tip them off, but I don’t think an anonymous tip would be sufficient to give them probable cause. Without anonymity, I’m worried it’ll get traced back to us and could end up impacting Lina and Amelie.”

“We could always stage something.”

“We could, but I think it brings in a lot of risk that the case against him ends up problematic. The closer we stick to reality, the better.”

I can’t hold back a grimace. I understand where he’s coming from, but I also want this asshole off the streets as soon as possible. We’ve confirmed he won’t be in the city for Amelie’s opening night, which is a relief, but we need him gone for good.

“It won’t be forever,” Renzo says, sensing my frustration. “Considering what we already know about the guy, I’d say it takes us a week max to line something up. He has no idea we’re coming for him. Best to take our time and do it right.”

“Yeah, alright. I’ll get with Oran and Tommy to see if they have any ideas.”

“Good, and in the meantime, your girl has her opening night. She’ll be plenty distracted all week.”

“True,” I admit, wishing I could say the same. I won’t be able to think of much else until Talbot is behind bars—or dead, whichever should come first.

“We’ve got tickets for tonight, so we should see you there.”

I stand and reach for another handshake. “Thanks, man. That means a lot to us both. I know Mellie will be thrilled to see familiar faces.”

Renzo surprises me by pulling me into a hug. “Proud of you, kid,” he says, allowing a tinge of emotion to color his words. “Don’t think I said it before, but welcome home.”

Gratitude clamps tight around my throat, preventing me from responding. I nod, instead, and let the respect and appreciation in my eyes speak for me.

On my way back to Amelie’s apartment, I have a somewhat of an epiphany.

While I was pleased with all the ways I changed during my time in Sicily, it took coming back to New York to realize a crucial element was still missing. I wasn’t truly happy. How could I be when my family was thousands of miles away?

Fixings my relationship with Renzo and finally talking to my sister—those things have filled me with a lightness I haven’t felt in years. Uncle Lazaro and his family were good to me, for the most part. I appreciate their role, but they aren’t my real family. I belong here in the city with the people who raised me and the woman I love. They are the most important part of my life.

That thought has me stopping in my tracks and changing directions. I have one more stop to make before I head home. One more chance to set things right, and this time, I won’t fuck it up.

Conner’s glare hits me like a swift kick to the ass. I half smile, half grimace since I deserve the full brunt of his displeasure.

“Before you deck me, I’m here to apologize.” I raise my hands in surrender.

He still doesn’t look pleased, but it’s enough to get me in the door. “Have a seat. She’s back with the boys. I’ll go get her.”

He disappears, and a few minutes later, my sister joins me. I see the sadness in her smile and hate that I put that there. Someone as loving as Noemi should never have to be sad. I know that’s not realistic, but I can keep myself from being the cause, at the very least.

“Hey, Em. You doin’ okay?”

“Yeah, I was getting the boys down for a nap. What’s up?”

I cross over to her and do something I should have done ages ago. I hug her. I wrap my arms around her and hold her in an embrace built by a lifetime of love. “I’m so sorry, Emi. I know it’s been a long four—nearly five—years, and I’ve put you through hell and back, but that’s over.” I pull back and look earnestly deep into her eyes. “I’m here for you—for the kids. I’m back, and I swear I won’t let you down again.”

“Oh, Sante. You never let me down,” she says in a shaky voice, eyes growing glassy. “I worried about you, that’s all.”

“Well, I felt like I let you down in so many ways. That’s why it’s been so hard for me to face you, but that was fucking selfish of me. You’re my Little Big. You will always be my Little Big, even when we’re in our eighties.”

She makes a strangled sobbing noise and lunges at me, hugging me tightly.

“I wasn’t done yet,” I tease, holding her close. “I didn’t get to tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me. I couldn’t have asked for a more incredible sister.”

Noemi devolves into a sniffling fit of hiccuping sobs. Conner rounds the corner like he’s ready to rearrange my face but stops when he sees us hugging.

“I’m s-s-s-sorry. It’s the h-h-hormones,” she forces through her tears.

I smile and kiss the top of her head. “No worries, Em. You cry all you need, so long as they’re happy tears.”

She nods against my chest. Conner slips back out of sight, and I finally toss aside the first boulder from the mountain of guilt I’ve been carrying with me.