He never experienced it himself. The Famiglia was always the number one priority. No other person should count. There was no question who to put first. A family member or the Famiglia's interest. The choice was clear. For Savannah, he would go through hell just so that Aiden wouldn't have to suffer a single day.
Elio slid his thumb over her bottom lip and pulled it slightly down. He couldn’t help it. Her pout made it so hard to focus on anything else. "I rarely promise something so believe me when I say that I'll take care of you. My Capo has no interest in the diner, whatsoever. Father gains a lot of money out of this place and he won't even think of closing it down."
She said nothing but nodded slowly, acknowledging the reply. There was still doubt on her face which Elio decided to ignore. He wasn't big on trust, Savannah was the same. He wondered what had made her this way.
He made a mental note to approach the subject at a better moment.
"Now eat. Kate already knows that she's supposed to wait for you. She doesn't mind."
"Have you called her?"
He shook his head. "I sent her a message at night to tell her that you're alright. And this morning asking if she can wait for you," he admitted, pulling away. He went back around the counter, setting a plate with food for Savannah.
"If you wrote to her and she doesn't even really know you then she's probably thinking of calling the police for a possible kidnapping."
With amusement reaching his eyes, he smirked. "If it was kidnapping I would plan it better. Not text her, pretending to be you," he put her mind at ease.
Her gaze started to wander to the Enforcer's torso. Every muscle was outlined as it smoothed into his perfectly shaped abs. He was a breathing work of art, his tanned skin so tempting to touch; every move giving away his strength. Sicilian fairness evident. What made him more ideal was how imperfect his body also was. Scars in the shape of cuts and bullet-wounds adorned his look, giving him a darker appeal. One that held secrets, stories and experiences that probably could curdle one's blood.
The history of Elio's survival.
Chapter Twenty-Two
After driving Savannah home, he stepped on the gas as he was already late for the meeting. He briefly talked to Father, however, there were still things that should be established. Especially since he didn't exactly have the authority to kill Hunter. He was to drag him to his trunk and hand him over to his boss. Yet when Elio saw Savannah trying to talk him out of hurting the man he’d snapped.
The images of her being in constant danger because of one man not capable of admitting that he'd fucked up drove him up the wall. He didn't necessarily care about the girl per se. He hadn't known her then. But people who hid behind others rather than take responsibilities for their actions were pussies and a fucking waste of air for Elio. To think that there were still Enforcers in the Famiglia who actually took advantage of opportunities like this was unthinkable. What a way to completely trash the image of mafia in the world.
He got what he deserved. Elio knew that but Father might disagree, seeing as he hated when something wasn't going according to his plan. And even worse that his least favorite child was the one to disobey his order. It could easily turn out to be really bad for him.
Standing in front of the doors to Father's office, in the support area of the nightclub, he debated going in. He wasn't scared but today he had a really low tolerance for bullshit and each meeting that was called by the Capodecina somehow managed to get him either bored or riled up.
His eyes rested upon his hip where he had the gun strapped up. Elio always made sure to have it with him whenever he was going into a room full of Made Men. No matter whether they were family or not. Trust must be earned and neither of them had managed to do that.
He flexed his fingers against the handle, breathed out and stepped into the office without so much as a knock to announce his arrival.
There were four men in the room: Gastone, Alberto - which was to be expected as he was Father's right hand, his twin Fabro and... Noah Falcone. The three looked nervous to be in the same room with the Capo dei Capi. Not surprising as they had a rather tense relationship that revolved around business and whether the Capodecina was able to pay back on time the percentage that he owed his boss. However, the Capo himself looked bored. His eyes didn't even move as Elio came inside. Only when the Enforcer sat down on the couch did he greet him in acknowledgement.
It was nothing personal. Elio knew that. If he had such a disposition to ignore his father, he would do it in a heartbeat. But he couldn't. There was a hierarchy in the Las Vegas Famiglia which couldn't waver because it would all come crashing down and Noah made sure to keep up with the tradition of respecting the person above. It was easy for him because he was a Capo. A fucking young one - some might even say that too young - but still Capo dei Capi.
Noah clapped his hands. "Now that we are all here let's make it quick," he stated and looked at Elio curiously. "Where's the fucker now?"
"Dead. Probably dropped in some river or buried in the desert."
Gastone sent his son a scorching look, his face flashing with undeniable fear.
Candidly, it was rather amusing how one person could be scared of a barely-of-age boy and still talk crap about him at the same time. Especially since Noah recognized the potential in him and made him a Capodecina. However, it was debatable whether
