Chapter5.
1318 Words
Alessio's POV.
"So? Where the hell were you tonight, Dante?" I snap at him as soon as I slam the door behind him. My entire body is vibrating with anger.
Dante is my second in command. He is also my cousin. We grew up together. His father, Uncle Goodie, took me in and raised me as his own after my father was gunned down in an attack by the Russians. Dante is supposed to have my back, always.
"Calm down, Alessio. Tell me what happened that has you so twisted?" Dante drawls in his all-too-familiar casual manner. Usually I appreciate the fact that he always has a cool head, but tonight it just pisses me off. The fact that he even has to ask makes me so angry that I can't even see straight.
"The fact that I have to tell you, Dante, pisses me off beyond measure! Someone ordered a hit on me! An i***t in a hoodie chased me into a dark alley like some common mark and tried to gut me with a knife!" I gesture angrily at the gaping wound in my shoulder. The vile anger I feel leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
Dante looks at where I'm pointing, and his eyes widen with shock and horror. "Gesu Cristo, Alessio!" Dante sounds genuinely shocked. I just don't understand how it took him till now to notice the blood on my jacket and the wound in my shoulder. He must be high out of his mind again.
I have a great deal of love and respect for Dante, but I have no time for his constant partying. It drives me crazy, and it makes him look like a childish fool to our enemies. I sometimes think of him in the same way.
I sigh and run my hands through my hair. I feel exasperated.
"How much have you used again tonight?" I struggle to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
Dante immediately looks offended and irritated. "You're not my father, you know? I don't have to explain myself to the great Il Custode!"
A fresh wave of rage flares up inside me. Dante has a knack for being disrespectful and insobordinate. I would have his skin were it not for the fact that he is my cousin. Most days it takes every ounce of self-control I possess not to knock him on his ass.
"No Dante! I am not your father. God rest his soul, but I am your capo, and you will show me the respect I deserve. Do I make myself clear?"
Dante hangs his head in a show of remorse, but I can see the flash of defiance in his eyes. "Yes, capo. I am sorry."
I take a deep breath to try and calm myself down. I need to get a hold of my emotions. I need to be better than Dante. I have to be. It is expected of me.
"I'll ask again. Where were you?"
Dante sighs and walks over to one of the leather armchairs standing in front of the fireplace. He sits down and rubs the back of his neck. "I got a little carried away at the bar. I met a nice-looking girl there, and she invited me to her place. You know how I am when it comes to beautiful women. I couldn't say no." He has a bashful look on his face. I know that its meant to soften me up, but I'm not in the mood for his emotional manipulation tonight.
"Yes. Unfortunately I know exactly what you're like." I walk over to the liquor cabinet and pour myself a stiff drink. My shoulder is beginning to throb. I need to have it cleaned and stitched. I also need to get some sleep. "Where was Rocco?" I ask impatiently.
"I called him to come and get me. I was too out of it to drive myself."
"Why the hell didn't you call Vito? He's your bodyguard! You called mine away because you were wasted and you left me to fend for myself!"
"Look man, I'm sorry Alessio. Vitto had the night off, and I didn't want to bother him. I didn't think that it would be a problem."
I finish the last of my drink and slam the empty tumbler down on the cabinet. Dante's excuses are almost too pathetic for me to comprehend. "Well you thought wrong, you i***t! Someone came after me and neither of you were there when I needed you!"
"I'm sorry, Alessio..."
I turn around rapidly and cut him off before he has a chance to say something else that will only piss me off more. "Just stop apologizing, Dante. I expected more of you and I am very disappointed! You let me down tonight and it almost cost me my life!"
Dante sighs heavily and hangs his head. "Yes Alessio."
"You can also explain to Rocco why he doesn't have a job anymore."
Dante looks up at me with wide eyes. "Don't you think that's a bit harsh, Alessio?"
"I think almost being killed because my bodyguard was running an errand for someone else is a bit harsh!" I spit the words at Dante like their venom and I have to get rid of them.
He hangs his head again. "Yes, Alessio."
I pour myself another drink and take a seat next to him. I stare vacantly into the fire and finally feel myself begin to relax a little. The rage I've been hanging onto all night drains from my body as the smooth liquid in my glass fills my body with warmth.
"Do you have any idea who sent him?" Dante asks cautiously after a few minutes of silence.
I shake my head. "The hitman was a complete i***t though. Luckily. I left him in the alley for the police to find. They can deliver the message to whoever it is that sent him."
Dante smirks, but he has a strange expression on his face. His entire body language is strange tonight. I find myself wondering what its all about, but I'm too exhausted and in too much pain to devote any real effort to it right now.
"And the girl?"
I take a deep breath and exhale heavily. "She saw me shoot him."
Dante jumps up off the chair and gapes at me. His eyes are filled with astonishment. "Why is she still alive, Alessio? You know the threat she poses. Not only to you, but this entire family!"
"Yes, Dante. I am well aware of that. She is alive because I want her to be." I raise my hand to stop him from arguing. "I am tired, Dante. I'm going to have Isabella take a look at my shoulder and then I'm going to be. We can talk again in the morning."
I finish the rest of my drink and leave the room without waiting for him to answer. I stop to check in with Lily before I head over to the kitchen where I know I'll find Isabella. Lily is already sleeping. I watch her for a few seconds before smiling to myself and closing the door quietly. I head over to the kitchen and find Isabella already waiting for me. She cleans and stitches my wound without saying a word. It's one of the things I love most about her. She never speaks out of turn and she never asks unnecessary questions.
"Grazie, Nonnetta." I give her a peck on the check when she is finished and start to walk out of the kitchen.
"She looks very much like your mother, you know?"
I stop and turn to look at Isabella, but she has her back turned to me. I smile and shake my head before turning on my heel to leave. I can always count on Isabella to understand me in ways that I don't even understand myself.
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