Moth to Flame 2: La Famiglia

Reposting

Ethan

The last few days had been rough. I knew I was slowly slipping back into my old s**t, and my marriage and home life were suffering. If I stayed on this path, it would only be a matter of time before Mia left my sorry ass.

"Want a hit?" Gia asked, passing me a line of powder.

I knocked it out of her hand. "I told you no more of this s**t, Gia! This is my f*****g office. You listen or your ass is toast. I can find another f*****g campaign manager."

She sniffled and began fixing her makeup. "Then why don't you? Why are you fighting this, Ethan? I've known you wanted to f**k me since that first day. I can be discreet. You're not the first married man that has wanted to f**k me. Why do you think I've been hired for so many campaigns? Anyone can win, but only I can help you ease your stress."

I jumped up from the desk and grabbed her by the neck. "Do you know who the f**k you're talking to, b***h? Mia is my whole life. I would never f**k you when I could have her. Do your f*****g job and get this affair s**t out of your head."

Laughing, she placed her hand over my crotch. "That bulge tells me you're a liar, Ethan. I have a lunch meeting, so I'll be gone the rest of the day."

Smirking, I shoved her aside. "That bulge is always for my baby doll. She called a few minutes ago. Don't touch me again, or trust me, you won't like the consequences."

"You don't fool me, Mr. Sodero. Keep telling yourself it's all for your precious little baby doll. She's too busy with the baby and her business. Call me if you feel…frisky. Bye, Ethan."

After she left, I threw my glass sniffer against the door. I knew I should have fired Gia a long time ago, but it wasn't exactly easy finding a campaign manager who fit into my lifestyle. The Russos would have been willing to help if I asked, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could work with a woman without f*****g her.

A few minutes later, Luca and Frank walked into the office carrying boxes of Montecristo Turpedo cigars. I immediately took one from the top and had them place the rest in my desk. Yeah, I'd started smoking again.

Frank frowned, taking the cigar from my hand. "It's not good for you, Boss. Dante needs a daddy with healthy lungs. Do you want to leave Mia a widow? You're only supposed to keep them to give away to visitors."

Scowling, I put the unlit cigar into the desk. "Thanks, Mom. I'll have to call Eleanor and tell her you're picking up the f*****g slack."

"Motherfucker, he's right. How are you going to bone Mia if your lungs are full of smoke? I'd hate to see a fine ass MILF like her go without some good lovin'."

I growled. "Don't you talk about my wife like that, asswipe! Get the f**k out and take Frank with you. I think some of you cocksuckers have forgotten the real Ethan Sodero. You work for me, Capisce?"

D laughed, pouring himself a glass of aged Scotch. "Says the man that has a baby car seat in the back of his Phantom. You've changed, Ethan. There's nothing wrong with it at all. I like you better this way."

Frank nodded. "Mia and Dante have been good for you. Your aura is brighter."

"Get the f**k out, and stop giving me advice. I'll call you fuckers if I need you," I mumbled, watching them leave.

They were right about my family changing me, but there were still dark places inside, places that scared the f**k out of me. Some nights, Mia had nightmares about Andrei. I was too busy trying to comfort her to deal with my own demons. I'd killed a lot of f*****g men to get her back and almost died in the process. At times, that s**t messed with my mind.