Page 47 of Vow of Desire

“How have things been going on your end?” Gabriel asks. We have these meetings weekly to make sure everything is running smoothly.

“My drug shipment came in,” I say. “Everything looks good. It’s getting ready to be put on the market. We’ll see a profit soon. Within the next week.”

Gabriel nods once. “Good. We’re making more money than we ever have before. We’re practically untouchable in this city. I’m glad to have you on board, Matteo. It’s better than having you as an enemy.”

“I’m glad. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you to work with the man who used to work with your enemy. Especially since that enemy was involved in your parents’ murder.”

“I usually avoid talking about what happened to my parents,” Gabriel says gruffly. “So I would advise you to do the same.”

“Of course.”

“How have things been going with you and Luciana?” he asks, taking a sip of his water. Never alcohol, I notice. Gabriel doesn’t like to let his guard down around anyone.

My eyes flick to Rocco and back to Gabriel. “Things have been going well.” I can still taste her pussy on my tongue but I don’t think that would be appropriate to say with her father right next to me. “We’re making it work.”

“That’s good. Your marriage is the reason for this peace. We can’t lose that. I know Rocco hasn’t been happy about this.” Gabriel turns to his friend. “But it’s for the best.”

After a long tense beat, Rocco nods. “I know. I couldn’t hold onto my little girl forever.”

“She hasn’t been a little girl in a long time,” I comment.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Rocco snaps.

I shift in my seat. “It means that Luciana is an adult now. She was ready to break out of the box you had put her in. It’s clear she doesn’t want to be seen as a little girl anymore. That’s all I meant.”

“Are you saying I did wrong by my daughter?”

Gabriel holds up his hand. “No one is saying anything offensively. We should end the meeting here. I don’t want you two fighting. It would not be ideal.” He pointedly looks at Roccountil Rocco backs down but he’s still breathing heavy, clearly not happy about the situation.

I can’t help but smirk which only makes Rocco glare at me harder.

“Let’s call this a day,” Gabriel says. “We’ll talk again next week about how everything has been going.”

“Gabriel,” I say before he can stand up. “Have you heard of Dante Zaneli? He’s an up and coming mafia man.”

“I have heard of him but he’s been staying to his lane for now. I haven’t tried to snuff him out. There’s no point. As long as he doesn’t come for our business, I’ll leave him be. I don’t need power for power sake. I just want everything at peace. The last thing I want is for my wife to be at risk.”

“Of course.”

Gabriel frowns. “Why did you bring him up?”

“He had a run in with Luciana. She accidently entered his restaurant. She wasn’t hurt. I just wasn’t sure if we need to be worried about him.”

“As of right now, no.”

Rocco steps forward. “Are you saying my daughter had a run in with a mafia man? A potentially dangerous mafia man?”

“She did,” I answer calmly. “And nothing bad happened so you don’t need to keep glaring at me, Rocco. I just want to make sure nothing bad happens in the future. Just like you, I also don’t want Luciana hurt.”

“Matteo is her husband now, Rocco. You have to learn to trust him.”

With a huff, Rocco steps back. “I don’t like any of this. My daughter should never be put into a position of danger.”

“And I’ll make sure she isn’t,” I say. “You have my word on that, Rocco. We don’t need to be enemies. In fact, we can be friends.”

“You stole my daughter from me.”

“Well, technically it was Gabriel who gave her to me. Maybe I’m not the one you should be angry with.”