Chapter136
He started towards the hall and Susana stopped him with a raised hand.
“Please don’t go down there. Notyet.Antero is finally settled. Alcee needed to allow for Avalanche to get under the blankets with him. He’s processing but he’s not calm.Hisstomach is growling, which is making him angry. We’re going to get him his cereal and his toast and pray his melatonin kicks in and he falls asleep. It’s not uncommon when he’s like this that he wakes up multiple times through the night and is destructive. Please do not upset the balance right now because if he can crash out without further upset, then maybe he will sleep through the night.”
He looked away frustrated and noted Tito sitting on the sofa watching everything. He motioned to him, “fine, I’ll be in my office. Let Alcee know if she needs me that is where I’ll be.”
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“Thank you,” Susana said quietly. “For the record,” she took a breath, “I appreciate how much you want to make your brother part of your family,. and I know Alcee understands this too. She wouldhavegiven anything for someone to defend her to her family the way you do Raniero. We all get it. We simply don’t understand why you need to do it blindly and at the cost of the people who trust you to keep them safe.”
Hewatched her walk to help his mother prepare food for his son and he felt his chest ache in an inexplicable way. Entering his office, he felt Tito’s presence at his back, and he walked to his chair and flung himself backwards, closing his eyes and pressing his palms deep into them.
“How the fuck did this all gosowrong?”
The question was hypothetical,and hewasn’texpecting Tito toreallyanswer but the odd silence from his friend made him wonder what he was thinking. He pulled his hands away from his face and stared at him, curiously.Tito was still standing, on the other side of his desk, his hands resting neutrally at his side and his countenance blank.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m wondering if you want me to answer thisasyour friend or as your consigliere.”
“Are the two mutually exclusive?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“In this situation,one will give you theansweryou want to hear because I’m your ride or die best friend whohasbeen pumping you up since we were roomies in the hospital when we were born.”
1
“The other?”
“Will tell you tonightwasaclusterfuckbecauseyou’re thinking with the heart ofaboy who only wants his brother aroundinsteadof a man whocallshimself the head oftheLozano family. Your fiancée tonight proved she has what it takes tobethe wifeofthe boss. You however didn’t prove you deserve the title of boss.”
“Ouch,” heleanedback further in hisseat, the mechanism grinding under his heavy weight.Hewaved at him,“go on. Ifeelthe consigliere part ofyouiswanting to say hispart.”
“Fuck it.Yourbest friend also has something to say.I’veneverseenin Raniero what you and Bastianosee.He’s definitely a Lozano and I don’t question his loyalty toyou,Torq. I don’t believe there is merittoAlcee’scommentabout him playing both sides. He didn’t betray you and he wouldn’t betrayyouor the family. Heheroworshipsyoubecauseyou are his big brother.”
“But?”
“Butyouarealso everything hecanneverbeandthereisjealousythere.You are everything he knows he can never be. Even without the title ofDon,Torq, you are superior to him ineveryway.Heis notassmart.He’snot as big.He’snot as powerful. He endured a shitty upbringing, and youweregiventhe world. Heisgayas fuck and,” when Torq opened his mouth to protest,he held up his hand, “while you and I are not judgmental sorts,weallknow in this business,there is a lot to be said behind closed doors on such things. He needstoact tougher and mouthier, so he’s not judged for his sexuality insucha heavily testosterone fueled industry.Hismouth is a problem, and you know it. He’s gotten into shit more than once. Bastiano has atleastfive times in the last five years, pulled him out ofasituation he talked himself into with his big mouth, and nearly fuckedupoperations because of it.Hehateshewas kept asecretuntil you couldtakeout Corrado and while he loves you,partofhim wants to seeyoupunished for not bringing him in far earlier thanyoudid.”
“Itwashis idea to playspy!”
“Yup. I agree. Doesn’t need to make sense for it to make sense.”
“What you just said doesn’t make sense.”
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Chapter 136
“Comeon, Torq,useyour head. Raniero is a jealous fuck.Hefinally just got into the family out in the open and your woman is stealing his spotlight. His mouth isaproblem. Italwayshasbeen a problem, and youguysindulge him because of guilt. Alcee was right on the money. Guilt drivesyouwith him. This time,he cost you. Your grandfather would be rolling in his grave.”
The last comment made Torq sit up sharply. “What do youmean?”
“You let someonedisrespectthe Donna and the mother of your son. He wouldn’t even let his own son disrespect your mother and stripped him of everything including his birthright title.You on the other hand shoved your mother and your woman into a sea of contempt without batting an eyelash. He’d have shot both Raniero and Cianna tonight. Cianna didasshe did because she knew she could get away with it. You reinforced it.Yourgrandfather would have your fucking head.”
ChapterComments
Visitor
F*ckYAS, Tito!!!!!
Visitor
SING IT TITO!!!!!!!!