22. Angelo

22

ANGELO

C olor drains from Fee’s face, her eyes widening in horror. She starts to shake, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

“This is all my fault,” she whispers, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’ve brought nothing but trouble into your life. I… I think I need space. I don’t want to hurt you anymore.”

Her words hit me like a physical blow. “Fee, no,” I say, reaching for her hands. “This isn’t your fault.”

But I can see the panic taking hold, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape. “When did Gino tell you this?” she asks, her voice trembling.

“He was the ‘vintage’ client my employee mentioned,” I admit, scowling at the memory of Gino’s smug and punchable face sitting in my office. “The bastard was waiting for me at the shop.”

Fee’s breath hitches, a small, pained sound escaping her. “Oh, God, Angelo. What have I done? I’ve ruined everything.”

I try to pull her close, to comfort her, but she resists, pushing away from me. “Fee, please. Listen to me. We can figure this out.”

But she’s shaking her head, tears streaming down her face now. “No, no, no. You don’t understand. I’m poison . Everyone around me gets hurt. First Jonah, now you…”

“Fee,” I say firmly, trying to break through her spiral. “You are not poison. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”

For a moment, I think I’ve gotten through to her. But then her face crumples, and she backs away. “I don’t believe you. The only reason Gino is trying to punish you is because you have sided with me. I can’t do this. I can’t be the reason you lose everything. I… I need to go.”

I feel panic seize me, a cold grip around my heart. I lunge forward, grabbing Fee’s arm. “What do you mean, you need to go? Where are you going?”

Fee’s eyes are swimming with tears, her voice choked. “Lou and I… we’ll be staying at Zip’s apartment. Starting tomorrow.”

It feels like the floor has dropped out from under me. This can’t be happening. It’s just like when I couldn’t save my father—that same helpless, gut-wrenching feeling. I don’t deserve happiness. I never have.

“Why?” I manage to choke out. “Why are you running away from me? I’m trying to help you, to protect you!”

Fee’s face crumples, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Don’t you see?” she shouts, her voice breaking. “All I’m doing is hurting you! Gino wants to take everything from you because of me!”

Her words hit me like physical blows. I shake my head frantically. “No, Fee, that’s not true. This isn’t your fault!”

“How can you say that?” she cries, nearly hysterical. “Your business, Fucina, everything you’ve built—it’s all at risk because of me . Because I killed Jonah.”

I reach for her, desperate to make her understand. “Fee, please. We can face this together. Don’t push me away.”

But she backs away, wrapping her arms around herself. “I can’t, Angelo. I can’t be the reason you lose everything. It’s better this way.”

I feel like I’m drowning, watching everything I care about slip away. “Fee, please,” I whisper, hating the desperation in my voice. “Don’t do this. Don’t leave.”

For a moment, I see hesitation in her eyes. But then she steels herself, wiping away her tears. “I’m sorry, Angelo. This is for the best.”

“Mom?”

Fee and I whirl around to see Lou on the stairs, her eyes wide, clad in her pajamas.

Fee gasps. “Lou! What… what did you hear?”

Lou looks between us, confusion clear on her face. “Just Angelo asking you not to leave. Where are you going?”

Fee’s eyes dart to me, then back to Lou. “We’re… we’re moving into Nonno Zip’s apartment tomorrow, sweetie.”

“What? Why?” Lou demands, her voice rising.

“Because we need to,” Fee says, her voice strained.

Lou’s face scrunches up in anger. “That’s not a reason! We can’t just leave!”

“Lou, please understand—” Fee starts, but Lou cuts her off.

“No! I don’t want to go! You can’t make me leave Angelo! I like it here!”

I watch helplessly as the argument escalates, Fee growing more frantic while Lou becomes increasingly defiant.

“This isn’t up for discussion, Lou!” Fee shouts, her voice cracking, two pink spots forming on her cheeks. “I’m your mother, and you will do as I say!”

A heavy silence falls as Lou’s pale face contorts with hurt and anger. “I hate you,” she spits out before stomping up the stairs.

The silence that follows is deafening. Fee stands there, chest heaving, tears streaming down her face. Before I can reach for her, she rushes up the stairs. I hear a door slam shut.

I’m left standing alone in the living room, despair washing over me. How did everything fall apart so quickly? And Gino… hatred burns in my chest. He’s the cause of all this.

As I sink onto the couch, my head in my hands, I’m overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. Fee and Lou have become my family, and now I’m watching them slip away.

And for the first time in years, I don’t know how to fix this. The great Don Pirelli, brought to his knees by love and a vengeful rival.

Fee is true to her word and the next morning, her and Lou’s bags are stacked neatly by the front door. It’s awkward as fuck with Lou’s sullen silence filling the room.

“Lou, it’s time to go,” Fee says with forced cheerfulness, refusing to meet my eyes.

Lou turns to me, her eyes pleading.

“Angelo, can’t you make her stop? Tell her we don’t have to go!”

I kneel down to her level, my heart breaking. “I’m sorry, Louisville. I tried, but your mom… she thinks this is best.”

Lou’s face contorts with frustration and anger. “But it’s not fair! We were happy here!”

I can see the tears welling up in her eyes, and it takes everything in me not to just scoop her up and refuse to let them leave.

Before I can respond, Lou turns to me again, her voice determined. “Can you still walk me to school? And pick me up?”

I see Fee about to object, but I quickly cut in. “Absolutely. And we’ll go out for dinner too, if you want.”

Lou’s face brightens at that. “I would like that. Only the two of us, though,” she says before she throws a venomous look at Fee. It’s so full of hurt and anger that even I wince. I’ve never seen Lou look at her mother like that before, and it’s clear Fee feels the impact of it.

Fee’s voice is strained as she says, “Lou, tell Angelo goodbye and thank you.”

But Lou pointedly ignores her, instead throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. “See you later, Angelo,” she says before marching out the door.

The silence that follows is deafening. Fee and I stand there, a thousand unspoken words hanging between us. I want to beg her to stay, to reconsider, but the words stick in my throat. The air feels thick with tension and unsaid goodbyes.

Fee clutches her bags, her knuckles white. “Thank you for everything, Angelo,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I can’t help myself. In two strides, I’m in front of her, pulling her into a searing kiss. I pour everything I’m feeling into it—my feelings, my fear, my desperate need for her to stay. My hands cup her face, fingers tangling in her hair as I try to convey everything I can’t say out loud.

Fee gasps against my mouth, and for a moment, she melts into me. Her bags drop to the floor as her hands come up to grip my shirt. The kiss deepens, becoming almost frantic. I can taste the salt of her tears, feel the trembling of her body against mine. Her lips are soft but insistent, moving against mine with a desperation that matches my own.

For a moment, I think maybe, just maybe, I’ve gotten through to her. I can feel her resolve wavering, her body leaning into mine as if she’s fighting the urge to stay.

But then she’s pulling away, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Her lips are swollen from our kiss, her cheeks flushed. “Goodbye, Angelo,” she whispers, her voice breaking on my name.

And just like that, she’s gone, leaving me standing alone in a house that suddenly feels too big, too empty. The ghost of her kiss lingers on my lips, a bittersweet reminder of what I’m losing.

As the door closes behind her, I feel something inside me break. But alongside the pain, a fierce determination takes root. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

I’m a Pirelli and Pirellis don't give up. I’m going to fix this. I’m going to bring Fee and Lou home. And God help anyone who tries to stop me—especially Gino Timpone. He has no idea what he’s unleashed.

Because now, it’s not just about business. It’s about family. And I protect what’s mine, no matter the cost.

Once Fee and Lou leave, I fall into a new routine. Every morning, I’m there to walk Lou to school with Marco as our shadow. It’s a small thing, but it’s become the highlight of my day.

One morning, as we’re walking, Lou drops a bombshell. “Did you know Nonno Zip is staying with Grandma Cher?”

I nearly trip over my own feet. “What? I thought he was going back to his apartment.”

Lou shrugs, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk. “Nope. Grandma Cher’s got him at her big, fancy house for ‘round-the-clock care’ or something.”

I’m actually stunned. Cher had always seemed too self-absorbed for that kind of gesture. “That’s… surprising. I thought your grandma was…”

“A selfish witch?” Lou finishes, grinning up at me.

A surprised laugh bursts from my mouth. “Shit, Lou. Are you even supposed to say that?”

Lou shrugs. “I didn’t call her the b-word, at least.”

I can’t argue with that.

Lou’s face turns thoughtful as she kicks an errant pebble on the sidewalk. “Mom says Grandma Cher’s had a change of heart. I dunno. Adults are weird.”

Despite this news, I make sure to keep security on Zip’s apartment. I may respect Fee’s need for space, but I’ll be damned if I don’t keep my girls safe.

As the weeks pass, Lou and I fall into a comfortable rhythm. Our morning walks are filled with her chatter about school, her friends, and her latest art projects. I find myself looking forward to her unique perspective on the world.

One afternoon, I pick her up from school and she’s practically bouncing with excitement. “Angelo! I got an A on my history project!”

“That’s fantastic, Louisville!” I say, feeling a surge of pride. “How about we celebrate with some ice cream?”

Her eyes light up. “Really? Mom never lets me have ice cream before dinner.”

I wink at her. “Well, what Mom doesn’t know won’t hurt her, right?”

I haven’t seen Fee since she left. Lou’s always waiting for me in the hallway, ready for our walk to school or our trips back home. I never see inside the apartment, never catch a glimpse of Fee. It’s like she's become a ghost, present only in Lou’s stories and my memories.

Jimbo’s voice echoes in my head. “Just break down the damn door, Angelo. Make her talk to you.”

Part of me wants to follow his advice, to force my way in, to demand that Fee face me, face us. But I know that could backfire spectacularly. Fee’s stubborn, and pushing too hard might only drive her further away.

I miss her. God, I miss her. The sound of her laugh, the warmth of her smile, the feeling of her in my arms. It’s a constant ache, a hollow space in my chest that nothing else can fill.

I want to share my concerns about the business, to ask her advice. I want to hold her, to kiss her, to remind her that we’re stronger together than we are apart.

But I do none of the above.

I’ll keep coming back, keep trying, for as long as it takes. Because Fee and Lou are my family now.

And I don’t give up on family. Ever.

I step into Kings one night, unable to stomach my empty brownstone, the familiar buzz of conversation and clinking glasses washing over me. Marco follows close behind, his eyes scanning the room. It’s packed tonight, a regular who’s who of the city's elite and underworld.

Dimitri nods as I pass, a waitress materializing with my usual whiskey. I take a sip, savoring the burn as I settle into a comfortable chair.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the great Don Pirelli.”

My hand tightens on my glass at the sound of that voice. Gino slides into the seat across from me, his smug grin making my trigger finger itch.

“Gino,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. “You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve showing your face here.

He leans back, the picture of relaxed arrogance. “Just wondering when you’ll be signing everything over. I’m getting impatient.”

I set my glass down with controlled force. “You’ll be waiting until hell freezes over, Gino. I don’t give up what’s mine.”

His eyes narrow, all pretense of friendliness gone. “Don’t be stupid, Angelo. You know what I have.”

“And you know what I’m capable of,” I retort, leaning forward. My voice drops to a menacing whisper. “You really want to start a war? Because I’ll burn this whole fucking city to the ground before I let you win.”

The tension at our table is electric. Conversations around us die as people tune in to our exchange, sensing the impending violence.

Gino’s hand moves toward his jacket, and I’m on my feet in an instant, my own hand reaching for my concealed weapon. Marco steps closer, ready to intervene.

“Careful, Gino,” I warn, my eyes never leaving his. “You don’t want to do anything stupid in Dimitri’s place. You know the rules.”

For a moment, we’re at a standoff. Then Gino slowly moves his hand away, a cold smile spreading across his face. “You have two weeks, Pirelli. That’s all you get. Then I start making calls.”

I remain standing, looming over him. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Timpone. Remember, in our world, today’s victor is tomorrow’s corpse.”

Gino stands, matching my stance. We’re inches apart now, the air crackling with hostility. “So poetic, Angelo. Maybe you can be a poet in your next life. Tick-tock. Time’s running out for you and your little tailor.”

“Get out of my goddamn sight,” I snarl, “before I forget we’re in public.”

As Gino saunters away, I can feel every eye in the place on me. I’ve just thrown down the gauntlet, and everyone knows it.

I down the rest of my whiskey in one gulp, then nod to Marco. We need to move fast. Because one thing’s for certain—I’m not giving Gino a goddamn thing.

Not my businesses, and definitely not Fee.

It’s time to end this, once and for all.

I barge into the art gallery, the door slamming behind me. The sharp sound echoes through the space, causing Genesis to whirl around, her eyes flashing with anger.

“What the fuck, Angelo?” she snarls. “You can’t just storm in here like you own the place! I have clients, you inconsiderate?—”

She stops short, the fury in her eyes shifting to concern as she takes in my expression. “What’s wrong?”

I quickly fill her in on Gino’s threats, my voice tight with barely controlled rage. With each word, Genesis’ face darkens, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

Finally, she explodes. “That cock-sucking, shit-eating, motherfucking bastard!” she snarls, her voice rising with each word. “I’ll rip his fucking balls off and feed them to him! I’ll shove my foot so far up his ass, he’ll taste leather for a week!”

Even Marco’s eyebrows raise at her colorful tirade. I’ve known Genesis for years, but I’ve rarely seen her this angry.

Genesis paces the room, her movements sharp and agitated. She knocks over a paintbrush holder, sending brushes clattering across the floor. She doesn’t seem to notice.

“How dare he?” she fumes. “Perfezione is a godsend in this city. And Fee is the sweetest angel. He thinks he can just waltz in and take it all? He thinks he can take Fucina? Fucina is mine !”

I watch her, feeling a mix of gratitude for her loyalty and a grim satisfaction at her rage. It matches the inferno burning in my own chest.

Finally, Genesis takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself. She turns to me, her eyes hard with determination. “How can I help?”

I meet her gaze, my voice steady. “I was hoping you’d say that. I need you to craft some documents. Bill of sale, city permits, the works. They need to be good enough to convince Gino that they’re authentic.”

She nods, already moving toward her computer. The click of her keyboard fills the room as she starts working. “And then?” she asks, not looking up from the screen.

“Then I get Gino to a meeting place to hand over the documents. And that’s where it ends.”

Genesis’ fingers pause over her keyboard. She looks at me, understanding dawning in her eyes. “You’re going to kill him.”

It’s not a question, but I nod anyway. “It’s the only way this ends.”

Her dark eyes meet mine. “La Familia won’t like this.”

I shrug. “I don’t give a fuck.”

The room falls silent, the weight of what we’re planning hanging heavily in the air. I can see Genesis processing, her brilliant mind no doubt running through all the potential outcomes.

Finally, she nods. “Alright. Give me a few days. I’ll have everything you need.”

As Genesis gets back to work, her fingers flying over the keyboard, I feel a weight lift from my shoulders. This ends now. Gino Timpone has no idea what’s coming for him.

I look around the gallery, at the beautiful artwork adorning the walls. It’s a stark contrast to the violence we’re planning.

But that’s our world—beauty and brutality, side by side.

Marco catches my eye, giving me a subtle nod. He’s with me, whatever happens next.

I turn back to Genesis, watching her work. My mind is already racing ahead, planning the next steps. Because one thing’s for certain—I’m not letting Gino threaten my family ever again.

This ends now. And God help anyone who stands in my way.