Epilogue

EPILOGUE

CESARE

10 MONTHS LATER:

R omeo walked in my office and leaned back against a bookshelf. “They are officially off to college.”

“Were there any problems?”

My son arched a brow my way. “It’s Nova.”

That was all he needed to say. Novalee Ford was a difficult girl to say the least. Her stubbornness amazed even me. It took three weeks and numerous conversations with her grandmother to convince her to go to college at all. I would’ve preferred one farther than New Orleans, but it would suffice. She was out of town and therefore out of my way.

“Does Giovanni suspect anything?”

“No,” Romeo shook his head. “I thought he’d figure it out when Simon opened his trap about her family, but he didn’t look into it.”

“He has no one to blame but himself then.”

“He's gonna be pissed when he finds out.” Romeo popped a cigarette in his mouth and flicked open his zippo.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to do that in here?”

I detested the smell of cigarettes.

“At least once more.” He said while blowing out a stream of smoke. “When are you going to tell Gio?”

“When I have the older sister under my thumb.” And not a second sooner. I couldn’t risk Novalee finding out and blowing it all up before I had what I wanted.