19. It All Makes Sense

NINETEEN

It All Makes Sense

JULIAN

I was right: waking up in our home was the perfect start to our day. What was even better was sitting at our kitchen table eating bacon and eggs with my wife on my lap because I wanted to keep her close and wasn't ready to let her go. I have to meet Alessio soon, so I call Barry to the main house to have him visit with Milana until I return.

I kiss my wife goodbye, leaving her in good company and with two men guarding her in my absence. It gives me peace to know that two of my father's best men are on duty looking out for her. Although, Barry loves her like a daughter and I believe he'd be more protective than any soldier would ever be, besides me.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, and we'll have a quiet night," I promise.

"Can't wait," Milana replies. I bend my head to kiss her, but she latches on and won't let go, kissing me harder. When our kiss ends, I run my thumb over her lips.

"The most beautiful woman in the world, and she's mine," I say, then take off before I'm tempted to take her back upstairs.

* * *

A lessio is waiting for me, but I'm not the only one invited to this meeting. I expect Niccolo to be there, but I'm surprised when I see that Dad, Davide, and Tomasso are already sitting at his table, waiting for me.

"I've called you all together because it's time to make changes. I'll start by letting you know that Angelo Corso will be relieved of his duties." Tomasso lowers his head, looking defeated. "He's a sick man, and he's only going to get worse," Alessio continues. Tomasso's head jerks upward to his capo. "We haven't got the official diagnosis, but all the signs point to an aggressive form of Alzheimer's. The doctor doesn't specialize in this, but he's getting the best man he knows in this area to run the test to make sure. Angelo has served Il Destino all his life, and for this, he will have the best care. Anton figured out that Angelo was having health issues and, Angelo with his confusion, fell prey to his plan."

Tomasso covers his face with his hands. "I'm not ready for this."

"No, you're not," Alessio says. "That's why I've decided to put you in the hands of Joe Fontana. He's an excellent underboss, and he'll teach you how to become a leader. We need strong leaders, and you're not ready." He pauses, then adds, "Yet."

"What do you mean?" Tomasso asks in confusion.

"You're young, and you've been sheltered from what our family needs from a soldier and an underboss. Your father didn't do you any favors in hiding you away from the business. It is your right to take your father's place when he is ready to retire. Unfortunately, that can't happen. The men would never respect you, and you haven't earned it. You can take that title when Joe tells me you're ready. I trust him to teach you all you need to know, and it's your job to learn. At that time, you'll take your father's role as underboss," Alessio states.

"Thank you, sir," Tomasso says. He doesn't look too sure of himself, but Dad puts an arm around him.

"It's going to be fine," Dad reassures him.

"Davide is going to be working on security, specializing in cybersecurity. Nostra Casa has Dante, and we need to have an IT guru who knows just as much. Dante's unique, but I'm sure one day, you'll be as good as him. That doesn't mean that you won't be fully trained as a soldier, and you'll work under Niccolo," Alessio says. Davide stares at him dumbfounded.

"Really?" he asks.

"I trust this is acceptable to you," Alessio says.

"Yes, Capo," Davide replies with a smile. Everyone knows how Davide loves the tech aspect of the business, and this is a perfect fit for him.

"Lastly, Julian, you will be taking over temporarily as underboss for Angelo Corso until Tomasso is ready to take over. This will be good for you, and since Angelo's territory is much smaller, it will prepare you for taking over for your father in two years," Alessio announces.

I whip around and look at my father. "Dad?—"

"It's time, son. When Alessio came to me with this plan after finding out how ill Angelo was, I agreed immediately. I was looking to step down next year, but as our capo needs me, I'll extend this as long as is necessary for Tomasso and you to be ready. This is what I want," my father says with a smile.

"You'll work directly under me. We'll get to the details later." Alessio focuses his attention on Tomasso. "Your father was a fine soldier and dedicated to the family. He will be taken care of until he breathes his last breath. I suggest you speak to your mother to prepare her for what's to come. Know that we will all be there to support your family. I spoke with Marco this morning. Anton is dead. We'll move on from here."

* * *

T he weight of my new position in Il Destino weighs heavily upon me. I've known for quite some time that I would eventually be taking over my father's territory, but in my mind, that was years away. I've been involved in my father's business even before college, and I've been absorbing everything I can like a sponge, but there's no better underboss than my father.

On Alessio's orders, I now run the transportation logistics for our shipments and the truck transports for all the products coming from our international partners. Alessio will meet me at the main warehouse to introduce me properly to the men in two weeks' time. In the meantime, I'm to find a proper replacement to guard Josie and Nico. I'm thinking of my brother Fausto. He's smart and quick, and he's been looking for more responsibility. I'll speak to Alessio about it tomorrow.

"Why the long face, boss?" Niccolo says as he walks with me to my car. "You just got the promotion of a lifetime. You should be thrilled."

"I am," I say, but not convincingly.

"But—" he prompts, and when I don't bite, he says, "If he thought you weren't ready, you wouldn't be here."

I sigh and meet his gaze. "This is huge."

"It is, and you're the guy to do it."

"What if I fuck up or worse? I don't want to let my father down?" I confide.

"You're kidding, right? Your father and Alessio have been working on you taking over for your father for over a year. It was going to happen soon anyway. Joe is delaying his retirement on Alessio's request to help with Tomasso. He's a good man, but he doesn't know shit about what needs to be done. He needs to toughen up. He's the one I'm worried about. Angelo loves his son, but he hasn't prepared him for what's to come. We're at war every day we hit the streets. Whether it be the Russian, Chinese, or whatever mob or a new gang that wants to thwart their authority, Il Destino is ready for it. Tomasso has the shock of his life coming his way. Your father has his work cut out for him. On the other hand, you're gonna help Alessio breathe easier knowing you got shit handled." Niccolo clasps a hand on my back, giving it a brotherly pat. "Go home and celebrate. Spend some time with your wife and enjoy the lull, because we all know that the waters will rock the boat yet again and most likely sooner than we would like."

On my drive home, I stop in town at a local florist. On my first stop, I go to Mom's place and find her in the kitchen making tomato sauce for the pasta she's cooking for dinner. I hand her a bouquet of purple orchids. The woman in the shop said that the flowers represent a sign of grace, dignity, and love. I think they're perfect for my mom. She cries and hugs me.

"Thanks, Ma. You take care of all of us, and thanks for making Milana feel like she has a mom too. You don't know what this means to her, but I do," I tell her. I've seen my wife around my mother, and although my mom can be a little much, Milana adores her.

She cries some more, but these are happy tears. Eventually, she lets go of me and kisses me goodbye. "My love to Milana," she says.

As I drive up to the house, I see Milana sitting on a chair outside Barry's place. From where I'm standing, I see Barry laughing. Not just a chuckle, a full-blown laugh, with the man grabbing his gut and his head thrown back. That's the first time I've seen the man laugh. That's the magic that Milana holds. I take a walk over to them. When Milana sees me, she jumps to her feet and runs over to me.

"Hi, honey." She comes up on her tiptoes to kiss me.

"Hey, baby. Good day?"

"Very good." She smiles brilliantly. "You?"

"I'll fill you in later," I whisper and hand her the bunch of flowers I've chosen for her. They're a mix of tulips and jasmine. Tulips are a symbol of renewal and a fresh start, and jasmine represents purity of love. I think they represent our love story. Milana and I are starting a new chapter of our lives together, and the love we share for one another runs deep.

"These are so beautiful." Her eyes never leave the flowers in her hands.

"Hey, Barry, do you mind if I steal my wife away for a while?"

Barry gives me a wink and a chuckle. "Sure, sure. I'll still be here."

I walk back, holding my wife's hand, her face radiant as she smells the flowers and looks up at me adoringly. I lift her hand to my lips and kiss it gently.

"Is this our happily ever after?" she asks, her eyes filled with hope and wonder.

"This is just our beginning. I'm never letting you go," I tell her.

* * *

S everal weeks later…

Milana and I settled into a routine. Milana decided to take an online course because she always dreamt of going to college and I wanted to make that dream come true for her. She also decided to dedicate some time to a local shelter. I fought her on this, not because I don't think it's a worthy cause, but because I'm more worried about her safety. I assigned Milo to be her bodyguard. He takes his job seriously, and this gives me some solace.

Barry has been itching to go back to New York to visit his wife's and daughter's graves. One night, I took him aside, and we talked. He finally trusted me enough to tell it all to me. How he lost his family but can't be this far from them. I took him back to New York and convinced him to move their bodies to a cemetery nearby in Vegas. It took some doing, but he finally agreed. I'm fond of Barry, but I did this for Milana. Barry's the closest she's ever had to a father, and it would hurt her deeply to lose him.

Through it all, I began taking on more and more of the responsibilities of my new role as an underboss for Alessio. I'm on my way to meet with Raffaele and his consigliere, Ivo, to discuss business on behalf of Alessio. Since Milana and I never had a honeymoon, Alessio suggested I take Milana with me and stay a few extra days for ourselves.

I glance over as I button my shirt and get ready for my meeting, watching Milana as she lies naked in bed. The sheet partially covers her lower back and perky ass. Her skin is pink from our lovemaking, and my love bite is visible on her shoulder and thigh. I'm tempted to call Raffaele and delay our meeting, but Ivo has already called and will be waiting for me downstairs in the hotel lobby.

I place my fists on the mattress and lean to kiss her.

"Forever mine," I whisper.

"For eternity," she replies. It's become our thing. We say this to each other whenever we're going to be apart. Both are true.