As much as I wanted to be pissed off with her, I couldn’t. The fact that she thought she was responsible for my father’s death sickened me. I wasn’t sure what was behind Lou’s reasoning in killing my father, and I wasn’t sure that I would ever know. Maybe the affair was one of the many reasons. But if I truly knew Lou, I knew that he was a greedy son of a bitch and desired nothing more than power. He wanted to control it all, and the fact that my father was the one in his way convinced me that had to have been more than just the affair. Seducing my mother was probably some sick fucking twisted plot of his.
I reached out and grabbed my mother’s hand. She looked up at me as she dabbed a tissue along her eyes. “Mom, I’m sorry for not hearing you out to begin with, and I’m sorry you had to live with that burden for the last fifteen years, but you must know you were not responsible for Dad’s death. You have to let that go and move on with your life.”
“One day I will.” She sniffed. “Thank you, honey, for understanding.”
She pulled out a compact mirror from her bag, and her eyes widened at her reflection, “Oh my, look at me. I have mascara smeared everywhere.” She grabbed a fresh tissue and cleaned her face up.
“You still look beautiful, Mom. Don’t worry about it.”
She laughed at that. “Oh, you not only have your father’s looks and traits but his charm as well.” Her expression fell as her gaze focused on me from under her lashes. “Marcus, promise me something?”
“Anything, Mom.”
“Promise me you’ll find a way out.”
Puzzled, I tilted my head aside. “What do you mean?”
Her eyes softened. “You know what I mean. Mia’s a good woman. Don’t put her through what your father put me through.
My heart began to race as my breathing grew rapid. “You know?”
“I’ve lived that life for almost twenty years. So, yes, I’ve known. I wasn’t thrilled about it. I was hoping you’d find a way out. I wanted to reach out to you, but when I almost did, I thought it was too late. The life sucked you right in. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere you changed. That’s when Mia walked into your life. I’ve loved her from the moment I met her, and I’ve wanted to thank her. In a way, she’s saved you. I’ve always said people walk into our lives for a reason. She walked into yours to help you break free from all of this, Marcus. Then I thought maybe, just maybe, it’s not too late.”
Each word she spoke stabbed at my heart. I wasn’t sure if it was the talk about my father, about Lou, or even Mia, but something came over me. It felt as if someone had reached deep within me, pulled me out, and jerked me alive.
Fuck it all.
I stood from the table, gave my mother a kiss on the cheek, and left her sitting there with her eyes puzzled and confused by my unexpected departure. Instead of going back to the office, I made a few phone calls to see where he was—the fucker I needed to see that fucking moment. After locating him, I jumped into my car and raced there.
During the entire drive, my blood pumped. The reason for being in this entire fucking mess with Michael and Jimmie to begin with had completely vanished. The thought of ever losing Mia and my family or them losing me due to a wrong fucking decision sprinted through my head. Lou could go to fucking hell for all I cared.
I didn’t want it anymore.
I didn’t care for any of it any fucking more.
Pulling into the driveway of his nephew Gio’s home, I hopped out of the car and stormed toward the door. My heart was racing with every step. The adrenaline pumped through my veins. I reached the front door with a clenched fist and repeatedly banged against the wooden surface. Breathing heavily, I rocked in place with my fist secured by my side.
The door finally swung open and a baffled Gio stood on the other end of it. “What are you doing here?”
“Where’s Lou?” I sneered as I barged passed him, not waiting for him to invite me in.
“He’s in the backyard.”
I made an abrupt halt in the foyer when I realized I’d never been here before. I turned back around to face Gio. “Lead the way.”
His brows kneaded together. “What’s this all about, Marky?”
“That’s between Lou and me.”
“Hmmm. Really?” He cocked his head aside.
Fuck it. I didn’t have time for his fucking games. I turned around and began storming through the house. “Lou!” I yelled as I turned into what seemed to be a family room. Fucker wasn’t there. Turning, I went down a hall. “Lou!” I shouted again as I entered a dining area.
“What the fuck, Marky?” Gio followed behind me.
I pushed him aside when I twisted around again and exited the dining room. Heading down another hall, I entered the kitchen. There were sliding doors that led to the backyard. “Lou!” I spat out.
Rushing forward, I slid the door open and stepped into the back yard. There he fucking was. He sat by the pool in a suit. He was engaged in a conversation with two other men. All three looked my way as I rushed over to them. “Lou, we need to talk.”
Irritation spread across his face. He must be handling a deal, but I didn’t give two fucks. The other two men were not pleased with my interruption, judging from their smug expressions. “Marky, this will have to wait. I’m handling business here.”
“Now, Lou.” I sneered.
With wide eyes, the veins in his neck bulged as his face turned beet red. Very slowly, he snapped his head side to side, cracking his neck. Lou breathed in trying to calm his nerves as his nostrils flared. “Excuse me, fellas,” he said smoothly, although I knew he was boiling inside. Good. I wanted him on my fucking level.
Standing from his chair, he loosened one button from his suit jacket. The entire time his gaze held onto mine. “Marky, this way.” He waved his arm back to where I had just come from.
I nodded, and then I quickly went back through the sliding doors and paced in the kitchen as I waited for him. A few seconds later, he closed the door behind him as he entered. “Have you lost your fuckin’ mind? Never, ever, barge into a fuckin’ meeting like that again. What the fuck is your problem?”
“I’m out.”
Confusion shadowed his features. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I’m out. I’m done. I don’t want it, Lou. I’m finished being your fuckin’ puppet. I’m going to live my life my way, and that’s without all of this shit.” I stretched my arm toward the backyard indicating the jobs, the deals, and the fucking mob.