Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“She wanted that for you. Make this shit happen in her memory. Lift your head, bro and take this shit.”
I scoff. “He’s punishing me for her. Do you really think he’s going to promote me? Let alone hand me it all?”
“Yes, I think you’re forgetting who he is. You see a punishment. I see a test.
“Hold your head up and tough this shit out. I’ve got your back. If he doesn’t give it to you, we take it. For Oni.”
I ball my fists on top of the table. He’s right. I can’t fail now.
Oni did everything she did in order to see me at the top. I vow in this moment I’ll be Don. Because my girl believed in me without a doubt, I’m going to make it happen.
I nod. “Let the crew know nothing changes. They now answer to you, and you will report back to me. They keep shit clean like before.
“Find the rat and deal with it. When I get out of here, this shit will never happen again.”
“What about Sullivan?”
“I’ll deal with that shit when I get out.” I pause and swallow hard. “They set her up. All of this started with them. Mason Sullivan will answer for his betrayal.”
“I’ll be back next week. I’ve got you, brother.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
CHAPTER 27
Coming Home
Oni
Three years later …
“Sembra buono,” I say to Carmine as he hands me my earnings report.
“Sì, sì. Emilio ne sarà molto contento. Ormai, da sei mesi di fila, sei la sua risorsa più redditizia.”
I smile in satisfaction. I’ve actually been Emilio’s top earner for seven months in a row. I just didn’t say anything the first two months.
Emilio knew. He flew here himself to praise me for it. I’m about to turn nineteen and I already manage one of the most lucrative art operations in Italy.
Not to mention the other business dealings Emilio trusts me with. With Frederico by my side, I think I have surpassed all their expectations. I even have my own crew.
I run shit. Emilia has been my ears as I rise in power. There isn’t anywhere here I can’t go without people knowing who I am and who I’m connected to.
Emilio has stayed true to his word. You would think I was the man’s second daughter. While sending me to private school with Emilia, he has allowed me to learn the business from Fredrico on the side.
The first two years, I focused on my schoolwork. This year has been all business. It’s all I could do to stay focused on something other than Rico.
I miss him, but knowing this is all for him to become Don drives me day in and day out. That and the fact that I plan to make Mason pay for trying to have me killed, raped, and setting Rico up to go to jail.
There will be no peace for the Sullivans when I get back to New York. I’ve been waiting for the day to come when I can return. That day is here.
“Oni, we need to leave. Papa will have a fit if we miss our flight,” Emilia whines as she walks into my office.
I only came in here to grab my tablet. Carmine caught me off guard with the reports. He was excited when I walked in.
“Sì, sì. Devi andare. Mi dispiace. È una buona notizia. Vai pure,” Carmine says.
“You don’t have to apologize. It is good news. I will talk to you soon. Ciao.”
I grab my tablet and head out with Emilia. I can’t help reaching up and touching my new pixie cut. I left it longer on the top, but the back and sides are really low.
It’s a far cry from the braids I used to wear. This haircut matches my vibe these days. A lot has changed about me.
In some ways, the old Oni did die. I take a deep breath as I settle into the back of the car. I can only hope Rico will forgive me.
Emilia reaches over to cover my hand with hers. “It’s going to be all right. He will be happy to see you. Love will make him forgive you; it’s my father he’ll hate.”
“I hope you’re right. He’s been out for two years. I thought I would have been back with him by now.”
“In those two years, he’s been more focused and driven than ever. He’s different, but so are you. I think now is the perfect time for your return.”
“Why now? Do you know?”
She turns away from me and clears her throat. My stomach sinks. She knows, but she’s not going to tell me and that’s what scares the shit out of me.
“At least tell me if he’s okay.”
“He’s fine, I guess. Always angry but fine. You will see.”
Rico
I stumble into my Brooklyn apartment at five thirty in the morning. It’s been a long night. I’ve been working harder to earn in the last six months.