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)
“Does that mean I have to give the ring back?”
I chuckle and bring her hand to my lips. I kiss the four-carat engagement ring I placed on her finger. She picked the setting, but I chose the stone.
My baby wasn’t about to wear anything less than the rock I put on her precious hand. I’ve done nothing but spoil Oni in the last week. Sex, gifts, love, I’ve given it all.
“Never,” I croon and wink at her.
“Come on, we should get inside. We don’t want to keep the Don waiting.”
I scoff and shake my head. Never in a million years did I think Oni would be this loyal to my uncle. What he has done is unforgivable in my eyes.
However, I shove my shit down and head into the restaurant with my arm around her waist. I’m not surprised to find my uncle and all his capos when we get inside.
However, I am surprised when my uncle stands to greet Oni, then introduces her to everyone else like she’s a capo herself. I mean, I know the role she’s been playing while in Italy, but I didn’t know Uncle Emilio truly intended to give her the rightful respect.
Oni is a woman and she’s Black. I never thought I’d see the day. I stand with my mouth hanging open.
“Let me see,” Uncle Emilio croons when he takes Oni’s hand and lifts it. “Ah, fellas, I guess we have one more thing to celebrate tonight.
“My boy here has proposed. My daughter and my nephew, who’s like my son. I couldn’t be prouder. Come Rico, come.”
Still in shock, I walk into my uncle’s embrace. When I turn to the table, there are mixed emotions on the faces of the men sitting around it. I don’t miss the proud smile on my father’s face.
I move behind Oni and kiss the top of her head. I then look each man in his eyes to let them know I’ll be the face they see if they ever try to cross my woman.
These motherfuckers have been stubborn against change for as long as I can remember. If Uncle Emilio was any other don, I don’t think this shit would fly at all. Oni and I would have to shoot our way out of here.
“Bring the champagne,” Uncle Emilio croons as he points for me and Oni to take our seats.
“Oni Raven. You’re Jack’s kid, ain’t you? May he rest in peace,” Robby Conti says from across the table.
“That she is. We’ve come full circle,” Uncle Emilio says jovially.
“Jack was a good guy. May God rest his soul,” Nicky Rizzo says and gives a sage nod.
“I wanted to talk to you. I have some business I want to do,” Tony Grassi says.
“Not tonight, Ton. Make sure youse exchange numbers. Tonight, we celebrate my nephew and my prodigy.”
I have to fight not to roll my eyes. I’m still not buying his shit. I want to know what his endgame is.
***
“I’m glad you stuck around to talk to me,” Uncle Emilio says.
I grunt and throw back the whiskey in my cup. Glancing across the room, I set my gaze on Oni, Emilia, and the guys at a table. They all arrived about thirty minutes ago.
“Ah, you know that’s what my crew looked like back in the day when I started.”
I turn my gaze to him slowly. “What are you talking about?”
“We were all close once. Me, your father, Jack, and Brenda, we thought we would take over the world.”
“What happened?”
“I did. I got entitled. I thought I could marry your aunt and keep Brenda as my goomah.” He chuckles.
He throws his drink back, then licks his bottom lip. “I should have known that shit wasn’t going to fly. Oni is as strong-willed as her mother. Brenda left me as soon as I proposed to your aunt.
“I was convinced she would see things my way and come back to me. In my world, we could never be more than what I was offering her, but I could still give her the best in life.”
“Looks like that shit didn’t work out for you,” I snort.
“Marone, I was crazy about that woman. Everyone knew it too. That’s why I was so furious when a year later she and Jack got together.
“I felt so betrayed. Never once did I stop to think about how Brenda felt. I let my ego and pride get in the way of everything.
“The business, our friendship, my relationship with your father. I made a lot of mistakes. Mistakes I’m trying to keep you from making.”
“By taking her away from me?” I seethe.
“By making you a better man than I was. All I have done has been for you and where you want to be,” he says.
“Where you want me to be,” I snap back.
“Ah, so you don’t want my seat, is that what you’re saying?”