“Enzo could make this all a haven for us, but with my father still around, it’s impossible.” I say my statement with conviction. I can’t be sad over the truth because with my father still very much alive and kicking, there’s no glimmer of hope. “And I’m sure that if my father went first, my uncle would come over here to take over. There’s no great escape for an Abbiati.”
“You’ll have yours one day,” Zane observes, giving a slight smile. “I’m still ridiculously positive I’m the one you’re going to be calling daddy for life.”
I laugh, hitting out at him playfully. Even though there were explosive moments between us two days ago, and I killed someone to force Zane to not want me, it seems that in doing so has just made him understand more. He hasn’t used me killing Tony against me. If anything, he’s glazed over it. I’m unsure if that’s a good or bad thing and cannot fathom why he hasn’t asked about it, but I can’t dwell. However, I feel like being stuck in traffic with one another was possibly one of the best things that could have happened for us.
“Amelia,” Zane begins, breaking my small reverie. “Before, I really wanted to bring your father down, but after being in the family for a week, I don’t think your father’s the real issue.”
I roll my eyes and run a hand through my hair. The moment’s gone and I feel lunacy at being laid out again. “Again with the stupidity, Maverick.”
“No, hear me out,” Zane says, looking at me after taking another right and leading us further from downtown Manhattan. “I think the only reason Sal behaves as he does is because of Giovanni.” He speaks forward, but he’s leaning toward me. “I’ve seen him with you, Amelia. He’s trying so hard to be tough and keep you in line, but there’s a part of him that I’ve noticed just wants to forget it all to offer you some sort of support.”
“I missed out on fatherly love a long time ago.” I can’t help the ounces of nonchalant emotion from seeping through. I sometimes am able to cope with a heartless father, but others I do just wish he would love me like he used to, back before I became a killer.
“I know you did,” Zane replies, softly.
He starts to offer me support by reaching over and putting a hand on my knee. I look down and want to cover it with mine and just enjoy the comfort, but once more, my own words and decisions lash at me, reminding me to put the distance between.
“Hands to yourself, Zane,” I tease, removing his hand from my leg. There’s a small break in conversation between us, and I take a deep inhalation before I change the topic. “I’m sure you know all about the illegal distribution of Cuban cigars in America, right?”
“Right,” Zane nods with his answer. “I was wondering why your father wasn’t already in with that part of the business.”
“It’s too highly watched, but he found a way to get a cut and keep a hidden identity.” There’s a moment of silence, waiting to see if Zane offered any more input before I continue. “The payment was my father making sure whoever we’re meeting had a bounty eliminated from his head. In exchange for that, my father owns part of his business in importing and distributing illegal Cuban cigars around America.”
“Racketeering,” Zane muses after I’m done. I can’t help but smile; his years as a detective made him a prime candidate to be linked to mafia. He’s a valuable asset, one who’s just beginning to prove his worth.
“Yes, racketeering,” I say, pleased. “I still can’t believe you gave up years of hard work for this. It’s hard to wrap my head around it.”
“Trust me, if I was to walk into the police station, I’d be a shocking sight for them all.” He chuckles, but I hear there’s a sense of hesitance. He misses it; I know he does. I hate that I’m a reason he had to give up something he loved so much. It’s something I will never forgive myself for. “I miss it, sure, but I didn’t realize how many of my men are linked to your father.”
“Dirty cops are everywhere; you wouldn’t believe how many if I were to really tell you.” I look out of my window and noticed that we’re closing in on the industrial land where my father mentioned the exchange was happening. I notice the unnumbered lot of warehouses and point them out. “It’s those warehouses on the right.”
“Okay, you are going to behave, right?” he asks, as he slows the car and pulls into the vacant lot around the building.
Stone chips start to fly against the metal of the car and I look around to see if the noise of a car slowing down wakens any life. But all I see is a large SUV sitting in front of the large open doors to this grim building.
I nod. “All we’re doing is a pickup and a handshake to seal the deal.”
“Basically, this is the same as Carmello,” Zane comments, musing on how similar this will be.
“Except this time, I’ll be doing the manhandling,” I tease and laugh when he shoots me a serious look. “I am not letting anyone touch me like that fucking brute did the other day.”