The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 26

Alessio

Good god, don't let this go on for too long.

I closed my eyes, trying not to focus on Dad's loud voice as he lost his shit about Mikael, and the deal. As usual, Uncle was hyping it up, nodding like a bobblehead.

As the oldest, I had the unfortunate privilege of being the one to break the news. A bullet Dante and Gian could dodge.

"I knew this would happen. I told you not to cross that family!" Uncle pointed out, going on another rant for himself.

"It wouldn't have mattered," I muttered under my breath, deciding to speak up. Dad was dad, but who was Uncle?

"It wouldn't have mattered?" Dad raised his voice as if I had said something terrible. "Then I guess it also wouldn't matter if I were to give away your position?"

Emilypty threats...

"To who?" I hid the cackle that was about to leave my mouth. "Dante who has barely left diapers or Gian who nearly got us all killed today?" those words made thEmily close their mouths, and I knew I hit a nerve, perhaps a victory.

We had a big family, more than enough cousins, all with their own qualities—but I would be a liar not to admit that I set the bar quite high. I was well-educated, intelligent, got along with some people, and had a bit of common sense.

"I'll take care of it. I'll find someone new to buy the weapons, so you don't need to worry about that." I said. It was true that Mikael was an important buyer in our weapon business, but we had other businesses keeping the Fanucci brand afloat. Our drug Emilypire, clubs, casinos, restaurants, liquor brands.

"One week," Dad's voice became hoarse from all the yelling. "I'll give you one week to fix this mess, or I'll have to step in."

The thought of having him clean up what he saw as my mess was a hit to my pride. No matter what, I couldn't let it come out like that. I couldn't let our business partners, my brothers, family, and our men view me like that.

"One week," I repeated to myself.

"If the maid wasn't here, I would've dragged you by your ear and made you marry the Baldini girl by today," Uncle interfered again. "Even if this was indeed their plan all along, I would've made you marry someone else. Someone capable of walking down the stairs."

"What? Capable of walking down the stairs—" I sighed, telling myself not to get into it with him again. "Never mind."

The worst of it all was knowing he was speaking the truth. If Emily was not by my side, he would've pushed for another engagEmilyent, and that's why I needed her.

Thoughts of Emily crept into my mind. I hadn't even seen her since I got back because I had been so busy with the Mikael situation. Then there's the picture Levi sent me about some guy from her past terrorizing her which was perhaps even more important than Mikael at the moment. I had to deal with that situation, and soon, before it'd blew up in my face.

"What the hell are you thinking about?" Dad wondered.

I glanced at the two curious faces. "I'm thinking that if I have to fix this mess, I better get going."

"Dismissed," Dad grunted, waving me off like he didn't give a damn. "Alessio, one week!" He called out as I closed the door.

I had a lot on my plate, but first, I had to see Emily and figure out what she was on to.

~

I entered my room, expecting to find Emily, but instead, I found her tiny offspring sitting on the floor with a drawing and markers spread. I had to give it to her, she made herself really comfortable.