Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad
Chapter 253

Daniel snags a bottle of wine and some wine glasses out of the kitchen before going to sit with Janeen and Jerome in the living room - close enough to be on hand if Kent needs to inform them of anything, but far enough to give Kent and Gio privacy. I step towards the kitchen, my eyes catching on a little note on the counter as Kent and Gio lean against the granite, beginning to speak in low tones.

Gone to bed, love you - Papa

I smile, giving the note a little pat with my fingers and then moving to stand next to Kent.

Kent and Gio immediately go silent, turning to me.

"What?" I ask, crossing my arms across my chest, looking between them.

"Fay," Kent says, glaring at me a little, his meaning immediately clear even though he doesn't explain himself with words. His expression clearly reads that this is a private chat.

"Oh, whatever," I say, rolling my eyes and huffing a little laugh. "We bought your freedom with my money, Kent. I'm staying for this."

"Fay!" Kent growls, his glare deepening - because I am obviously messing with his plan.

"If you want me gone you're going to have to carry me away," I say, raising my eyebrows at him. His growl deepens, letting me know that he has no problem with that. "And lock me up," I add, pointing a finger into his face. "Because I'm just going to come right back from wherever you put me."

Kent exhales slowly and then turns his face away from me, talking only to Gio and pretending I'm not there. I smile and set my shoulders, pleased to have won.

Gio looks between us for just a second, a little smile on his lips, but he pays attention to Kent when he starts to talk.

"What are you here for, Gio?" Kent asks, dead serious. "Tell me now - the truth. Because if you're here as your grandfather's spy it will go better for you if you tell me now, rather than me finding out later."

"I promise, Zio," Gio says, his face suddenly serious. "I am here for what we talked about yesterday. I want out. I want to help you with your plan, and in exchange I want you to get me out as well."

"So, it's that simple? Your allegiance passes from your grandfather to me? I don't buy it." Kent leans in, creating tension between himself and his nephew. I watch curiously, wondering how I could replicate that kind of pressure even though I don't have Kent's physical dominance.

"Think about what's in it for me," Gio says, his voice almost pleading now. "The life I want - my grandfather refuses to let me live it. Unless you think I went to medical school, and continue to work part-time in a hospital, as some kind of elaborate ploy?" I turn my head in consideration of that it would be unnecessarily elaborate.

I, for one, buy Gio's story.

But I'm notoriously more soft-hearted than Kent.

The interrogation goes on for about forty-five more minutes with Kent liberally refilling Gio's glass, loosening his tongue. I watch it all silently, fascinated, even though I see Janeen fall asleep on the couch. Jerome likewise slackens, though Daniel keeps patiently awake, flicking through his phone.

But Gio's story doesn't change, nor does he break. In the end, I see Kent nod, not precisely satisfied but at least willing to make his next move. I perk up when he stands up straight from the counter, reaching into his back pocket.

"No matter what your plans," Kent says, producing his phone and placing it face-up on the counter, the recording app open and ready to play. "I have this as collateral. And I won't hesitate to play it for your father and your grandfather." He presses the screen then, letting Gio in on the fact that he recorded their conversation this morning.

"Good," Gio says, raising his eyebrows. "I'm glad you have collateral, Kent. I'll give you more if you want it."

"I don't need more," Kent says, holding his nephew's gaze with his own dark glare - a look so menacing even I blink at it in surprise. "You need to know, Gio, that you're my man now. And if you betray us, in any way, I won't hesitate to kill you. This recording is nothing. What I will actually do to you is much, much worse."

"Good," Gio says, nodding steadily at Kent. "I understand. I welcome it. I'm not f*****g with you, zio. I'm your man."

My mouth drops open a little in shock with the casual way that Gio accepts Kent's words. "Wait, seriously?" I say, stepping forward and peering into Gio's face. "He - your own uncle - the man who taught you how to kick a soccer ball - threatens to kill you and you're just like 'sure yeah, what else is new?""

Gio grins at me suddenly. "You're slipping, Fay," he says, leaning back on the countertop. "You forgot that I grew up in this world - I know how to play my cards."

"What?" I ask, stepping back a little. "How did I slip?"

"Fay," Kent sighs, running a hand down his face.

"How did you know," Gio says, looking at me slyly, "that Kent taught me to kick a futbol?" he asks.

I curse inwardly, suddenly realizing that Kent must have said that this morning...when I was hiding in the closet. When I wasn't supposed to have heard it.

I narrow my eyes at Gio now, though I can't help the little smile that pulls at my lips. "What, is that not a common uncle nephew activity in Italy?" I ask, raising an eyebrow and giving a little shrug.

"Just as common," Gio murmurs, his grin deepening so that his dimples show, "as uncles who sleep alone in beds, but leave indents on two pillows by the headboard."

"Enough," Kent growls even as I gasp a little, my smile growing at Gio's cleverness.

Damn. And I really did think that I'd away gotten with that one.

"Before this conversation goes any further, I need to know that you understand what you're signing up for. And what awaits you at the end of this road if you even think about betraying me. Or her. Or Daniel, or anyone else in this house." Slowly, Kent sticks out his hand.

"I understand," Gio says, his smile fading a little as he nods seriously to Kent and slips his hand into his. "I accept it. I'm your man, Kent, I swear it."

"Fine," Kent growls, giving one final shake of Gio's hand before dropping it with a sigh. Then he quickly lifts his glass of whiskey to his lips and drains it in one swift motion before setting it back on the counter with a heavy clink and reaching for me.

I barely have a chance to gasp before I'm up in Kent's arms, and then I burst out laughing as he carries me away towards our bedroom.

"Wow," Daniel says, watching as Kent strides past the living room and I give a little wave. "Guess there's no more secrets in this house."

"Nope!" I call over my shoulder. "Night everyone! Leave us alone until noon!"

Kent doesn't look back, but I do, noting Gio's satisfied smile as he watches us disappear around the corner, just as Daniel slings an arm around Jerome's shoulders, tugging him close as he raises his glass of wine in Gio's direction. "Welcome to the family, Gio," Daniel says as Kent pushes through our door. "You've met my boyfriend, Jerome."

I gasp a little, wanting to see what happens next, but Kent just kicks the door shut.