Chapter Fifteen
Nicholas POV
I wasn't sure why I had allowed myself to be talked into saving this kid and his sister. It genuinely sounded like they were in trouble and just doing what they had to do to survive. I keep getting myself involved in this nonsense in Chicago. I don't even know why. Sighing, I stepped out of the shower and looked at the time. It would be sometime after ten in the morning in Italy. I should call my father; he might have some insight.
My father had moved back to Italy a few years after I became the boss. He wanted to make sure that his men remained loyal to me after I took over. The one's who stayed had definitely proven themselves, the rest went to Italy to be there for my father. He still conducted business over there, it was just on a quieter platform.
I tossed my towel into the hamper and threw on some sweatpants. Retrieving my phone from the floor, I sank down onto the couch and dialed my father.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?" My father answered on the first ring.
"Papa, how are you?"
"Ehh, you know, son, staying drunk on wine and sunshine." He laughs. "Busy as always. Tell me things are good in New York?"
"Actually, that is why I'm calling. I've got some business with Vince Cain and I'm not liking where it's leading me. So, I need to know what you know about the Patron family." The line goes quiet, I almost think he's hung up. After a long pause he answers me.
"Well, Vince Cain had something against the Patron. They are dead though so what's the issue exactly?"
"Camilla Patron."
I hear my father chuckle and wonder why he thinks this is amusing, but I don't say a word.
"Let me guess, Vince is looking for her. She must be in her twenties by now, and if she's as beautiful as she was at sixteen, he won't stop till he finds her." I hear him audibly sigh. "Why are you helping him?"
"He asked me to track her down, but didn't say why. Apparently, one of his informants saw her here in New York. I found her alright, but Pop, she doesn't know a thing about this life. She's in school to be an attorney. She doesn't even know that her grandmother once ran the Patron Mafia. They kept this girl in the dark, and now I think it looks bad for her."
"I imagine it does. You know, I heard that Thomas Cain had it in his head that he was going to marry that girl. She disappeared after her parents were killed. I would have thought she was dead, except Michael assured me she was safe."
That caught me by surprise. "Wait, you know Michael Patron?"
"Of course I do son. Our families go way back. I stayed out of that mess with Cain to avoid an all-out war, but I promised Michael that if he needed anything, he could reach out to me. I haven't spoken to him in a year or two, but I keep tabs on him. I've got men on his team in Vegas, as per his father’s request."
"It seems you have left some things out that I should have been made aware of, Father. We have a lot to talk about. Let's start with how you know the Patrons and what this connection is. I find myself rather liking Camilla Patron and have no interest in turning her over to Cain, but he doesn't want to stop until he has her. He might be heading to Iowa to look for her Nonna."
"That's a problem then. I guess I had better call Mrs. Patron and let her know. It might be time for the Don's wife to come home; her family misses her." Every word coming out of my father’s mouth had me further confused.
"I need to know everything, Father. I mean everything." We talked for nearly two hours as my father filled me in on the Patron family. There were many of them in Italy and my father was close to Camilla's Uncle, whom she didn't even know. My father had once told Camilla's father that he would like if our families could join, whether it meant through marriage or some other way. He hoped that Michael would marry one of my cousins or that I would marry Camilla. Once her parents were gone and Michael sent Camilla away, he knew that none of that would probably happen. He just did his best to keep in contact with Michael and with their Nonna. By the time I got off the phone, my head was spinning. More than ever, I felt like I needed to go see Camilla's Grandmother and, quite possibly, take Camilla with me when I did. The question is, how do I get her to go willingly? I might just have to take her against her will. I didn't want to do that, but I'm a fucking mafia boss and I won't be told no, even if she doesn't know who or what I am.
Camilla POV
"Nonna, I'm worried about you. I'd like to visit for the weekend. We should talk. There are things I need to talk to you about that can't be said over the phone." I was sitting in my bedroom with the door shut so Natalia wouldn't hear me. I didn't like how much time she was spending with Daniel. Not because I didn't want her to be happy, but because he made me uncomfortable. He asked a lot of strange questions and was always looking at me in a strange manner. I needed to get away from here for a bit. I needed to find out why Michael wasn't calling me. The best way to do that is to go home to my Nonna's house.
"Okay, Okay. Next weekend my dear. I will pick you up from the airport, just tell me the time." I was happy to hear that Nonna wanted me to come for a visit and wasn't upset about the cost.
"Perfect. I will book the ticket today and call you back later. I can't wait to see you, Nonna. I've missed you." It was the truth; I was really missing her and hadn't seen her in quite a while.
"Okay, Caio Nipote. Ti amo."
As soon as I hung up the phone, I grabbed my laptop and started looking for tickets. I wasn't going to tell anyone I was leaving, because I just needed some time away from everyone. I'd leave Natalia a note saying I'd gone away for the weekend, but that was it. I love her and trust her, but her new boyfriend, not so much.