Page 81 of Worship

“She is, but I’m not—perhaps a little less high would be advisable,” Rose squeaks out.

I laugh and slow Ella, much to her disappointment. She kicks out her legs, wanting to go higher, and I look at Rose and poke my bottom lip out.

“You and that baby will succeed in giving me a heart attack.”

She smiles at me, and I laugh again, looking past her to see a man sitting on a bench reading the paper, shadowed by a very burly individual.Interesting.

I stop the swing and pull Ella from it.

“Rose, it’s time for you to take Ella home. I have some business to attend to. Go with George.”

She nods and follows my gaze, then looks back with understanding.

I hand Ella over and watch them walk to the car where George is already waiting. He nods to me, and I know he saw them too.

I turn and push the swing out of the way and make my way to the bench, taking a seat next to the man, crossing one leg over the other and placing my joined hands in my lap.

“Uncle.” I turn my head to look at his face.

“Nephew.” He smiles in greeting, but I remain expressionless.

“What can I do for you?” My voice is cold, my hate immeasurable.

“Non è il modo di salutare un vecchio.”That’s no way to greet an old man.He tsks.

“Would you rather I shot you?” I answer, and his smile wavers.

“How I wish you were your brother. You’re mad.”

He waves off the security standing behind him and twists to put his elbow on the back of the bench. He doesn’t want anyone to hear his sick perversions.

“Why would you think that?” I question, ignoring the dig about Dom.

Gio is not the man to me that he is to my brother, but even still, his wish is empty because we hate him equally. Dom’s just better at hiding it. I grin, amused that he thinks he’s a step ahead.

“I know I shouldn’t have played with Shelby. She was so innocente e accettante.”

His eyes close as if he’s reliving the fantasy. I’m sick.

“Shelby is anything but innocent or accepting. But you’re right, I didn’t appreciate you fucking my wife. Makes a Sunday dinner awkward,” I say, playing along as I relax back and extend my arm out along the bench.

“Pity. We could’ve had fun with her.”

Bile rises in my throat when I think of the atrocities he’s committed in the name of fun.

“I’m not interested in your fucked-up idea of fun. I don’t like repeating myself. What can I do for you, Giovanni?”

He bristles at the way I speak to him.

In his world, he’s king, but out here, I am. I don’t live by his rules, but I continue to hold him by the goddamn throat, and that’s created a very angry monster.

Gio looks back to the park.

“You offend me. I wanted to see my beautiful grand-niece before you hauled her away from her family.”

It’s the way he says family that makes my skin crawl. I wonder if that was the appeal with Antonio’s sister—then again, Antonio’s father fed the beast, so maybe it was more opportunity.

“Careful, my patience isn’t endless,” I warn.