CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FOUR

Papa, realized I was in a situation, otherwise I wouldn't be here, on his turf.

Pulling me aside, he signals to someone behind me, before leading me to another table and from a side glance, under the watchful eyes of the jackets whose just seems to be lurking around.

Papa and I pulled out a chair opposite each other at a table situated at a secluded spot in the corner.

Turing, I smiled as I looked at Justin and the guys whose all drinking and conversing, but I know they're being observant with everything and everyone around.

"So I heard you got married" Papa comment, drawing my attention back to him and I instinctively lowered my eyes to my wedding band, on my hand that laid on the table.

With my eyes on the ring Jamie placed on my finger, I wonder if Papa has an agenda for seeking me out.

Nodding, I lifted my head with a smile, "yeah!" I nod, "I'm a married man now" I confirmed.

With his eyes on me, I know Papa was trying to read me, but my years as a young mafia Prince and lawyer has taught me how to hide my emotions and how to bluff.

"I also heard about your accident" Papa continued, "and the coma you ended up in." Papa leaned back in his chair and continues to evaluate me.

How much does he know?

"Yeah, I guess that it was all over the news" I continued to play along.

Shaking his head, "yeah, the news," Papa agreed vaguely, nodding now, with a far off expression in his eyes.

"I was on my way to court for the verdict on a case I tried for the state, that didn't look good for the offenders" I was saying when a waitress appeared beside me, "thank you" I lifted my eyes to look at her, as she placed a glass in front of me, with a bottle of Jack Daniels between Papa and I, then she place an empty glass in front of Papa.

"May I?" she asks me, indicating the bottle of whiskey, to pour for me, with a shy soft smile. Shaking my head in refusal, I turned to Papa.

Waving her of as he realize that I am not interested in the girl, by not allowing her to pour my drink

"It's fine" he responded gruffly. "We'll help ourselves." He said reaching for the bottle and poured himself a drink, placing the bottle back on the table, leaving me to help myself.

"After your near death experience, it doesn't pay to be a one woman kinda man" Papa chuckles, tilting his head in the direction of the waitress that just left, but the amusement he spoke with doesn't reach his eyes.

Ignoring his comment, I reach for the bottle and helped myself to a shot, wincing as the alcohol's burning sensation passes my throat.

Chuckling, "it takes a special kind of woman to keep one man interested in her for the rest of your life" I responded, pouring myself another shot.

Smiling, Papa leaned back on his chair again, "so Jamie's that kind of woman?" Papa asked with a broad smile on his lips, but his eyes are dark and narrowed, as he stares back at me

The humor I was forcing to feel, disappeared the instant he mentioned Jamie's name so casually.

Leaning back with folded arms, I stared at him, wondering why my wife's name flowed so lightly out his mouth.

Deciding to ignore him once again, because I don't discuss my personal life nor my wife with, anyone.

Chuckling dryly, I poured myself another shot, downing it before speaking again.

"So why am I sitting at this table with you?" I got straight to the point, because I was an underage kid when I frequented this spot in the past and I was to young to sit at the same table with my grandfather and Papa.

A look of surprised crossed Papa's eyes fleetingly, before he poured himself another drink, which Papa kept twirling in his hand.

"Direct and to the point" Papa observed, "just like your mother." Papa commented, lifting his eyes and frowns, "how is your mother, Fran," he lowers his gaze to the glass he kept swirling.

Mom, was never love and respected by any of my grandfathers friends and associates, who saw her as the force that broke the ties with my grandfather's friends and enemies at large.

When mom was finally able to take me away from my grandfather, mom made more enemies in the underground world.

Even though dad and I no longer associated with the families, dad remained closed to my grandfather, which is the only reason, mom is still alive today.

Looking around the room cautiously, "mom's working hard as usual." I responded, wondering what I could have said differently.

With a soft laugh, Papa poured himself another shot, but I refused when he offered me another one.

"Word around these days is that you choose a wife, whose similar to your mother." Papa, said slowly.

I instantly tensed up inwardly, "I take that as a compliment then" I responded, now wondering if he knows about my grandfathers plans and the trouble he got himself into.

Chuckling, "yes, Jamie seems to be wonderful girl. She's got the manners, extremely polite and" Papa was saying and pauses, tapping his temple thoughtfully, "uh, what is the word again, uh, yeah, more of a housewife or a secretary, but not suitable to be a mafia princess." Papa continued, his tone light, but his words has a deeper meaning to it.

"Have you met Jamie?" I asked curiously.

Lifting his head, he frowns, "yes, while you were in the hospital." Papa confirms, "didn't she tell you that I stopped by a few times and then visited at your father's mansion?" Papa continued and I finally realized, that Papa knows more about my grandfather's business than I do.

"My grandfather didn't mention it"