Read Online Dark Soul Vol. 5 by Aleksandr Voinov - Free Book Online Page B

Silvio received the order and didn’t act on it, the war would ignite, and there would be no stopping it. It would tear everything apart. Stefano pushed his hands in his pockets. “Anyway, there’s food and a water bowl in the bag. A flea col ar and brush and whatever else you need.” Silvio caressed the puppy’s neck. The little thing was stretched out on the couch like it intended to fall asleep.
    “What are you planning for your birthday?”
    “Nothing much. Was thinking to hit a club or something.”
    Get laid. Stefano remembered the two policemen in that nasty place. Was there anything sadder than sex with uncaring strangers on one’s birthday? “Why don’t you settle Sharky in and come up to the house later? We could have a nice meal. Spend some time.”
    “And your wife?”
    “I don’t know, Silvio. Maybe we should all spend some time working this out.”
    Silvio shrugged. “Or I could just go to some club.”
    “Right now, I’d feel better if you stay close.” Last thing he wanted was the Feds drawing a bead on Silvio, getting their hands on him and nailing him down for a petty little crime. Silvio in a prison cell—that couldn’t ever happen. “Just come up when you’re ready.”
    He left Silvio to care for the dog, got back in his car and rolled up to the house, thoughts slowly crystal izing to intent. Of course, this would change absolutely everything, and he still balked at the thought of doing it.
    He went straight to the kitchen and corralled the ingredients he needed from the fridge and cupboards and veggie baskets.
    The sound of heels on the terracotta flooring told him Donata was approaching. He looked up just as she was coming around the corner.
    She surveyed the food on the table with a critical eye. “Lasagna?”
    “Well, it’s reasonably low carb . . .”
    She looked at him, came closer, picked up some tomatoes as if checking their ripeness. “Who’s going to eat all this?”
    “I’m hoping Silvio will help. It’s his birthday, you know.”
    “I didn’t,” she said neutrally. Almost like idle curiosity. A good sign? She put the tomato down. “What did you get him?”
    “A dog. Golden retriever. His was run over when he was young, so I figured . . .”
    “You’re such a fixer.” She smiled at him, sadly and fondly, and it clenched his heart. “I always thought it was one of your best qualities, your fixing of problems.”
    “I’m still a boss.”
    “You’re also good at it.” She looked at him, expectantly. It was his cue, he realized. She gave him a moment longer, arranging knives and cutting boards and bowls to mix the various sauces around him.
    “It’ll be easier if you help me fix this.”
    Donata nodded and handed him an apron. He took off his jacket, hung it up and slipped the loop over his head, then tied the strings behind himself. “Are you okay with him coming to dinner?”
    “Sure. If he’s going to be your regular lover.”
    The offhanded tone caught him on the wrong foot. “I’m not planning to have any irregular lovers. It’s . . . I’m not going to go out there and have sex with random strangers.”
    “If you do, I hope you’re wearing a condom.” She started preparing the tomatoes.
    “What’s going on?” He glanced at her, but her gaze was on the tomatoes. “Are you really okay with all this?” Or have you given up on our marriage? Was she pushing him away to sleep with men?
    “I talked to my Uncle Davide. His partner is bisexual, but apparently lately hasn’t had any outside interests. But then, both are older than sixty now.”
    Stefano’s heart was beating up to his throat. “What did he say?”
    “He said, honey, enjoy your sexually adventurous husband.”
    “You told him I’m . . .”
    “I needed somebody to talk to,” she snapped.
    “Fine. All right.”
    “He also said that for bisexuals, it’s two totally different things, a man and a woman. According to him, you’re not actually cheating on me with a man,