My father’s voice contained a note that made me nervous.
“All right. I’ve been talking to friends in New York, trying to get an idea of Luca’s current state of mind-if he’s done killing…”
“It’s going to be okay.”
“You should have told him everything, Alessio.”
“Father, it will be all right. The past is the past. Telling Luca now would surely be my death sentence.” I hung up and went to the bedroom where Gianna was packing her bags. Her eyes were fearful when she met my gaze.
“Kiara is alive, but her mother is dead.” Gianna covered her mouth with the palm of her hand.
“What will happen to her?” “Luca still has some relatives to ask to take the girl in.” I removed her bags.
“Come now. I really need to get back.” She nodded slowly, still a little stunned. I approached her, stroking her cheek. “It will be okay.”
The return trip passed in relative silence. Gianna was absorbed in her thoughts, and Simona fell asleep as she usually did in the car. Elia and Domenico were already at my house when we arrived. They helped carry everything inside. Gianna followed me as I changed into my usual work attire.
“Where is the meeting taking place?” I knotted my tie.
“You don’t know the place. It’s a disco.” I understood that Gianna wanted to ask more questions, but I didn’t want to talk business with her. I kissed her lips lightly. “Don’t wait tonight. It will be very late.” As I left the house, I called Faro again. “Everything ready?”
“Yes, everyone is coming.” “Did our observers say anything about movement in the clubhouse?”
“They seem to have a meeting. All the motorcycles are in front of the clubhouse.”
Now that Luke had destroyed an entire chapter in cold blood, the MC’s punishment was only a matter of time. They were fickle, bound by fewer rules than we were. It was a part of my life that I didn’t want Simona, Daniele, or Gianna to be a part of. I was going to do my best to protect them.
Gianna
After Alessio left, I picked up the phone and lay down on the couch. Simona was busy with a picture book simulating animal noises, and Daniel sat on the blanket next to her, only half focused on his game as he kept casting glances toward his sister’s book. Loulou curled up next to me and I immediately began stroking her soft fur, hoping it would soothe me. Ever since Alessio had told me about my uncles, my heart was beating faster than usual. In the rabble, falling from grace usually meant death. I was not sad that my uncles had died. They had been bad men, even by our very twisted standards, but I was worried about what it meant for Alessio, for us, and I couldn’t stop thinking about my poor cousin, Kiara, who was now an orphan.
I called Dad’s number. He did not pick up after the first few rings, which was unusual for him. He always made time for me. What if Luca had decided to get rid of him too? It was no secret that Dad was not his favorite. Marrying me to Alessio was supposed to secure Dad’s position, but would Alessio really protect him? They didn’t like each other very much. Maybe for me, Alessio would have put in a good word for my father. Finally Dad answered the call and I collapsed in relief.
“Gianna, tonight is not the best time for a phone call.”
“Are you okay? I heard what happened.” Dad sighed.
“I’m fine. I can’t deny it, it was disturbing to hear that Luca killed one family member after another, but I’ve never done anything that could be construed as betrayal.”
“What will happen to Kiara? Have you heard anything?” “Matteo contacted us and asked if we were willing to take her in.” Dad’s voice made it clear that he did not like the idea.
“She needs a home and we are a family.”
“Your mother and I have worked hard to improve our family’s position, taking in a traitor’s daughter could ruin all our efforts.”
“Dad,” I said, shocked.
“She is twelve years old. She is innocent. Please don’t tell me that you will refuse to take her in because of something her father did. That would be extremely cruel.”
Father was silent for a moment. It wasn’t that I didn’t think him capable of cruelty, but he preferred not to appear that way in my eyes. “Luca might not give us much choice anyway. The way things are going, disappointing him might be too risky.”
“Then don’t risk it and give Kiara a home.”
“How are things with you and Alessio?”
“Fine.”
“Are they?” Dad asked as if he didn’t trust his ears. It made me sad, knowing that he expected the worst from Alessio and had given me to him anyway.
“I am. Promise to call me as soon as you know more about Kiara, okay?”
“I will. Your mother wants to have a word with you.” I stifled a sigh. Knowing Mom, she was probably alarmed that recent developments with Kiara might kill her social standing, which meant she was already planning how to take countermeasures, ones that usually involved me or Christian.
“Gianna, how are you?” the forced cheerfulness in her voice confirmed my suspicions.
“Fine. I’m a little worried about Kiara.” “When can your father and I expect a grandchild from you?”
All right. This was his plan. “Simona and Daniel are both young. Taking care of them requires all my time and energy.”
“They are not yours, Gianna. You have to make smart decisions. Having your own child will solidify your position, especially if you have a boy who could become Underboss.”
“Daniel will be the underboss, Mom. And if I ever want a child, it won’t be for tactical purposes.” Alessio and I had not yet talked about children. He had insisted that I take the pill, which I was going to do anyway because I absolutely did not want to get pregnant at that time. I wanted to be the best mom for Daniele and Simona, and a third child would not have made the task any easier. “Now that you’re a wife, you can’t afford to be naive.”