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She crosses her arms. “Bruno is a sap.”
I narrow my eyes at her as I realize the truth. “Is he even the father?”
She looks away and shrugs.
“Is he!” I demand.
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Maybe? Who else could it be?”
“You—”
“Not me. Don’t bullshit me. Who else?”
“Rocco.”
“Rocco, as in Rocco Perotta?” Rocco works for me near Gioia Tauro. He makes regular trips to Rome for business. In my mind, this is a good thing. Perhaps I can keep Bruno here and still send her away.
“Yes.” She gives me a look of disdain. “He’s got a bigger dick than you.”
I ignore the jab at my manhood. She’s lucky I can. I know plenty of men who’d strike her for that.
“Good, then you should be happy with him.”
She realizes her mistake. “Luca, please?—”
“I’m done with this conversation. Here’s what can happen. I’ll talk to Rocco. You’ll move south. Marry him or not, I don’t care. But either way, I’ll make sure you have a nice home and a lavish lifestyle. Your other option is that you continue the way you do now, working while trying to raise a child on your own.”
She stares at me, her eyes narrowed. "So that's it, then? I either accept your terms and disappear, or I get nothing? What kind of choice is that?"
"The only one I'm willing to give you," I reply, my voice unwavering. "You can have a lavish life with all the comforts and luxuries you crave. Or you can have nothing. The choice is yours."
Her shoulders slump in defeat. But just as quickly, it's replaced by a steely determination. "I won't give up on you, Luca. You and I, we're meant to be together. I'll fight for you, no matter what."
I sigh, knowing this conversation is going nowhere. "Then you've made your choice. I expect you to continue your work at the club. Note that if you come back here ever again, if you go near Aria, there will be consequences.”
She lets out a frustrated growl. “Fine. I’ll go with Rocco.”
I nod, unsurprised by her decision. "Very well. I'll have my men handle the situation. You'll be taken care of as long as you leave and never come back."
With that, I turn and head back inside, the weight of the evening's events dragging me down. But it’s Aria’s absence that is the worst. It’s a constant ache, and I long for her return.
The next day, I'm restless at breakfast. Roberta must notice as she asks whether Aria is coming back soon.
“Of course,” I state with a certainty that I don’t feel. I start to question if sending Aria away was necessary, considering how I've gotten rid of Electra. Perhaps Electra wasn't such a threat, after all.
It's worse that I haven't heard from Aria. Our calls keep missing each other. Or maybe she’s ignoring them. Perhaps she’s decided she wants to stay in New York. Hell, maybe Niko has taken her phone and forced her to stay. Texts from Bruno don’t indicate that, but they’ve been too brief to know for sure what’s going on.
I pace my office, running a hand through my hair in frustration. I know Aria is safe with Bruno by her side, but the distance between us feels like an uncrossable chasm. It’s unbearable.
I grab my phone and call Paolo. “I’ve got to leave the country. You’re in charge until I or Bruno return.” It’s an impulsive decision. But at this point, I care less about how my business might implode than I do about seeing Aria.
"Is everything alright?" Paolo asks, his voice laced with concern.
“I need to check on Aria. Can you handle this responsibility?”
“Of course.” His voice hints at nervousness at the weight of what I’ve just bestowed on him. I hope he can manage it.
