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“She knew I wasn’t him. She told me after finding out about Gio that she always knew.”
“What the fuck? You’re Gio’s father?”
“Yes, a fact that put all our lives in danger. Your grandfather wasn’t the man he is today. He would have killed me and Frances for what we did. Frances was scared out of his mind. He had a baby on the way with his girl and then there was Gio.
“Ava said everything would be fine as long as no one ever found out about the lie and Frances’s other family. I was ready to go to war for her and my boy, but she made me understand so much more was at stake. She was the Donna. She had responsibilities and her father was ill.
“We had to love each other in silence, to save my life and Frances’s. We never spoke of who Gio’s father was. Everything was fine until Ava became pregnant again with you and Dante.
“Emil was killed, and we knew all our secrets were hanging in the balance. We just didn’t know which was revealed. At least, not until Riccardo grew a hard-on for Gio and Jace.”
“Stop,” I bellow. “Stop.”
My chest heaves as I realize this man is telling me he’s my father. I look into his eyes and it all makes sense. His hazel eyes are just like ours. His jet-black hair is identical to Gio’s. Dante and I could look just like this man when we turn his age.
If not for being told all my life he was only a friend of the family, I would have seen it sooner. Frances Esposito has blue eyes and his looks fall short of the handsome men my brothers and I are, but this man here fits the Rome Adonis looks we were born into.
“My middle name, Luca. It’s short for Lucas. What in the entire fuck?”
“My father, Michelangelo Luca Dante Di Rienzo is who we named you boys after.” He makes the sign of the cross. “May his soul rest in peace. You boys look just like him. Your mother and I never wanted to hurt you boys. It’s just the opposite. All that has been done was to protect all three of you.
“I once trusted Frances with my life. Now, his main concern is his own boys. I can’t sit back and watch him protect his world at the cost of mine. That time has come to an end.”
“Is this why my mother never took his name?”
“They were never officially married. I was already her husband. The papers were never signed after the ceremony. Gwen handled all the logistics.”
I stand and start to pace the room. My head feels like it’s about to explode. There are so many pieces falling into place. I stop and turn to…my father?
“You guys, your poly thing. That’s why Riccardo has it in for Gio.”
“Riccardo has always had it in for our family. Gio was only an opportunity. His plan was to see you into the Don promotion, so he could murder you and move into the spot. He doesn’t see us coming and if he finds out about Carleen and the baby, we’re going to have to kill him.”
“I’ll kill him now,” I seethe.
“In due time, my son. In due time. Everything has its purpose.”
Chapter 42
Stranger Things
Carleen
It’s only been a week since my arrival. I’ve enjoyed the tours of Italy Dario has taken me on. We went to visit his family in Naples and we went to Venice, Milan, and Rome sightseeing.
However, Dario has been a bit distant or detached. I try not to talk about our family drama because that seems to upset him. I’m not sure what happened between his proposal and the next morning, but things aren’t the same.
Honestly, I’m starting to feel like a prisoner here. Dario had to take care of some business with uncle Lucas and I was told I had to stay here on the property. There is only so much I can find to do at almost seventeen weeks.
“La signora Carleen, I have a package for you,” Isabella, the housekeeper, says as she enters the sitting room I’m in.
“Oh, thank you.”
She brings the box over and sets it in my lap. I look the box over and there’s no card or note. The white box is unmarked as well. I shrug my shoulders and remove the lid. A blue velvet box rests inside.
I get excited, thinking it’s another gift from Dario. For all his being distracted, he’s still been showering me with gifts. Opening the velvet jewelry box, I find a diamond necklace with a gorgeous blue sapphire pendant hanging from it.
I pick up the necklace and it’s like I’m thrown back in time.
The pretty lady picks me up and places me on her lap. I smile up at her as she smiles at me. I reach out for the pretty necklace around her neck.
