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I smiled as flashes of France entered my mind. “I think so. I hope so.”
“Then it is up to her. Just be completely transparent with her. If she senses she cannot trust you at all, it will be game over. Even if she asks questions you don’t want to answer, you must answer them honestly. And don’t be surprised if she needs some space or time to think afterwards. Give it to her.”
I listened carefully to my mamma’s advice and nodded. It was sound. But I knew in reality, it would be a lot harder than that.
“And Camilla? What are you going to say about her?” Mamma’s eyes narrowed as she studied me intensely. Mamma was nearly as pissed as I was at the situation. Camilla was now in one of the spare rooms on mamma’s wing as I refused to have her on my floor. Max had already taken her off the premises for the day, so at least I didn’t have to deal with seeing her around the house.
“I don’t know. I fear it will be too much to tell her about that at the same time. But I want to be honest.”
Mamma nodded and exhaled loudly. “What is your plan, Gio?”
I ran my hand through my hair and sighed. “I need time. Time to think of something that will appease Francesco and Sal more than a marriage alliance. But Max is right. If I refuse to even try to get to know her or have her in the house, then I will cause a rift and chaos without any plans to solve it. So, I have to go along with it for now. She has to stay here.” Mamma tutted and folded her arms across her chest, anger on her features. “I don’t like it any more than you do mamma.”
“But you are not actually going to entertain it, are you? Get to know the girl? Because if you even think of playing Olivia along while bedding this other woman, then so help me God I wil- “
“Fuck mamma! I would never do that to Liv! The thought of even being with another woman makes my skin crawl. Liv is mine and I don’t want anyone else,” I shouted as I slammed my fist on my desk.
A slow smile spread across her face. “Good. I was just checking.” She stood up and walked over to me, giving me a kiss on the top of my head like she used to when I was a boy. “I love you Gio. Your father would be a proud man.”
A lump formed in my throat as she walked away and closed the door behind her. I hadn’t realised how much I had needed to hear those words in the last two years. As much as I wanted my uncle’s respect, it was my father’s pride I craved. I gripped my jaw and ran my fingers over my stubble.
It's how you handle the darkness that is your secret power.
My father always used to say that. I don’t think there was a day since I turned eighteen that I didn’t hear him tell me that. And now I need those words more than ever. I was about to have a meeting with my uncle, and I needed to channel my father’s control. I needed to make him believe that I was willing to try to form this alliance until I had a better alternative.
∞∞∞
“So, you decided to leave me a present for my return from France?” I smirked at my uncle from across my desk.
“I am pleased to see it put a smile on your face,” he chuckled. He leaned back in his chair and lifted one polished shoe over his knee, looking extremely relaxed.
“I would have preferred a little warning. I don’t like surprises.”
“Well, it was a good surprise, so what’s the problem? Is she settling in well?” he raised one eyebrow as he grasped his hands together, weaving his thick fingers.
“Moderately. Though putting her in my room was a step too far. I like my privacy. She is in a guest room now,” I said calmly. Fuck me, I should win an Oscar for this performance.
“Do what you want. As long as you treat her well outside of the bedroom, I don’t give a shit. Once you are married, you can treat her however you like.”
I smirked, pretending to enjoy the idea. “So, is there a reason for your visit today?”
“Do I need a reason to visit my favourite nephew?” I cocked my head to the side in disbelief and he chuckled. “There is a reason, yes. I have become aware of a potential alliance between Leone and Diego Barbieri. They are just in talks now, it seems, but if this comes to fruition we are in trouble.”
I sat up straighter. This was serious. Diego Barbieri was the Don of the most powerful family in Southern Italy. “Agreed. So how do we stop it?”
“I think it is time.” My eyes narrowed as I tried to comprehend if he truly meant what I think he did. “To get revenge for your father’s death.”
I exhaled loudly and dropped my head down, staring at my desk. I have been waiting for those words for two and half years. “You mean killing Riccardo Leone?”
“And his son. But we cannot be tied to this. If the commission finds out we are behind it, we are both dead.”
I nodded in understanding. “This is why the alliance with Francesco is so important, Giovanni. The Aianis will have our backs. We can count on them for alibis and weaponry and resources that are not linked to us.”
I froze as my body went cold. So that was what this was all about. An alliance to take out a common enemy. To take out the people who murdered my father. If I broke this alliance, we would be screwed. We would lose our chance at revenge. This was so much more complicated than I thought.
“I understand.”
“Good. We will keep an eye on things for now and start strategizing discreetly. Bring Max and Leo in on this, but no one else for now.”
