I tried to imagine how I would feel if he’d run away from his family, from his duties. The mere idea hit me like a punch in the stomach. Maybe Giovanni should have been more lenient when it came to Orazio’s wish to be with Lucy. But the Outfit would have been against the union no doubt. An Asian woman, or really any woman without Italian ancestors, would have a hard time being accepted in our circles.
I hoped this would change by the time Leonas was old enough to fall in love.
The bell rang. Anna’s delighted scream followed and despite the tension in my body, I couldn’t help but smile. I picked up Leonas and walked toward the front door where Giovanni was hugging Anna to his chest and lifting her up while Gabby held open the door for him. He seemed to have aged ten years since the news about Orazio’s disappearance. “There’s my favorite princess,” Giovanni said as he kissed Anna’s cheeks. She beamed all over her face then grinned at me with flushed cheeks. Giovanni headed my way, the smile becoming tenser. He set Anna down then pressed another kiss to the crown of her head. “Your dad and I have business to discuss, bambina, but I’ll read you a story later, how about that?”
Anna pouted but nodded. I stroked her head. “Why don’t you help Gabby?”
Anna nodded even though she looked disappointed. Giovanni tousled Leonas’ head who giggled in response.
Gabby grabbed Anna’s hand and led her into the kitchen.
Giovanni peered down at Leonas squirming in my arms. “He’s already grown so much.”
I handed Leonas to Giovanni who cradled him to his chest with a wistful smile. Leonas calmed down for a moment. “I remember when I held Orazio for the first time…” He fell silent and I could tell he was fighting with himself. I squeezed his shoulder. “Maybe it’s for the best if he stays in hiding. Right now, we don’t have the resources to waste on searching for him.”
Giovanni looked up, realizing what I was saying. I wouldn’t actively search for Orazio. That was my gift to him and Val.
“If you catch him, he’ll be seen as a traitor…”
I sighed. “We’ll cross that bridge when we reach it. As of now, we don’t know if he did anything that can be construed as betrayal.” Running away from the mob was betrayal but if that was his only crime, maybe I could be lenient, even if that would send a fatal message to other Made Men considering defecting their duties. As it was the best outcome for all of us would be if Orazio would never show up again.
I led Giovanni into my office and he sank down in an armchair with Leonas on his lap who freed himself and stormed toward my desk chair. This time he managed to climb up without my help which caused the chair to spin around itself with him. Leonas laughed in delight.
Giovanni sighed. “What are we going to do once I retire? Who’s going to be Underboss?”
“We still have many years to decide on that. You won’t retire anytime soon.”
“I’ll do my best. Livia already tortures me with a low-carb diet. As if a real man can’t deal with pasta and bread.”
I stifled a smile.
Rocco would arrive in thirty minutes for our meeting. I always met with Giovanni a bit earlier because I trusted him the most and because I enjoyed our conversations.
“The attack on the Cleveland lab was a success,” I told him.
Giovanni nodded distractedly as he stood and spun the desk chair around, causing Leonas’ laughter to grow in volume. Luckily, he was still too young to understand the majority of what we discussed. Once he got older, I’d have to be careful what I shared in his presence until he reached an age that allowed him to deal with the problems of our world and keep secrets. Val wanted Leonas to remain shielded as long as possible but I needed to prepare him.
My phone rang. It was Rocco, which made my pulse speed up at once. He wouldn’t call so shortly before a meeting unless something had happened. “Yes?”
“I’m on my way, Dante. I have bad news.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve been reaching out to the MCs in Famiglia territory. They are impossible to negotiate with and stupid as toast but they can’t keep their big mouths shut. And they mentioned a very unfortunate development…”
My patience was running thin quickly. “Spill.”
“Orazio has found shelter in the Famiglia. Rumors has it he’ll take their tattoo and serve under Vitiello.”
My eyes darted to Giovanni who watched me with a small frown. Despite Leonas’ loud protest, he stopped spinning the chair and came toward me.
I swallowed. “Is this certain?”
“They mentioned a pregnant Asian cunt, their words not mine, at his side. They moved into an apartment building in the Upper East Side. High security.”
I looked away from Giovanni, feeling as if someone had punched my stomach. My fingers on the armrest tightened as fury and trepidation overwhelmed me. This was the worst possible news.
“I’m sorry, Dante,” Rocco said. “I know what it feels like to be betrayed by family. The Famiglia has stolen too many of ours. I’ll be at the mansion in ten minutes.”
“All right.” I hung up, then stared down at my fingers clutching my phone. This war had become very personal. More personal than I’d ever thought it could be.
“Dante?” Giovanni asked quietly.
I met his gaze, wondering how I’d tell him that his son had betrayed us in a way that made it impossible for me to show mercy. And to be honest, I had absolutely no intention to do so, even my love for Valentina didn’t change that. “Orazio has defected to the Famiglia.”
The color drained from Giovanni’s face. He shook his head slowly then stared toward Leonas.
I could only imagine what he felt now.
“I can’t tell Livia. I just can’t,” he rasped as he sagged down in the armchair. “She’s already been broken-hearted when she only thought he’d run away, but now… this? God.” He covered his eyes with hand and took a deep breath. When he looked at me after a couple of moments, his expression was more controlled. “What are we going to do?”
“We have to tell Val and Livia. News about this will spread. It’s impossible to keep something of this proportion a secret.”
Giovanni nodded but he didn’t say anything. His hands were shaking. I considered saying something to ease his pain but words seemed meaningless. What could I possibly say that would make losing your only son easier? Especially because I was the man who’d have to hunt him down and kill him.
Giovanni stood and I did the same. He came toward me on unsteady legs and straightened his shoulders as if he’d come to a decision. “I’ll step down from my position as Captain. I don’t have an heir… my son… my son’s become a traitor to the cause. Our men will ask you to find a new Captain who can take over.”
Leonas hopped off the chair and stumbled toward us. He hugged my leg, grinning up at us. I grasped Giovanni’s forearm hard. “I won’t allow you to give up your position, Giovanni. You have a duty to fulfill to the Outfit, to me, and to our family. I don’t care what anyone says. My word is law and I want you as my Underboss. No discussion.”
Giovanni hesitated then he inclined his head. “If that’s what you want.”