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Love is complicated. It’s not always straight arrowed like we’d hope. It doesn’t always knock you off your feet at first sight or take your breath away. But true love, however, conquers all barriers. It trims back the thorns that once pricked us. It teaches us, grows us, changes us, makes us whole.
Our love story is jagged and thorned, but the beauty is still found at the end, like the delicate and sweet-smelling petals of a rose, our love blooms. No matter how we got here, no matter the obstacles we have faced and those that still lie ahead of us. Together we are strong. We are bonded by this baby that has breathed new life into us, gifting us with a future of family and hope.
Love is not merciless. Love is forgiving, and it’s forever.
Fifty-Two
Luca
When you have taken as many lives as I have, creating one seems like the strangest thing. But, as I look down at my newborn son lying peacefully in my arms, it is the most incredible and humbling feeling in the world.
The moment I laid eyes on him everything immediately changed for me. I suddenly wanted to right all the wrongs that I’ve done in my life. I wanted to protect him from everyone, including the person I used to be.
This past month I have been haunted with doubts, so many doubts about what kind of father I would be. Yet, all those fears seem so insignificant now. The unconditional love I immediately felt in my heart the moment he was born sent all those fears and doubts away. I know without any uncertainty I will be the best version of myself for him.
From his tiny toes, right up to his sweet button nose, he is perfect. A dark head of hair like me, and hazel eyes just like his beautiful mother. Ten fingers and ten toes, he is healthy and handsome and so amazing. We named him Logan, in honor of Scarlet's late brother. I think that brings some comfort to Scarlet, and if I am honest, me too.
I look over to her, she is sound asleep on the hospital bed. Her labor was long and tiresome, but she did so well. I am so proud of her. It was not easy seeing her in so much pain, and not being able to do anything about it was the worst. I swear, men may not have to go through the perils of labor, but it is another form of torture on its own watching it, being so helpless. I just wanted to take it all away from her.
The last month and a half we have spent in Italy have been the best months of my life. I have discovered a whole side of Scarlet that I had never seen before. It has been amazing getting to know her in a new light. She is calm, relaxed, and quietly confident. It makes me love her so much more. I already knew how witty she was, but now that I don’t need to kill her, I find the humor in it.
In the final weeks of Scarlet's pregnancy, while our baby grew inside her belly, we too grew as a couple. We became in sync with one another, spending our days learning to live with one another as two new people. At night when I am holding her, I can't imagine how life could possibly get any better than this.
We have decided to stay in Italy for the foreseeable future. Life would be too complicated and too dangerous for us back in America. I have way too many enemies that would endanger not only my life, but Scarlet and Logan’s also. Nicolai has agreed that it would be best for me to remain here, at least for now.
I have been throwing some ideas around with Nicolai and Alessio the past few weeks about what I can contribute to our family now that I am no longer the enforcer. I needed to find something I have a passion for, one I could mold into a profitable enterprise and something that would effectively keep me occupied and happy. It was a simple decision in the end, really. What was the one constant and reliable weapon I used my entire adult life to numb myself? Whiskey. That sweet amber liquid that dominates your mouth with heat and comfort all at once.
I have acquired a distillery here in Italy with a plan to produce the best whiskey in the country. Both Nicolai and Alessio have agreed to help get it up and running, and Elijah has offered his distribution services, starting in his club back in New York. It helps that we, as Valsettis, have strong business connections that will ensure its success.
Logan begins to stir and cry in my arms. “Shh, we don't want to wake Mommy,” I whisper to him as I rock him gently. His little head begins to move around, side to side, mouth open.
“I think he’s hungry.” Scarlet yawns, sitting up in the bed. “Here, bring him to me.” She reaches out her arms and takes Logan from me. I take a seat next to her and watch her intently as she begins to feed him. She is a calm mother, like it comes naturally to her. As I watch her feed my son, my mind wanders back over the past twelve months and all the obstacles we’ve had. It has all led us to this moment.
I strongly believe that certain people collide with us for a reason. They come into your life for a specific purpose. Some stay, and others leave once their destiny has been fulfilled. Scarlet saved me. She entered my world in a whirlwind of chaos, caught me in the riptide, and threw me a lifeline. I was drowning, sinking in the darkness, and she breathed new life back into me, giving me a greater purpose. Fatherhood.
Six Months Later
While my body is still branded with my sins from the past, my mind feels peaceful. When you have something new to focus on, the mind has an incredible way of healing itself. The nightmares have ceased, the guilt has faded, and my old self seems like a blurry distant memory.
The distillery takes up most of my time. We have almost finished the renovations, and the business plan is to start production within the next month. Apart from drinking it, I didn’t know the first thing about the whiskey process. So, I hired a master distiller who brought with him a team of specialists in the field.
Even though Scarlet and I have decided to call Italy home now, we still have a security team that watches over us. It is to ensure the safety of Logan and Scarlet because with as much as I have moved on, when you've done the things that I have done, the past can never truly be ever left behind. There’s a little bit of it that you carry with you always. The fear is still ever-present that someone will come for me and seek their vengeance. But if or when they come, I will be ready for them. I am still a Valsetti, after all, and I still live by my family's motto. Pride, power, and protection. Yet, it has taken on a whole new meaning for me now. Pride- Is the honor I hold for my new family, the one I created. Power- The strength I get from Scarlet and Logan’s love for me and mine for them. Protection- I will guard them with my very life. When it comes to protecting my family, I am still, and will always be, the Merciless King.
Epilogue
Scarlet
Luca has been gone for four days. It's the longest we’ve been apart in the last twelve months. He's getting everything organized for the whiskey distillery grand opening in a few days’ time.
Logan squishes his little nose against the window, looking down over the bay of Naples. For such a small child, he waits so patiently. Pumpkin rubs his head against Logan’s before sitting next to him. They have been doing this every afternoon since Luca has been away. They sit together and wait for Luca to come home. It’s adorable. Logan doesn’t understand when I tell him he’s not coming home until tomorrow. When they are that little, they don’t have the concept of understanding time.
Life is so easy here in Italy. I feel safe and happy. Logan is the sweetest little boy; he fills my days with so much love and joy. I try to use the opportunity when he sleeps to write. Luca encourages me to still pursue my passion as he is his. I feel so grateful every day for us and what we have built together. Our family is everything to us, and we cherish every moment we all have together.
The door to our villa opens, and Luca walks in looking pleased with himself.
“You’re home early.”
“Surprise.” He smiles, holding up a document tube. “The blueprints are here. I couldn’t wait to show you.”
