Then Giuliano sighs. “All this for a son you are yet to possess,” Giuliano looks at me with vague interest. “Although I do hear that you’ve purchased a mistress.”
I try not to reveal the anger that stirs within me at the mention of Cas.
But Giuliano seems to notice my reaction anyway and chuckles to himself. “I suppose a grandchild is a grandchild, even if it is a bastard.”
“You would feel an affinity to bastards, wouldn’t you? Considering you are one.” It’s too easy for me to kick at an old wound. “But unlike you, my children will not have to kill each other in order to take their due inheritance.”
A darkness clouds over Giuliano’s expression, and I force myself to remain steadfast. “My half-brother was unworthy of the Mafioso. When the time comes, the precedent you set won't matter. Your children will kill for that power, too.”
“I will not allow it,” I declare.
“It won’t matter.” Giuliano’s cruel expression only deepens as he approaches. “You presume to control something you cannot.”
“I will raise my sons with honor.”
Giuliano laughs. “As I raisedmyson to scorn such idealistic weakness. And look how that turned out.”
I can’t help but flinch at his words.
Scorchedwould be a better word to describe what he had done to me. The evidence of which had long been concealed by the tattoos that now spread across my skin.
Giuliano Moretti is a monster, intent on nothing more than taking out his displeasure on all those who disappoint him. My mere existence is the greatest disappointment of all.
Perhaps I should wear his disapproval as a badge of honor.
“I am done here.” I turn away from my father and head back toward the door.
But Giuliano stops me in my tracks. “You dismissed Esther Romario from your inner circle. How long will it be until you revoke the other promises you made me?”
“Esther was tired. Old. There was no other motivation for the dismissal.”
“She didn’t suggest you reinstate me then?”
I turn back to level him with a glare. “I ask you not to interfere with my governance of the Guild. I will not ask again.”
Giuliano just smiles back at me. “There are still those that will support my claim as the rightful don. You should be careful not to break any more of the sanctions on my list, or else who knows the wrath you may invoke.”
“I have little fear of Claudio Lazzaro’s wrath if that’s what you refer to.”
Something ignites behind Giuliano’s expression. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” I turn back to him, daring a step forward. “Why should such a lowlife appear on your list at all, then?”
“He is instrumental in our operations.”
“He grooms women to perform at theCandelabra.He is in no way vital.” I step closer. “In fact, it seems the only person to believe so is you. Why would that be?”
“He has exhibited great loyalty to me.”
I feign a pitying look. “But not to me, his actual don. Perhaps I will kill him after all.”
“He remains on my list.”
“And on mine for Bellini’s conspirators,” I reveal, watching the former don’t face intently. “I would be careful how muchyou defend him, or else some might think you were actively campaigning against the Guild.”
Something in Giuliano’s temple twitches, and I instinctively brace myself for a blow that never comes.
“You dare accuse me of such a thing?” Giuliano stalks forward to me.
