“It’s okay,Papi.”
“It’s not.” He lowered his head and sighed. “It’s not. But I want to change. I’m going to resign as mayor.”
My eyes widened as the words I never thought my father would ever be capable of saying spilled from his mouth.
“What?Papi, you can’t! You worked so hard for this. Is this because of me being married to Sani?”
He laughed. “Well, it does make things rather difficult, but no, that is not the only reason. I’ll forever be in debt to the Buccinis for keeping you safe and handling this Sean character in a way I never could, but I cannot compromise my morals and agree to partner with them illegally. However, it’s bigger than that.”
He pulled out a plane ticket from his pocket. “I nearly died, Aria, and I realised as my life flashed before my eyes that all it was made up of was work. I’ve never even left Italy, but I’ve always wanted to. Santino thinks it’s best if I leave the country until Sean is dealt with, so I can’t be used against you. But it feels like I am abandoning you all over again.”
“You’re not! I know you’re not. Santino is right,Papi. It’s safer for both of us if you disappear for a while. And you deserve to see the world like you and Mum talked about.”
“I’ll travel to all the places she wanted to see and take her with me,” he said,placing his hand on his chest. Tears slid down my cheeks as I smiled. “I would love it if you would come with me, but I know the safest place for you right now is here. But I promise, one day we will go on a trip together. If you’d like that.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed him. He hugged me back just as tightly when I muttered, “I’d really like that.”
AfterPapileft, I took a walk around the sprawling grounds of the Buccini mansion, trying to get familiar with my temporary home. Besides the lovely landscaping, there was a stunning swimming pool with outdoor seating and a BBQ area, two tennis courts, stables and horses at the far end, and an impressive botanic garden sheltered behind a smaller wooden building that looked like an art studio. If it wasn’t for the strange, intimidating statues of armed men scattered around, I’d have felt like I was on holiday at a five-star resort.
Pushing open the gate to the botanical garden, I wandered around and admired the wide variety of plants and trees until I heard voices coming from behind the large water feature.
“If you agree, Alessio will feel better about making this decision despite how everyone else feels,” Raya said in a pleading tone.
“It goes against yourpapi’swishes,” Cecilia replied sharply. “He will never agree, and I won’t go against him.”
Raya sighed. A silence fell. Cecilia was once again confusing timelines, believing Vincenzo was still alive. I paused, uncertain whether I should slip back out or make myself known.
“Mamma,” Raya said softly. “I need you to support me in this.”
“You should marry for love.”
I couldn’t agree more. Raya shouldn’t have to do this. The last thing I wanted was for any of this family to sacrifice themselves to keep me safe from Sean McKenna.
Stepping around the water fountain, I gave them an apologetic smile when they noticed me.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was out for a walk and overheard you talking. Do you mind if I join you?”
Soraya nodded and pointed to the padded sun lounger beside her as Cecilia examined me from head to toe with a puzzled look. There was a flash of recognition in her eyes, but she couldn’t quite place me.
“Grazie,”I said, taking a seat and smiling at my mother-in-law. I extended my hand to her as if we were meeting for the first time. “I’m Arianna.”
She squeezed it before letting go. “Lovely name.”
“Sani’s wife,Mamma,” Raya said, her pained hazel eyes flickering between us. “The woman we are trying to protect from Sean McKenna.”
Cecilia’s face dropped at my uncle’s name, her complexion paling. “Oh, yes. We must keep you far, far away from him. We will never do business with the McKennas. Not after what he did. That poor family. Awful, awful man.”
Soraya breathed out on a deep exhale. “Which is why offering me in marriage to the Russians is the best plan we have.”
“There must be something else. Another deal we can offer the Russians that doesn’t involve marriage?” I asked, my panic flaring.
Raya shook her head decisively. “The Bratva only align themselves through blood or marriage. They have very strict and traditional rules. You are Sean’s only opportunity to get the Russians to form an alliance with him. He won’t stop coming after you. And if he succeeds, he would come for all of us next, and my brother would be dead. Because Sani will get himself killed before he lets you go.”
I swallowed and looked down at my hands. I knew she was right.
“There must be no war. If the Russians join the Irish…” Cecilia shuddered, staring at the flowers. “It will end everything we’ve built.”
“Exactly,Mamma,”Raya jumped at her mother’s moment of clarity. “We need to form an alliance with the Russians. It’s the only way to protect this family and Arianna.”
