Page 79 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

“She needs to be Italian for him.”

Calisto ignored the swell of annoyance flooding hisveins. The only reason Affonso would want him with an Italian was for heritagesake. Cosa Nostra would not accept boys into the fold who were not half Italianfrom their father’s side.

But it didn’t make a difference.

Calisto didn’t want his children in this life. He hadno plans to continue furthering his own career beyond what it was in lafamiglia. He didn’t need the heir his uncle wanted.

“I want information on that girl,” Affonso said,bringing Calisto out of his thoughts. “Find out who she is and where she comesfrom.”

You’ll be terribly surprised, Calisto thoughtwirily.

“You know,” Ray started to say, “You could alwaysforce Calisto’s hand into the boss’s seat, Affonso.”

Calisto turned into a statue on the stairs, hard inhis heart and heavy in his limbs.

“I could,” Affonso echoed.

“No one in la famiglia would turn him down as aboss. Once given it, he wouldn’t have a choice.”

“We rarely take it because we want it. It’s almostalways given to us or forced on us. It wouldn’t be any different, I suppose.”

“He couldn’t refuse,” Ray added. “Not if he wanted tolive. You’ve done this the nice way with him. Play a little dirty with him,instead, and see where it gets you.”

Calisto’s fingernails bit into his palms when hesqueezed his fists into tight balls.

“I don’t really have a choice,” Affonso murmured.“He’s the only boy I have—I made him, he’s mine regardless of what he believes.I molded him for this, Ray. He was always meant for this, I made sure of it. Hewon’t do it willingly, I tried.”

No, Affonso lied.

Over and over.

For years.

Affonso had pretended to be someone he wasn’t toCalisto. He’d hid secrets for years, and forced the one person who meant themost to Calisto into a corner, taking from her what wasn’t his to have.

Calisto despised this man.

His biological father—it made Calisto sick.

“He doesn’t have to do it willingly, Affonso,” Raysaid. “Consider it.”

“I am. Emma was my last shot at getting another boy. Ihave no other options.”

Calisto turned on his heel and took the stairs two ata time.

Affonso wouldn’t push Calisto into taking the boss’sseat. There was nothing the man could do that would make him give up his hatredenough to give Affonso what he wanted. Not after everything Affonso had done toCalisto and his mother.

He would never call Affonso his father.

He would not be Affonso’s heir.

His blood didn’t matter.

It never had.

Calisto glanced over his shoulder, feeling likesomeone was watching him. Sure enough, he found Emma’s intense jasmine gazezoning in on his back with enough rage to level him to the ground.

He was just shrugging on his coat to leave, but herone look stopped him. The house had felt like it was suffocating him for mostof the evening, but after overhearing Affonso and Ray’s conversation, it becameeven more unbearable.