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"Where is Cass?" Theresa asks. "I haven't seen her these past few days."
"Oh, didn't I mention, she's taking a sabbatical." Karma jerks her chin in Elsa's direction. "I think helping you find the courage to take down your ex, gave her the courage to face her past."
"I’m glad." Elsa says softly.
"Hold on—" I point a finger at her. "You shot your ex?" I take a few steps back. The backs of my knees hit a chair and I sink into it. "Did you… did you…"
"I killed him." She firms her lips. "He'd already hurt Seb, and he abused me all through our marriage. He kept Avery from me, used her to make my life a living hell. He used my own needs against me. He deserved to die."
O-k-a-y, this wasn’t what I expected to hear. It’s bad enough that Luca is aCapoof theCosa Nostra. And his brothers are Mafia men. I’d expected their wives, however, to be free of any criminal activities. Isn’t that how Mafia families work? The men protect their women and prefer the females to stay away from any of their business dealings? Apparently, not with the Sovranos.
"I’ve shocked you." She searches my features. "A few months ago, if you’d told me I’d be married to a Mafia man and shoot my abusive ex—who totally deserved it, by the way—I’d have the same reaction."
"So, what changed?" I wring my hands. "From what you say, your ex was a bad man, but don’t we have the law to deal with such things? Shouldn’t we let the police and the criminal justice system bring the wrongdoers to heel?"
"My ex was the commissioner of police. He had the cops and the judges in his pocket. If I hadn’t done what I did, when I did it, he’d have made sure I never got to see Avery again." She scoops up the still sleeping Avery and holds her closer.
"But did you have to kill him?"
"It was either him or Seb. Either him or losing my child. Either him or losing my own life. When it comes to my daughter and Seb, I’ll do anything to protect them."
Oh, wow. I don’t agree with what she did, but I understand the sentiments behind it… I think? Would I do the same if I were in a similar situation? Would my emotions overrule all logic, too? Is this how people react in fight or flight situations? My head spins.
Karma comes over to sit down in the chair next to me. She takes my hand in hers. "I can see we’ve given you a lot to think about. But you should know that the Sovranos will do anything for their women. Far from treating us as second-class citizens, they make their decisions based on us. They’d protect us and our children with their lives. While each of the brothers, so far, started out on the path to love with the wrong intentions, they ended up in the right place. They fell in love with their women, groveled for their forgiveness, and turned out to be the most exemplary of husbands. In fact, Michael is converting the Sovrano businesses into legal entities. It’s only a matter of time before they turn legit."
I start. "You mean the dreadedCosa Nostrais moving away from criminal activities?"
She nods. "I never asked him to. But he decided he has too much to lose now, so he’s committed to selling off or handing over the illegal activities to other clans."
"Somehow, I can’t see Luca agreeing to this." I hunch my shoulders. "The man has theCosa Nostraphilosophy running through his veins."
"And now he has you."
38
Luca
"You want to do what?" I scowl at Michael. He lounges deeper into his chair behind the massive desk in his study. My oldest brother is every inch the Don of theCosa Nostraas he places his elbows on the table and touches the tips of his fingers together.
"This shouldn’t come as a shock to you, Luca. After all, we have been talking about legitimizing our businesses for some time now," he replies.
"So, we become like the pigs and the politicians who pretend to be on the right side of the law but take bribes on the side and grant contracts only to those who’ll offer them kickbacks. At least, in our line of work, we make no bones about where we stand."
"I understand your anger." Michael fixes me with a steady gaze. "Of all of us, you are the most committed to theCosa Nostra’s way of life. It’s in your blood—"
"And yours." I cross my arms across my chest. "You were groomed to become Don of theCosa Nostra. This is what you always wanted. And now, when you have it, you’re ready to leave it all behind? Have you thought about what your identity is going to be once you legalize the businesses? Once you are no longer known for the power and influence you wield... Once you become a member of the normal populace, all you will be is a man—"
"And a husband and a father." His gaze softens. "Now that you’re married, I’m sure you understand that my family comes first. I will not endanger their lives by becoming the target of our rivals. I will not risk painting a target on my back when I know they need me. I want to see my children grow up. I want to grow old with Karma. Surely, you understand that?"
"All I understand is that you’re a coward. You’re ready to give up the legacy that you were born into, that all of us strove for so long to nurture. You’re ready to leave behind everything that we’ve built this far. You’ll never be happy when you give up your title and your power, Don."
"Are you talking about me or you? Are you worried about what your identity is going to be when you are no longer theCapo? Or maybe it’s something else entirely?" He tilts his head. "Maybe you’re frustrated about your decision to get married. Maybe you decided to rush your wedding and are regretting it already. Maybe—"
I close the distance between us and slam my fist on his desk with so much force that the wood cracks. Pens and papers roll off. A glass of water crashes to the floor and shatters.
Silence blankets the room. Behind me, I sense my other brothers stiffen. The tension in the suddenly tiny space ratchets up.
"You’ve been through a lot in the last few days, so I’ll forgive you this indiscretion." Michael’s voice is nonchalant. "Nothing you say or do is going to change my mind in this regard. Wewilllegitimize our businesses. Iwillmove from being the Don to the Chairman of our new group of companies.Youwill learn to be CEO instead ofCapo. As will your brothers."
