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Bosco nods to Massimo who slides out the door. No doubt going to get Mario. “I won’t leave your side. Like I said. This changes nothing between us. I’m still you dad.”
“What if he wants a relationship with me too?”
“Then you have it. I won’t stop you. He and I have already spoken. We understand this is big news to you. To all of us. We both want what is best for you. If you want us both in your life, both as your dads, then we are. If you want me to back off so you can get to know him…” He doesn’t get to finish. Milan relaunches into his arms.
Massimo returns with Mario.
“Never. I don’t want you to go anywhere.”
Bosco places a kiss to her forehead. “Then I won’t.” He pulls her back a little so he can wipe her tears. “Ready?” She hasn’t seen Mario yet.
He hadn’t known the truth about her until earlier today. We’re not sure if Ravinia even knew.
Mario had admitted to being seduced by Ravinia one night when he was on guard at the penthouse. Mario had been so guilty that he betrayed the boss that he considered turning himself in for punishment for months. It wasn’t until Ravinia had learned she was pregnant that he knew he could never come clean. And he never allowed Ravinia to get her claws in him or any other guard again. Mario had said that Bosco was happy to be expecting a child that he couldn’t spoil the news with the knowledge of Ravinia’s adultery.
Bosco forgave him quickly. He knew what Ravinia was like. How she was when she got an idea in her head. If Bosco didn’t care for Milan the way he did, I have no doubt that his attitude towards Mario would be different. Bosco hid it well but the betrayal cut him deep. A mafia man would want retribution. For Milan he was letting it go. She deserved to get to know her biological father.
It’s strange. Mario had been Milan’s guard since she was an infant. He had held her the day she was born and never knew it was his child he held.
Fuck.
I feel the tears build in my eyes again. She had two fathers all along. Milan and Mario hadn’t known the truth but Mario had always been by her side. I had seen it before even I knew the truth. He was more than a guard to her. He was more like an uncle.
Milan peaks around Bosco’s broad shoulders. Her gaze travels the room. The land for a few seconds on me before they move on. “Mario?”
“Hi Milan.” Mario stands stiffly by the door. It’s easy to tell how nervous he is. She could reject him.
She doesn’t.
She runs to him. “I’m glad it’s you.”
Mario visibly relaxes. His arms cradle Milan to his chest. “Me too. I would hate to have to share you with anyone else cupcake.”
Bosco smiles contentedly at them. They were going to be just fine. All three of them.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Elena
WHILE EVERYONE WASwatching the new dynamic unfold between Bosco, Milan, and Mario I slipped out of Luca’s hold and made my way back to the basement. I couldn’t watch anymore. It hurt too much. Milan had a relationship with two dads while I had none. Even if I let Bosco in now, it would be too late. He didn’t help raise me. He didn’t get to pick me up when I fell down. I didn’t have dance recitals he could attend, or monsters under the bed he could slay.
I had bigger monsters. Ones that I had to fight myself long before any kid should have had to. I know it’s not his fault. He didn’t know I existed.
Still. It hurts.
As I round the corner to where Mom’s make-shift hospital room is, I am hit again with the reality of my upbringing.
I don’t have a family. Not truly. Even on the run for twenty years mom hasn’t been forgotten from hers. I watch on as she laughs with her parents. The grandparents I never knew, who still have made no real effort to get to know me. Not that I blame them. I’ve been busy. Plus, I don’t know what to say.
We have nothing in common. My grandmother likes to garden. We never stayed anywhere long enough for me to see a plant grow. Grandpa likes the Chicago Bears. I’ve never watched a football game.
For protection, my mother’s extended family is here too. There are a dozen of them. Aunt, Uncles, and Cousins all catching mom up on what she missed the last two decades. I feel like a stranger watching them. I have no connection to them. Not really. The Violet they remember is not the Violet I was raised by. She had to change and adapt to protect me. Being with them again, I can see her changing, becoming the woman she was before we had to run. Her walls are dropping fast. The fear to hold people at arm’s length is gone for her.
Pain radiates from my chest. She won’t run again with me. This is the life she should have always had. She will be safe here. I’ll make sure she is.
The Caruso family Doctor is going to do the Kidney transplant tomorrow morning and oversee her and my Aunt’s recover. Mom had two matches in the family. They both agreed to donate. After a brief playful fight Aunt Jenna won.
I need to make sure it is safe for her. I need to finish the job I started. There are still a few names on my list. I need to take care of them. The Cartel needs to be stopped.
