AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I turned on my heel and left the warehouse, Riccardo following closely behind. As we climbed back into the car, I thought about the events that had just transpired. Was I too trusting? Was this decision foolishly impulsive? Only time would tell if these men could truly be loyal to the Romano family.
As Riccardo joined me in the car, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. “Riccardo, find the families of those three men and set up protection for them now,” I commanded.
“Of course, boss,” he replied without hesitation, already making calls to get things moving.
As we drove back to the mansion, my mind wandered to Liliana. I thought that her influence on me was becoming more and more evident. In the past, I might have been less inclined to offer protection to the families of former enemies, but now, the thought of leaving women and children in danger was unfathomable. I found myself smiling at the thought of how she had changed me – making me into a man who not only sought power and control, but also one who valued the safety and well-being of others.
This new, more protective side of me was something I never thought I’d embrace. Yet, as I considered the possibilities ahead, I realized that it was an essential part of who I was becoming, and who I wanted to be. A don who wielded power with a firm hand, but also offered security and loyalty to those who proved themselves worthy.
“Things are changing, Riccardo,” I said, staring out the window at the passing cityscape. “And I have a feeling they’re changing for the better.”
“Change can be good, boss,” Riccardo agreed, his voice filled with unwavering loyalty. “Especially when it comes from the heart.”
On the drive, I thought about George and his concern for Liliana. It was clear that he still cared deeply for her safety, even after being reassigned to the warehouse. A small pang of regret hit me; had I been too harsh in punishing him for his previous mistake? I found myself weighing the pros and cons of potentially bringing him back to work at the house.
“Nicholas,” Riccardo said, interrupting my thoughts. “You’ve been quiet ever since we left the warehouse. Is everything all right?”
“Riccardo, do you think I made the right decision with George?” I asked, seeking guidance from my trusted friend. “Do you think there’s a chance he can redeem himself?”
“Boss, people make mistakes,” Riccardo replied with sincerity. “George is loyal to the family, and he’s always been dedicated to protecting Mrs. R. If he does a good job with those three Bianchi men, maybe it’s worth considering giving him a second chance.”
“Thank you, Riccardo,” I said, genuinely appreciating his input. “I’ll take that under advisement.”
Chapter 6
Liliana
The moment I entered the bedroom, I knew something was wrong. Nicholas had been unusually quiet all evening, and now he stood by the window, his tall silhouette framed by the moonlight, lost in thought. He’d been like this for the better part of a week and still hadn’t told me why.
“Nicholas?” I ventured hesitantly, “Is everything all right?”
His gaze shifted toward me, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability in those usually commanding eyes. He let out a deep breath and gestured toward the couch. “Liliana, there’s something we need to talk about, something I only found out about recently.”
“What is it? Is everything okay?”
He took my hand in his and held it tight. “I’m afraid not.”
My heart caught in my throat as I followed him to the couch. What could be so important that it put such a somber expression on his face? A dreadful thought seeped into my mind. Could it be that he couldn’t father children? The idea crushed me like a vice, but I steeled myself. He was my husband, and I loved him deeply. We could adopt children, build our family another way. It didn’t matter how they came to us, as long as we were together.
Nicholas sat down on the couch, his broad shoulders tense, and I could see him steeling himself for whatever revelation he was about to share. The sight of him so serious, so worried, made my palms sweat and my heart race. He took my hands in his, and I tried to prepare myself for the worst.
Before I say anything, Liliana,” Nicholas began, his voice low and grave, “I want you to know that this information came as a shock to me too, and my only concern is your well-being.”
My heart pounded in my chest. What could he possibly have to tell me that would affect my well-being? Fear started to creep into my mind as I waited for him to continue.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Just tell me, Nicholas. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.”
He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. “It’s about your father and his potential involvement in your mother’s death.” His grip tightened around my hands as if bracing for impact. “I’ve recently discovered that your father was with your mother just a few minutes before she died.”
My world stopped spinning, and I felt as though I had been slapped. The room blurred in front of me, and I struggled to breathe. My father? With my mother just before her death? It made no sense. He had always said he was on the other side of town when it happened, filled with regret for not being there to protect her.
“Are you… are you sure?” I managed to choke out, my voice barely audible.
“We don’t have all the evidence, but enough that you should know,” Nicholas replied, his eyes filled with sympathy. “I didn’t want to show you the photos and videos to you without explaining first.”
My heart twisted in my chest, torn between disbelief and a chilling fear. If what Nicholas was saying was true, then my father was a bigger liar than I ever knew. He lied to his men, he lied to other mafia families, he lied to David and me, but I never thought he’d lie about something this important.
“Please, show me,” I said, my voice trembling.
