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I regained control and realized I was already seated on the couch. Aryana was crouching in front of me, worry still on her face. I looked around and didn't see any sign of Tony.
"He left. He said there were things to do and would wait for you to give your orders." Aryana spoke up when she realized who I had been looking for. Her features twisted slightly in small confusion when she said the last word.
Orders.
That was right. My status had changed. I was no longer the heir. I was now the Don. The Romano family was now my responsibility. Despite preparing for this role for so many years, I was struck with a sense of helplessness. I felt so unprepared. Suddenly being thrust into this position, my nerves were lined with anxiety.
"I am so sorry," Aryana whispered.
Why was she apologizing? She hadn't done anything wrong.
"I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved your father.” She continued, and she wrapped her arms around me.
Loved, not ‘love.’
I buried my head between her neck and shoulder, soaking up all the comfort I could get. Her hands rubbed my back in a comforting gesture. I couldn't help but compare it to how my father would console me. I was wrong to do so, but I couldn’t help it. Despite the differences, it was still comforting.
“Do…do you want to talk about it?” Aryana cautiously asked. “It might make you feel better to talk about it.”
I stared at her. Was she trying to treat me like a patient who needed a psychologist? I didn’t want to be made into a mini project where she could put what she learned into practice, but on the other hand, I knew she didn’t mean it like that. She was just as lost as I was, though, not in the same sense. She probably didn’t know what to say, fearing I would lash out or clam up in my state. I was conflicted about whether to feel angry or grateful that she was trying to consul me.
No. I didn’t want to talk about it when I received the news of my father’s death less than an hour ago. It was too fresh to start reopening wounds that hadn’t even closed. I shook my head and finally moved her limbs to pull her over me so she could straddle me. As we hugged each other in silence, I finally allowed myself to focus on the rest of Tony’s words.
It had been an attack from the Saconnes. My father had gone out with his second-in-command, Alfonso. They had gone to one of our warehouses, where we were housing one of our drug supplies, where they had been ambushed. Tony said he wasn’t aware of how it had happened. He and the others under the Romano banner believed it to be an ambush because the building was already on fire when they arrived at the warehouse. My father had been shot, once in the heart. Tony and Marcello speculated that the fire had been lit to get rid of my father’s body and our supply.
I was hit with a wave of guilt when it made me remember Alfonso had been greatly injured with gun wounds on his arm and leg, along with temporary damage to his lungs due to all the smoke he had inhaled. I had only focused on my father, immediately forgetting about Alfonso, who had babysat me whenever my dad had to attend to our business.
Alfonso had been my father’s most trusted subordinate. My father trusted Alfonso so much that he entrusted me with his care. It could be said that both my father and Alfonso raised me. He was like an uncle to me. My uncle had been injured, shot in his arm and leg—no doubt to prevent him from reaching my father.
I gritted my teeth in anger and balled my hands into fists. How dare they? What had we ever done to the Saconnes to make them treat us so? We had been on good terms with the previous Don before he died and his eldest son, Tom, came into power. Since Tom became the Don of the Saconne family, he had been provoking my family because he wanted to consolidate more energy and was considered the weakest of the five families.
I wanted to scoff in disgust. Such a despicable excuse was the reason why he killed my father. I would get my revenge. I would spill Tom’s blood in retribution for my father’s death and destroy his family until they were scattered and homeless. I would take over my father’s position and terrorize our enemies.
I inhaled deeply and gently lifted Aryana off my lap before grabbing my phone. My face was set in grim determination as I scrolled through my contacts before tapping Tony’s name.
“Have you decided on what to do?” She softly asked.
I faced her. This was the mother of my unborn child and the woman I loved. I couldn’t be there for my father and protect him, leading to his death. I would be damned before I allowed anything to happen to Aryana, and the only way to keep her safe was to eliminate the Saconne family. This further deepened my resolve.
“I have,” I said while waiting for Tony to pick up the call.
“What are you going to do?” She asked, and at the same time, Tony picked up.
“Don,what are your orders?”
There was a sort of acceptance on her face, as if she knew what I had decided.
“Come here in two days. I’m coming back to Manhattan.”
Chapter 25
Aryana
Ever since the death of Mr. Romano, Alexander had been cold and distant. He barely ate or spoke. He time was consumed with finding as much information as possible on the Saconne family. I couldn’t say I was surprised at his decision to return. I would have done the same thing if I was in his shoes.
I was really worried about him. The Alexander I first gotten along with and developed feelings for was nowhere to be seen. All the smiles and teasing grins I had enjoyed seeing on his face were gone. The only expression on Alexander’s face was coldness or anger. I didn’t know what I could do for him. I had opted to give him time to himself, but I wasn’t sure.
Tomorrow was when we would set off and depart for Manhattan. I knew Alexander would probably feel angry that he had been hiding while his father had been killed. I only hoped that Alexander wouldn’t regret the time we shared. We made good memories here. I knew it sounded selfish, but I couldn’t help it.
