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He squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I know,gattina(kitten), but it doesn't change the situation."
"Are you going to stay?"
He shook his head decisively. "No. I can’t, and I won’t."
I was relieved. As much as I wanted to support Emilio, the idea of him staying within the mafia's clutches made me uneasy. The dangers that came with that world weren't something I wanted for him—or our child.
"I can't believe his influence still reaches beyond the grave," I commented, frustration in my voice. "How could he treat you that way for so many years and yet practically make you his successor? What exactly was he thinking when he did that?”
Emilio sighed. The heaviness of the situation was evident in his eyes.
"Before I left, my father's lawyer came by to give me an envelope," he revealed, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the pocket of his jacket where the message was stowed. "Something he asked the lawyer to pass on to me."
"Where is it now?" I asked softly.
"It's still in my pocket," he replied, his voice tinged with hesitation. "I don't think I'm ready to read it, at least not yet."
"You don't have to force yourself," I assured him, moving closer and wrapping my arms around his waist. He reciprocated, encircling me in his warm embrace.
"It's just... I need time," he murmured, resting his head on mine.
"And you'll read it when you're ready," I affirmed, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
Chapter 34
Emilio
Tiredoflyingdownwhile still covered with body fluids, Griselda and I both agreed it was time to wash up and we decided to do it together.
We walked into the bathroom hand in hand, the familiar comfort of her touch grounding me. It was strange how even the mundane task of showering became something more when shared with someone you love.
We turned on the water, letting it warm up. The sound of it splashing against the tiles was soothing. As we stepped under the spray, the warmth enveloped us, a gentle caress against our bodies.
We took turns lathering each other with soap and as the water rinsed away the suds, it felt like it was also washing away the worries and anxieties of the day. Griselda stood on her tiptoes to press a tender kiss on my lips, a simple yet meaningful gesture that filled my heart with warmth.
Griselda and I finally emerged from the warmth of the shower, the droplets of water still glistening on our skin. We quickly dried off and threw on some cozy, casual clothes, not bothering with anything too fancy since it was already late in the evening.
"I'm thinking of whipping up a quick bruschetta. Does that sound good to you?"
WE moved to the kitchen and I pulled out a loaf of crusty bread from the pantry and started slicing it into thick, uneven pieces.
I toasted them lightly, and the aroma of the freshly baked bread began to fill the room, mingling with the scent of the brewing coffee.
Griselda leaned against the counter with her eyes fixed on me.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
I paused in my actions.
"I don't know," I admitted, the heaviness of my uncertainty tainting the warmth of the kitchen. "It's not easy. I can't just dissolve the family. It would create chaos, not just for us but for so many others as well."
There was no doubt that the word had spread about my newfound role as Don, and it was inevitable that our enemies would be on high alert, ready to stir up trouble. The mafia's protection had shifted from an inconvenience to essential.
Walking away from the mafia wasn't something I could afford now, especially with the added security and peace of mind it provided for myself, Griselda, and our imminent bundle of joy.
She reached out to touch my arm, her gentle caress a silent reassurance that we were in this together.
"I understand," she whispered, her voice soft yet laced with worry. "But I worry too, Emilio. I want us to have a future where we don't have to constantly look over our shoulders, where we can live without fear."
