“Your father is going to be fine. He’s a stubborn bastard,” I assure her. There’s no way he’ll let this ailment take him down. Ion Petran isn’t that type of man. He’s a fighter.
“The medical field has advanced so much, Bianca. He’s going to be okay. I promise. He may have to step down, but he won’t be going anywhere.” Mircea chimes in, trying to show his support as well.
I nod my head in agreement and run my hand over her head, trying to calm her the only way I know how. However, this is all so fresh. This won’t go away overnight, but at least we know what we need to prepare for.
Epilogue
Bianca
Bianca
Five Years Later . . .
A chill brushes against my exposed shoulders as I walk down the street with Mihai, one of my most trusted guards, and my two-year-old American Mastiff, Elvis. Walking Elvis has become one of the only moments of solitude I can guarantee myself every day. However, I’ve come to realize after all these years that I will never have the pleasure of enjoying alone time like many people do. It simply isn’t possible, not with my position.
“You alright, Bianca?” Mihai asks in his deep, yet concerning voice.
He comes from one of the oldest Romanian families, and if it weren’t for Mircea’s father being so adamant about his family being inducted into the inner circle, I’m sure Mihai’s family would’ve been taking their place. I personally requested Mihai, knowing of his background in MMA as well as political sciences. He’s not only a man who can defend himself and protect his assignment, though is intelligent as well. All my life I’ve never enjoyed being hovered over like a child, but if I needed to have a security guard they might as well be someone I could have a decent conversation with.
Turning my face to look at him, I nod. “Yes, only a bit anxious. Seeing my father tends to continuously make things . . . more tense.”
“I can only imagine. He was a great leader, as you will be.” Mihai has always found a way to be a mind reader, knowing exactly what my inner demons are trying to convince me of. Deep down I know if my parents didn’t feel as though I was ready to take leadership of the Clans, they wouldn’t be giving it to me. Late at night it’s what I tell myself, and at the end of the day it’s what I’ll always tell myself. For I won’t let my insecurities take over and make me an even weaker woman for it.
I smile sweetly as Elvis tugs on the leash, turning my attention in front of me. He’s trying to drag me toward his favorite men on the planet— Stefan and Mircea.
“Bianca, can we bring Elvis? He loves the beach.” Daniella begs from the top of the stairs with a Prada bag tugged over her shoulder. I told her father we wouldn’t be spoiling her rotten like the other mafia daughters, but of course he couldn’t keep to his word. Daniella is his princess and he spoils her as so.
Pressing my lips together, I cock a brow.
“Yeah, Momma!” Cici, my youngest comes up beside her sister and grabs Daniella’s hand. “Please!”
“Fine, but you’re watching his klutzy butt. Am I clear?” I say to Daniella.
Her smile is wide enough to brighten anyone’s day as she pulls her sister down the stairs with her. “Yay! C’mon Elvis. You’re coming with us.” Elvis rushes quickly, panting while he struggles to pull me along with him.
I never saw myself as a dog person, but it’s evident they’re part of the family just as any human is. I walk along the cement sidewalk until I’m at the blacked-out SUV. It looks just like one does in the movies, with the shiny rims and tint so dark you can’t make anything out from the inside. I remember vehicles like this as a child, but man, they’ve really progressed over the years.
Mihai takes Elvis’ leash from my hands and opens the back door to the SUV, allowing the dog to settle back into the third row with our girls. As he unhooks Elvis’ leash, Stefan goes to the other captain’s seat, and I sit beside him, directly in front of Daniella. Mircea will sit in the passenger seat as he always does, directly beside Mihai.
I turn back to see Daniella has already helped Cici get into her car seat, and Elvis is sitting between the two of them happily. I open my mouth to ask Daniella a question about her schooling, when I see she’s rapidly texting away on her cellphone. Ah, teenagers.
“Everyone has what they need, correct?” Stefan looks back to the girls.
“Yes, Daddy. I already gave Mihai the bags earlier. They’re in the back.” Daniella replies in a snarky manner, getting a chuckle from him.
“Your mother’s attitude seeps out of you more and more every day,” He mutters under his breath with a laugh.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing!” Daniella quips.
Oh boy. We’re about to have a fight already. “Mihai, I think we’re good to go.” I say and he pulls out onto the street.
Our trip was agonizingly long, listening to Stefan and Daniella bicker more and more. Mircea and I figured out a few days ago the reason they’re becoming so snappy is because of Daniella’s age. Her birthday is tomorrow and she’ll be turning the special sixteen. She has no idea the entire reason we’re going to my parents estate in the Hamptons is because we’ve all planned a massive birthday party for her.
We pull down my parents driveway and Mihai enters the code in to pass through the gates. As he does so, I admire the serene New England charm. It’s always blown my mind how a short drive and we’re in what feels like a completely different world.
Mihai pulls the car in front of the guest house where we often stay
