I shook my head slowly. “He’d never do it.”
“He would. For you. He’d do anything for you. Even that. He loves you more than anything else.”
“The person he loves would never ask him to disinherit his child.”
Mansueto’s eyes became imploring. “Then don’t ask him. You could let the truth slip by accident. If people find out about Daniele’s father, they’d never accept him as Underboss in the Famiglia. Incest is something shameful and disgusting.”
“Daniele and Simona can’t help who their parents are.”
“Giulia—”
“No,” I said firmly. “You know I respect you, Mansueto, but that you even consider suggesting something like that…” I took a deep breath. “I won’t do it. I’ll pretend you never even asked me.” I moved closer to him and took his wrinkly pale hand again. “Promise me not to tell it to anyone. Promise.”
Mansueto sighed, his eyes tightening with regret.
My pulse sped up. “Who? Who have you told?”
“Your father.”
How could he have told my father? He might as well have announced it on the news!
I turned around and hurried out of the hospital room, almost colliding with Mia on my way out. She steadied me with a firm grip on my shoulder. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
I forced a smile. “I forgot about an appointment. I’m sorry. I need to leave.”
“Okay.” Hesitation and worry reflected on her face.
Elia, who’d waited in the corridor for me, fell into step beside me, but I motioned for him to give me some privacy as I called Dad.
He picked up after the second ring, his voice cheerful. Of course, he was ecstatic. “Giulia, how’s my grandson?”
“Don’t tell anyone, Dad. Don’t. Swear it.”
Silence on the other end. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about. Daniele and Simona. Don’t tell anyone what Mansueto told you.”
“Giulia,” Dad began as if he was still talking to my naïve seven-year-old self.
“Dad, I mean it. I don’t want the news to get out. You are the only one who could spread it.” My steps became faster, but the additional weight of my belly made me slow, and I had to wait for the elevator because taking the staircase was out of the question.
“You can’t expect me to sit on information that can lead to my grandson, my own flesh and blood, to becoming Underboss. You should want that too. Do you want your son to be only a Captain and serve under the result of incestuous adultery?”
I gritted my teeth against the insult. Elia watched me worriedly as we took the elevator down to the underground garage. “I’m coming to Baltimore. Don’t talk to anyone. I’ll be there in two hours. Swear it.”
Dad sighed. “I swear it. I’m going to tell your mother to have the cooks prepare a nice dinner for us.”
I hung up. “We need to drive to Baltimore.”
Elia frowned. “To your parents’ home?”
“Yes. We have to leave right away.”
Elia led me toward the car and opened the door for me.
“You need to tell Cassio first.”
I sank down on the passenger seat as Elia slipped behind the steering wheel. I dialed Cassio’s number but got the busy signal. Luca was in town to talk to Cassio and Mansueto. Everyone knew that Mansueto didn’t have long. Maybe Cassio was in a conference call with other Underbosses and his Capo. “We can’t wait until I can reach him. It’s urgent.”
Elia gave a terse nod and pulled out of the parking garage. Traffic was horrendous, and my worry increased with every passing second. Eventually, Cassio called me back.
“Are you all right?” The worry in his voice warmed my insides.
“I’m fine. The baby’s fine too. Don’t worry. I’m on my way to my parents.”
“What’s the matter?”
I hated lying to Cassio, but I didn’t know what else to do. “My mother broke down today. I just want to make sure she’s fine, and they’ve been asking me to visit for a while.”
“Isn’t it too strenuous in your state?”
I huffed. “I’m pregnant, not sick.”
“Be careful. Elia is with you, I assume?”
“Of course. And my parents have their own bodyguards, not to mention Christian will be there as well.”
“That’s good. Unlike your father, he’s a capable man.”
Usually I defended my father, but today I couldn’t find the words. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. I’ll have dinner with them and spend the night.”
“Okay,” Cassio said. In the background, I could hear male voices. “I love you,” he said quietly so no one but me could hear.
“And I love you.”
I hung up, more resolved than before. Elia regarded me closely. “Is there anything I should know?”
“No.” I softened the word with a smile. It was bad enough that Mansueto had told my father. Knowing him, he’d probably already passed the news on to Mom and Christian. It was only a matter of time before it spread like wildfire. I didn’t even want to imagine what it would do to Daniele and Simona.
I fell asleep after a while. Elia woke me when we pulled up in front of my old home. Elia got out and held the door open for me.
Mom and Dad waited on the porch, both of them beaming like a kid on Christmas morning. I wished it wasn’t because of something that could destroy the people I loved most in the world.
I headed toward them and hugged them briefly. Christian waited behind them for his turn. “You’re growing bigger every day.”
“That’s not something you should tell a woman,” I told Christian. “Are you alone?”
“The flu has taken hold of our house. I’m the last man standing.”
I smiled but it fell when I met Dad’s gaze.
“You must be hungry,” Mom said eagerly, motioning for me to follow her into the dining room. I gave Elia a small nod so he knew it was okay to leave. He went into our guard room.
We all settled at the table. Once the maid had served dinner and disappeared, I bridged the subject. “I assume Dad told
