Christian nodded grimly. His tight expression made it clear he disapproved of it.
Mom pursed her lips. “You should be ecstatic, Giulia. This is your chance.”
My eyebrows shot up. How was that my chance? I wasn’t going to become Underboss. “I don’t want the news to get out.”
“You should want what’s best for your child,” Dad said in a reprimanding voice.
I exploded. “Is that so? Was it for my best when you married me off to a man you described as the cruelest Underboss in the Famiglia, a man almost twice my age? Was that for my best or yours, Dad?”
Dad’s face became stone. He glared down at his plate. I almost felt guilty because despite all his faults, I loved him. He’d been a better father than many other men in our world.
“How can you speak in that tone to your father? Show some respect,” Mom hissed.
I took a bite of the beef tenderloin, trying to stay calm. Keeping a level head had become more difficult since pregnancy hormones were in play. “I respect you, but your ambition is going to ruin everything. I don’t care if this baby becomes Underboss. I want only the best for him, but becoming a leader in our world isn’t part of it.”
“You were always a dreamer, Giulia. It’s what I love about you,” Dad said, breaking through my rising anger until his next words. “But as a man, I can’t afford irrational daydreams. I know the realities of our life. And the truth is that all that matters is a position of power. I won’t have the son of a cheating whore as an Underboss. Our grandson will rule over Philadelphia and no one else.”
“Dad,” Christian began with a frown.
“No, I won’t discuss the matter further. Once you’re Underboss next year, you can make the decisions, but now it’s still my word ruling in this home and city. I don’t care if I have to tell the truth to every member of the Famiglia myself as long as it means our blood will rule in Philadelphia.”
I dropped my fork and stood. “If that’s the case, today is the last time you’ll see me.”
Christian touched my arm. “Stay. You shouldn’t drive back again so soon in your state.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I won’t stay in this house for another second.”
Dad rose from his chair. “I’m doing this for our family. You’ll realize it once your son is born, and then you’ll thank me.”
I smiled sadly, tears stinging in my eyes. “You’re wrong, but I know you and Mom will never understand. You can’t.”
“You should be grateful,” Mom whispered as if I’d personally broken her heart. I was sick of this game.
“I’m grateful I didn’t inherit your ambition. I won’t ever turn my children into pawns in this horrendous game for power. Not Daniele, not Simona, not Gabriel.” I touched my belly. “Because they all are my children, and I’ll fight everyone like a warrior to protect them of the horrors of this world, even if they come in the shape of my own parents.”
“How dare you after everything we’ve done?” Mom whispered harshly.
“After everything you’ve done?” I shouted. My stomach constricted with a sharp pain, but I ignored it. “You married me off to Cassio so he’d guarantee Dad’s position. You married your own niece off to the monsters from Las Vegas for the same reason, and you want my gratefulness?”
I turned, clutching my belly, my heart pounding in my chest. Elia waited in the lobby, his hand on his gun, his eyes narrowed.
“You better take your hand off your gun or you won’t live to see tomorrow,” Christian growled.
Elia ignored him and stepped up to me, cupping my elbow. “Are you all right, Giulia?”
I gave a terse nod. “Take me home. I’m done here.”
Elia led me outside, grabbing my coat on the way. Christian followed. I sagged down on the passenger seat. Before I closed the door, my brother leaned in. “Text me when you’re home so I know you’re okay.”
I gave him a shaky smile. “I wish you already were Underboss.”
“Even then I wouldn’t be able to stop Dad from spreading the news. You know our parents. This is their chance.”
“I know.”
“I’ll try talking them out of it anyway.”
Cassio and Christian had come to a tentative understanding over the years. They still weren’t friends but they respected each other. Christian would never spread the news, even if it could potentially better his position.
“Don’t waste your time,” I said before I closed the door. There was only one person who could guarantee my parents’ silence at this point. The man my father feared like the devil, and not just because he was his Capo.
“Is Luca still in Philly?”
Elia frowned. “I think so. The meeting is supposed to go late. He won’t return to New York until tomorrow morning.”
“Find out where he is and take me to him.”
Elia cut his gaze to me. “You can’t just go to the Capo.”
“Said Capo is also my cousin. He can make time for family, right?”
“What is going on, Giulia? You can trust me, or Cassio wouldn’t have chosen me as your bodyguard.”
“I trust you.” I looked out of the window. Elia was a good man, and an even better soldier and bodyguard.
“But you won’t tell me what this is about?”
I leaned my forehead against the glass. “I can’t.” Elia was Cassio’s soldier first. He was loyal to him. He’d tell Cassio the truth the moment he found out.
“Because Cassio isn’t supposed to know.” A hint of suspicion rang in his voice.
“Take me to Luca, Elia. That’s all you need to know.”
Elia’s mouth tightened, but he picked up his phone and called someone to ask where the Capo was. As it turned out, Luca was back in his hotel when we finally returned to Philadelphia.
“Do you have Luca’s number?” I asked as we stepped into the luxurious lobby of the Ritz Carlton.
“No. Not every soldier gets the Capo’s number, Giulia. He rules over thousands of
