Chapter 76
Alessandro
34 Weeks Pregnant
L uci has been exhausted the last week and I insist on letting her sleep in every morning. After I’m ready for work I go over to our bed where Luci sleeps and bend down to talk to her belly, to our daughter.
“Now you be good to your mamma today and let her relax. I know you insist on moving around all day, but you should rest some before you’re born and give your mamma a break. I’m sure she would appreciate it.” A shake of the belly followed by a small laugh breaks me out of my trance as I look up to see Luci’s hazel eyes, laced with blue.
“Are you talking to our daughter?”
“Of course I am. You heard Quinn, our daughter can hear everything. I can’t have her confused about who her papa’s voice is.”
“I don’t think that will happen.”
“Because I’m talking to her every morning. Now you rest and I will see you and our daughter later.” I kiss Luci and our daughter before heading to my office, starting another mundane work day.
The phone rings and assuming it’s Geno, I answer without noticing the caller ID. “Ciao Geno.”
“Not quite.” I know whose voice it is immediately.
“Aldo. How may I help you?”
“You stay away from my wife and daughter! You already stole my Luci and I will not let you brainwash the rest of my family into thinking you’re a good man. I know exactly who you Leone men are.” Venom laces every word that comes through the phone.
“You would know since you were born into my world. Also, I did not drag Stella and Caterina back into Luci’s life. The three of them want to have a relationship, especially with our daughter being born within the next six weeks. Now, we can agree to not like each other, but we both love Luci. That should be enough to put our distaste for each other aside.” Normally I’d knock Aldo’s ass out, but I avoid that thought for Luci’s sake.
“I will do no such thing! Luci will see you for who you are one day and we, her true family , will help her.” Luci didn’t share exactly what was in her family’s letters, only that Aldo’s was cruel and mentioned not being open to helping her again.
“That’s interesting, Luci mentioned in the letter you wrote her that you said the opposite.”
“You let Luci go or I’ll make sure you’re no longer involved!”
“Can you give me some clarity, Aldo? Are you threatening me?” If he truly knows my family he wouldn’t be ballsy enough to do that.
Instead of an answer, I’m met with a dial tone. I’m not sure if I should take Aldo’s threat seriously or treat it as a rouse to let Luci go. No way that’s fucking happening. I need to expand Luci’s security and stay here as much as possible to keep her safe. I can let other men collect for me and I’ll run everything else from here.
When the phone rings again this time I check before answering, thankful that it’s Geno.
“Ciao mio nipote. How is Luciana?”
“She’s good. Tired. I’m making sure that she’s resting plenty, and that Quinn is ready for Luci whenever our daughter needs her.” I’m not sure if I should mention Aldo, but I know Geno would fly from Italy to smack me if I didn’t. “I did get an interesting call. From Aldo.”
“What did he say?” That snaps him from Nonno to the boss as quickly as I could say his name.
“He said that I should let Luci go back to her family or he will make sure I’m no longer in the way.”
“And what are you going to do about that?” While I’m Geno’s family, Luci and our daughter are my family, which means I’m in charge of making decisions for the three of us.
“I’m going to run things from here. I’ll have Marco and our other men collect for the rest of her pregnancy. Most importantly, I’ll make sure Enzo follows every step Luci makes for the next six weeks when I’m not by her side.” If Aldo hadn’t shown what extremes he’s willing to take for his family, I wouldn’t think too far into his threat. I need to keep my eyes on Luci at all times until our daughter is born.
“I agree. You keep your family safe. I’m proud of you.” Geno hangs up before I can respond, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I can’t let anything happen to Luci and there’s no way in hell I’d let anything happen to our daughter. I would rather die than let that happen.