Chapter 44
“I’m not doing it!” Capria says, while I stare at her in silence from across the table.
We’re in the boardroom of my main company, in the investment and real estate sector, and while she stomps her foot like a spoiled child, I wonder how I could’ve been so wrong about someone.
I never had the illusion that she was mature or an angel when it came to kindness. Capria, like me, is a product of our environment. It may sound like a “poor little rich boy” excuse, but the truth is that high society is mostly made up of rotten people, and it’s a fucked-up place to grow up.
Every sin gets committed, and the biggest bastard is the winner. Even so, I like to think there’s at least some sense of honor, even in selfish beings like her.
“Let’s get something straight,” I begin, and my lawyer tries to cut in, but I don’t let him. “I’m not asking you to do this. I’m giving you the chance not to be humiliated publicly. Either you make the statement that there’s no possibility of marriage between us, or I will. The choice is yours.”
She glares at me, pretending to sniffle, but I’m unmoved. She has no idea how much I want to tell her to go to hell. The only reason I haven’t is because of my child.
“And let’s use this meeting,” one of my lawyers says, “to clarify how communication will take place between Mr. Andresano and Miss Mancini during the pregnancy.”
“That won’t be necessary,” she cuts him off, and I see her lawyer shoot her a warning look.
“Please, continue, counselor,” the man says.
“So that Mr. Andresano doesn’t have to file for a restraining order, your client must sign this document, committing to keep her distance from him and from Miss Elodie Martin.
In fact, the terms are identical to those of a formal restraining order, but we’re trying to spare Miss Mancini the public judgment. ”
“You can’t be serious, Gianni!”
“I’m dead serious, Capria. I believe you’re unstable, because that’s the only possible explanation for a pregnant woman to slam her own head against a bathroom counter and try to blame someone else.”
Her lawyer glances at both of us, and I see the exact moment he closes his eyes, aware of the shitshow of a job ahead of him.
I hope he’s charging her good money, because he’s going to earn every penny.
“Have dinner with me,” she pleads.
“No. As I’ve told you more than once, our relationship is over. The only reason I won’t demand a paternity test during the pregnancy is because, as I’ve been informed, the most accurate ones put the fetus at risk. Don’t doubt for a second, though, that as soon as the baby is born, we’ll do one.”
“How can you doubt—”
I don’t wait for her to finish, getting to my feet.
“I think we’re done here,” I say, turning to my lawyers. “Where do I sign?”
“Miss Mancini hasn’t agreed—” her lawyer tries to protest.
“She doesn’t have a choice. If I make a public statement, it won’t just be to deny the false story about marriage. I’ll also expose your client’s attempt to frame my girlfriend with a false assault accusation,” I bluff.
I would never actually do that, because I wouldn’t expose Elodie that way.
I sign the blank line my lawyer points out at the exact moment my phone buzzes in my pocket. I leave the room without saying goodbye.
It’s a call from Abaddon.
“What happened?”
“How do you know something happened?”
“Because our business was over.”
“Maybe not.”
“What the hell are you talking about? You assured me Angelo—”
“It’s not him. Meet me in Rome.”
“I’m heading to New Orleans the day after tomorrow.”
“Fine, but trust me. We need to talk.”
“How is that possible?”
He shrugs. “Angelo always hid him from the world. Or maybe it’s better to say he never acknowledged him.”
“I want him. I promised my grandmother I’d put an end to this sick cycle.”
“Yeah, I figured you’d say that, and I’ve already started digging. But for now, he’s disappeared. Vanished into thin air. Probably so he won’t share his father’s fate.”
“And he hasn’t?”
“No. Beau’s hit on Angelo was surgical, personal. I doubt he even suspected a son existed. As far as anyone knew, Angelo’s legal wife never gave him heirs.”
“Get him. I don’t care what it costs. Find him. I need to eliminate him. I have to close this chapter in my life. But this time, I want to look the bastard in the eye. I’ll do it myself.”
He nods in agreement. “Want some advice?”
“If it’s about Elodie, no.”
“It’s not. It’s about your sisters. We know the likely target is Donatella, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he went after Giovanna, too. Step up their security.”
“You think he knows?”
“I do. If it’s something passed down from father to son for generations, Angelo must’ve told his only heir.”