NICO
One hand’s shoved in my jeans pocket, the other rakes through my dark hair continuously as I peer out the condo window.
I’m leasing this place for the foreseeable future.
Even if Madden isn’t my son, I’ll still return.
It’s beautiful here. Pedestrians stroll through the streets, chatting and sipping their espressos.
No suits today. Just a t-shirt and jeans. This is a time of leisure. Something I rarely get. But I’m forcing myself to take time for me. In the back of my mind, I think about what would happen if I went for a jog and ran into Serenity. That would be awkward.
Lune peeks in and announces, “Dr. Calhoun has arrived.”
I give a slight nod.
Lune gestures her inside. She strides over to me. I reach out, grasping her hand. “How are you?” I ask.
“I’m well. And you?”
“Honestly, a bit nervous,” I respond.
“Please have a seat.”
She settles onto the white sofa.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you,” she replies.
I lower myself into the black chair, catty-corner to her.
“You’ve got a stunning view of the city,” she remarks.
I grin. “Thanks. I could spend hours people-watching.”
She pulls an envelope from her Hermès Birkin bag.
My heart pounds as she places the manila envelope in my hand.
“Thank you.”
Rising, she says, “You’re welcome. Best of luck.”
I stand as well. “I appreciate that.”
Dr. Calhoun quickly exits through the door.
Falling back into the chair, I rip open the envelope. My heart feels like it will explode in my chest. My eyes move across the paper. It read: child’s column and the alleged father’s column. My eyes drop to the words on the lower right. Probability of Paternity 99.9998%
“He’s my son. He’s my son,” I repeat.
Tears of joy spring to my eyes as I rest my elbows on my knees, palming my head with the paperwork still clutched in my hand.
I sit there like that for about thirty minutes.
Drinking it all in. I want to climb to the highest rooftop and tell the world Madden is my son.
My blood. My legacy. The boy destined to inherit everything I’ve built.
But I can’t.
The safest place for my heir is in the shadows.
As much as it kills me, Madden has to remain my greatest secret.
A few days later, I arrive at Fia’s in the middle of the night. I arranged this visit with her prior to my arrival.
One of her bodyguards lets me in the back door. I step into the kitchen. Fia sits at the marble counter, nursing a mug of something. Smoke curls in the air.
“Hello, Nico.”
“Mrs. Cichello, how are you?”
“I’m well. How about you?”
A smile lifts my lips. “I’m overjoyed. Madden is my son.”
She grins. “Of course I knew that. He looks just like you. But it was important you took a paternity test. I wanted you to read it in black and white: that he’s your son.”
“I appreciate that. Can I see Madden?”
“Yes, he’s in his nursery. Serenity should be asleep for about four to six hours.”
“Thank you,” I say before darting out of the kitchen.
Yes, it’s wrong to have Serenity sedated. It’s also wrong of her to keep my son from me.
I walk into his nursery after dipping into the guest bathroom to wash my hands.
Peering over the side of the crib, I take in his calm features and watch his chest rise and fall while he sleeps.
“It’s daddy, Madden. I’m here.” I pick him up and cradle him in my arms as I slowly walk around the nursery fit for a prince.
My lips press against his forehead. “I want to spend every waking minute with you. This isn’t how I thought this journey would go.
I planned to marry your mother, and we’d live under one roof.
But Dad’s been busy. I’ve gone after bad men who wouldn’t blink to take you from me and Mommy if they learn you exist. I have to keep you and mommy safe.
When the war is over, I’ll see to it that you both move to America. ”
I can feel Fia’s presence behind me at the door, listening.
“Daddy will destroy them. Take everything from them. I’m not happy with mommy but I’m doing this for her. She deserves justice. Mafia justice.”
“Rip their throats out,” Fia sniffles.
I glance over my shoulder. “Li torturerò per giorni. I will torture them for days,” I promise in Italian. “Then I’ll chop their bodies into small pieces.” I shrug.
A sly smile curls at the corners of her lips as she turns and strides away.