Chapter 28 Damon
I've been back at my villa for five days, and I'm going out of my mind.
With Viviana back at her parent’s house, I’m alone now and waiting to hear if I’m going to live or die based on Roberto Bonacci’s decision.
My father gave me space after the meeting, understanding that this waiting period is its own kind of torture. Every hour that passes without word could mean Roberto is leaning toward refusal. Every phone call could be the one that seals my fate.
I’m going nuts and know Viviana must be feeling the same way.
I'm nursing my third cup of coffee when my phone finally rings. Roberto's number flashes on the screen.
My heart pounds as I answer. "Mr. Bonacci."
"Mr. Lombardi. We need to meet."
His voice gives nothing away - no anger, no approval, just the flat tone of a man conducting business.
"When and where?"
"One hour. Romano's restaurant, same room as before."
"I'll be there."
"Come alone. This conversation is between you and me."
The line goes dead, leaving me staring at the phone and trying to read meaning into those few words. He didn't sound murderous, but he didn't sound welcoming either.
I dress carefully in a tailored dark suit and tie, showing respect for the formality of the situation. Whatever Roberto has decided, I need to face it with dignity.
Even if it’s death.
The drive to Romano's takes twenty minutes, long enough for me to run through every possible scenario. Approval with conditions. Refusal with the option to leave town. Refusal with a death sentence.
I'm prepared for all of them.
What I'm not prepared for is the expression on Roberto's face when I walk into the back room. He's sitting at the same table where we met before, but there's something different about him.
Something that looks almost like... satisfaction?
"Sit," he says, gesturing to the chair across from him.
I take the seat, keeping my hands visible on the table, my expression neutral. "You've made your decision."
"I have. But first, there's something important you need to know."
"What's that?"
Roberto leans back in his chair, studying my face. "My daughter is pregnant."
Pregnant.
Everything I’ve been feeling expands and contracts at once - joy, terror, overwhelming protectiveness, and something so fierce and possessive for my unborn baby and Viviana it nearly knocks me breathless.
Viviana is carrying my child.
My hands grip the edge of the table to keep them steady. A baby. Our baby. The child we created together is growing inside her right now.
"When did she find out?" I manage to ask.
"She told her mother yesterday after three positive tests."
Three tests.
She wanted to be sure before she told anyone. The image of her taking those tests alone, maybe scared or even hopeful, makes me physically hurt for her.
"How is she doing?"
"She’s experiencing a little morning sickness. And she’s tired after everything she’s been through. Also scared about becoming a mother so young. As you know, she’s barely more than a child herself."
The thought of Viviana afraid, dealing with this alone, makes something protective and violent surge through me. She shouldn't be scared. She shouldn't be dealing with any of this without me.
I should be there beside her.
Whatever Roberto has to say to me, it won’t change the fact I’m not leaving her to deal with a baby alone.
No matter the cost.
"A baby changes things," I say, though it feels like the understatement of the century.
"It changes everything. The question is whether you understand how. A pregnancy makes marriage not only honorable but necessary. This isn't about your reputation or hers anymore. This is about my grandchild and his or her place in our world."
Our child.
The baby who's going to call me Papa and depend on me for everything.
"Do you approve the marriage?" I ask, daring to hope.
"I'm requiring the marriage. The alternative of my grandchild being born a bastard is unacceptable."
Relief almost takes me to my knees, but I don’t dare show him that. Too much emotion is considered a weakness.
I can’t believe our good luck. We're getting married. Viviana will be my wife, and our child will be legitimate and loved by both families.
"Thank you, sir."
"Don't thank me yet. The pregnancy comes with conditions." Roberto's expression grows serious. "If this child is a son, he becomes what you described earlier, a bridge between our families. An unbreakable symbol of alliance."
"And if it's a daughter?"
"Then you try again. But regardless of gender, this child will be raised knowing both families, both traditions. They will not be forced to choose sides. This is the condition. "
"Agreed."
I can already picture teaching our child about both sides of their heritage, bringing them up with the knowledge they don't have to pick between the Lombardis and Bonaccis.
"The marriage must take place within the month,” he continues. “Before my daughter starts showing. I will not have her dishonored or gossiped about."
"Of course. I agree, the earlier the better."
"Regardless of your emotional attachment to each other, this is a business arrangement now, formalized by a baby. You will provide for my daughter and grandchild. You will treat her with respect. You will be a proper husband and father."
Husband and father.
The words carry more weight than I anticipated. I'm going to be responsible for Viviana and our child.
"Yes, sir. I give you my word."
Roberto stands and moves to the window. "There's one more thing."
"What's that?"
"If you ever hurt my daughter, if you ever make her regret this arrangement, if you ever give me reason to believe you're not the man you claim to be..." He turns back to face me. "Pregnancy won't protect you from my anger."
"I understand."
"Do you? Because a young, pregnant wife is vulnerable. She needs stability, security, peace. If you bring danger to her door, if your enemies become her enemies, if she suffers because of your choices..."
"She won't. I'll protect them both." The words come out fierce, certain. Nothing will touch Viviana or our baby. Nothing.
"You'll do more than protect them. You'll cherish them. That child she's carrying is the future of both our families."
The weight of responsibility settles on my shoulders, but it doesn't feel heavy.
It feels right.
Like everything I've done in my life has led to this moment, this choice, this family I'm about to have.
"When can I see her?" I ask.
"After the business terms are negotiated. After everything is proper and official."
"How is she doing? Really? Is she okay?"
Something softens in Roberto's expression. "She’s unnecessarily worried about you. Worried about whether I'd approve the marriage. About what kind of mother she'll be."
She's worried about me. Even carrying my child, even dealing with morning sickness and fear, she's thinking about my safety.
"I want to take care of her."
"Then prove it. Show me that marrying my daughter to you is the right choice for everyone involved by being the man she needs you to be.” Roberto moves toward the door, then pauses. "One last thing, Mr. Lombardi."
"Yes?"
"If this child is indeed a son, if he becomes the heir we've discussed, he'll be raised to understand both sides of his heritage. Lombardi and Bonacci. He'll know his grandfathers, his uncles, his numerous cousins, his history."
"And if that creates conflicts for him?"
"Then he'll learn to navigate them. That's what leaders do."
"You think he'll be a leader?"
Roberto's smile is small but genuine. "He'll be the son of Damon Lombardi and Viviana Bonacci. Leadership will be in his blood."
After Roberto leaves, I sit alone in the empty room, trying to process everything that's happened.
Viviana is pregnant with my child. We're getting married. Our baby could be the key to uniting our families.
But more than that, I'm going to be a father.
There's a tiny person growing inside the woman I love, and that person is going to need me to be better than I've ever been before.
The thought should terrify me. Instead, it fills me with a sense of purpose I've never felt before.
I pull out my phone and call my father.
"How did it go?" he answers immediately.
"He said yes. Viviana's pregnant."
Silence on the other end of the line.
"Dad?"
"A grandchild," he says finally. "Jesus Christ, Damon. Do you understand what this means?"
"It means I'm going to be a father."
"It means you're going to be the father of the most important child in both our organizations. One day he will rule over a dynasty. When's the wedding?"
"Within the month."
"That will give us time to negotiate the alliance terms, plan the ceremony, make sure both families understand what this union represents. We need to get busy. There’s a lot to do."
“Yes, there is.”
It’s time to prove to everyone I can be the man they both need.
Starting now.