Luca
I could have stayed and put off my sister’s call to meet, but I could see that Elena wasn’t going to budge.
I need time to rethink my strategy, so I leave and head to my sister’s place, knowing I’ll be back later tonight. She’ll be alone, so there won’t be anything to distract her.
As I drive through the city, I think of her kids. Seeing them dunk cookies, hearing their laughter stirred something in me I wasn't prepared for.
I’ve always known Elena was the one for me. Even learning about the kids, while it hurt and I tried to move on, I never could.
My soul is connected to hers. But with that short encounter with her kids, I felt that same connection.
But I have to get past her resistance. For years, I figured she just didn’t love me as I’d loved her.
After all, she’d fallen for someone right after I’d left. She hadn’t been there for me in my darkest moments after her father was arrested and Aldo pointed his finger at me.
But now I think there’s something else going on. The electric kiss we shared the other day told me that her connection to me wasn’t broken. It gave me hope.
But I have to contend with the fact that she’s spent seven years avoiding me whenever I was home. Why?
"It's dangerous," she'd said. As if I hadn't spent the last seven years of my life navigating danger daily. As if I couldn't protect her and those children with everything I have.
I stop at a red light wondering if Elena knows more about her father’s situation than she's letting on.
Maybe she's always known her uncle was behind her father's downfall.
Maybe that's why she clings to the lie about my involvement.
Facing the alternative means acknowledging her own blood betrayed her father.
And it could potentially put her in danger from those who are still loyal to Aldo, except that they’d need to feel threatened by her, and I don’t see that happening.
A father helps his young daughter across the street, and something twists in my chest.
Those triplets don't have that.
Some other man gave them to Elena and then what? Disappeared? Abandoned her and the kids? Or was he sent away? Killed?
The light changes, and I accelerate, my thoughts keeping pace. I don’t understand Elena’s Herculean efforts to keep me away and avoid the truth, but I can’t let it go. Not anymore.
I've built my father's business in Italy, strengthened our position, earned my place at the table. I'm not the same man who left seven years ago, powerless against Aldo's accusations.
Tonight, I'll make Elena understand. We're going to drag this truth into the light and face it head on like we should have seven years ago.
I arrive at Gabriella and Marco’s place. The door swings open before I even knock. Gabriella's smile is wide, her dark hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing what looks like one of Marco's sweaters.
“You made it.” She pulls me into a one-armed hug. Her other arm cradles a tiny bundle wrapped in a pale yellow blanket.
“Was there any concern I wouldn’t?” I step inside, happy to leave the cold outside.
“It’s Saturday. Traffic is nuts.” She hands baby Sabina to me. "Here, take your niece. She needs to know her Uncle Luca. I’m going to grab my files and meet you in the living room.”
The baby weighs practically nothing, her face peaceful in sleep, tiny fingers curled into fists.
“Your mom is bossy,” I say to the baby. Gabriella is unlike most women in our world.
My father always respected her ambition and intelligence.
She wields more power than most women in families like ours. Currently, she’s the family lawyer and is doing a great deal to help me run the business.
I move to the living room, carefully lowering myself onto the couch.
Sabina stirs, her eyes fluttering open to reveal dark irises that match her father's.
She stares up at me with that unnerving focus newborns sometimes have. Like they can see into your soul.
What would she see in me? I hope she’d see a man a family can rely on. Not just my family, but Elena and her kids too.
"Hey there, Principessa," I whisper. "Your uncle's got you."
My mind drifts to Elena's triplets wondering if they were this small. I know from Gabriella that even being so small, babies fill a large part of life. For Elena, she has three times the chaos.
Three times the worry.
Three times the love.
She’s done it alone.
I’m sure Dom has helped, but it doesn’t take away that she’s a single mom of three children. The burn to be there for her grows even hotter.
"You look good with a baby," Gabriella says, returning with her files.
Sabina makes a small sound, and I instinctively rock her. “I always look good.”
Gabriella smirks at me. “Marco is coming too. You want some coffee, or maybe something stronger?”
I shake my head. “Nah, I’m fine.”
Marco enters the living room, his presence commanding as always, though his expression softens when he sees me holding Sabina.
“I’d stand, but I’m busy,” I say.
Marco gives a rare smile. "Looks like you're getting practice.”
"Just admiring your handiwork."
Marco sits next to Gabriella, who starts going through the files, spreading them across the coffee table. "These contracts need reviewing before Tuesday's meeting."
We settle into business, discussing percentages and provisions, territory boundaries and import regulations.
Sabina is probably bored by it as she falls back asleep in my arms.
I use my other hand to review documents until their nanny arrives and takes the baby upstairs.
"There's another matter we need to address,” Gabriella says in a tone that suggests I’m not going to like what she has to say.
“Okay.”
“Luca, it's time. You need to take control, officially.”
I’m shaking my head before she can finish. “He still has good days.”
“But more and more bad ones. You know that, Luca. God, if you hadn’t been on top of the Montenegro shipment, he’d have caused us serious problems, not just with the other families but potentially exposing us legally.”
"You think I don't know that?" The words come out defensive. “But he's still our father."
Her smile is soft, sympathetic. “He’ll always be our father, but he can’t be Don anymore. Not if this family is to survive.”
Marco nods. "He knows it too, Luca. He's just too proud to admit it. But that’s why you came home."
“I came home to help run things, not take over.” I can’t bear to think of my father as too addled and weak to be Don Monti. He’s always been like a superhero to me. How can I usurp the man who taught me everything about strength and honor?
“You’ve been raised to take over one day,” Gabriella says. “That day has come.”
"Family above all," Marco says quietly. "Antonio taught us that."
"Have you talked to him about this?" I ask, searching their faces. "Actually sat down and had this conversation?"
Marco shifts, uncomfortable in a way I rarely see him. "I’ve broached the subject."
I snort. “If the great Don Calabresi can’t be frank with my father, how do you think I can?”
“Because you’re his son. Because he sees the man you’ve become.
You need to give the final proof by stepping up, being the leader he’s raised you to be.
” Marco is right, but that doesn’t make what they’re asking me to do any easier.
It will devastate my father to tell him he’s not fit to be Don anymore.
I think about my father this morning, clear-eyed and sharp as he discussed Umberto's case.
How he remembered details from seven years ago with perfect clarity.
“We’ll support you,” Gabriella says. "All of us together, with respect and love. But firm."
I run a hand through my hair, frustration building. "You're talking about stripping away the last of his dignity. Being Don isn't just what he does. It's who he is."
Gabriella rises, coming to sit beside me. "The longer he’s Don, the greater the risk it is to the family."
"He was lucid today when I saw him.” I’m desperate to put this off. It’s not that I’m not ready to lead. I’m not able to put my father out to pasture. “He was completely present. We discussed Umberto Vitale and the whole situation from years back."
Marco’s eyes sharpen with interest. "Umberto? Why would you be asking about him?"
"Because I need to know who destroyed my life." I don’t hide my bitterness that I’ve been living under a cloud of suspicion. "Father believes Aldo Vitale orchestrated everything, the tip that got Umberto arrested and his murder in prison.”
Gabriella shoots a glance at Marco as if she’s looking to him for confirmation. “Is that true?”
Marco's expression darkens, his jaw tightening. "Antonio told you this directly?"
"Clear as day. Said he always suspected but never had proof. But I’m finding that truth. I’m going to prove to La Corona that I’m not a snitch or a traitor.”
“No one in La Corona believes that,” Marco says. “Least of all, Dom.”
I lean forward. “That’s odd, don’t you think?”
Gabriella’s brow furrows. “It is odd. If they blame you, they wouldn’t want you to be a part of La Corona.” Her expression turns worried. “You could be in danger.”
“I am in danger because Dom still has men loyal to Aldo. Who still blame me. Who make Elena terrified to find the truth of her father’s death.”
“Elena? You’ve been talking to Elena?”
Seven years ago, Elena and I kept our relationship on the downlow. Initially, it was because we were two people wanting to enjoy life without the pressures of family making it into something it wasn’t.
By the time I wanted to tell the world I loved her, our lives became a shit show and I was forced to Italy.
All that to say, Gabriella doesn’t know about my past with Elena, and it’s unclear what sort of future I might have with her.
Plus, if she’s truly worried about retaliation, being connected to me won’t help.
“It was her father, so of course I’d talk to her in my effort to clear my name.”
“Do you think that’s wise? Dom has no issue with you and he’s who matters,” Marco says.
What the fuck is wrong with people? “It matters to me what people think. My reputation. How can I be Don if I don’t have respect?”
“You do have respect,” Gabriella assures me, but I find her words patronizing.
“If it were you, wouldn’t you want to clear your name? Marco, you were accused of killing Dom Ferraza’s wife. Would you just let that go because Leo has no issue with you?”
He has the good sense to look chagrined.
"Aldo Vitale stole my life. I’m here to get it back,” I say with resolve.
Gabriella squeezes my hand, her eyes reflecting the same fierce loyalty I've always counted on. "Then we'll clear it. Together. If Aldo framed you and had Umberto killed, the truth deserves to come out."
"You make it sound simple.” Marco doesn’t hide his doubt. "La Corona is already under pressure. The FBI has been circling for years. Reopening this particular wound could destabilize everything we've built right when we can’t afford any more issues."
"So I should just accept that my reputation was sacrificed?”
"I'm saying timing matters," Marco counters. "We have someone trying to pit our families against each other. Your father's condition is deteriorating. Dom is having similar attacks on his business that your father had. And you want to start digging into Aldo's sins?"
"I don't give a damn about timing," I snap. "I've waited seven years. I've rebuilt our interests in Italy. I've done everything that was asked of me. But I refuse to let Aldo Vitale dictate the rest of my life from the grave."
"I understand your need for justice. But consider the cost. If this investigation goes wrong, it could tear apart what's left of our alliance with the Vitales,” Marco warns.
“If it tears, it’s not on me. That’s on Aldo and Dom.” I look him in the eyes. He’s been a Don for a long time. He’s older than me, but I’m not a pushover. “Have you considered that what happened to Umberto is a part of whatever scheme is going on to ruin La Corona?”
His brow furrows. “Umberto died a long time ago, before—”
“He was betrayed and arrested seven years ago. Mrs. Ferraza was murdered what… four years ago? Hasn’t Roman been harping on us to consider that whoever is against us is playing a long game?”
Marco seems to consider that but then says, “You said Antonio believes Aldo was behind Umberto’s death. Aldo is dead. He died before Leo’s wife—”
“Maybe they don’t connect,” I admit, knowing I’m grasping at straws. “Or there’s someone else. Maybe it’s an elaborate FBI mission. I won’t know unless I look into it.”
“He’s right,” Gabriella says.
Marco’s expression says he doesn’t like it, but I’ve also learned over the last year that my sister has Marco wrapped around her finger.
“Let’s assume it is all connected. What if digging into Umberto's case plays right into his hands? That you’re the one being manipulated?"
I don’t like the idea that I’m a pawn, but I can’t stop now. “I have to know the truth. I’m going down this path whether you approve or not."
“What about Elena Vitale?” Marco asks. “She’s not wrong in being worried. As Umberto’s daughter, she could become a target of someone who wants to keep the truth hidden.”
"I'll protect her. Whatever this costs, whatever comes of it, Elena and those children will be safe."
Gabriella shifts next to me, her expression softening. "This is exactly why you need to take over the family. As Don, you'll have the full resources of the family behind you. The full power of La Corona. Everything you need to keep Elena safe while you uncover the truth."
"It feels wrong," I admit quietly. "Like I'm betraying him."
"The real betrayal would be letting his legacy crumble because we were too sentimental to do what needs to be done," Marco says in his blunt but accurate way. "Antonio would be the first to tell you that."
Gabriella and Marco are right. Taking my father's place, not just in practice but in title, preserves his legacy but also will give me more power to protect Elena and the kids.
"Fine," I finally say. For a moment, doubt creeps in.
Maybe I should let this go.
The only one who seems to care about my innocence is me.
At the same time, if Aldo’s ghost still haunts me and frightens Elena, it’s time to put him and his allies to rest.