Chapter 24 #3
“And you’re so happy, that you hide in Rome? From me? Your family?” Renato argues. An expression of boredom crosses Leo’s face, unwilling to give him a crumb of what’s behind his walls. “Just as you left for California. You continue to run, yet you’re saying you are happy. Or is it cowardice?”
“My grandfather, your father, Durante was a farmer, refugee from his home,” Leo begins to counter, tightening his fist upon his thigh. “No background until he met Nonna, yet he found happiness with her through everything they endured. Is he a coward as well?”
Renato sits up straight, frowning with a slight sneer. “It is not the same.”
Silence stretches between them again. Leo doesn’t rip his attention away from his uncle, who starts to look out at the grove beside them. His hand flexes again, inhaling a deep breath as he struggles to keep his anger entirely in check.
“My mother was in an arranged marriage, look what happened to her,” Leo whispers.
“The one mistake my father and I made, because your father was a bastard, born and bred as one,” Renato sneers, taking his hat off to firmly place on the table. “And then he continued that legacy with that younger bastard brother of yours.”
“Riccardo was married when Matteo was born.”
“It does not matter. He is neither Salvadori or Luciano. A bastard to this family.” Renato slices his hand through the air. “We have discussed that enough.”
Renato attempts to look unperturbed, but his scowl doesn’t leave. Exhaling a long breath, Leo pours himself a small cup of espresso. Quietly, Renato watches him as he drinks it without sugar. Leo finds himself missing Autumn’s coffee.
After a while of the tense quiet, Leo puts down the cup and finally says, “I need help finding Gabriel. He’s causing too much trouble. Whether you approve of Matteo’s existence or not, he needs to be found as well.”
“Let that boy rot,” Renato argues, switching to English, too. “He’s a liability for both of us. As for Gabriel, perhaps it’s best you find a way to amend things.”
Leo’s face darkens. “He hired men to kill me.”
“La famiglia è la famiglia.”
“Not if they fuck me over or send people to kill my fiancé.”
“You chose her fate,” Renato scorns. “You know the consequences of this life. Death is one of them. I may follow my father’s values to protect our women, but you and Gabriel are too much like your father.”
Renato’s voice quiets near the end, looking towards the villa.
“Then why defend him?”
“Again…family is family.”
A sinking feeling hits Leo as he watches his uncle carefully. There’s a reason why he’s defending Gabriel, but he couldn’t place his finger on it. He wouldn’t years ago, why change his mind now? “Are you helping Gabriel?”
Renato chuckles darkly. “He may be family and the eldest, but anyone with half a brain would never allow him to touch one’s money.”
Leo’s hand flexes. It wasn’t a no.
“I am a staunch businessman, Leonardo, non uno sciocco,” he adds. “But…” Leo’s body tenses, “…if something was to happen to you, without children of my own, my only choice would be him as a suitable heir.”
“Then choose Matteo, instead. He’s of the Marchetti bloodline, but he’s young and proven useful in the last few years, even to you.”
Renato sighs, disappointment shadowing his face.
“You are not listening. He is not famiglia. He is a Marchetti.” Renato spits on the ground at the name, frowning as he sits back.
“A product of Riccardo’s disloyalty and dishonor to this family.
Your mother’s family. He will never be allowed to have any part of our business or fortunes.
You gave him too much attention, putting ideas in his head, perhaps I’m to blame doing you a favor having him here. He gets…nothing. Niente.”
What sliver of love Leo has for Matteo breaks a little. No clue what he’ll do with him when they see each other again, but completely cutting him out to leave him to the wolves was cruel. Especially if one of those wolves sat before him now.
Matteo had spent his entire life in and for the mafia. He didn’t know anything else. As angry Leo could be with him, it was a fact he couldn’t forget.
“Whatever mess you’ve created with Matteo, running here to Rome hoping perhaps I’ll help finish it,” Renato continues, waving it off like a small sibling dispute.
“I want no part. For Gabriel…he is your true fratello. Give him something to be occupied with and he’ll relax. It worked five years ago.”
So, he won’t do business with him, but Leo would have to? Why won’t he cut him out like Matteo? Gabriel’s done more damage than him.
Leo scowls. “He’s not a fucking child you can ground.”
“No, he’s a man entitled to this business, and you took it from him. Tuo padre sarebbe orgoglioso.”
“Then I’m assuming you want him alive because we’re the only remaining descendants of the Salvadori and Luciano family lines.”
“I am simple,” Renato says with an impassive expression. “And while both your cocks still work, there’s hope for a successor.”
A snarl almost rips from under Leo’s breath, remembering why he kept his distance from Renato.
Why he left, not out of cowardice, but these cruel games.
He’s been a monster, but Renato was a different kind.
One who conspired family against each other, playing them for power. He only cared about family succession.
He should’ve kept Matteo in New York.
“It would seem you’re a step ahead of your brother, being engaged, unfortunately it’s to the wrong woman.
” Renato’s voice starts to grate against Leo’s ears.
“You’ve always been smart. Inherited your grandmother’s streak of wisdom.
Use it now. For if you want your future assets secured…
” Leo’s eyes meet his, “…it won’t be getting rid of Gabriel that will help you. ”
“Let me guess, having a child will?” Leo’s voice is low.
“Not with her.” Renato stands up, placing his hat back on his head. He steps to the balcony edge, inhaling a deep breath. “You’ll marry a proper woman from here, and then use your cock to provide an heir worthy of the family.”
“Is that similarly what you told my mother after you married her off to Riccardo?”
Renato keeps his gaze on the groves, putting his hands behind his back far too leisurely, switching back entirely to Italian again. “She did her duty. Now it’s time for yours.”
“Renato—”
“Break off this engagement, and I may be…persuaded to help you. Until then, you’ll receive nothing from me until you’re no longer engaged to that harlot.” Finally, he looks back at Leo with a darkened gaze. “Otherwise, I’ll be forced to take full control, Leonardo.”
Words are stuck in Leo’s throat. Any hope of convincing Renato to accept Autumn disintegrates like wet sand.
Autumn
I sit under an orange tree. I’ve no idea how long it’s been, and I’m half-tempted to search for Leo.
My hands wring together, debating going back to Rudy.
I look around, knowing I’m being watched as my spine ticks with unease.
Taking each breath slowly, I get up and walk over to some flower bushes in the expansive garden.
There’s a balcony above me, and I tilt my head to stare at the curtains rippling in the wind. Still too fucking quiet.
Soft footsteps sound from around the corner of some trees.
A woman in a dark blue dress steps out. Her black hair pulled into a low bun. Her skin tone is close to Renato’s, but not as worn. She appears around his age, perhaps younger as she approaches.
“I…not…visitors today,” she says.
“Buongiorno, uh, mio chiamo Autumn. Scusa, parli inglese?” My Italian feels choppy compared to hers, and she raises a brow.
“You are from America?” She asks, and I notice her accent isn’t as heavy as before.
“Sí. New York.”
“That means you are…” her voice trails away, frowning slightly as she peers over her shoulder towards the way she came, then looks to me, “…you are with Leonardo.”
This much be Renato’s wife, Fiorella. I highly doubt she’s a maid.
Certain she’ll find out soon anyways I say, “I’m his fiancé.”
Her eyes widen, looking me over. She then gestures for my hands, and I hold out my left knowing what she wants to see. Her soft hand takes mine, and then inspects my engagement ring in the sunlight.
“Not traditional,” she comments.
“No.”
“He never truly was.”
“It’s a jewel special to me.”
“He was always like that,” she muses suddenly, letting go. “Compassionate. A gold heart. He is his namesake.”
She steps away to gaze at some strawberry trees. I clutch my hands, gripping them close. I’ve no idea what to do. Do I even say why we’re here? How much does she even know? Questions fill my head. I’m half-tempted to talk about the weather when she breaks the silence.
“Do you love him?”
I blink, confused a little. “Yes.”
“Then do what is best for him. Leave.” My heart hammers as she doesn’t even look at me while she says this. She continues walking toward another patch of trees, sitting on a bench between them.
“I’m not leaving Leo, he’s my…” the word catches in my throat as I rub the emerald, “…my fiancé.”
“There’s still time.”
“I’m marrying him.”
“You are not right for him.”
“You’ve only just met me; how can you even know that?” I argue, stepping closer.
“I can see it in your eyes.” She looks up, frowning as those green eyes pierce into mine. “You think this life is easy? It is not. And who Leonardo needs…is someone else, not you.”
I cross my arms over my chest, gripping the jacket as I fight back the quivering of my chin. I don’t need anyone’s approval, but fuck when will this shit end? People not liking us together for their own damn personal reasons. She doesn’t even know me enough to criticize me.
“I am exactly who he needs,” I state, not allowing this stranger to hurt me. “I am everything he needs. Since I’ve been with him for almost a year, whereas it’s likely been years since you’ve seen him…” her eyes flare, pursing her lips, “…I think I know him better than you.”
“You may be willing to fuck him and spend his money, but it does not mean you know him better than family.”
Holy fucking crud muffins.
Roaring happens in my head at her harsh language. She keeps herself composed, showing no emotions. My face however does show my shock.
“From that look alone, you’ll never understand,” she continues.
“Already I can tell you come from a background that will make you struggle with him. Life will become too hard. It already has. This family, our family, is particular because we must be. And you, foolish girl, will only destroy him.” She straightens where she sits.
“From what I’ve heard…you already have.”
My body warps with anger. Inhaling sharply, I frown at her and ask, “Do any of you care about his happiness?”
“Of course, we do.”
“From what you just said, no…no you fucking don’t.” She glares at me, disappointment lining her face. “Every day I’m understanding more why he left years ago, because who would want to be near any of you?”
Shock hits her features as I turn and storm off. There’s no movement behind me as I head out of the garden. Tears gather in my eyes, and I quickly wipe them away. Fuck no, I will not cry over her for this soap opera bullshit.
And I thought Bailey and Carrie were bad with judging.
Who says that to someone they just met? Who else would be that horrible? Her and Renato are a perfect fucking match. Breathing in deep, I collect myself as my hands shake. I shove them into the jacket’s pockets, willing myself to keep calm as I walk back to Rudy.
When I return, he’s where we left him. He leans against the stone wall of the main archway, and I join him.
“You good, barchen?”
“Fine,” I almost snap, and then inhale deeply. “He still with him?”
“Ja.” He touches my shoulder. “Want to wait at the car?”
“Not until Leo is back,” I say quietly, glancing to where Renato appeared.
“He can handle Renato.”
“Doesn’t make any of this easier,” I sigh, not liking the sick feeling churning in my stomach.
Minutes seem to tick by, until a prick hits my neck.
Rudy stiffens beside me, too, standing fully as I step away from the wall.
Leo appears in the archway, prowling towards us.
Renato isn’t far behind but stops in the shadows.
Leo’s face is pure wrath, twisted with anger I’ve not seen in months.
What’s more terrifying is his silent, fluid manner as he walks like a lion ready to tear into its next meal.
My heart thunders in my ears. Not good.
“Car. Now.” Voice strict, Rudy starts moving at Leo’s commands. I’m frozen until Leo reaches me, placing his hand against my back to lead me out of the villa.
It’s shaking. His hand is shaking.
We walk without a word, coming to the car as Rudy takes the keys from Animal. All of us get in, doors slamming shut. I flinch at the suddenness. Leo sits back as he breathes heavy, leaning his head back with a snarl. Rudy steps on the gas, rocks practically flying behind us as we leave.
“Leo?” I whisper.
“Renato kicked out Matteo, who’s been in Rome the entire fucking time,” he growls. “He lied. Matteo never disappeared.”
Rudy mutters in German, whilst Animal grumbles low, “Motherfucker.”
“Call Owen. Matteo was last seen at Renaldi’s clubs, supposedly working for him now. I want a fucking meeting.”
I ask, “Renaldi? Vincenzo Renaldi? Isn’t that…”
“Renato’s rival.”
Lovely. We’ve gone from our own little hostile mafia war to another potentially happening in Rome. I love a double feature, but not this.
“How screwed are we?”
“We won’t be,” Leo answers as Animal calls Owen. “Matteo running to Vincenzo isn’t surprising.”
“Then what is it?”
“If one more person disrespects my wife, there’s going to be blood.”