Chapter 15 Cesare
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
cesare
ONE YEAR LATER
I watch as Vittoria tenderly holds our son, Matteo. It’s hard to believe he's just over four months old now. He looks so much like Giovanni did as a baby, same dark eyes, same stubborn chin.
My gaze drifts to her once-again-flat stomach, where our second child is growing. It's fucking unbelievable how much has changed in a year.
When I married Vittoria, it was to strengthen Syndicate ties with a European faction.
I never intended on falling in love. Yet everything I've learned about my wife has been a surprise.
She's an incredible woman, and because of her, the Syndicate has grown immensely.
We're now in business with Zhang Longwei, thanks to Olezka's right-hand man and brother marrying Zhang's sister.
Matteo gurgles happily in Vittoria's arms as she rocks him gently. I move to them.
"How are you feeling?" I ask, taking a seat beside her.
She smiles up at me, leaning into my side. "A little tired, but good. The morning sickness isn't as bad this time around."
I place my hand on her stomach where our baby is growing. She's ten weeks along now. "I still can't believe we're having another one so soon," I say with a chuckle.
"Your children will say the same once we tell them—”
She's cut off by the sound of my phone ringing. I glance at the screen and see it's Andrea, one of the guards at the front gate.
Fuck. This can't be good.
"Yes?"
"Boss, Ronan Delaney is here and says it's important. It's about Lorenzo and his daughter's union."
I rise to my feet, gut clenching. This definitely isn't good.
"Let him through," I instruct, ending the call. I turn to Vittoria. "Go to Carina," I tell her, referring to our housekeeper. "Let her take Matteo, then come back. Be quick."
Her face goes pale, but she nods and does as I say. The second she's out of the room, I call for Lorenzo.
"What's going on?" he questions the moment he enters.
I quickly fill him in on Andrea's call just as Vittoria returns to my side.
Ronan enters looking beyond pissed. "I apologize for the intrusion, Cesare, but this couldn't wait."
"What's happened, Ronan?" I ask, voice tense.
Ronan's face is thunderous as he speaks. "It seems my Daire is pregnant."
The room falls silent as we all absorb this news. I turn to Lorenzo and see fury building in his eyes.
"Pregnant?" I repeat, voice dangerously low as I turn to face my son. "Lorenzo, is this true?"
He turns to face me, and I already know his answer before he speaks. "It is not mine," he grunts. "I haven't seen Daire in months."
I turn to the man I considered a friend. "Ronan?"
"It would seem my daughter and Rurik have been seeing each other."
The tension in the room is thick as Ronan's words sink in. I can feel anger radiating off Lorenzo in waves.
"How long?" I ask Ronan, voice deceptively calm.
Ronan's jaw clenches. "From what I've gathered, it's been going on for over a year. Since before the engagement was even announced."
I hear Lorenzo's sharp intake of breath beside me. This betrayal runs fucking deep.
"And what do you propose we do about this situation, Ronan?" I ask, my mind already racing through potential fallout.
Ronan meets my gaze steadily. "I believe the only honorable course is to dissolve the engagement between Lorenzo and Daire. And to arrange a new union between Daire and Rurik."
I nod slowly, considering his words. It's the logical solution, but I know it'll have far-reaching consequences for our alliances.
"And what of the agreement between our families?"
Ronan sighs heavily. "I propose we shift the arrangement. My younger daughter, Quinn, is of marriageable age now. Perhaps she could be a suitable match for Lorenzo?"
I turn to look at my son, gauging his reaction. Lorenzo's face is a mask of controlled rage.
"Lorenzo?" I prompt gently.
He takes a deep breath before speaking. "If that's what's best for the family and the Syndicate, I'll agree to it."
I feel surge of pride at my son's composure in the face of such personal betrayal. He truly is becoming the man I've raised him to be.
"Very well," I say, turning back to Ronan. "We'll need to discuss details of this new arrangement, as well as how we'll handle the public announcement of the change."
Ronan nods. "Of course. I suggest we meet tomorrow with the other families to sort everything out. We need to present a united front."
"Agreed," I reply. "We'll host the meeting here. Ten sharp." With Vittoria pregnant, I don't want to be too far from her.
As Ronan turns to leave, I call out, "And Ronan? I trust you'll be dealing with your daughter and Rurik appropriately?"
His eyes harden. "You can count on it, Cesare."
Once Ronan leaves, I turn to Lorenzo. "Son, I—”
"Don't," Lorenzo cuts me off, voice tight with emotion. "I don't want to talk about it right now."
I nod, understanding his need for space. "Very well. But know that I'm here when you're ready."
Lorenzo gives a curt nod before striding out of the room, leaving me alone with Vittoria.
She moves to my side, placing a comforting hand on my arm. "Are you okay?" she asks softly.
I pull her into my arms, suddenly feeling the weight of the situation. "I'm fine," I murmur into her hair. "But I'm worried about Lorenzo. This betrayal... it won't be easy for him to get past."
Vittoria nods against my chest. "He's strong, like his father. He'll get through this."
I pull back slightly to look at her. "What do you think about all this? About Lorenzo potentially marrying Quinn instead?"
She considers for a moment. "I think... it might be for the best. Daire never seemed to want the union with Lorenzo. Maybe with Quinn, he'll have a chance at a real partnership."
I nod, appreciating her insight. "You're right. Although Quinn is only just eighteen."
Vittoria looks up at me, eyes filled with concern. "How do you think the other families will react to this change?"
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "It won't be easy. This kind of scandal... it could destabilize things if we're not careful. We'll need to present a united front; show we're dealing with this swiftly and decisively."
"And Rurik?" Vittoria asks hesitantly. "What will happen to him?"
My jaw clenches at the mention of the young Russian. "That'll be up to Olezka to decide. But I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now."
Vittoria shivers slightly, and I pull her closer. "Don't worry about that now," I tell her softly. "We need to focus on our family, on Lorenzo."
She nods, then suddenly looks up with wide eyes. "Oh! We were supposed to tell the children about the baby tonight at dinner."
I'd completely forgotten our plans in the wake of this drama. "Perhaps we should wait," I suggest. "Give Lorenzo time to process everything before we add more news to the mix."
She nods. "Besides, the girls are going to be upset about what happened to their brother. Tonight should be about them. Lorenzo especially. I'll make lasagna. I know it's his favorite."
"What would I do without you, Tori?" I ask, holding her tightly.
She grins cheekily. "Crash and burn, probably."
I chuckle, feeling some tension leave my body. "Probably," I agree. "Now, why don't you rest before dinner? I need to make some calls."
She nods and presses a kiss to my lips. I hold her close and deepen it. Fuck, but I love her. She's made our family complete, and I couldn't imagine my life without her in it.
I'm a lucky bastard to have her, and I know that no matter what, our family is going to thrive. This shit with Quinn and Lorenzo will be sorted, and he'll eventually find a way to be happy.
I just hope what happened with Daire and Rurik doesn't ruin what could potentially be a perfect match for him.
Dinner that night is a somber affair. Word of Lorenzo's broken engagement has spread through the house, and the atmosphere is tense. My children pick at their food, shooting worried glances at their older brother.
Lorenzo himself sits in stony silence, barely touching his lasagna despite it being his favorite.
"So," Valentina finally breaks the uncomfortable quiet, "what happens now? With the engagement, I mean."
I set down my fork, choosing my words carefully. "There will likely be a new arrangement. Lorenzo will marry Quinn Delaney instead of Daire."
Elisabetta's eyes widen. "Quinn? But she's so young."
"She's eighteen," I reply. "She knows what is expected."
"It's different," Giovanni says quietly. "Quinn is... sweet. Innocent. Not like Daire."
I notice the way he says Quinn's name, the slight softening of his expression. Interesting.
"Quinn is a good girl," Vittoria agrees. "She might be exactly what Lorenzo needs, someone genuine, without hidden agendas."
Lorenzo finally speaks, his voice rough. "It doesn't matter what I need. This is about the family, about the alliance. My personal feelings are irrelevant."
His words sting because I recognize them. They're exactly the kind of thing I would have said at his age. Before Vittoria taught me that personal feelings could coexist with duty.
"Lorenzo—" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"May I be excused?" he asks, already pushing back from the table. "I'm not very hungry."
I nod, watching as my eldest son strides out of the room. The remaining children sit in uncomfortable silence.
"He'll be okay," Vittoria says softly, though I can hear the worry in her voice. "He just needs time."
I hope she's right. But as I look around the table at my children's concerned faces, I can't help but wonder what other challenges await our family.
In this world, happiness is always temporary. The only constant is the fight to protect what matters most.
And right now, that's my wife, my children, and the new life growing inside Vittoria.
Everything else can burn.