Everything I've done, every lie I've told, every truth I've hidden, has been to protect them from this world.
"We'll handle it," Dom assures me. "La Corona has survived worse."
I swirl the wine in my glass, trying to look nonchalant. "I suppose it’s good Luca is back if someone is stirring up trouble, since Don Monti is having health issues.”
Dom's expression shifts, a flicker of relief crossing his features. "Yes, thank God for that. Antonio's condition is getting worse by the week. Luca stepping up has been essential."
"How's he adjusting?" I ask. "Must be strange coming back after so long in Italy."
Dom raises an eyebrow, and I know my attempt at nonchalance has failed miserably.
I busy myself by taking another drink of my wine.
"Better than expected. The transition's been smooth." Dom watches me carefully. "His time in Italy made him a great leader, shrewd, cunning… lethal. He's taken on most of Antonio's responsibilities already."
In some ways, that saddens me.
When I knew Luca before, he was intelligent but didn’t have the darkness required to lead in our world.
"That's good," I manage, remembering the pressure of his lips against mine, the way his hands had gripped my waist like he didn’t want to let go.
"He's changed. Italy hardened him in some ways, but he's more measured now. Not impulsive… or gullible. More like a Don."
“Gullible?” That’s not a term I’d use for Luca.
He simply shrugs. What the heck does he mean?
Not wanting to reveal too much interest, I say, “I’m sure he has changed. Seven years is a long time."
Dom's eyes narrow slightly. "I hope long enough to let some things go."
I can’t decide if he’s talking to me or speaking about his men who, like Gio, haven't felt they got the revenge they wanted for my father.
I move closer to Dom, lowering my voice so the kids can't hear. "Are you concerned about his history with the Vitale family?"
Dom takes a slow sip of his drink, his eyes tracking the children. "I never bought that Luca was the mastermind who brought your father down."
His casual dismissal shocks me.
While I’ve come to question Luca’s intentions, I’ve never heard anyone in the Vitale family do so.
"Why not? Everyone else seemed convinced."
He hesitates, like he’s searching for the right words. “Your father was a seasoned captain, not one to be bested by a kid, especially a kid from another family. Don’t get me wrong, Luca is smart, but he didn’t have the experience your father had. No way he outmaneuvered your dad. And no way did he snitch. I watched Luca grow up. He’d have cut his own heart out before he’d dishonor his father or betray La Corona."
The logic makes perfect sense and fills me with guilt.
My father had navigated the treacherous waters of our world for decades.
The idea that Luca, barely twenty-three at the time, could have orchestrated his downfall single-handedly doesn’t make sense, and yet, I’d immediately believed Luca betrayed me and my father.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” My voice carries some heat. I’m angry that Dom never defended Luca, but of course, of all of us, I’m the one who should have believed in him.
“I did. I gave my two cents at the time, but my father had other ideas, and he was the Don.”
“You never said anything to me.”
He looks at me like I’ve grown a third eye. “I was smart enough not to say anything to contradict my father. And the truth is that I don’t know the truth. Luca could be more cunning than I gave him credit for.”
