The tension in his voice has me looking up at him. “It sounds like more than just a family meal.”
“It is.” He takes a sip of coffee, grimacing again at the bitterness. "I need to talk to him about retiring."
"And how do you feel about that?"
"Honestly?" Luca runs a hand through his sleep-mussed hair. "A part of me is excited, but mostly, I feel like I’m betraying my father by suggesting he’s not fit to lead anymore. But the business and La Corona need stability right now."
I nod, recognizing that he’s in a difficult situation. I want to hug him and make it better, but I resist the urge and instead sip my coffee.
“I never imagined that La Corona would want me here, all things considered. It shows how worried they are about someone trying to fuck things up for them.”
“Maybe they don’t believe what Don Vitale said about you.” I remember Dom’s theory that his father was behind my father’s downfall.
He arches a brow. “I’m not sure you don’t still believe it.”
I’m irked at the comment and yet I know where it’s coming from.
Yes, I slept with him, but I’m keeping him at a distance and he knows it.
“At the very least, you believe someone still believes it and therefore puts your kids at risk if I go poking around. Right?”
I turn away from him, going to make another cup of coffee. “What do you want?” I ask, changing the subject.
Luca moves behind me, his presence solid and warm at my back though he doesn't touch me. "What I want is to protect what's mine. My family. The people I care about."
I can feel he means me, and I want to turn to him and accept all that he’s offering.
“I can’t do that with the shadow hanging over me. I can't just let it go, Elena."
"I know." And I can’t blame him. "I want to support you, but my priority has to be keeping my children safe. Getting involved with you, with all this…" I gesture vaguely, encompassing the invisible threads of family business that surround us both. "It puts them at risk."
His jaw tightens. "I would never let anything happen to them."
"You can't promise that. Not if you're determined to dig into the past."
"So I'm just supposed to live with everyone thinking I betrayed your father? That I'm the reason he died in prison?" Frustration edges his voice. "Seven years, Elena. I've carried that for seven years."
“You’re not the only one who’s suffered here, Luca,” I snap as I whirl around to face him. “I lost my father. I lost you. Thank God Dom protected me.”
Luca’s brow furrows. “From who?”
I’m about to say too much. “I’m talking in generalities.”
I try to turn away again, but he catches my arm. “Who threatened you?”
I sigh. “Luca, you know how this world works. Vengeance. Hidden agendas. I’m just trying to keep my head down and my children safe. Bringing this all back up only brings back all the anger and thoughts of revenge.” I think of Gio and how he’d like to enact vengeance on Luca.
His expression shifts from annoyance to acceptance. He sees I’m not changing my mind about this.
"I should go," he says, checking his watch. "I'll call you later. How about I get pizza tonight?”
I’m surprised that he’s still wanting to come back. Does he think I’ll change my mind? He doesn’t wait for me to answer as he heads to the door, buttoning his shirt and grabbing his coat.
At the door, he pauses. "I thought after last night…" He shakes his head. "Never mind."
The annoyance in his voice is unmistakable, and I can't blame him. I'm pushing him away with one hand while clinging to him with the other.
As the door closes behind him, I sink against it, wondering how much longer I can keep my children's paternity a secret.
