“And you have. I’m proud of you, Son.”
His words fill me with warmth. I hope he’ll feel the same once I tell him that it’s time for him to retire. “I’m glad to hear that, because I think it’s time for me to fully take the lead in the family.” It sounds greedy to say it like that, but I’d rather sound selfish than tell him he’s infirm.
His breath hitches, telling me he understands what I’m saying. “I don’t know that we’re there yet.”
“You didn’t recognize Sabina earlier. Last week, you called Maria by Mom's name. Three days ago, you thought it was 1997.”
He waves dismissively. "Small lapses. Everyone forgets things."
"It's more than that." I grab a chair and pull it up next to him. "You're the strongest man I've ever known. But even the strongest men need to recognize when it's time for a change. You’ve done a remarkable job. Truly. Now you can retire and enjoy being a grandfather."
His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see fear there.
It’s something I've never witnessed in him and I hate that I’m the one putting it in him.
"I'm losing pieces of myself," he admits. "Some days, I wake up and don't know where I am. What happens when I forget who I am? When I forget you? Gabriella? Everything I've built?"
My heart cracks at his vulnerability. This titan of a man, reduced to this.
"That's why I'm here. That's what you prepared me for. To carry on when you can't."
His eyes search mine, pride mingling with resignation. "I know you will,figlio mio. You're ready. More ready than I was when I took over."
"Tell me about that day," I say. "When you became Don."
A smile curves on his lips. "I was terrified. Didn't sleep for three days before the ceremony. Your grandfather, now there was a hard man. Not like me with you. He never showed weakness, never admitted doubt. Wouldn’t even go to the doctor, which is what killed him."
He shakes his head. "I thought I knew everything. Turned out I knew nothing."
"I feel the same way now," I admit.
"That's good. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you begin to fail." He leans forward, suddenly focused with startling clarity. "Remember this, Luca. Power isn't about making everyone fear you. It's about making the right peoplefear you while ensuring those you protect love you. Balance, that's the key to everything."
My love for him is overwhelming. My fear of his losing himself is equally as consuming. “Thank you.”
He straightens in his chair, shoulders squaring with authority. "We should meet with the capos this week. Make it official before rumors start. The men need to hear it from me that you speak with my voice now."
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
"Many fathers in our world don't live to see their sons rise to power," he says, voice filled with pride. "I'm fortunate to witness yours, to know the Monti family remains in good hands."
My heart swells with gratitude for this gift, this moment of passing the torch with dignity rather than tragedy. In our world, peaceful transitions are rare blessings.
"I won't let you down," I promise, the words feeling inadequate.
"I know." He smiles, and for a moment, he is entirely himself again. "But Luca, you now need to think of the future. Who will carry on after you?”
“I’m working on that,” I say to him, thinking of Elena.
He arches a brow. “Are you now? Anyone I know?”
I nod, but I don’t tell him. I don’t want to expose Elena when she’s afraid that our connection could be dangerous to her children. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
He lets out a hearty laugh.
The door opens and Gabriella sweeps in, clearly unable to wait a moment longer.
Marco follows, his expression apologetic.
