I was already rehearsing the discussion with my father and preparing a speech to ask her father for her hand.
We’d even discussed children.
"Three," she'd said. "I want three children."
I shake my head as we pull onto Dom’s street.
At least she got her wish.
I've dated other women since.
Smart, beautiful women, but none of them were her.
I’ve given up on finding someone else to love.
That’s not to say my bed is empty.
On occasion, I find a willing and able woman to fuck who, like me, just wants a good time and then to move on.
My driver stops outside Dom’s place and opens my door.
I step out, pull my coat around me again, and remind myself that I’m Luca Monti, heir to the Monti family business.
Not a pussy pining for a woman who thinks I’m lower than pond scum.
Elena has moved on. It's time I finally did too.
Dom’s man, Roberto, opens the door to me, taking my coat and leading me to the La Corona meeting room.
Six months ago, my father would be attending this meeting. Now it falls to me.
I’m not the Don, but the other members of La Corona are in agreement that my father is no longer able to fulfill the duties being a member of La Corona requires.
I’m the last one to arrive.
Marco Calabresi, normally stone-faced, is showing Leonardo Ferraza pictures of Sabina on his phone.
"Luca." Dominic nods, looking up from his phone.
“Gentlemen. Am I late?”
Dom shakes his head, setting his phone on the table. “No, not at all. Roberto, can you get Luca a drink? Scotch?”
I nod as I take a seat, the one my father used to sit in. “Thank you.”
Once I have my drink and we’re alone, the meeting begins.
Marco informs us of upcoming Christmas shipments and then reminds everyone of the coming winter festival.
I frown, thinking how odd it is that he’d be the one bringing it up.
For as long as I can remember, the guy hated Christmas and all the pomp and circumstances surrounding it.
Then again, he was never going to marry, either. I guess my sister has something to do with his change of heart.
Maybe my sister could give Elena whatever elixir she served him to change her heart.
I shake my head, frustrated at how easily my mind can go to Elena. Or more accurately, never seems to stop thinking of her.
