"Thank you," I say simply.
"Get some sleep, Brother. You have a lot of parenting to catch up on."
A knock at the door interrupts our conversation. "I need to go," I tell Gabriella.
"Call me tomorrow. We'll start the legal work immediately."
I hang up as Nic enters. His face is grim, eyes alert despite the late hour.
"Don Monti, forgive the intrusion." It’s still weird to be called Don Monti, but I try to wear it like I’m used to it.
“What’s up?”
"We've received word from our contacts at the port. The shipment from Italy has been delayed."
I straighten in my chair, setting aside thoughts of Elena and the children. "Delayed or intercepted?"
"Unclear. The captain claims mechanical issues, but after the issues with the Calabresi shipment last month…"
He doesn't need to finish.
We need to consider that someone is fucking with us.
Could be law enforcement.
Could be pirates.
The timing, just days after my official recognition as Don, can't be accidental.
"Increase security at all warehouses. Move everything from location three to the backup site. And get me everything we have on the port authority officials. We should see if someone's been compromised."
"Yes, Don Monti."
After he leaves, I sit at my father’s desk as I grapple with the weight of being a Don, essentially the father of a family organization and a father of three children.
I can't fail at either.
Don and father. Protector and provider.
No matter what it costs me, I will succeed at both.
ELENA
After Luca leaves, I collapse onto the sofa, emotionally drained.
The moment I've dreaded for years has finally happened.
Luca knows he's their father.
I should feel relieved that the burden of my secret has lifted, but instead, a new fear grips me.
What if he takes them from me?
The thought terrifies me. I've seen what powerful men in our world can do.
Now that Luca is Don Monti, his reach extends further than ever. If he wanted full custody, who could stop him?
Yet beneath my panic, there's something else.
