We all shake hands with Phillip and Pauline. And thank them for the heads up on this situation. Five minutes into our drive back home, my sister texts.
Fiorella: Gabriela’s family is here. She’s at the house with me, and her parents and brothers are at the bakery with mamá. How long till you get home?
Gianluca: We just left the Panthers office. We have to drop papà and Lorenzo off at the hotel so they can get their car. So probably two hours?
Fiorella: Okay. Gabriela’s nervous. I can tell
Gianluca: I hate that I had to leave. Tell her I love her
Fiorella: I got you, fratellino
Gianluca: Ti voglio bene, sorellina
Fiorella: Ti voglio bene, fratellino
I truly don’t know what things would be like without my family. While I know that no one can take Carlo away from me, it’s still frustrating that I have to deal with this.
“So Bastian said that the law firm is real and it looks like the one that works with the Koslov Bratva. But he has no claim on Giancarlo. Did Faith ever tell him that he wasn’t his father?” Lorenzo asks.
“I don’t know, I didn’t’ ask her that. All I know is that she told me that she always knew I was his father. And that Carlo never wanted to call Yakov papà.”
Apollo snickers.
“You’re a child.” Eros says as he rolls his eyes.
“Again. It’s not my fault that’s his name. I didn’t name the asshole.”
My phone rings, but I don’t recognize the number so I let it go to voicemail. Whoever it is leaves a message.
“Gianluca Mancini. You have my son and I want him back. It took me a while to find out who had him. But now that I know it’s you? I want him back. Giancarlo is mine. I’ve raised him with that whore that was his mother. So sad that she’s gone. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s mine. I don’t care what she told you. I know he’s my blood. And this is kidnapping. Next time I call? Pick up the fucking phone.”
How the fuck did he get my number? And who the fuck does he think he is? I play the message for everyone in the car.
“Fuck him.” Eros frowns.
“Well I guess that answers my earlier question. I wonder how he never questioned things. I mean Giancarlo looks exactly likeyou. He didn’t look anything like Faith. So either he’s dumb or playing dumb.”
“Well his name is Yakov…” Apollo grins.
“I’m so sorry for my brother…”
We laugh as we drop my papà and Lorenzo off. I need to get home and hold my girl and my son.
CHAPTER TEN
Gabriela
Waiting for Gianluca to come back is killing me. I know my family is here, but Gianluca doesn’t want me to face them alone. But this situation with Carlo is important and I hope it’s an easy fix for him. Giovanna and her boys stayed with me and Carlo, we put on a cartoon and they’ve been watching and dancing to the music. Fiorella joined us about an hour ago, I love how everyone steps in to help. The families here don’t care if you’re blood related or not. Everyone is important. It makes me sad that Faith is gone, I know they would’ve embraced her too. Even if she and Gianluca weren’t together. But she must have been a good mamá and I don’t want Carlo to forget her. So I talk to Giancarlo about her. I don’t know a lot about her, only what Luca and the family has told me. But I make sure he kisses her picture and says goodnight to her every night before bed.
“Are you doing okay?” Giovanna asks me.
“I’m worried. My papá can be stubborn and I wish I knew why he believed whoever spoke to him. And who it was that talked to him. It’s not like him to just believe someone.”
“We’ll find that out soon. I know it’s not easy to do this, but don’t worry. No matter what happens, our family will figure it out. This is what our families do best. Helping each other.” She says as she hugs me.
“When my parents told me that I had to come here, I was so mad. But now? I’m so glad I was sent here.”
“Fate is a funny one. I’ve learned to listen to it and just follow where it takes me.”
