I don’t blame him for his suspicion. I’d feel the same if the roles were reversed. "You think I want your throne?” I give a snort. “No thanks. No offense, Brother, but this organization is a fucking mess. I have my own kingdom. I don’t need yours.”
“Then why are you still here? Why are you following Katerina around like a lovesick puppy? You want in her pants again?—”
“Watch yourself.” The lethal tone in my voice should make it clear to him that I won’t hesitate to act against him. “Besides, if I’m with her, I’m not taking over your business, so what the fuck business is it of yours?”
“You’re wasting your time with her and her boy.”
Her boy?"My boy," I correct him. "My son."
He sits back and looks up at me with satisfaction. He’s just discovered my weakness, his leverage over me. "So that's it. The prodigal son returns for his bastard."
My fist connects with the desk before I can stop myself. "Don't you ever call him that again."
"Don't forget your place, Luca." Alessandro rises slowly. "You were disowned. You have no rights here. Not to the family, not to the business, not even to that child. You left."
“Jesus fuck.” I shake my head in disbelief. “Do none of you remember the truth? Don’t you speak English? I was forced out. You were there. I’m sure it’s more convenient for everyone to believe I abandoned the family, but it’s just you and me here.”
“You’re a hothead that can’t be trusted, Luca.”
“No, you’re afraid of me.”
His eyes narrow to slits and if his gun were in reach, he might shoot me.
“You wouldn’t have your panties in such a bunch about my being here if you weren’t. But let me say it again, I don’t want to take your business from you. You know, I could be of help. Someonedid murder Father… unless it was you, tired of waiting to take over the kingdom.”
“You have a big mouth, Luca. That’s always been your problem. You think you know better. You don’t respect authority. You have no loyalty to family?—”
“Loyalty to family?” I practically gape at him. “Where was Father’s loyalty—or yours, for that matter—to me? I was his son. Your brother. You didn’t just toss me out like the trash. You were prepared to kill me.” I shake my head in disbelief. “And now you wonder why I don’t bow down to you. You can’t be that fucking stupid.”
Something flickers in Alessandro's eyes. Could be doubt. It’s probably not regret.
"I didn't come back for power. I have power." I force myself to breathe. "I came because someone wanted me here. And I'm staying for Enzo and Katerina. They're my family now."
"And if I told you to leave?"
"I've been Don Luca Dante for far longer than you've been a Don. I've been doing my damnedest to show you respect, but you don't own me. You have no power over me." I hold his gaze. "And I don't take orders from you."
The silence stretches between us, thirty years of brotherhood and rivalry compressed into this single moment.
"You always were too emotional," Alessandro finally says. "Father hated that about you."
"I know." I smile grimly. “It scares the shit out of people in Chicago too. At least here my enemies have the balls to face me directly.”
"Is that what we are now? Enemies?" Alessandro's voice drops, almost disappointed.
"You tell me, Brother. You're the one threatening to separate me from my son."
Alessandro slams his palm on the desk. "It's not about the boy! It's about where your loyalties lie. This family is finally stable after chaos following Father's death. And now you show up, destabilizing everything."
“If this is stable, you’re in big trouble, Don Dante.” I mockingly say his formal name.
“You think you can do better. Is that why you’re here?—”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake… NO. That’s not why I’m here. Is your hearing bad? Don’t you speak English? I don’t need or want your business. I’m still here for my family.”
“You don’t have a family, Luca. Not with us. Not with Katerina and her son.”
I’m so fucking tired of all this.
