“Bianca is well. She is sleeping peacefully,” I said, hating the worry I was causing him.
He blew out a breath. “What do you need?”
“Could we meet?” I didn’t really think he’d agree to it, especially after everything that had happened between us. I was grateful for his answering the phone.
He didn’t answer me right away. “Are you going to drug me and then dump me off somewhere this time?”
“No, son. I only want to talk.”
“Fine. Where do you want to meet?”
“Blades,” I said, naming Matteo’s club. “Come alone, if you would. I do not want any trouble.”
“Sure,” he mumbled. “I’ll see you within the hour.”
“See you soon.” I disconnected the call and looked over to Klaus.
“Vincenzo is coming. He is a good boy. He will tell us.”
Klaus grunted, not looking convinced, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he went back to looking out the window, his thumb gently rubbing circles on his darkened phone screen.
I really hoped Vincenzo talked.
We waitedin the VIP section of Blades for an hour, neither of us saying much. Klaus had a few more drinks and kept looking down at his phone, but he didn’t send messages or make any calls. If I had to guess, he was looking to see if his girl was messaging him.
I spotted Vincenzo walking toward us. He looked bigger than the last time I saw him. Not so much taller, although he was quite tall, but like he’d been working out more.
He still reminded me of his mother. He had her pretty dark eyes. Whenever I looked at him, I was reminded of what I’d lost all those years ago. It broke my damn heart. Maybe that’s why I kept as much distance between us as I did. Although it was nothing compared to the distance Klaus kept between himself and his sons.
I stood and greeted him with a hug.
“My son,” I murmured affectionately as he gave me a quick squeeze back. I gestured for him to sit.
He cast a look at Klaus and stiffened.
“All is well. We only want to talk,” I said as I took my seat.
He hesitated for another moment before sliding into the booth across from me, which left Klaus to sit in the center.
“How have you been?” I asked him.
“I’ve been better. I’d be great if you released B back to us, though.” He stared me down.
I smiled at him. “I did not invite you out to negotiate. Bianca is well. She is cared for. She wants for nothing.”
“Except her family.” He glowered at me. “Dom and Fallon need her, too. They’re the babies’ dads. This isn’t right. And Levin.” He looked at Klaus. “Levin is going to be a dad, too. So am I. What did any of us ever do to you guys to make you hate us the way you do? Because Dom isn’t Matteo’s? That’s not Dom’s fault.” He breathed heavily, his hands twisted into tight fists.
“We do not hate you,” I murmured. “You are my son. I love you dearly, Vincenzo.”
He swallowed and stared back at me, silent as a tomb.
I deserved that. It didn’t mean it hurt any less. Deciding I should just come out with it, I exhaled and spoke.
“I called you here tonight because we have had word that Stefan is alive and that you’ve spent time with him. Is this true?”
He froze, his dark eyes moving from me to Klaus quickly before he focused back on me.
He cleared his throat. “Whoever told you this has been mistaken, or they’re straight-up lying to you. Stefan is dead.”
