chapter 4
1801 Words
Alexander
I watched Aryana shakily place her cup of water back on the desk and take a deep breath before she turned to both myself and my father.
"What the hell just happened?" She demanded. Despite the negative relationship we had between us, I still felt bad for her. She was a civilian caught up in a war between two mafia families. This was the first time she had ever seen someone get killed.
"That was our enemy, a family we are at odds with." My father answered cautiously.
"At odds with? All that happened can't be classified as something you would use the words "at odds with. "You guys murdered in broad daylight!"
I was slightly amused at how hysterical she was, but again, I couldn't fault her. I grew up around this kind of violence, so it was normal to me, but to her, it was understandable that she would be frightened by this mere level of bloodshed. In her world, conflict constituted petty arguments and silent treatment. In my world, it included spilling the blood of those who wronged us.
"Who exactly are you?" Aryana demanded. My eyebrows involuntarily raised themselves, impressed by her attitude, considering she had just witnessed us kill many men without batting an eye.
"And I want the truth."
I turned to my father to see what he would do. He leaned back in his chair and studied Aryana's face.
"Very well. I will answer your question, but I suspect you already know the answer. You are studying psychology, and judging by your results; you are a very intelligent lady. You already know who we are, don't you?"
Silence descended upon the room after my father's words were spoken.
"You have guns." Aryana opened her mouth. "You have no issue murdering in front of everyone, which shows u have no fear for the authorities."
"Go on." My father encouraged her. I could see how amused my father was.
"And you're surrounded by…subordinates who do whatever you command them to do." Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "You're a criminal. Maybe even a part of some mafia."
My father chuckled. "We are not part ofsomemafia. Wearethe mafia."
"What do you want with me?" She asked. Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides.
"I've already told you what I wanted, Aryana. You are carrying the future heir of my family. I only wish for your safety and that of my unborn grandchild, and for both of you to remain safe, I will need to send you and my son away. As you can see, you won't be able to live the normal life you're used to if you stay." My father answered with a calm demeanor.
"I didn't say I would keep the child." Aryana declared.
The atmosphere in the room shifted at her words. I narrowed my eyes at her. Even though I was not happy about the situation, that was still my child, the future heir of the Romano family she was carelessly thinking of getting rid of. I knew I was not the only one who felt the same. My father's original gentle countenance was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his figure emanated danger and sharpness. My eyes wandered over to our men who stood guard in the room, and I could see how their eyes reflected coldness. As my eyes returned to Aryana, I could see that she had also seemed to realize her perilous situation.
No matter how gray or black our morals were, we valued family above everything. For her to suggest aborting my child was a heinous crime that even the mafia wouldn't commit.
"You won't do that." My father stated as if he knew that Aryana would not do such a thing.
"How do you know I won't? I have my life to live, a degree I'm studying for, and my parents have no idea about it." Aryana argued.
"Have you so quickly forgotten who I am? I know all about your life. You will not do the same thing your mother did."
Aryana stared at my father in shock. I also looked at my father in concealed interest. What happened in her past that she wouldn't get rid of my child?
The staring match continued until Aryana admitted defeat and slumped in her seat. She looked resigned to her fate, and I felt sympathetic toward her.
"I won't."
My father nodded, pleased with her decision.
"So what now? What about my degree, my life?" She asked with a sullen expression.
"Do not worry about that. We will sort everything out." My father replied.
"Can I know where you're carting me off to?" She requested.
"Unfortunately, you cannot. All you need to know is that you will be safe, and with my son at your side, nothing will happen to you." I kept quiet as my father assured Aryana.
Aryana sighed and stood up. My father gestured for two of his men to guide Aryana out of the room to where she would be staying. I stayed behind, wanting to talk to my father and convince him not to send me away. My father then dismissed his remaining subordinates, leaving only the two of us.
"You and Aryana need to leave as soon as possible." My father stated in a calm manner "I will not run away from this war like a coward." I disagreed.
"You're not running away from this war, and neither are you a coward,mio figlio,my child."
"Then don't send me away," I responded.
"And what about your woman and child?" My father raised an eyebrow at me.
"She is not my woman." I bit out with my hands clenched into fists.
"Yet she is the mother of your child."
I bit my lower lip in agitation and annoyance.
"I did not ask her to be. " I muttered under my breath, but my father heard me.
"Then you should have used protection or not slept with her!" My father sharply reprimanded me.
"She assured me that it was okay. I was going to get a-"
"Then you should have insisted instead of allowing your lust to cloud your reasoning." My father cut me off. "Alexander, I have taught you many things in our business. I have always told you never to let your guard down and always stay on alert. I've also told you always to be prepared and never be careless. Using such a petty excuse that she said it was okay is not a good enough reason. I taught you better than to throw the blame on a woman. I expected better from you."
I lowered my head in defeat. I would lie if I said my father's last sentence didn't hurt me. I hated disappointing my father.
"I've always taught you to be an honorable man, and now you don't want to take responsibility for your actions?"
"I will take responsibility for my actions, but I will not leave you and our family in our time of need," I interjected. Why couldn't this stubborn man understand where I was coming from?
"And what about your woman?" My father asked.
My jaw throbbed with how much force I had to use to stop myself from rejecting her as "my" woman.
"She can go to the hideout by herself. I am needed here."
"Alexander. I did not raise you to abandon the mother of your child." By the tone of his voice, I could tell that my father was exasperated with me.
"Mio figlio,do not be stubborn. Everything will be fine here. Just take care of your family. You do not want to disappoint me, do you?"
Damn, it. Of course, my father would play on my feelings. He knew how much I detested disappointing him.
"Certo no padre,of course not, Father,but it does not mean I agree." I relented in frustration.
"You may not agree right now, but you will understand and thank me for making you do this later."
"We’ll see.”
My father chuckled and walked over to me to pat my shoulders. His familiar action made me release the tension in my shoulders that I didn't even know was there.
“When are we leaving?” I asked, referring to myself and Aryana.
“Now.”
“What? Right now?” I exclaimed in unconcealed shock.
“Yes. The Saconne moved today by trying to kill or kidnap Aryana sooner than we thought. After our clash, they will not rush to attack us again, but if we put this off another moment, we don’t know when they will make their next move. It’s better to use this opportunity to relocate you and Aryana immediately.”
I swallowed the words that were desperate to leave my mouth.
“Will you tell the family?” I asked.
“Hmm. I will tell them what is necessary. I will tell them I sent you away for personal reasons. I won’t tell them of your whereabouts.”
“They’ll be angry,” I stated.
“I’ll handle it.” My father assured me.
I cleared my throat to get a handle on my emotions.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out.” My father winked at me, but I was not in the mood.
“I see.” I cleared my throat. “Is she aware?”
“Yes. I expect the two of you to already be on your way in the next ten minutes. I have already contacted Tony and Marcello to pack your things for you.
“Would any of them be coming with me?” I asked, hoping it wouldn’t be only myself with Aryana.
“No.” My father shook his head, sending a pang of disappointment coursing through my body.
“They are needed here.” My father explained. “Now, move along. It’s almost time for you to depart.
I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms around mypadrein a big hug.
“Please be safe,” I whispered.
“I will try my best. Now go.” He gave me a heavy pat, pushing me away with a smile.
I left the office and went to my room in a daze. I saw Tony and Marcello with my bags packed beside them.
“Are the two of you coming with me?” I asked in confusion since my father had already said no.
“We received orders from the Don to escort you to your destination,” Tony answered with a small smile.
I couldn’t help but feel gratitude toward my father.
“It’s time to go,” Tony said, picking up one of my bags while Marcello carried another. I nodded, and the three of us approached the vehicle that would drive me away from my father’s side.
- Writer
