Alessandro DeLuca

Alessandro runs his hand through his dark hair and turns his back on me as he makes his way to the windows. He opens the curtains and stares out into the darkened night.

I know that he can see my reflection behind him in the window.

“His name is Frederico Colombo. Your husband’s uncle had been doing business with the Colombos for years. Their family is heavily into drug and sex trafficking, prostitution rings, and money laundering. The vineyard was just one of the businesses that washed money for them. And it was one of their largest ventures. When your husband threatened to cut that off, I offered to buy the vineyard because the DeLucas was doing business with the Colombos. I figured if I could buy the vineyard, I could keep them in business and save your family. Your husband’s uncle has done plenty of favors for me in the past, and I knew that Carlo didn’t have a clue. I tried to save him, but he wouldn’t listen to me, and there was nothing I could do to stop the Colombos from doing what they were determined to do. I didn't know they would do it on my territory, violating our code. There was retaliation which led to bad blood. They would come after you if you were to surface again with your daughter.”

“No, there has to be some mix-up. My husband would never be involved with the mafia.”

He scoffs and shakes his head. “Not knowingly.”

“No, he wouldn’t!”

“Mila, I have no reason to lie to you.”

“But you did. I have the proof right here,” I reply, shaking the picture at him. “Where is she? Why do you have her?”

“That was the only way that I could protect her. To bring her into my family…and raise her as if she’s mine.”

“But she’s not. ”

Turning around with anger etched in the lines of his brow and clenched jaw, he roars, “She is!”

“I’m taking her home,” I say firmly.

“The hell you are! I told you there’s still a man who is very interested in you being dead, and if he gets a whiff that you’re alive, that’s your ass. I’m not about to let you put Bianca in harm’s way.”

“Zoe’s my child!”

“She may be your child, but that doesn’t mean she’s any less mine!”

“You didn’t give birth to her! Your name isn’t on her birth certificate. You haven’t—”

“I didn’t do any of that shit, but I have spent the last two years guarding her life with mine, protecting her, providing for her, …and loving her like my own. If you think I’m about to let you in here and walk away like that with her, you’re not as bright as I thought you were. Let’s not forget you’re dead!” he snarls.

“Wait…who’s Bianca?”

“We changed her name. The same way that you had to change yours. Since she was declared dead, we gave her a new identity in another country. Just like your DNA was at the scene from your injuries, so was hers.”

“Did she…does she have scars?”

He shakes his head, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “No, she doesn’t. When the explosion occurred, she landed behind a table, protecting her from the damage most patrons sustained.”

Tears fill my eyes. “Thank God,” I whisper. “How is she doing? Was she scared? Is she adjusting? Does she ever talk about us?”

My heart constricts in my chest at the knowledge that my child has been in this world all this time, thinking she was alone. Thinking that her parents were no more. I cannot imagine the pain she endured.

“All the time. And I try to help her keep your memories alive by having her talk about you both.”

Tears fill my eyes, but Alessandro stands staring at me.

“Thank you.”

He tilts his head and then spins to the window again. “We’ve got company.”