Sweet Temptation

“Of course. And my parents have their own bodyguards, not to mention Christian will be there as well.”

“That’s good. Unlike your father, he’s a capable man.”

Usually I defended my father, but today I couldn’t find the words. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. I’ll have dinner with them and spend the night.”

“Okay,” Cassio said. In the background, I could hear male voices. “I love you,” he said quietly so no one but me could hear.

“And I love you.”

I hung up, more resolved than before. Elia regarded me closely. “Is there anything I should know?”

“No.” I softened the word with a smile. It was bad enough that Mansueto had told my father. Knowing him, he’d probably already passed the news on to Mom and Christian. It was only a matter of time before it spread like wildfire. I didn’t even want to imagine what it would do to Daniele and Simona.

I fell asleep after a while. Elia woke me when we pulled up in front of my old home. Elia got out and held the door open for me.

Mom and Dad waited on the porch, both of them beaming like a kid on Christmas morning. I wished it wasn’t because of something that could destroy the people I loved most in the world.

I headed toward them and hugged them briefly. Christian waited behind them for his turn. “You’re growing bigger every day.”

“That’s not something you should tell a woman,” I told Christian. “Are you alone?”

“The flu has taken hold of our house. I’m the last man standing.”

I smiled but it fell when I met Dad’s gaze.

“You must be hungry,” Mom said eagerly, motioning for me to follow her into the dining room. I gave Elia a small nod so he knew it was okay to leave. He went into our guard room.

We all settled at the table. Once the maid had served dinner and disappeared, I bridged the subject. “I assume Dad told you already?”

Christian nodded grimly. His tight expression made it clear he disapproved of it.

Mom pursed her lips. “You should be ecstatic, Giulia. This is your chance.”

My eyebrows shot up. How was that my chance? I wasn’t going to become Underboss. “I don’t want the news to get out.”

“You should want what’s best for your child,” Dad said in a reprimanding voice.

I exploded. “Is that so? Was it for my best when you married me off to a man you described as the cruelest Underboss in the Famiglia, a man almost twice my age? Was that for my best or yours, Dad?”

Dad’s face became stone. He glared down at his plate. I almost felt guilty because despite all his faults, I loved him. He’d been a better father than many other men in our world.

“How can you speak in that tone to your father? Show some respect,” Mom hissed.

I took a bite of the beef tenderloin, trying to stay calm. Keeping a level head had become more difficult since pregnancy hormones were in play. “I respect you, but your ambition is going to ruin everything. I don’t care if this baby becomes Underboss. I want only the best for him, but becoming a leader in our world isn’t part of it.”

“You were always a dreamer, Giulia. It’s what I love about you,” Dad said, breaking through my rising anger until his next words. “But as a man, I can’t afford irrational daydreams. I know the realities of our life. And the truth is that all that matters is a position of power. I won’t have the son of a cheating whore as an Underboss. Our grandson will rule over Philadelphia and no one else.”

“Dad,” Christian began with a frown.

“No, I won’t discuss the matter further. Once you’re Underboss next year, you can make the decisions, but now it’s still my word ruling in this home and city. I don’t care if I have to tell the truth to every member of the Famiglia myself as long as it means our blood will rule in Philadelphia.”

I dropped my fork and stood. “If that’s the case, today is the last time you’ll see me.”

Christian touched my arm. “Stay. You shouldn’t drive back again so soon in your state.”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I won’t stay in this house for another second.”

Dad rose from his chair. “I’m doing this for our family. You’ll realize it once your son is born, and then you’ll thank me.”

I smiled sadly, tears stinging in my eyes. “You’re wrong, but I know you and Mom will never understand. You can’t.”

“You should be grateful,” Mom whispered as if I’d personally broken her heart. I was sick of this game.

“I’m grateful I didn’t inherit your ambition. I won’t ever turn my children into pawns in this horrendous game for power. Not Daniele, not Simona, not Gabriel.” I touched my belly. “Because they all are my children, and I’ll fight everyone like a warrior to protect them of the horrors of this world, even if they come in the shape of my own parents.”