“Because a son needs to have more of a reason to avenge his mother, to go against the man that never acknowledged him.”
“Why get involved at all?” Damon asked. “If your mother was a one-night stand, and she had you, tough. Was she a leech?”
Ricky’s jaw clenched, and Damon shook his head. “You don’t have a fucking clue what you’re talking about. My mother wasn’t just a one-night stand.”
“What was she then?”
He waited.
“She was his mistress.”
“So, still a woman used for fucking.”
Ricky tensed up, and Damon stared at him. “You’re one to talk. Isn’t that what you used Milah for?”
His hands clenched into fists, but he didn’t strike. “Don’t.”
“You can call my mother out for being a whore, but Milah, she doesn’t get hit by the same stick.”
“If you value your life, shut your fucking mouth.”
“I do value my life, and I value Milah’s, as well as my unborn niece or nephew. Family means everything. Even as that piece-of-shit man tried to ruin my mother, she always believed that family was strong. She was the one who told me about Milah. That I had a sister. She asked me, on her deathbed, if I would take care of her. To be a good brother to her.”
Damon burst out laughing. “You expect me to believe this?”
“I don’t care if you believe it or not. We’re not all bastards, but maybe your thirst for revenge on Russo has turned you into him, whether you like it or not.”
Anger shot through his entire body. He wanted to put an end to the fucker’s life, but someone must be looking down on him, because at that moment, Genius was calling him.
Damon just wanted to kill him and be done with it.
The man dared to touch Milah. No one but him touched Milah. She was his.
“What do you have?”
“A paternity test, and hell, yeah, this is Antonio Russo’s child all right. He has been working for you for nearly five years.” Genius whistled. “Damn good from what I see. He was a soldier as well. Trained in the art of killing. He has saved your ass so many times. It’s why he’s a main guard at your home. You can trust him.”
“Thank you.” Damon hung up. “Did Milah know about you before today?”
“No. Today was the first time I approached.”
“Why did she believe you?”
Ricky shrugged. “I guess she is desperate for some family. Look, I know you want to kill me, and I didn’t come forward and tell you who I was because I know what a Russo name means around here. I’m not my father. I just want to keep Milah safe, and you. You’re a good man, De Luca, and I will accept whatever punishment you decide.”
Damon glared at Ricky, hating the fact he sounded so fucking reasonable.
He left the basement, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to kill the fucker although that was all he wanted to do.
Several of his guards were stationed outside of the basement. “Let him go.”
“Sir?”
“Nothing is to happen to him. You have worked side by side for long enough. He is one of you.” Damon left and made his way toward the main bedroom, where he found James and Glory.
The young woman was crying.