Chapter 8 - THE MAIN HOUSE
The main house was a labyrinth of marble and secrets.
My new bedroom was connected to Giovanni’s by a heavy oak door.
Luca’s nursery was on the other side.
It felt like we were being swallowed by the Moretti name.
That night,
I couldn't sleep.
I walked out onto the balcony,
looking at the dark water of the harbor.
The city felt so far away.
“She’s right,
isn't she?”
I asked,
sensing Giovanni behind me.
He didn't answer right away.
He came to stand beside me,
his shoulder brushing mine.
“About the danger?”
“Yes.”
“The danger has always been there,
Lauren.”
“It’s the price of the life I live.”
“But I didn't choose it for Luca.”
“I did,”
he said.
“By being his father.”
“And I will spend every second of my life making sure it doesn't touch him.”
I looked at him,
the man I had once loved with all my heart.
“Do you still love the business,
Giovanni?”
“I never loved the business,”
he admitted,
surprising me.
“I loved the power it gave me to keep the people I care about safe.”
“But I failed you.”
“And I won't fail him.”
He turned to me,
his face close to mine.
“I’m going to make a deal with the Valentis.”
“A peace treaty.”
“But it will cost me.”
“What?”
“Territory.
Money.
Influence.”
“I don't care about any of it,”
he said.
“I just want my family.”
He reached out,
his thumb tracing the line of my jaw.
“I’m sorry for the ER,
Lauren.”
“I’m sorry I wasn't there for the first seven months.”
“I’m sorry I didn't make a world where you didn't have to run.”
I leaned into his touch,
the wall I had built around my heart finally starting to crumble.
“He really does have your eyes,”
I whispered.
Giovanni leaned in and kissed me,
a soft,
lingering kiss that tasted of regret and hope.
“We can be a family,
Lauren.”
“A real one.”
But as the kiss ended,
a loud explosion rocked the house.
The alarms began to blare.
“Stay here!”
Giovanni shouted,
May you like
reaching for his gun.
The war had arrived.
