Ch. 231..235: Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad Chapter 231-235

Chapter 231

Daniel slowly shakes his head, putting a hand on Alessi's shoulder. "We don't know where dad is," Daniel says, his voice filled with grief. He glances at me and I move to his side, impressed again at how good an actor Daniel can be. I slip what I hope looks like a comforting arm around my husband's waist. "What?" Alessi says, shocked, looking between us.

"We left," Daniel says with a sad shrug, "because we knew, when my father escaped, that they would lock us down - maybe even arrest us, even though we weren't involved. So we fled, wanting to get here as soon as we could. To be with family in these hard times." Alessi clicks his tongue and shakes his head, murmuring something mournful in Italian. "I had really hoped," he says, putting his hands into the pockets of his linen pants, "that he would be with you. My old friend."

"I know," Daniel murmurs, shaking his head again and staring at the ground, looking like he carries a great deal of guilt on his shoulders.

Alessi, seeing his nephew sad, springs immediately to action. "Come in, come in!" he says, wrapping an arm around Daniel's shoulders and leading us both forward. "It is good you are here early - we will cook you breakfast, eh? And then we will have a good long talk -get you set up here, in your home."

"Who is here?" Daniel asks, and his face brightens as we enter the house and begin to walk through rooms that I know carry a great deal of nostalgia for him. I watch his face as much as I look at the incredible house around us. It's wide and expansive, the most impressive house I've ever seen, with sweeping staircases and marble floors.

"Everyone is here!" Alessi responds as he leads us quickly through the main part of the house, which is empty, and through to what is clearly an older part of the home. We are soon in a small, slightly cramped, but remarkably cozy and cheerful kitchen that I am surprised and pleased to see is filled with people.

A series of gasps goes through the room and then shouts of "Daniele!" Metal clatters as at least six women of varying ages drop their cooking utensils and dash across the room to throw their arms around their much-missed nephew or cousin or whatever he is to them. I laugh as Daniel is immediately engulfed in a hug that's at least three people deep, shouting out his greetings to his loved ones.

But as I smile at my husband and his family, waiting patiently to be introduced, movement at the far corner of the kitchen catches my eye.

And as I turn to look, I feel my heart steel as I meet the gaze of the one person who I know is not likely to be thrilled to see me today.

Natalia stands with an eyebrow raised, the knife in her hand paused in the process of slicing onions. Her eyes swiftly move to my stomach, as if checking to see if the baby's still there, and then dart back up to mine before she gives me a cold smile. And I lift my chin, feeling my lips turn up just at the corners.

Because even if she's excited about the baby, I still know precisely how she feels about me. And considering that we showed up without Kent, the love of her life? Well. Perhaps I can intuit why she's looking at me so coldly.

But what Natalia doesn't know is that I've come to this battleground today with the entire Alden arsenal at my fingertips.

And I have absolutely no problem taking her out if she gets in my way.

"Daniele," an old woman says with such emotion that my gaze snaps away from Natalia, turning to see Daniel bend down to hug the white-haired woman who is probably half his size. Tears drop from her eyes as she murmurs something to him in Italian, holding him close for a long moment before stepping away to hold his face in her hands.

"Nonna," Daniel says, beaming at her and laughing as he places his hands softly on her shoulders. "Mi sei mancata, nonna."

She cries again and wraps him in her arms and I turn my head to the side, a little baffled and confused. The women begin to notice me then, as well as my confused face, and several move over to me.

"Are you the bride!?" One gasps, about Kent's age, and she reaches for me immediately, pulling me into a hug. "Daniel, is this her!?"

Daniel, his arm still around the old woman, turns and smiles. "Yes, Valentina - this is Fay, my wife."

Valentina beams and then says something loudly in Italian - I think interpreting Daniel's words - and a cheer goes up in the kitchen as the women of Daniel's family swarm towards me, all reaching to give me hugs and kisses. I laugh as I return them, completely overwhelmed and touched by how they immediately accept me as one of their own.

The old woman comes forward last, her withered hands reaching first for my face to study me and then dropping to my pregnant belly, which she brushes with her fingertips. She looks up at me with such hope in her eyes -

And guilt just rolls in me - because I think this is Daniel's grandmother, and she thinks that this is her first great-grandchild -

She asks me a soft question in Italian that makes the women laugh softly. I just shake my head, looking towards Daniel for help.

He slips his hands into his pockets, looking at me with a great deal of pleasure. "She wants to know if you're pregnant, or you just ate a lot of linguine."

I laugh now too and turn back to the woman, eagerly. "Pregnant!" I say, my hands going to my stomach, a little blush coming to my cheeks.

"Sei incinta?" she asks, wanting to be sure.

I look to Daniel, and he nods at me, and I turn to her and nod again eagerly. She throws up her hands and cheers, as does everyone else, and the kitchen is full of happy noise and cries. Then, to my surprise, someone opens a bottle of something - I don't know what - and begins to fill tiny glasses, handing them around to everyone in the room.

Even I am handed one as Daniel comes to my side. "It's limoncello," he murmurs in my ear. "Just take a little sip to please them."

And I nod as glasses are raised, and words are shouted around - a blessing, I assume, for Daniel, and the child, and me, I guess - before everyone drinks their little glass of yellow liquor. I sip at mine, surprised a little by how much I like it. Lemon is not always my favorite, but this is surprisingly sweet.

Everyone gives a cheer when the glasses are emptied and then the kitchen is again loud and busy, with many of the women moving back to their kitchen tasks, though Daniel's grandmother and the women he called Valentina stay close. My eyes move to Natalia in the corner, who never left her spot, though she participated in the toast.

I find her watching me, curious. But when she sees me looking, she returns to her work.

I smirk a little, knowing that she'll find me at some point, even if she's playing it cool now. Still, it's interesting to see her not take control of the room - to defer to these other two women, letting them take their turn with Daniel and I first. "Come," Valentina says, wrapping a warm arm around my shoulders. "We'll go out back - have a little chat, yes?"

I nod and Valentina leads me away, though I can feel Natalia's hard gaze on me the entire time we walk to the back door.

Chapter 232

patio that actually reminds me a great deal of the patio at Kent's house.

Valentina calling some instructions to Alessi over her shoulder as we go and I glance to see him give a confirming wave, moving to a large brass coffee machine. Daniel takes his grandmother's hand and the four of us move through a back door onto a gorgeous little I smile when I realize that this must have been his inspiration, and a warmth runs through me. Even though he's not here, it's so lovely to finally be getting these insights to Kent's life, his personality, his past.

"I am Valentina," the woman says to me, leading me to a little wooden chair at a cozy patio set and grabbing a pillow. I smile up at her as she solicitously tucks the pillow behind my back, ensuring my comfort. "I am Alessi's wife - we are so glad to have you here, Fay. I heard so much about you from my husband and from Natalia."

"Oh!" I say, smiling at her, feeling a bit stupid for not putting it together before. Because of course I knew Alessi was married, and I've heard his wife's name before, but - well, I guess I was just overwhelmed, meeting Daniel's big Italian family all at once.

Daniel takes a moment to settle his grandmother in a chair next to me before moving to a chair on her other side. Daniel introduces her to me, telling me that her name is Rosa but to call her Nonna like everyone else. "Nonna," she says in confirmation as she reaches over to take my hands. "Me Nonna."

I laugh and repeat the word affectionately, and then point to my chest and say "Fay."

"Fay," she repeats, nodding deeply as Alessi comes out of the kitchen, bearing a tray of espresso that I sit up straight to see.

Alessi laughs when he sees it. "Fay, I did not forget your affection for espresso," he says, setting down the tray and handing around the little cups, mixing milk into mine before he hands it over.

"You're too good to me, Alessi," I say with a sigh, leaning back and taking a sip. "Thank you all so much for welcoming me into your home. I feel stupid now for not taking more time to learn Italian."

Valentina clicks her tongue and dismisses the point. "We most of us - besides Nonna - we speak enough English to make it work, and you will learn, yes? You will stay here?" She looks between Daniel and I expectantly now.

"No, no," Daniel says, and I smile to see him using his hands and adopting a little bit more of an Italian accent than he has with us. He's already falling into the rhythms of this house which must be like a second home to him. "We have rented a place - we wanted our own space for when the baby comes."

Valentina sits up straight and glares at him a little. "You will need help when the baby comes - there is no better place than here, your home - you will move in immediately -"

I grin, a little, to see the fire and vehemence in this woman, but Alessi just laughs lightly and puts a hand on her knee. "Let them do as they please, Valentina. I'm sure you will see the child enough."

"I love children," she says to me, placing a hand on her heart. "You should live here, I will raise the baby for you -"

We all laugh and Valentina rolls her eyes and tosses up her hands, muttering something about nobody taking her seriously. Alessi puts an arm around her shoulders, tugging her close and giving her an affectionate kiss on the cheek, murmuring kindly to her. I smile at them, pleased to see the warmth between them - they are clearly very dedicated to each other, which I suppose is important in a family like this.

Cheerful conversation carries for a while as we drink our espresso, Daniel filling in his family on the story that we've practiced about wanting to quietly flee the country after Kent's escape. As time passes I begin to grow a little impatient, because while this it's very nice meeting Daniel's family...

Well? We're not precisely here for a social call, are we?

I sit back quietly in my seat for a moment, letting the family take over the conversation, trying to think of a way to prompt Daniel to request an audience with his grandfather, Don Bianci. But...how do I do that, while still playing the blushing bride?

After a moment of quiet contemplation, I notice that Nonna has gone quiet too, and I look up to see her studying me with a little smile on her face. I sit up straight, worried that she's seen through me, or that I've let my mask drop too much - But she clicks her tongue and places a soft hand on my arm, leaning in to whisper something in Italian.

Daniel turns to us, curious and I cock my head at him. But he just smirks and shakes his head at me slightly, letting me know - in his own Daniel way - not to worry about it just now. So I just smile at him, and then at Nonna, and do my best to be engaged in the conversation as Alessi updates Daniel on things that he's missed in Italy since they last spoke.

But I admit, I'm getting antsy. How the hell do I turn this conversation?

Before I have a chance to consider the problem much further, there's sudden movement at the door as a young man comes skittering out of it. He gasps a breath as his head whips towards us. "Daniele!" he shouts, and Daniel leaps to his own feet, sending his chair across the flagstones behind him and making me jump.

"Gio!" Daniel shouts, and suddenly Daniel is tripping over the patio furniture as the young man dashes across the patio. The two collide, wrapping their arms around each other as my eyes widen.

"My eldest," Valentina says, leaning closest to me. "My Giovanni - Daniel's cousin, and his best friend."

"Oh," I say, my eyes going wider. Because, honestly, Daniel never mentioned him. And considering that Daniel is my best friend...

Well. You'd think that's someone I'd have heard about, right? I mean, I knew Alessi had children, but Daniel never once mentioned to me that he was close with any of them.

Daniel and Gio chatter excitedly to each other in Italian as I look the young man over, impressed despite myself with how handsome he is. He's not dark like Daniel is, nor is he as tall or as broad, but he has a very distinct Italian charm with his lighter brown hair and his close-cut beard that does nothing to hide the deep dimples on his cheeks.

Daniel turns to me then, and I hear my name mixed in with the Italian words, knowing that I'm being introduced.

Gio moves eagerly to me, reaching for my hand. "Fay," he says, his voice light and charming, "it is so nice to meet you, finally my father has told me so much -"

"And you as well, Gio," I say, grinning at him but flicking my eyes to Daniel, who gives me a chagrined little shrug.

I'm absolutely going to have some questions for him on the way home. But, right now? I suppose that's not the point. Gio wraps me in a warm hug and then dips to kiss his mother and his grandmother on the cheek before turning to his dad.

"Well?" Alessi says, looking Gio over from head to foot, and I'm shocked to hear what sounds like disapproval in his voice. I take a minute to study Gio a little closer and blink when I realize that he, unlike the rest of his family, is not dressed in luxurious leisurewear. Instead, he's wearing a pair of hospital scrubs.

"He sent me down," Gio says, his voice more serious now as his gaze passes quickly over me to fasten on Daniel. "He says that...he's ready to see you now. So, um. You should go up."

The table grows quiet then, and I realize quite suddenly that while I thought that we'd have to request an audience...

Well. It seems that the Don is already aware that we're here.

And that he's waiting for us.

And I scowl at myself, inwardly, for being a bit stupid. Because of course he knows - this is his house, after all. And he didn't become the most powerful boss in Sicily by letting people come into his home without his knowledge. All of this - Alessi escorting us to the kitchen first, letting us be greeted and pampered by the women - all of it was a diversion so that Don Bianci could be informed and make his own plans.

I

Come on, Fay, I growl at myself inwardly, though I keep my face placid as Daniel moves to my side. Pull yourself together.

"All right," Daniel says, nodding to his cousin. "Lead the way."

And Gio's face breaks into a grin almost as if he can't help it before he nods his head back towards the house. "Follow me."

So, we do. Valentina grabs my hand on the way, giving it a supportive little squeeze that I return. And I wave to Nonna on my way out, pleased when she blows me a little kiss. Because the women, at least - it looks like I have them on my side.

I take Daniel's hand then as Gio leads us into the house. We step away from the kitchen, heading up a dark set of stairs that branches off the kitchen. The cousins chat eagerly to each other, catching up, but I ignore them, inwardly working to steel myself. Because now?

Now I meet the boss.

And I've got one chance to get this precisely right.

 

Chapter 233

Daniel and Gio continue to chatter as we make our way up to the third floor, but Daniel turns to me as our pace slows and we approach a set of brown arched doors. Gio likewise grows quiet, his whole demeanor changing in an instant from an eager young man greeting a favorite cousin to the eldest son of a mafia family.

Gio looks us over as Daniel takes my hand, though I note that his focus is almost entirely on Daniel now, as if Daniel is in charge and I'm just tagging along as a formality. I smirk a little, but I don't do anything to change this perception. At least, not for now. "Are you ready?" Gio asks, switching to English. And Daniel and I nod as one, turning towards the doors as Gio swings them open.

I do my best not to gaze around the beautiful lounge before us like a simpleton, though I have to admit that the temptation is strong. It's a beautiful room, with all dark wood and plush, expensive furniture. The curtains are looped heavily over the windows, blocking out the majority of the bright Italian sun, and as Gio waves us forward to a sitting area I note that there is a small fire burning cheerfully in the hearth, even though it is not a cold day.

Seated before the fire in a tall wing-backed chair is an old man, his sharp eyes already on us as we cross the room towards him.

Though my natural temptation to blush and look down at my feet rises in me, another eagerness overtakes it - and I realize that though this is perhaps the most intimidating man I'll ever meet, I'm excited to face him. I've been planning this for a long time. So, I keep my eyes on him and I don't flinch or blink.

And though his eyes go to Daniel first, carefully looking his grandson over from head to foot, when his gaze moves to me? His eyebrows raise a little in surprise.

And then the corners of his mouth turn up into a very small smile.

Gio moves to stand in the corner of the room behind his grandfather's chair as Daniel and I cross the room. But I admit that I forget all about Gio as Daniel and I move closer to Don Bianci, because I'm blinking with surprise when Daniel actually goes to one knee before the older man, taking his grandfather's hand and pressing his lips to the Don's knuckles. Don Bianci only lets the kiss last a moment before he pulls his hand away and runs it fondly over Daniel's hair, murmuring something affectionate in Italian. Daniel raises his head and smiles at his grandfather then, getting to his feet and leaning forward to kiss the old man on both cheeks, murmuring his own reply that I don't understand.

Don Bianci laughs a little at whatever Daniel says, just a short huffing sound, and then pats Daniel on the cheek before he stands straight.

Daniel moves back to my side as Don Bianci holds a hand out to me, palm up. For a second I panic a little, wondering if I'm supposed to go to one knee -

But no. Somehow, it just...wouldn't feel right. So instead, I simply take a step forward and slip my hand into his. The Don looks me over then, his smile deepening a little bit.

"So," he says, his English lightly accented. "You are my grandson's bride. It is a pleasure to meet you, Fay Alden."

"And you, Don Bianci," I say, lowering my head a little in a kind of bow. But somehow, with this man? It doesn't feel foolish. He tightens his fingers, inviting me further forward, and I bend over, kissing him once on either cheek. When I straighten, he lets my fingers go and I step back to Daniel's side.

The Don settles back into his chair, looking between us, letting silence reign in the room, clearly letting us be uncomfortable if that's what we're feeling. Because this is his room, and we're on his time now. This man - he wears his power comfortably, letting it settle over his shoulders, completely undisturbed by it.

And I take a deep breath feeling contentment settle within me, because honestly? That's exactly how Kent wears his. This man might not know it, but he doesn't scare me. My months at Kent's side have prepared me to deal with men just like this. Daniel - he grew up fearing men like Don Bianci, like Kent, like my father.

But me?

I've found my way to loving one and murdering another.

And as I realize that, any fear and tension that linger in me drop away. Don Bianci's eyes watch me as I take a deep breath and settle my shoulders. And then he smiles, and laughs a little, and his words are directed only at me as he speaks.

"So," he says, folding his hands neatly in his lap. "What is it that you have come to ask me for today?""Nonno," Daniel says, stepping forward and trying - I think - to draw the Don's eyes back to him. "We have only come to -"

But Don Bianci silences him simply by raising his hand, smirking as he keeps his eyes on me, his every action saying I wasn't speaking to you, grandson.

And a little smile lifts my own lips now, because I see that he sees right through any façade that fooled Daniel's family in the kitchen, any suggestion that Daniel's the one in charge and I'm just his shy little wife.

The Don settles his hands back in his lap and he raises his eyebrow at me, inviting me to speak. I open my mouth, ready to begin, but suddenly the door opens again.

Daniel and I turn and I my brows raise in surprise to see Natalia come into the room.

Don Bianci peers around us, and when I look back at him I'm a little pleased to see a frown on his face. "What are you doing here?" he asks Natalia, speaking in English so I can understand.

Natalia's face is simpering as she hurries to his side. "I thought that I could help," she says, dropping a kiss to the Don's cheek as she arrives at his side. Then she straightens next to him. "As Alessi's second, and as someone who knows these two...very well," she says, a slow smile on her face, "I thought that I would be an asset at this meeting."

I press my lips to a thin line, but I don't say anything as Daniel murmurs his greetings to Natalia. Before he can finish, though, Don Bianci takes a deep breath and interrupts.

"This is all very nice," Bianci says, his eyes again returning to me, though they occasionally flash to Daniel, wanting to see his reaction as well. "The reunions, and the meeting of family. But I have reason to believe," he says slowly, "that this meeting has a great deal more to do with business than my family below would understand."

"What makes you say that, nonno?" Daniel says cooly, sliding his hands into his pockets. I keep my face impassive.

"I am not a fool, Daniele," Bianci says, his voice razor sharp. "It is not a coincidence that my connection to the Alden family goes dark, and then two weeks later you show up at my doorstep with an Alden bride." Daniel frowns. "We were married months before -"

"Enough," Bianci snaps, not willing to be lied to or diverted. "Tell me the truth. Now. Everything."

"We'd be happy to," I say quietly, not letting myself flinch as all the eyes in the room move to me. And then, my eyes ice, I shift them to glare at Natalia. "But not with her here."

There's silence for a moment as Natalia's eyes flash at the challenge. Don Bianci chuckles a little and I shift my gaze back to him.

"She is an important member of my staff, Fay Alden," the Don says softly, a smile playing on his lips, though it doesn't pass my attention that he doesn't call me by my married name. "Why should I send her away?"

I don't say anything for a long moment, simply returning my gaze to Natalia and letting the silence hang between us. I let a taunting smile find my own lips.

And Natalia, as I knew she would, rises to my bait.

"You little," she growls, leaning forward towards me, "what reason could you possibly have to request that I -"

"Because," I snap, my voice loud and sharp in the room, like a flash of lightening. Natalia's eyes fly a little wide at the force of me as I lean incrementally towards her, baring my teeth. I say my next words with perfect clarity and calm. "It does not please me to have you here, Natalia. Which is enough."

And with one final glare, I shift my gaze back to Don Bianci, dismissing her.

Slowly, Don Bianci smiles, deeply satisfied.

He raises one hand, waving it casually. "Go, Natalia," he murmurs, dismissing her as well, his eyes on mine.

Natalia looks down at him in shock, sputtering something in Italian.

The Don's face falls in a second as he snaps a single word and she goes pale as she steps away from him. Natalia's lips peel back from her teeth as she glares one final time at me, but I barely see it as she storms towards the door and leaves the room, because I keep my eyes on the one man who matters.

Don Bianci. Who has, I'm happy to see, realized that I'm the one in charge on this side of the table.

Not Natalia. Not his grandson. Me.

"All right, Fay Alden," Bianci says, smiling at me again. "Where do we begin?"

 

Chapter 234

I give the head of the Bianci family a slow, leisurely smile. "Wherever you wish to begin, sir," I say quietly, passing the gambit back to him. I want to know more about what he wants before I tell him what I want. "We are simply grateful to be guests in your home." Don Bianci smirks at me, obviously aware that we're not here for a pleasant chat with family. "All right, little donna," he murmurs. "I wish to know why your family has suddenly stopped communicating with me, even though we have a set of deals in place." "My father is dead," I say simply, keeping my face impassive.

"I am aware," Bianci murmurs, raising his eyebrows. "A great scandal. I am sorry for your loss, but the newspapers report that you were lucky enough to have breakfast with him that morning. Such a blessing, to have those final moments with your father." "We weren't close," I reply, holding his gaze, feeling Daniel looking at me now. "I don't know how much you know of my history -"

"I know everything about your history, Fay Alden," the Don cuts in smoothly, again looking me up and down.

I smirk a bit. Because he certainly doesn't know everything. I tuck my hands behind my back now, consciously avoiding touching my stomach. "Then there's no need to tell you that my mother raised me away from my father and I knew nothing of my connection to the Alden until earlier this year."

"And this mother," Bianci snaps. "Where is she?"

I narrow my eyes a little as he rests an elbow on the arm of his chair, tilting his head and propping it - just lightly- on his fingertips.

"My mother is dead," I reply quietly. But...why is he asking that? If he knows all of my history, certainly he already knows this. Still, I pushed forward. "I haven't had a mother since I was a child."

Slowly, Bianci nods before turning his eyes to his grandson.

"Daniele," he says, his words still directed at me, "I hear is newly adept in the shipping industry. This must be convenient for you, considering your recent inheritance."

"A convenient turn of fate," I say, allowing a smile to play at my lips. "He's good at it, though I'm not sure he enjoys the work."

Bianci raises an eyebrow at Daniel, inviting him to speak.

"I wouldn't count on my continuing in the industry, nonno," Daniel replies, his voice casual and a little disinterested. "I'm not sure that it speaks to my passions."

"And what are your passions, Daniele," the Don asks, his voice harder now.

Daniel just shrugs and looks away, I think a little frustrated. "I'm still figuring that out."

The Don scoffs a little, raising his head and flicking his fingers towards Daniel dismissively. "You and Gio," he murmurs, shaking his head and glancing towards his other grandson. "Not understanding what's actually important in life..."

I shift my eyes to Gio in time to see him rolling his eyes briefly skyward. And honestly, I have to admit myself confused - because he's not dressed in medical scrubs for fashion, right? Is his grandfather honestly disappointed in him for being a doctor or a nurse?

I mean Daniel I get - Daniel's a professional student at this point, which I don't mind, but I see how in a traditional Italian family this might be non-preferred. But a son in the medical field?

My brows knit together just a tiny bit.

"And you, Fay," Bianci says, turning my attention back to him. "You have a degree in...psychology, yes?"

I nod in confirmation, a little impressed. I mean, it's not like that would be difficult to discover, but this man clearly has done his homework.

Silence hangs steady in the room as the old man studies me, waiting for me to break under his gaze. But I just wait, patient. And then, quietly, darkly - he begins to laugh.

"All right, little donna," he murmurs, repeating the nickname. "Stop playing coy. Tell me what it is you did."

"All right," I say with a nod, pleased to see him stop dancing around the niceties. But still - I'm not going to confess my crimes that easily. I still want to make him to tell me what he knows. "Where do you want me to begin?" "My son," Bianci says coldly. "Where is he?"

I raise my brows a bit because...Alessi is downstairs, is he not?

But Daniel picks up on it faster than I do. "We don't know where dad is," he says quietly, sticking to our story, which I'm sure Bianci sees right through. "We fled America when we figured that the police would lock down our -"

Bianci flicks his hand again at Daniel, silencing him, returning his eyes to me. And I watch him, curious at his decision to call Kent his son. Because does he actually feel that way about him, this child he raised, to whom he gave his daughter? Or is it some kind of verbal ploy to make us think he cares more about Kent than he really does?

I truly don't know. I can't tell.

"Kent is safe," I say quietly, but then I press my mouth shut, letting it end there.

Bianci smirks a little, letting me keep my secrets on this issue, probably because he already knows more than he's letting on.

"If you have not come to return my boy to me," the Don murmurs, leaning forward to look at me now, his tone letting me know that he's coming to the end of his patience with my game. "Then what is it that you have to offer?"

"A great deal," I reply, raising my chin a bit, knowing that it's time to show my cards. "Not the least of which is a Bianci great-grandchild. Your first, if I'm not mistaken." I unlink my hands from behind my back and let one drift to my baby bump. "A blessing," he says with a nod, his words serious. "But not enough to account for the loss of the Alden connection, if it is truly gone."

"I am the Alden connection now," I say, allowing my voice to sharpen a bit.

"Are you?" he asks, a smirk again on his lips.

"And the Lippert," I say, assured. "When my father had Kent arrested he stole his industries, both legitimate and illegitmate. And then, with my father's untimely death, they all passed to me."

The Don's smirk deepens as he takes me in. And though I'm sure he knew all of this to begin with, I can tell that he likes hearing me say it. "So," he murmurs, "you are suddenly a very powerful young woman, Fay Alden. Quite by chance." "No," I reply, my voice low. "Not by chance."

He raises his eyebrows, inviting me to continue.

"I took it all," I say.

"So, you killed him?"

I don't answer, just hold his gaze. I know better to admit my crimes so blandly; but still, I want him to know.

The Don's smile deepens even further. "And why are you telling me all of this, Alden?" he says, and I don't miss that he drops my first name, addressing me as he would the head of any other family. "Why come all the way to Italy, to my home, to lay it out so plainly? Are you seeking to renew the connection between our families, though your power now rivals my own?"

"No, Don Bianci," I say quietly, leaning forward and looking him in the eye. And then I pause, just to make sure that he's listening.

When I see the corners of his eyes crinkle with interest, I say what I came here to say.

"I came here today to give it all to you."

Chapter 235

The Don sits back in his chair, his white eyebrows almost at his hairline. And then he laughs, surprised and pleased.

I straighten up and take a deep breath, knowing that we're in the thick of the game now. And I've just gained quite a bit of credit, I think. Don Bianci isn't someone who is used to being surprised.

"And why, donna," he murmurs, settling back into his chair, his eyes now greedy, wanting what it is that I have laid on the table for him. "Is the price of all of this?"

"Nothing material," I murmur, giving a little shrug of my shoulder and looking up at Daniel, who nods at me, encouraging me to continue. "Just...a little matter between family."

"And the connections," Bianci pushes, speaking more quickly now, wanting the details. "If you're here, playing the little mother in Italy, who is in America running your family? Your father and all of his capos are dead."

"My cousin," I say, my answer immediate. "Fiona D'Agostino. She's an Alden on her father's side."

The Don raises an eyebrow at me. "Quite a coterie of women you're building here," he murmurs. "Is that a problem for you?" I ask, raising the same eyebrow, mirroring him.

"It is not," he murmurs, his eyes flashing to my stomach. "As long as you are not hysterical."

"Don't worry," I say, snapping a little, my voice low. "The money will flow."

"And will it flow to me?" he asks, his question instant, his voice sharp. "Kent did a great deal of work these past months convincing Natalia and Alessi to reinvest with Alden, largely for your benefit, girl. To keep an engagement between his son and Alden's daughter - an apparent love match. But I am not such a romantic that I did it for you - I want what I was promised."

"Fiona is loyal to me," I say quietly. "She will be happy to work with you if I ask her to. But my hope is that after I hand my industries to you that she will transfer her loyalties as well - become your girl in America, not mine."

The Don tilts his head at me now, curious again. "So, is that your price? Freedom from this, from all of it? To simply be...the little mother, instead of the donna of the Alden and the Lippert families?"

"It is," I say quietly, "though not the price in full."

He nods to me, pleased to get to the meat of it now. And I take a deep breath, because this is the moment when it all comes together or falls apart.

"Freedom," I say, holding his gaze again. "For Daniel, for me, for our child...and for Kent."

A slow smile spreads across the Don's face here, because the first three...well, we're easy, aren't we? He's well aware that while I currently hold the Alden and Lippert organization in name, that I'm in no way capable of actually running a criminal organization - I don't have the experience.

But Kent?

Kent's been Bianci's golden goose for twenty years now, making him millions in America while he reigns here in his Italian villa.

Kent's freedom - forgiving the life debt he owes to the Bianci family. That is the real ask here.

And I'd give anything, anything to get it.

And so that's what I've come here today to offer: absolutely everything I have, everything I've stolen and killed for, in exchange for Kent.

"You should take the deal, nonno," Daniel says softly. "It will make you the most powerful man on two continents."

"I'm aware of the stakes, Daniele," Bianci growls, glaring a little at his grandchild, clearly not seeking his advice.

Still, he leans back in the chair and studies us, clearly considering it. He lets us hang for a long time, so long that Daniel shifts his weight beside me. But I stay perfectly still, waiting, knowing that I've played my not-insubstantial cards to the best of my ability. And also aware - very aware - that it is a good offer. And that Don Bianci wants it very much.

But he didn't get to be as powerful as he already is by being a calm, grateful man.

No, greed is in his bones. And if there's a chance he can get more, if he can have all of this and keep Kent too?

He'll try for it.

"I'll think about it," the Don says with a gentle shrug before reaching a hand to his side. Gio is there in a moment, offering his own hand to help his grandfather stand from the chair.

Then, as the Don drops his grandson's hands and moves towards us, his face shifts completely, becoming the familial patriarch instead of the calculating criminal King. Bianci moves to Daniel first, taking his face between his hands and smiling at him before leaning forward I'm surprised, a little, to see that Daniel is actually taller - and kissing Daniel on both cheeks.

"Daniele," he murmurs, "it is good to have you home. You should stay, yes? We will find you a role in the family, help you raise this child."

Daniel frowns a little bit but nods, not accepting the invitation but acknowledging the generous offer it includes.

Then the Don turns to me, coming close and slipping a finger under my chin to turn my face up to him, studying me. "It was a pleasure, Fay," he murmurs, his voice genuinely pleased, "and a curiosity to met you. I must say, I did not expect our Daniele to marry so well."

I blink rapidly at what is surely high praise, and then smile a little as the Don leans forward and gently kisses both of my cheeks as well.

"You will stay for dinner?" he asks, taking a step away and looking between us.

"Not tonight," Daniel says with a sigh, running his hand through his hair. "We have...plans."

We don't have plans, unless you count getting yelled at by Kent. But, well. We do have to go do that, and it will indeed take most of the day.

"Then you will come back soon," the Don says, turning away and stepping towards the fire. "My wife will want to feed you, and you should spend time with family. And I'm sure we will need to have more...chats." His words are less an invitation than an order. He waves a hand and Gio steps towards us, gesturing towards the door, clearly understanding our dismissal.

Daniel calls some words of farewell over his shoulder, assuring his grandfather that we'll be back soon, but I don't say anything, my mind racing over everything that happened as we step out the door. Because - well, it went well, didn't it?

Or did it?

I mean - he didn't give us an answer, didn't agree to my terms...

But he didn't say no?

Should I have gone in a different way - should I have gone in asking for more, so that when Bianci counters I can ask for less but still keep the one thing that really matters to me, Kent's freedom, on the table? Should I -

But I'm so distracted in my thoughts that I trip, stumbling a little down the formal staircase that I suddenly realize we're walking down.

Luckily, Gio grabs my arm before I can actually pitch forward.

"Fay!" Daniel gasps, and then he glares at me, scolding me a bit. "Would you pay attention!?"

I wrinkle my nose at him a little, frowning. "I was thinking."

"Can you concentrate on walking first? God, you have to be careful - "

I open my mouth to retort but Gio cuts in smoothly with a laugh.

"Don't be too hard on her, Daniele," he murmurs, holding my arm steady as I find my feet and smile up at him. "She just went to battle with nonno - she's bound to be a little distracted."

"Thank you, Gio," I say perkily as we start again down the stairs.

"What do you think?" Daniel murmurs to his cousin, who laughs a little again.

"I think you were right to let her talk," Gio says, keeping his voice low so we're not overheard. "She did better than most. And nonno -" Gio shrugs here, a little apologetic, "he thinks you are a little lazy."

I frown at Gio now, defensive. "Daniel is not lazy -"

Gio grins at me as we reach the ground floor, clearly pleased. "A loyal wife," he says, looking me over. "I admit, I am impressed. I underestimated you. Though I think, perhaps..." he shrugs again, a very Italian gesture, "that you want people underestimate you. Yes?"