Page 55 of His to Hold

It’s clear from the defiant tilt of her chin that my mother expects me to lay down the law. Usually I would, but Isabella made me realize I need to think about my mother’s feelings.

“I love him and he loves me.” She fixes me with a determined glare. “There is nothing wrong with that.”

“So why sneak around?” Leo asks.

“Because it’s exciting.”

The lure of the forbidden is hard to resist, but I doubt that’s the only reason she kept her relationship from us. “And?”

“I knew you’d make a big deal out of it.”

Alessandro snorts. “It is a big deal. Boris Reznov is not some ordinary Joe.”

My mother smiles mirthlessly. “You’d prefer it if I dated Vito from the bakery, perhaps. He’s always had a soft spot for me.”

“No.” Alessandro shakes his head.

“Or would you prefer I spend the rest of my life alone while you all settle down and raise your own families?”

I scrub a hand over my face. When she puts it like that, I realize how selfish I’ve been to think my mother would remain single.

“Okay, we get it.” I look to my brothers and they both nod. “But why Boris Reznov?”

“In part, because he reminds me of your father.”

I open my mouth to protest that the Russian is nothing like my father, but my mother holds her hand up to silence me.

“No, listen to me, Antonio. Boris is a powerful man. He has a sense of honor and cares deeply for his family. But our relationship is not like the one I had with your father. I’ve never had something like this before.”

“You saying you didn’t love Dad?” Leo sounds pained at the very thought our parents didn’t adore each other as much as they seemed to.

“Of course I did, but when we married, I was young. I was given no choice in the matter.”

“Mamma.” Alessandro moves to the seat next to her and puts his arm around her.

“It’s okay, Sandro.” She pats his knee reassuringly. “I grew to love him so much. We had a good life, an incredible life together, but there was no courtship. He didn’t win my hand with flowers and chocolates or walks in the park. Even when we were married, he didn’t scatter rose petals on the bed or cook my favorite meals.”

“So romance is what you’re looking for.” I should have known since she views her sons’ relationships through a rose-tinted lens. “There are plenty of men who can give you that. Safer men.”

“No, Antonio, what I’m looking for is a man who makes me feel like the center of his world, who takes my breath away with a single glance. I want a man who makes me weak at the knees, who shows me I’m still a desirable woman.”

I shift uncomfortably, not wanting to think about that aspect of their relationship.

“Did he ever ask you about business?”

My mother scoffs. “You think so little of me? You think I wouldn’t see through a man who was trying to use me?”

I shrug because I really don’t know the answer.

“Of course I wouldn’t,” she rages. “We agreed on day one not to discuss business. I know how this world works and when to keep my mouth shut. I am Marco Volante’s widow. Don’t you dare forget it.”

When her temper rises, my mother is formidable. Faced with her anger, I don’t feel like a notorious mob boss. I’m a son who’s disappointed his mamma.

“He’s planning to stand down.” My mother’s revelation catches me off guard. “He’s handing the reins to Piotr.”

I share a look with my brothers. We’re all wondering the same thing. Is Piotr Reznov’s ascension good or bad for us? Only time will tell.

“He’s doing that for you?” Alessandro asks.

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