Page 90 of Beautiful Vows

Antonio nods, quickly accepting that Dante and I come as a partnership. He gestures ahead, leading us through the opulent hallways of his home.

My heels click on the white marble tile, the only sound over the serene of his home. He flashes his hand over a scanner and we enter a study, its walls lined with leather-bound books and a large screen ahead, with a flashing beacon.

The heavy wooden door closes behind us with a soft click.

I keep my eye on the screen as Antonio gestures for us to sit on a plush leather sofa. He takes a seat across from us in a high-backed chair.

"What's the beacon?" I ask.

He smiles. "Your tracker."

The hair at the back of my neck stands on end.

I shake my head. "I removed it. It's in the ocean."

The tension in the room is unmistakable as he leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I know you did. Do you know how stressful that was for me, thinking you'd been kidnapped?"

"Not stressful enough." My voice rises with each word as I point to the screen. "You had two trackers inside me? Where the fuck is the other one?"

Antonio smiles. "You'll never find it. No scanner will find it. So forget it. I'm only telling you it's now switched on, so you know you'll always be found. If…"

"If I'm kidnapped … or worse."

He nods. "Your life will change dramatically and you'll be grateful we always know where you are at all times." Antonio's voice is softer than I expected. He glances at Dante and continues. "The only place the tracker cannot pinpoint your exact location is in your home."

I feel Dante stiffen beside me, but I keep my focus on Antonio. I squeeze Dante's hand, letting him know I appreciate him putting something in our home that prevents me from being watched there.

"I want you to know something important." He pauses, his eyes flickering briefly to Dante before settling back on me. "You don't have to become the Boss of all Bosses." Antonio continues, "What you've already accomplished is amazing. And it was long overdue. As a Syndicate head, I respect you for that. Deeply. As your father, I'm conflicted."

"Apart from being a woman, I'm no different from Romeo," I tell him.

He shakes his head. "Romeo was born into this world to lead."

I tilt my head, suddenly confused. "Romeo is older than me. Yet you told me you were with my mother." I can feel Dante's questioning gaze on me, but I keep my eyes locked with Antonio's. "Were you unfaithful to her?"

He looks surprised at the question at first as his eyes flicker between me and Dante. "Romeo is not my child. I've brought him up as mine, but he is my older brother's son. He is the first son of the first son, and therefore the legitimate heir. I'm the second son."

His words hang in the air, heavy with implications. I nod, understanding. "Romeo and Mateo are actually cousins."

"Yes."

"So why am I different from Romeo?" My voice is steady despite the concern building inside me. "I'm the first child of the first child. Why am I different?"

Antonio leans back, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Because you deserve a choice. This life... it's not an easy one. And you've already sacrificed so much. If you want to step away, to focus on your family and your future, no one would think less of you. Least of all me."

I take a deep breath, considering Antonio's words carefully. "I appreciate that, Dad," I say, meeting his shocked gaze. "But my mother died for me, and I've killed enough people that I don't want to take any more blood in her name." I smile at Antonio. "But my ultimate act of revenge is becoming the very person those men want eliminated—a female ruling over the Syndicate. I can't walk away from that."

Antonio nods, a look of pride crossing his face. "I thought you might say that. But I needed you to know you had a choice. Whatever you decide, you have my full support." He stands. "Today, we'll swear you and Dante in."

"Not Romeo, Lorenzo, and Gino Gallo?"

"Gino Gallo is a coward and has disappeared to Italy, but we're monitoring him." He pauses for a moment. "And I've spoken to the other families by telephone, and your father …" He swallows, "is here as a Rossi to give his agreement for yours and Dante's inauguration."

When I look confused, he continues, "With a Conti, a de Luca, and a Rossi in attendance, nobody can claim it wasn't officiated properly because the balance of power is tipped in the attendees’ favor."

"Where’s Romeo?"

"Keeping Amelie and Enzo safe until we know all threats have disappeared. Lorenzo is about to discover he's lost his brother and will be the new Bianchi head. He'll be pressured to find a wife and have children, considering if he dies, the Bianchi line will have to pass to one of his cousins."

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