Page 151 of Empire of Temptation

“Talking is pointless. She’s gone. Now I can concentrate on the things that matter, like taking over Rossi’s territory.”

“Talking is not pointless. Or maybe it’s pointless for you, but not for me. I’d like to understand you. Gabi and I both would, actually.”

“What is there to understand? I’ve kept you close, helped raise you both for your entire lives. We talk all the time.”

“But you don’t tell us anything important. We learn more from Zio Dante than you, our own father. You don’t talk to us about the business or your personal life. We’re treated like soldati.”

Soldiers, who are told what to do but not why.

I ran a hand through my wet hair. “I’m trying to protect you, figlio. You have years to learn what you need to know to lead the ’ndrina. I want you to enjoy your life while you can.”

“Is that what Nonno did with you?”

I grimaced. My father taught me brutality and responsibility from a young age. He didn’t care whether I was happy or not. All that mattered was being strong enough to become the next Don Benetti. “No. He told me too much. Showed me too much. Which is why I’ve tried to spare you and Gabi as long as possible.”

“But what happens if you die? I don’t want to take over and not know what I’m doing.”

“You’ll have your uncles to guide you.” I put my hand on his knee and squeezed before letting go. “You will be an excellent don, figlio mio.”

“Still, it would be nice to learn from you. I’ve tried so hard to prove that I’m ready, but it’s like you’re keeping me at a distance. And I know Gabi feels the same. It’s why he acts out. And why he followed you to New York.”

I stared at the ceiling. My boys shouldn’t have to act out to get my attention or prove themselves as worthy. They were Benettis and my sons—which meant they were worthy. “Perdonami. I am a good don but a shitty father. I was only trying to give you both the life I never had.”

“Ma dai, Papà. Youarea good father. Most men in your position don’t care about their bastards, even if they are sons. We’re grateful for the life you’ve given us. But we’re not little boys any more. We’re men. And it’s time to let us help lead.”

Emotion squeezed my chest like a fist. They were good boys, smart and loyal. The empire was in excellent hands after I died, and this pleased me enormously. “Okay.”

“Really?”

“Do not question your don, figlio mio. His decisions are final.”

“Does that include the decision to let Val go back to New York?” When I didn’t say anything, he bumped his knee against mine. “I like her. And Gabi does, too.”

I liked her, too. But it didn’t matter. “She lives in New York and has no interest in moving here.”

“And?”

“And what else can I do? She asked me to let her go.” I shrugged. What more was there to say?

Leonardo was quiet for a long time, then he spoke softly. “I once asked you something and I’ve never forgotten your answer. Every time Gabi and I visited our mothers for the weekend, you sent five guards with each of us. It seemed like a lot of trouble for two days. And when I asked you why we went so often when the security risk was so high, you said, ‘Sometimes in life the reward outweighs the risk.’”

I didn’t remember the conversation, but it sounded like something I would say. “I wanted you both to remain close to your mothers. No good comes from taking little boys away from the person who gave them life.”

“Papà, this also applies to you. Go after her. Reap your reward.”

His advice irritated me. Hadn’t he been listening? “She doesn’t want to move to Catanzaro and I can’t force her.”

“So live there.”

My head snapped over and I scowled at him. “You know this is impossible. Even if I wanted to turn everything over to you, I can’t.”

He put up his palms to face me. “I’m not angling to become don. What I mean is that you don’t need to run the family from here.”

My mouth fell open. “To do so would be the height of irresponsibility. The risk—” I bit off the rest of what I was going to say.

“Exactly,” he returned smugly. “The risk is nothing in comparison to what you gain.”

“I could be killed.”

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