Page 103 of Victorious Vice

Serena shakes her head slowly, her eyes radiating a gentle sadness. “We are both so old now, my love. We have lived our lives, however painful they may have been.”

Mario’s expression shifts into a grimace. He glances at me, his eyes pleading for something. Understanding? Forgiveness? Absolution? All things I’m not sure I can provide.

“We have a lot to discuss,” I say. “A lot to discuss,Father.”

“She can’t know,”Mario says once we’ve left Serena in Renée’s capable hands and retired to my home office. “She can’t know what I’ve become.”

I take a deep breath, sitting down behind my desk and gesturing for him to do the same. He does so reluctantly, looking out the window at the sun setting in the distance.

“She must know something,” I reply, keeping my voice steady. “She isn’t stupid. She’s survived this long.”

Mario closes his eyes, leaning back into the chair and rubbing his temples. “I wouldn’t have wished this life on her.” His voice is raw, stripped of any pretense. “She deserved better than me.”

“But she chose you,” I remind him.

He opens his eyes to look at me, his expression unreadable. “Just as I chose her.”

Silence again. I watch him. What thoughts are swirling through his head?

“I didn’t choose this life,” he finally says. “I fell into it because of circumstances beyond my control.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, not entirely convinced. “Bullshit. I only exist because you raped your own daughter before her wedding. To assure the continuation of your line. You’ve made millions off drugs, and now you’re set to move toward human trafficking in alliance with the McAllister family.”

“That deal probably won’t happen since you welched on marrying Belinda,” he says.

“Do you think I care? It won’t matter because I have a plan, Mario. A plan that lets you and Serena live out your golden years in peace…while I bring this fucking madness to an end.”

His eyes bore into mine, the flicker of desperation replaced with a hardened resolve. He leans forward and rests his hands on the desk. “And what if it costs you everything? What if it costs you Raven?”

I swallow hard at the mention of her name, my heart pounding. “I’m aware of the risks.” I manage to keep my voice steady and my tone firm. “But I won’t let anyone else suffer. Not like Serena had to.”

Mario is silent for a moment. Then he slowly nods, perhaps seeing something in my determination that he respects or understands.

“You’re more like me than you realize,” he finally says.

I’m not sure whether it’s a compliment or an insult.

“There’s one difference between us.” I lean back in my chair and cross my arms. “I won’t allow my love for Raven to be her downfall.”

Mario nods. “Then it’s time you learned the truth about her father.”

“I’m way ahead of you,” I tell him. “I know Bellamy isn’t the saint he’s cracked up to be. But he won’t harm his children. Especially not Raven.”

“You are aware, aren’t you, that he was instrumental in his son serving time?”

“I’ve come to that conclusion, yes. I just don’t know why.”

“It’s a long story. One only he can tell you in its entirety.”

“I’ve been pushing.”

“Push harder.”

“I will,” I respond firmly. But my thoughts are whirling. How deep does Bellamy’s treachery go? And why does it involve his own flesh and blood?

“I have much to make amends for,” Mario says, dragging me back. “Starting with you.”

“You can’t undo the past,” I say, my voice colder than I intend it to be.

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