Page 2 of Prideful Union
“You’re just bitter because you can only get girls to kiss you once they hear your name.”
The Moretti name is famous in New York. Even if you’re not a part of the Mafia, you’ve heard of it. And that’s the thing—my family is the Mafia. My older brother, Antonio, is the leader. He took over when I was ten years old after defeating our uncle Franco.
Uncle Franco raised Luca and me. We never knew our real dad, Riccardo Moretti. He died before I was born. In fact, my mom found out she was pregnant with us just a month or so after he passed away. The reality is, even though Riccardo is my father, Franco felt more like my dad.
But he wasn’t a good man. He poisoned my father—that was what killed him. Antonio then later killed Franco after learning this news and took over. Things have been a lot less stressful in our family ever since. Though it also means I don’t get to see him as much as when I was a kid and before he went away.
In fact, I don’t get to see many of my siblings other than Luca. Antonio and all my sisters are gone and married. Emilia to Marco, head of the LA Mafia. Gemma to Victor, who’s head of the Russian mob in New York. Francesca to Leo, second-in-command to Marco. Cecilia to Theo, who was once our bodyguard and now works for Antonio. And lastly, Mia, who’s married to Killian, head of the Irish mob in New York.
I used to be such a brat to Mia, but all has been forgiven. All my sisters are grown and matured. Some of them have children, like Emilia with her two kids, Essie and Marco Junior, and Francesca with her son. Cecilia and Theo welcomed a baby girl into the family two years ago, and Mia is currently pregnant.
And Antonio and his wife Nina have two kids themselves now—two boys, Antonio Junior and Nino.
That just leaves Gemma, who’s always been adamant about not having kids. Her and Victor have stuck to that.
I dream of being married, but I’ve never dreamed of being a mom. Kids get in the way of a perfect life. They’re messy, chaotic, and a little crazy. I like my life perfectly curated.
And that’s how it’s going to be when I marry Santino Ricci.
Luca rolls his eyes, drawing me back to the present. “I can get girls because of my charm. I’m irresistible.”
I roll my eyes in return. “Sure, you are.”
“They like the way I look. I always get compliments.” He turns to Mom. “You know, one of Antonio’s guys just told me I looked a lot like Uncle Franco.”
Mom sucks in a breath. “They did? Who?”
“Uh, I think it was …” Luca shakes his head. “I can’t remember. Antonio has so many guys working for him. But I thought that was interesting.”
“Why?” I ask, taking a petite bite of my pancakes.
“Oh, no reason. I’ve just heard some rumors.”
Mom’s fork clatters to her plate. “What rumors?”
Luca shrugs, playing coy. He thinks it’s a cute look on him, but it’s honestly just annoying. “You haven’t heard?”
“What have your heard?” she demands.
I look at my mom closely. She looks frazzled. Her eyes are wide, and her cheeks are flushed.
“Something about Uncle Franco. And us.” He nods at me.
“What about us?” I ask.
“Yes,” Mom says. “What about you and Lucia?”
Luca shoves another piece of bacon into his mouth and takes his time chewing. I could slap him. He’s so annoying sometimes. “I heard a rumor that Uncle Franco might be our real dad.”
Mom goes completely still. “Who told you that?”
“I’ve just heard it here and there.”
“Well, it’s not true, ok?” She gets up from the table at lightning speed and starts cleaning up the plates. “None of that is true. Don’t ask questions. Riccardo is your dad, not Franco.That’s absurd.” She walks over to the dishwasher and starts shoving plates into it.
“Great,” I say. “Now, you’ve upset Mom.”
“It’s not my fault. I’m just repeating what I’ve heard.”
