Page 31 of Prideful Union
I tell him about Franco possibly being Lucia’s father.
Antonio doesn’t respond. “That’s not my place to talk about. That’s for my mother to say.”
“Well, I asked your mother, and she denied it.”
“Then it’s settled.”
“It doesn’t feel settled,” I say. “Is there any way to verify what Giulia said?”
Antonio is quiet for a long time before answering. “There is one way.”
I stand up straighter. “What is it?”
“When I killed Franco, I took some of his hair to test.”
“And did you?”
“No. I never did. It didn’t matter to be who Lucia and Luca’s real father might be.”
“Send them to me.”
Antonio sighs. “I’m not sure I should do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because you might not like the answer. Lucia might not like the answer.”
“I don’t care.” I grip my phone tighter. “I need to know. Send me the hair. I’ll have it tested.”
“You have to promise me that, whatever the outcome, you won’t blame my mom or Lucia for this.”
“If your mother was sleeping around and had children outside of her marriage, then that’s on her.”
“You don’t know the entire story, Santino,” Antonio snaps. “My mother never slept around. Don’t use this against my mom, Lucia, or me. You understand?”
I sigh. “Fine. I just need to know the truth.”
He’s quiet on the other end for a moment. “Fine. I’ll send it to you. But I’m asking you not to do it. Whatever the truth maybe doesn’t matter. What matters is focusing on your marriage to Lucia.”
“I’ll do what’s best for my own marriage.”
“Not when it involves my sister.”
I take a few deep breaths before replying. “All right. For myself, then. I need to know. I won’t use anything against anyone.”
“Then I’ll send the hair to you.” He sounds weary. “Just be careful, Santino.”
“When am I not?” I hang up.
Time to learn the truth and put all these rumors to rest.
CHAPTER 9
Lucia
Iam in rebellion.
In being so, I have chosen to blast music throughout the house and dance around.
