Page 27 of Bound By Sin
“Nia has a game. Come meet her, and we’ll go from there. And I love you too.”
He laid his head against mine, and all I could do was hope this was a new start for us and that our child would understand and forgive us for all the mistakes we’d made.
Chapter eight
VALENTINO
The nerves wreaking havoc on my body, I’d never experienced before in my life. Not even when I’d faced some of the deadliest men in the world, or when I had to get my hands dirty for the Family. I’d never, ever had to deal with this feeling.
What if she doesn’t like me?
The thought had been plaguing me since I’d made the decision to attend her soccer match. It was on repeat in my head. Other than her mother, I’d never cared what anyone thought about me—fuck what anyone thought when it came to me. However, I was absolutely terrified she might not like me and decide not to be part of my life. I wasn’t sure whether this was the best time to drop into her life anyway, but there was no other choice. The word would be out soon about her, and the world would know. We needed to prepare before it happened.
Today was the day I’d finally get to meet Nia Valentina Weatherly. My daughter. All kinds of thoughts had been bombarding me since I found out I had a teenage daughter. While I was angry at Tara for keeping Nia a secret, after she explained her reasons, I understood. I’d missed a lot of her childhood years, but nothing would keep us apart ever again. I’d make sure of it.
After this initial meeting, the next thing was to convince Tara that their place was with me in Philadelphia. I hated that they would have to give up the life they’d built here in Chicago, but there was no way they could stay, and I sure as hell couldn’t. Not unless I wanted to go to war.
I never believed I could ever love another woman as much as Tara, but I couldn’t say that anymore. I had a daughter. A daughter I didn’t know shit about, but I loved beyond measure because she was a piece of me. A piece I never believed I’d have, though not because I couldn’t have children. I just thought I was unworthy of anyone calling me “Dad” because of all the shit I’d done in my life. The lives I’d taken with my bare hands, and the ones I had taken by order. This was especially true after leaving Tara.
If I were being honest, who in the hell would have brought a child into my world of violence, murder, drugs, and guns? My life of chaos. That was one thing I did agree with Tara on. The mafia was the last place for a child to be, and now she would be part of my world whether me or not her mother wanted her to be. I’d protect her from it all as much as I possibly could, or I’d die trying.
We pulled to a stop in the parking lot in front of the school’s soccer stadium.
Aurelio killed the engine. He looked at Luca and shook his head. I knew what he was thinking before he could even voice it. The parking lot was full of people. Couples walked hand in hand, smiling. Young kids and the elderly smiled and enjoyed the atmosphere and each other’s company. But I didn’t care about the crowds. I wanted to see my family.
My family.
It was still a jarring and sobering realization that I had a family. Was it a security risk? Fuck, yeah. I was still in another Family’s territory; anything was possible. While I’d gotten permission from the Don of the Rizzo family to stay in his territory for a little while longer, I wasn’t under the illusion it was safe to be here. Anyone could come gunning for me. Did I care? Fuck, no.
“I’m not so sure about this, Don.” Aurelio looked around the parking lot at the large crowd of people and the line of giggling teenagers walking by our car, oblivious to the men in the front seat who had their hands on the handle of their guns. “There are too many people here to keep an eye on everyone.”
“It’ll be fine, Aurelio.”
I waved off his concern because there was nothing I could do about where they were having the damn match. I also couldn’t do anything if someone decided to come for me tonight. Nothing would change my decision to be here. I would enjoy seeing my daughter at the state championship, come hell or high water.
“No guns. I don’t want to have to deal with the cops tonight.”
They both groaned, but I wouldn’t change my mind. Keeping my reality separate from Nia as much as possible tonight was non-negotiable, and if it cost me my life, then so be it. She would be thrust into my world soon enough.
“Don, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Aurelio reiterated his concern, and although it was in vain, it was appreciated. He was doing his job of trying to keep me alive.
“Your concern has been duly noted, Aurelio, but my decision has been made. We are staying, and no guns.”
He looked at me for a moment in the rearview mirror before giving me a curt nod.
According to Tara, Nia was a star soccer player and was already being scouted by Division I colleges and professional teams in the United States as well as overseas. At seventeen. I was so surprised about how much she’d accomplished in her short life. When I was her age, I sure as hell wasn’t focused on school or sports. Women and the Family, definitely.
Nia hadn’t decided what she wanted to do, according to her mother, but I was a proud papa, nonetheless. I would support her in whichever choice she made.
I took in a deep breath, calming my nerves while wiping my hands on my dress slacks. My door swung open, and I stepped out, the gravel of the parking lot crunching under my dress shoes. I buttoned my suit blazer, and Aurelio shut the door behind me.
The aroma of concession food and a faint smell of smoke wafted in the air, hitting my nose. It had been a while since I’d done anything this normal. Since I turned eighteen and became amade man, I was either attending business meetings and fundraisers or doing other shit dealing with the Family. This was the life of a normal person. The life I lived was far from normal, which had me questioning whether I could make this work. Could my daughter still thrive away from all this?
Luca walked in front of me, and Aurelio followed behind as we walked toward the stadium. I ignored the stares of the people we passed in the parking lot, and so did Aurelio and Luca. I was sure we looked out of place in our designer suits among the crowd of leisurely dressed soccer moms and dads, but it didn’t faze us. Being different never did.
It took no time to make it through security, although they looked like they shit their pants when we approached. Not sure if they recognized me or not, but they were in a hurry to get us through. We all could have brought our guns in with how quickly they passed over everyone. Something I didn’t particularly like. My daughter should have more protection than what this school offered—definitely something I’d speak to Tara about.
We walked toward bleachers full of spectators. The stares and whispers continued as we walked in front of the crowd in front of the bleachers. I was used to it. Women, men, kids—no matter where I went, people were curious about who I was. I didn’t know if it was the clothes, tattoos, security, or what, but a suit was out of place at this kind of event. Either way, they couldn’t keep their eyes off me.
