Page 33 of Bound By Sin
“And that’s only going to happen if we move to Philadelphia?”
“Once word gets out about you, yes.” Valentino sighed. “You must understand, Nia. You are my heir.”
“What!” Nia and I shouted at the same time.
This was the first time I’d heard anything about her being his heir. The person who would take over his family.
“Typically, families are passed down through sons. I have no sons, and I didn’t know about you, so I have already decided on who will take my place.”
Her shoulders and mine deflated in relief.
“Unless you would like to take over.” He shrugged. “Of course, that would mean whoever your husband is will actually run the family. You are blood, which means you will always have first choice.”
“No!” both she and I shouted at the same time.
Valentino chuckled. “Okay. So, you wanting to take over is something I don’t have to worry about, but you are my daughter, and precautions must be taken regardless if you decide to come with me to Philadelphia. Your safety is non-negotiable.”
She looked between Valentino and me. “If I say yes, you’ll have no problem if I continue to play soccer?”
“Of course not. But you cannot go to public school,” Valentino said. “There’s a school where all the kids who are connected to the Family attend. You will be safer there, and they happen to have a top-notch soccer program.”
Nia nodded. “And will I have a new bodyguard?”
“Yes. That’s non-negotiable.”
“I know this is a lot, baby,” I said.
She looked at Valentino. “It is a lot, but I want to get to know you and have a relationship with you. So, I’m in if this is what it takes.”
The smile on my child’s face when her father stood, walked over to her, and pulled her into his arms was the happiest moment I’d had in my life in a long time. I wanted her to be happy, whether it was here in Chicago or whether it was in Philadelphia. If she was happy, everything else would fall into place between Valentino and me.
TARA
Threeyearslater
“Hello, Mistress and Sir.” Bethany slightly bowed. “It’s so good to see both of you. How long has it been?”
“It’s so good to see you, too,” I said. “It’s been a while. How have you been?”
It was rare for Valentino to travel to other families’ territories, but he had gotten special permission from Don Rizzo. I no longer had my membership at Club Desire, so Laila gave me an invite, and Elijah invited Valentino. We were only in Chicago because Club Desire was, and I hadn’t seen my sister in a few months.
I missed her.
While Philadelphia wasn’t too far from Chicago, Laila understood the hoops Valentino had to go through so we could enter an enemy’s territory. She’d been so busy with the restaurant anyway, and Elijah, with his different business interests, they hadn’t been able to come to Philadelphia that often.
I still hadn’t gotten used to the rules of travel for mafia families, but I understood the necessity of following them, especially when my child was away at school, still under the protection of her father, but still too far away for my liking.
“As good as I can be,” Bethany said. “You know how it is. Anyway, how can I help you?”
“We’re meeting Elijah and Laila,” I said, sliding two black cards with gold masks on the front to her for Valentino and my entrance. “Have they arrived?”
“Yes, they have.” She grabbed the cards. “They’re at the bar.”
“May we go on through?” Valentino asked with a little less patience.
He hated small talk, and I could tell in his voice he was getting antsy standing in the lobby. We hadn’t been to a club in a while, and being in Chicago, regardless of the permission we had to be here, he was still on high alert.
“Since you both have attended before, you’re not required to sign the NDA. We still have your originals on file. But, as you know, we are a private club, and all members and guests must adhere to all rules of this establishment. Is that understood?”
