Page 115 of Single Malt Drama

“Nic, I wish I could stay with you and explain everything. God knows, I should be the one holding your hand through what’s about to happen, but I’m already late.” Marco placed a quick kiss on my lips. “Dante and Leo are here. They’re going to make sure you’re… They’re here if you need them.”

“Hold my hand through what?” He made absolutely no sense. I followed his gaze to Dante standing in the doorway.

Marco cupped my cheeks. “This is going to be a shock. But I swear to you, everything is going to be okay.”

I opened my mouth to ask one of the hundred questions bouncing around in my head, but he placed a finger on my lips.

“Your mother, Vittoria, is alive.”

“What?” Is this some sort of cruel joke? I glanced between him and Dante and half-expected them to laugh.

Giancarlo walked back into the room wiping his eyes. I’d seen him cry three times in my lifetime—all three were in the previous twenty-four hours. He choked back a sob. “It’s true, and she would very much like to meet you.”

“My mother wants to meet me?” My voice quivered. “Where is she?”

The guy in the bad suit cleared his throat. “Mr. Marchionni, I have to insist you come with me now.”

Marco pulled me close. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. I have to go. They’ll explain everything.”

I stood dumbstruck as he hurried out of the office.

“Nico, you should sit.” Giancarlo guided me toward a chair, but I stopped moving halfway there.

“I don’t understand. Where has she been?” The old familiar feeling of not being enough washed over me. Had she left me with that monster because she didn’t love me?

“Our father had her locked in a convent to keep her from telling anyone he was embezzling money.” He caressed my back. “And evidently, because he thought she was having an affair.”

My knees went out from beneath me, but he caught me before I fell.

“You need to sit down. Have you eaten?”

Shaking my head, I pulled away from him. “I want to see her.”

Giancarlo turned to Dante. “She’s pregnant. Get her some food before she passes out.”

Dante gaped like a fish inhaling air for the first time.

“I don’t want to eat. I want answers.” I grabbed his lapels and forced him to look at me. “Where is she?”

“With Leo in the Marchionnis’ private office.” He offered me a watery smile. “Would you like to meet her?”

“I don’t know what to say to her.” My heart hammered against my ribcage. What if she doesn’t like me? What if she’s awful like my father? What if she thinks I’m awful like my father?

“She asked a million questions about you on the way here.” He kissed my temple. “I’m sure the two of you will have a lot to talk about.”

“We should go to my family’s rooms. It’s safer there.” Dante stepped closer, sending my already racing pulse into a frenzy.

I glanced between them. “Stay with me, okay? Don’t leave me alone with her until I give you the sign.”

“When you’re comfortable, tell me you want a cup of tea, and I’ll leave you two alone.” A slow smile crossed Giancarlo’s face, and he nodded toward the door. “Ready?”

“No, but we should at least get out of here.” Sighing, I followed them through the estate.

People filled the hall, waiting to meet the new capo of the Marchionni family. I recognized several of my father’s business associates. Three of my brothers turned and frowned when I hustled through the room. I ignored them, along with my aunt on my mother’s side, and Sophia Abruzzo.

We reached the Marchionni offices, but I lingered, unsure if I was ready to face living proof of my father’s cruelty.

Dante swung the door open before I had a chance to gather my thoughts or my courage.

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