Page 59 of Rise To Power

“Not now,” I said, walking past her.

Her heels clicked as she followed me. “Marco, please. You act as if you’re the only one impacted by Roberto’s death.”

I slowed, allowing her to walk next to me. I needed to remember I needed her. Flies to shit. Bees to honey. Whatever.

“Thank you,” I said, stopping in the corridor.

She lifted her face to mine.

“I think you’re a cunt.” I smiled at her to take the sting from my words. She was too conniving not to question any kindness I might show her. “But you were good to my father.”

“I loved him.” A tear slipped onto her cheek. “Savio loved him. What happens to him now? First, he loses Luca, and now his father.”

I closed the space between us. “Savio buried his grandfather today.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I never denied Roberto was his father.”

“You’ve lived the lie for five years. Nothing changes.” I strode into my father’s—my—office. She followed me in and closed the door.

“Everything changes. Savio is Roberto’s son—his heir. He needs you. Roberto would have raised him to take over, and now he’s gone.” She rested one hip on the arm of the couch.

What the fuck was she talking about? Savio would never be don. Not now, and not when my time ended.

I crossed to the small bar in the corner. I splashed a generous amount of my father’s favorite brandy into a wide-bowl snifter. I swirled the drink and brought the glass to my mouth for a sip.

I turned to Giada. “I’ll have my own children with Allegra. My future son will one day be don.”

“How can you think of marriage now?” Her spine stiffened, and her hand curled around the back couch cushion. “You’re needed here.”

“I don’t need you to tell me where I’m needed or of my responsibilities to this family.” My voice rose with my words. I raked my fingers through my hair.

“I only meant to say that you’re don now, and your father isn’t here to enforce the contract. Don Jilani will understand. You need a partner at your side who understands your responsibilities.”

I sat behind the desk and took another sip of brandy. “I’ve only postponed the wedding.”

She released a heavy exhale. “Good.”

Good? I wasn’t sure what delusions she had toward me, but for now, I’d let her live in her fantasy. I needed information.

“Marco, Allegra knows nothing of us. Marriage will be a mistake. She’ll be isolated from her friends and family. I’ve heard you say she’s a spoiled, American, mafia princess. You were only going to marry her to please Roberto and secure your heirs. Now, you don’t need to do either. You’re don, and you can make Savio your son.”

“Giada, you and Savio will always have a home here. However, Allegra will be my wife. She will be at my side, whether here or in the States.”

“As we’ve just been reminded, the future is never certain.”

I wrapped my hand around my glass, a dark rage burning with the whiskey in my gut. “Careful with your words, Giada.”

I leaned back in the chair. I had no misconceptions. Giada did nothing that didn’t benefit her. If I didn’t need information from her, this conversation would be much different. There would be no concessions. The time would soon come for her to better understand her precarious position. She no longer had the protection of my father.

“I’m not making threats.” She shifted into the corner of the couch and tucked her legs beneath her. “I’m here for you.”

I went around my desk and sat next to her. “I hoped you would be. I need your help.”

She rested her hand on my thigh. “Anything.”

“You controlled my father’s schedule.”

She tensed. “No one controlled Roberto, not even me.”

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