Page 83 of Wicked Knight 2

“Dimitri Belov was a unique situation. I tried to let him go. If I had, sooner or later, he would’ve come for me. He would’ve put Donata in danger out of spite. You more than anyone understood how his mind worked. The people on your list are of no interest to me.” He clicked his teeth. “This isn’t a test, is it?”

“I wanted to make sure you were not going to leave my daughter again to go off on some vengeful quest.”

“No, that’s not it.” Luca exhaled loudly. “What you really want to know is if I have any desire to take my vengeance on you. After all, the people who cashed in the bounties were only able to do so because of you. Because you unleashed the hellhound on my family.”

“I had my reasons.”

“I know about your reasons. Donata told me. Don Giovanni Valentino’s murder couldn’t go unpunished. You did the right thing. It was heartless.” He scoffed. “If life were more congruent, we would never have to make tough choices. But in our mafia world, we don’t have the luxury of self-righteousness. I know that now.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I let the door squeak open. Luca turned to face me, while Vittoria looked at me with remorse in her eyes. I would like to believe that she was sorry she had to do what she did, that we’re safe because she had done the impossible to make it happen.

“Donata.” Vittoria ambled around the desk. “I had to be sure.”

“I know, Mom.” I smiled at her. “Conventionalism has never been your forté.”

“No.” She let out a small laugh as tears pooled in her eyes. “Mom?”

“Yeah.” I met her halfway and hugged her. “You were there when I needed you the most. Over the years, I knew I could always count on you. I guess I was just mad that I spent so many years wishing you were my mom.”

“Every day, I wanted to tell you the truth. But it wasn’t possible. Michael would’ve taken you from me.”

“I know.” I swiped my cheeks. “I have to know though. More than once, you suggested I marry Don Giovanni. And then, later, you even suggested Rex. How did you think that was going to work out? You’re lucky I always thought of Rex as a brother.”

“I had to play along. If I had refused, Michael would’ve known I was hiding something.” She shook her head. “I was never going to let it go that far.”

“Thank God.” I still had so many questions. “Maybe after the holidays, we can have brunch just the two of us. I’d like to know more about you and dad.”

“I would love that. How about tomorrow?” She reached for her phone on the desk, typed for a few seconds then turned to me. “My day is wide open.”

“How about that? Our first mother-daughter date.” I had hated being mad at her, not being able to see her, or confide in her like I used to. Somehow, I now had Luca and a mother. My life couldn’t be much better than this. “It’s over now. He can’t hurt us anymore.” I reached for Luca’s hand and held it tight.

“No one can.” Mom beamed at me, then at Luca. “We finally have balance.” She paused for a moment. “And a sure-fire way to ensure peace.”

I played silly games when I was in high school. They were a way to imitate her, learn from her because she was the best at it. My mother had played the most dangerous game of chess I had ever seen. And won. I had a feeling it all started when I was born and brought us to this very moment.

She was without a doubt the most powerful Don within the Society. One by one, she had replaced those who threatened her family—Jimmy Gallo, Michael Alfera, the FBI agents, the Russians. When the time came, I had no doubt she would move the final piece on the chessboard—me.

“How far would you go to keep the peace?” She looked at me with renewed confidence in her eyes. “To keep your family.” She shifted her attention to Luca.

“You want me to un-seat Rex, don’t you?”

I wasn’t even mad. The woman was brilliant. I couldn’t fault her for that. The other original crime families had made a mess of everything with their endless bloodshed and greed. If it hadn’t been for my mother, the Society would’ve perished. She’d opened the door so I could one day become queen.

“Only if he loses his way. We’re the guardians of this secret enclave, Donata. Never forget that. We must remain vigilant.” She brushed my hair away from my face. “Rex is a good king. I’d say for now, you can enjoy the spoils of your victory. And remember that no matter what, I will always be here for you.” She nodded once at Luca and strolled out of the room.

“That’s my mother.” I pointed at the empty door. “Always two steps ahead.”

“I don’t think she’s wrong in this, Donata.” Luca stuffed his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “Of all the other late dons, she’s still here because she understands the game better than anyone else.”

“I know.”

“When the time comes,” Luca cradled my neck and looked at me with so much love and devotion in his eyes, “Y\you would have my vote, my queen.” He kissed me softly. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Gallo.”

And this was the reason why marriages between the five original families had been forbidden since its inception…

* * *

---