Page 24 of Cruel Heir

“I’ll take you up to your room,” I tell her firmly. “And for once, you can simply sleep there tonight, since I have other things I need to do. But don’t worry,principessa.” I smile coldly at her. “Tomorrow, my cock will be in you again. And you’ll be pregnant before your father can break in here and sweep you away. We’ll see what use he has for you after that.”

Lucia doesn’t say a word as I march her upstairs, all the way to her room. I lock the door behind me, despite her protests, and turn away to go and find Antoni. Tomorrow, I have a meeting with the dons, who I hope will take my side in the coming fight to win supremacy over Fontana and his rule. If I want it to go well, I’ll need all my focus. And tonight’s scuffle risks their withdrawal from the tentative plans I’ve already made.

My wife shouldn’t linger in my thoughts, especially when I still suspect that she had some hand in this.

But she does, nevertheless.

—

The next morning, I call my driver to take me to the meeting, after tripling the guard on the first and third floors, to make sure there’s no chance of Lucia escaping. I don’t doubt that she’ll try to get up to something while I’m gone, with this first opportunity to explore and plot. But I’ve also made certain that she won’t be leaving the grounds of the estate—and that I’ll know about it if she tries.

The meeting is being held at Don Amalfi’s estate, and I take Antoni and four other of my security guards with me, out of an abundance of caution. I can’t trust anyone entirely, not without fearingthat they might turn on me if Don Fontana presents them with a better offer. There’s always the possibility that I might be lured into a trap, and I won’t go into any meeting without trusted men at my back—men who have worked for my family for long enough that I feel confident in their loyalty.

Don Amalfi was a friend of my father, and three other of his friends have agreed to hear me out—Don Brusetta, Don Di Falci, Don Gaeta, and Don Luisi. None of them are high enough in the Sicilian hierarchy to be close to Fontana or the senior dons, except for Amalfi, but that’s to my benefit. If I can convince them that I’m capable of bringing Fontana low, they might see the possibility for their own profit in my ambitions. I just need to make them feel certain that I’m capable of managing it.

They’re in Don Amalfi’s private study when I arrive. I’m escorted through the mansion—which is as old and luxurious as my family’s—and brought to the large room where the men are sitting in a half-circle, smoking cigars and drinking port, and sharing stories of their recent travels. I can hear Don Gaeta talking about a recent trip to France as I step inside, Antoni close behind me, and Don Amalfi clears his throat when he catches sight of me.

“You don’t need to bring your man in here,” he says, raising one dark eyebrow. “None of the rest of us have our security looking over our shoulders. He can wait outside.”

I can’t deny that the idea makes me uncomfortable, and I think Amalfi can see it on my face, as hard as I try to keep my expression neutral. He chuckles, glancing at the others.

“If I wanted you dead, son, all I would need to do is tell Fontana where to find you. Dismiss your man and sit down. We’ll all talk like gentlemen.”

Antoni looks as uncomfortable with the situation as I do, but he steps out of the room as I nod to him. I walk to the bar cart, pouring myself a glass of port, and join the others as I sink into one of the leather chairs.

“So.” Don Di Falci looks at me with an appraising expression. “We’ve all heard what your father’s ambition cost him. What makesyou think you’ll be different? Fontana has the power of the Family behind him, all of the senior dons. What could possibly make you think that you have the ability to make him do anything you wish?”

I take a sip of my port, calmly. “I have his daughter.”

There’s a moment’s silence. The other men exchange glances, and I feel a flush of satisfaction at the knowledge that they’re caught off guard. These men, who pride themselves on their knowledge and their ability to manage those around them, have been surprised by my actions.

Whether or not they’ll approve of them is another matter.

Don Gaeta lets out a slow breath. “You kidnapped Don Fontana’s daughter. She is—”

“At my estate,” I confirm. “And that’s not all. I’ve married her in front of a priest and consummated the union. Lucia Fontana is mine.” A slow, victorious smile spreads across my face. “For all I know, she could already be carrying my heir at this very moment.”

Don Amalfi’s and Don Gaeta’s faces are shocked. The others look, to my surprise, cautiously optimistic. “You’ve not only kidnapped her, but forciblymarriedher?” Don Almafi is staring at me as if I’ve grown two heads. “Your ambition has outstripped even your father’s. Fontana gave your father the mercy of a quick death, but when he gets his hands on you—”

“My father failed to accomplish more than the first in his plan,” I interrupt smoothly. “He didn’t even manage to hold on to Gianna Mancini. He barely had her for what, a day, before she was found and rescued? He didn’t manage to even bring her back to the States to wed her to me. I’ve not only taken Lucia Fontana, I’ve made her my wife. The marriage was done in front of a priest, and the paperwork was signed. Lucia spent the night in my bed, and has every night since. Her father would be wise to consider what I might offer him, rather than taking back a daughter who is no longer a virgin and might be carrying my child.”

“He’ll kill you and her,” Don Gaeta says coldly. “He’ll have no use for her and want the worst of vengeance on you. You’re asking us to throw in with you—for what?”

“I’d hear him out.” Don Di Falci looks at me curiously. “You’re right that you’ve executed quite a bit of your plan admirably well, Leone. And your family name was once very well respected. It was your father’s inability to carry out his plans that brought you down. I expected that there would be no further rise in the Leone fortunes, after your sister’s marriage, but—”

“Have you heard anything about her?” I look at Di Falci curiously. “Fontana told me she’d been married into the Carravella family. Another fallen star. My mother was a fool for arranging that marriage instead of keeping Amalie until I could find a way to restore our fortunes.”

“You were under house arrest for two years,” Don Luisi says mildly. “And your family failed to hear from you in that time. From what I hear, your sister has a rebellious streak. Ran off to Ibiza for a few weeks. Your mother was lucky to marry her off. She would have had no reason to think—”

“She should have trusted me.” I cut him off sharply. “Iam the head of the Leone family now, as long as I live, not her. And as Di Falci said, I have already successfully taken the first steps in my plan.”

“And what’s the rest of it?” Amalfi sips his port, looking at me. “I was a friend to your father, Andre, so I’m inclined to help you. But if I’m going to throw in my lot against Fontana, then I need more to go on.”

“I’ve married his daughter. As such, I have the right to step into the role of consigliere, and later underboss, when his son takes over. If Lucia is carrying my child, the marriage is more than unbreakable through divorce; it cannot be denied under any circumstances. Hemustrecognize my marriage as lawful, under the rules of the Family, and accept me as his daughter’s husband and the head of the Leone family. I will keep his daughter locked away on my estate until that time, and any attempts he makes to get her back will be met with violence.” I pause, taking another sip of my port. “I don’t intend to unseat him. All I demand is an equal seat at the table, as my father once had, as I am owed—both as the Leone heir and as his daughter’s husband.”

“And how do you plan to accomplish that?” Don Gaeta raises an eyebrow.

“If he cares for his daughter at all, then he will want to ensure her safety. He will receive no assurances unless he agrees to meet with me on neutral terms. If he does not agree, then I will begin sending men to him. We can make this a civil war, if he likes. I have money, and with your trust and your alliances, we can slowly chip away at his defenses. I have no desire to take over the table.” I look at Amalfi. “I would elevate you, if Fontana draws this out long enough for us to need to unseat him.”

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