Page 74 of Cruel Heir

“I chose Andre, when he brought me here last,” she says coolly. “And I came here today to stand by that choice, not to undo it. Andre is my husband. I am carrying his child. And he has a right to his place at your side, father.”

She turns her attention to Fontana then, and no one else. “There is shared blood between our families now,” she says calmly. “I will not stand for that to be undone. I have made my choice. Andre has brought down one of your enemies. I’m certain he will stand against any others that may come your way.”

Fontana’s expression doesn’t soften. “Leoneisone of my enemies, daughter. And you do not have a voice in this.”

“I do.” Lucia’s voice shakes, the tiniest bit. “I am your daughter, but he is my husband. This is the future of my child we are discussing.Your grandchild. Please—” She pauses, drawing herself up, her breath coming out in a quick gasp as she speaks. “I love him. Please, put an end to this. For me. For the family I have now. Forbothof our families. Find a way to make peace with each other.”

It’s all I can do to keep my expression blank.I love him. Lucia has never said it to me before. I haven’t found the courage to say it to her. And yet, in that moment, I can hear that it rings true.

“Please,” she repeats. “Don’t destroy my new family before it’s even begun.”

I can hear the sincerity in her voice. I can see that Fontana doestoo. And I can see that he’s startled to hear her stand up to him this way.

“Even if he took her,” one of the elder dons says, speaking up from Fontana’s right, “it’s not as if marriages and alliances have never been brokered that way before. In the old days, it was that way more often than not. The Leone family was respected, Fontana, before Enzo made his mistakes. He paid for them. The boy has proved he has courage. And your daughter is pleased with the match.” He shrugs. “I see no reason to continue this conflict.”

One by one, I see the others beginning to agree, a murmur of assent spreading around the table. Fontana looks at them, and I know what he’s thinking.

He has great power. But the Family gives him that power. And without it, he can’t stand alone.

“Will those who allied with you stand with me as well?” He looks at Amalfi, Luisi, and the others. “You took sides against me. In helping to remove Gaeta, I understand that is your way of righting that wrong, before it could take root. But I will be watching. I will not deal lightly with traitors. And if you step wrong again, it will be my son-in-law who comes for your heads, next.”

There’s a shift in the room, a collective tensing from the dons around me, and a lessening of it from the others. It’s abundantly clear, at that moment, just how close to war we all were.

“Lucia’s chosen husband was to take the place of underboss,” Fontana continues. “A place that Andre will occupy now. As long as his newfound loyalty stands.” His gaze lands on me, cold and steely, and I understand it for the warning it is. A truce, for now—with trust yet to be earned.

On both sides, as far as I’m concerned. But it’s something I’m willing to work for, for what I’ve gained.

“Step carefully,” Fontana warns. “I’ll be watching for the moment that any of you slip off of the path my daughter has set you all on today.”

I don’t fully breathe until we’re back in the car, on the way to myestate. Lucia looks at me, and when the doors are closed, I reach for her.

“Tell me you meant it.” I pull her towards me, counting on the dark tint of the windows to hide us from anyone who might see, as the driver pulls away from her father’s mansion. “What you said in there. Tell me you weren’t lying to make him agree.”

“About what?” There’s a teasing, merciless glint in Lucia’s eyes, as if she plans to drag this out, to make me pay for all I’ve done. “About wanting peace? My family to remain unharmed?”

“Yes, and yes. But you know that’s not what I mean.” I slide my fingers over her jaw, my gaze holding hers. “Say it again,principessa. Say it tome.”

“I love you.” She searches my face, her expression changing to something softer, more hopeful. “I don’t know when, exactly. So much has changed.You’vechanged. But I do. I love you, Andre.”

“And I love you.” I cup her face in my palm, drawing her lips to mine. “I have for longer than I think even I knew. I won’t waste the chance we’ve been given.”

“I know,” she says softly. “Or I wouldn’t have made the choice that I did.”

And then, she kisses me again as she slides onto my lap, and neither of us says anything else for a very, very long time.

It’s hard to believe that I might have found peace at last. That my wife, after everything, has chosen me.

But with every brush of her mouth on mine, every touch, every gasp, and sigh as we go back to the place where this began, I find it easier.

And I know, without a doubt, that I will never let her go.

EPILOGUE

LUCIA

I’m no fool. I know that my father’s acquiescence doesn’t mean that our safety is assured. It’s Andre who has to make certain it holds, who has to step carefully and ensure he pleases my father. That he bites his tongue and obeys.

I believe he will. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have stepped up for him the way I did. I wouldn’t have chosen him over my father. I would have gambled on going back, and hoped that I could find a way to keep my child. That my father would find a husband for me who would be understanding, who wouldn’t see another little Leone as a threat.

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