Chapter 11

Inside the car, Sophie adjusted her clothes while Vincenzo's phone rang incessantly. She suggested, "You should answer; it must be important." Noticing it was his father, Vincenzo picked him up, assuring him he was on his way. With a brief stop, he dropped Sophie off and headed towards his father's appointment.

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Vincenzo arrived at his father's estate, a fortress surrounded by imposing walls and guarded by heavily armed men. Every step was monitored, and tension hung in the air. As he entered, the guards' watchful eyes followed his every move. The atmosphere signified the seriousness of their world, where security and caution were imperative. Vincenzo handed his car to his father's designated driver and entered the estate. There, the housekeeper welcomed him warmly with a hug.

"My dear, how are you? Have you had dinner?" she asked, showing the typical concern of someone who cares for the well-being in this house of intrigues and complex loyalties.

"I’m fine, how are you? I had something to eat at the club, don’t worry," he said, grateful for her concern.

"And since when is that food? Once you finish talking with your father, come to the kitchen; I made some delicious dishes just the way you like," she said with a lovely smile.

"I can’t refuse such a request, especially when it involves your wonderful cooking. Where’s my father?"

"He’s in the office. Go now before he gets furious; he’s been waiting for hours. And don’t forget to visit the kitchen afterward."

"I’ll make sure to do that," he said, heading towards his father's office.

Vincenzo gently pushed the office door open, revealing his father sitting at the desk with a furious look. The environment was tense, filled with silence, broken only by the rustling of papers. Vincenzo cautiously approached, feeling the pressure in the air as his father remained impassive, waiting for an explanation.

"I thought I might have to send some men to fetch you and bring you by force," his father said, breaking the silence.

"I wonder why all this? Am I not here already? I had important things to do; I can’t run every time you call me," Vincenzo replied with an ironic tone.

"My son, how can I trust you to succeed me if you take days to come for something as simple as this? I need you to focus on the business; it’s important, and you know it." His father’s tone changed to anger.

"And what do you mean by focus? Throughout my life, I’ve been by your side, doing everything you wanted. Our business is doing well, thanks to all my efforts. What more do you want from me?" Vincenzo asked.

"I want you to bring the girl you have under your control to me. I’ve already warned you, and I want you to hurry up and marry Don Bonnano’s daughter as soon as possible."

"I’ve already told you that I won’t marry anyone, and as for Luna, I will never hand her over to you. I know what you’re capable of, and she’s just a girl. Keep her out of this; she has nothing to do with Davis and his father," he said, growing furious.

"How dare you challenge me? Have you forgotten that I’m your father, that I’m the Don, and you owe me respect? That girl is nothing but a whore, and I’ll show her what we do with whores. After I’m done, I’ll kill her in front of her father; he’ll suffer in his lifetime," he said, raging.

"I’ve always done what you wanted, Father; I've always been by your side like a loyal soldier, putting the Mafia above all else. But don’t you dare touch a hair on her head? As I’ve said before, keep her out of this," he began to shout.

"Where does this courage to disrespect your father come from? Are you in love with that bitch, the daughter of that rat?" his father confronted him.

"Don’t talk nonsense; I’m not in love with anyone. I just don’t want you to commit injustice against a poor girl whose only mistake was being the daughter and sister of those two. So I’ll say it again: forget about her, or we’ll have a big problem. Oh, and forget about this marriage too, because it’s not going to happen."

"Is this why I raised you? To turn against your father and not follow a direct order? I will hunt that girl down, wherever you’ve hidden her, and find her. When I find her, she won’t seem so innocent in your eyes because I’ll use her in every way possible, even when she can’t take it anymore," his father shouted with hatred.

"And we’ll see about that. As long as she’s under my protection, you won’t lay a finger on her, and I’m not Vincenzo. I hope we’re done here; drop this topic, Father. It’ll be better for you. Besides, you know that when it comes to defending something, I’m the best."

"Are you sure? Wait a moment; I want you to hear something," his father said with a smile.

"What is it now?" Vincenzo asked, confused.

"Stay calm, son; you’ll find out. Just wait a few more minutes."

As Vincenzo impatiently waited to learn the secret his father was about to reveal, men sent by his father found Luna at the house where she was hidden. Amália, desperate, tried to protect Luna, but it was in vain. They took her by force, while Luna tried to break free, screaming for help. The men sent by Don Carlo put her in the car, and the thugs called Don Carlo, putting the phone on speaker so Vincenzo could hear Luna’s anguished screams.

Don Carlo hung up the phone and stared at Vincenzo, saying, "Is this how you protect someone? You’ve failed." Vincenzo, furious, clenched his fists and slammed them on the table. He approached his father with anger in his eyes, grabbing him by the tie and urgently asking about Luna’s whereabouts. Don Carlo began to suffocate, and Vincenzo, realizing this, released his grip. His father, surprised by his son’s behavior, remarked, "You’re in love with that bitch; I’m sure of it. You’d never go against me. I will never tell you where she is," noting that he had never seen his son act like this before but refusing to reveal Luna’s location.

"I’ll find her, you can be sure of that," Vincenzo said, leaving his father alone.

Don Carlo, catching his breath, loosened his tie with a tired gesture.