Chapter 18

Vincenzo, fearing the direction the situation might take, calls his father in hopes of saving Luna. He knows his father won't give up unless he has a reason to. Vincenzo takes a deep breath as he dials his father's number; the ringing intensifies his heartbeat. Everything depended on that call.

“Speak, Vincenzo,” his father, Dom Carlo, starts.

“You’re not going to give up on harming her, are you?” Vincenzo asks, already knowing the answer.

“What do you expect me to say? You know she’s the daughter of that bastard,” Dom Carlo responds.

“You know she’s important to me. You know me, Father. I’ve never fought for anyone before, so I want to propose a deal,” Vincenzo says, hopeful.

“And what makes you think I’d agree to a deal to let this woman live?” Don Carlo asks, curious.

“Because you wouldn’t want to lose your only son. I’m your only legacy, the one who has been by your side, helping in every way and taking your business to new heights. I’ve never embarrassed you, so I know you wouldn’t want to lose me. That’s what will happen if you don’t leave Luna alone. She has nothing to do with her father or brother.”

Vincenzo leaves his father speechless. Dom Carlo truly loved Vincenzo and wouldn’t want to lose him. He didn’t expect a woman to pit his son against him this way. His only option was to agree, at least for now.

“And what deal are we talking about?” Don Carlo asks.

“I’ll go to Turkey and take over the business you’ve wanted for years,” Vincenzo proposes.

“That doesn’t interest me. The business there is doing fine with or without you. But suppose I had something else in mind. Would you agree?” Don Carlo asks.

“To let her live, I’ll accept anything,” Vincenzo says with conviction.

“Then let’s make a deal (he laughs). I want you to marry Don Bonanno’s daughter. In exchange, I’ll forget that you challenged me over this Luna,” he proposes.

“What kind of cursed deal is this? How can you force me to marry someone I don’t even know? This girl will be unhappy marrying me without love. That won’t happen,” Vincenzo says, frustrated.

“It will happen, and we both know it. But don’t worry, I’ll give you a day to think. If Luna is important to you, you’ll do everything possible to protect her. There’s no place you can take her where I won’t find her. As for love, those born into a family of mafiosi always put family first, and this girl is no different. You’ll get along fine,” Dom Carlo says with a victorious smile.

“Why are you doing this, Father? I want to understand how you can propose to your only son and marry someone without love.”

“Because I’m not going to let my only son waste my lineage on my enemy’s daughter. I don’t recognize you anymore. You used to follow everything I said, always focused on business. Now you challenge me for a woman you barely know. Don’t talk to me about love. You’ve known her for just a few days; this can’t be love,” Dom Carlo says, raising his voice.

“I haven’t changed, Father. I’ve only grown up. I’m no longer that boy who could dictate what to do or not do. But since there’s no choice, you’ll always be a thorn in my side. I accept the marriage, but only because I know you’ll keep your promise to leave Luna in peace,” Vincenzo decides.

“Great decision, my son. I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me,” Don Carlo says, pleased.

“I have to hang up. And please, let’s keep this between us for now. I’ll take Luna to her father’s house. I don’t want her to find out this way,” Vincenzo says.

“As you wish, son. Finish your business and come. I’ll be waiting.”

Vincenzo hangs up, furious with his father and the decision he had to make to protect Luna. He throws his phone onto the sofa, opens a bottle of whiskey, puts an ice cube in a glass, pours the whiskey, and starts drinking.

Vincenzo’s restlessness is intense; he’s on his third glass of whiskey when footsteps approach—Amália, coming to ask if she can serve breakfast.

“Good morning, dear,” she says, noticing the glass.

“Good morning,” he replies, raising the glass.

“Why are you drinking so early?” she asks, noticing something is wrong.

“I’m celebrating my marriage,” he responds.

“But so soon? I noticed you spent the night together. Don’t get me wrong, she usually wakes up early, so I went to check if she wanted breakfast and deduced you’d slept with her,” Amália says, embarrassed.

“You’re right, she did sleep with me. But my marriage won’t be with her since my father decided I must marry one of Don Bonanno’s daughters,” he says, gripping the glass tightly.

“How could he propose such a thing?”

“In exchange for Luna’s life, Since he has cut off all exits from the city—airports—people I thought were loyal to me are loyal to him, after all, he is the Don.”

“You accepted this, my dear?”

“I had no choice. If I didn’t accept, I could put her life at risk, and that’s something I don’t want. Now I have to break her heart after the amazing night we had together. For the first time, I loved someone, and my father ruined everything. Sometimes I wonder if he loves me if he’s willing to sacrifice me like this.”

Vincenzo continues to grip the glass tightly, eventually breaking it in his hand. Amália screams and grabs a cloth to clean the blood from his hands.

“Don’t hurt yourself. I’m sure things will be resolved soon. God’s justice never fails; your father will pay for all his cruelty,” Amália says with tears in her eyes.

“Please don’t cry. I’m already not okay. It won’t be easy to break a promise. Please, ask all the security to leave. You can go for a walk too; I need to talk to Luna alone,” Vincenzo says.

“Yes, dear, as you wish. I’ll inform the security right away.”

Amália leaves Vincenzo alone, and he returns to drinking his whiskey, contemplating what he’ll do next.