Chapter 7

Vincenzo notices that Luna has calmed down and decides it's a good time to talk to her. Choosing his words carefully, he says:

"Are you feeling calmer?" he asks.

"I am," she replies.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I know you're scared, but I'm not a bad person despite the mess you saw between me and your brother," he tries to justify.

With a mocking smile, she responds, "You're not a bad person? Everything the newspaper says about you... Let's break it down: Vincenzo is a cold, heartless man. Trained since childhood to be his father's successor. At 13, he committed his first murder under his father's supervision. The methods he uses are horrible, he's feared by everyone and is his father's pride, who is no different in this regard. Do you want me to stop or continue?"

"Do you believe everything you hear about people, doll?" he mocks.

"If the newspaper says you're like that, I believe it, especially after what you did to Davis."

"Then if I were you, I'd behave because if I'm that bad, it's better not to cross me," he pretends to be serious, trying to hide a smile.

"And you still mock? My God! Look, my family will pay you. You can set up a payment plan, and we'll pay it off. Just let me go, please. My father must be worried sick. He's not young anymore."

"You got into this mess because of your father," Vincenzo says.

"He told me it was to pay for my mother's treatment. She died of cancer, and he couldn't cover all the medical expenses. You took advantage of that—a poor man with a sick wife and two kids to raise. And you say you're not a bad person," she questions him.

"Your father isn't what you think he is. One day, you'll know the whole truth, not just what he told you," Vincenzo says.

"What are you talking about? After everything you did to us, do you still want to blame my father? You don't know what it's like to lose your wife, to see her die slowly, to see your children suffer, and to be strong for everyone. My father almost died of grief, so don't come at me with that," she presses.

"Look, you believe him because he's your father, but besides his version, there's a truth that will come out sooner or later. I would never do this to a suffering family. I don't mess with people who haven't wronged me. I do terrible things, yes, but not this. I do things for those who deserve it. Likewise, I had my reasons,” he defends himself.

"Then tell me what reasons? Since there's a truth, I want to know. Go on, speak."

"Wait a second," he says.

Vincenzo starts looking through some boxes in the closet and finds photos of Luna's father armed alongside Vincenzo's father. He shows them to her, and she looks confused.

"What is this?" she asks.

"Your father and my father," he replies.

"I see that, but why is my father armed next to your father?"

"Your father was one of my father's mafia capos. All he had to do was ensure our safety in New York. My father trusted him and asked him to take my mother and me. But the day before, my father gave him the money for your mother's treatment. The next day, we waited for him as agreed, but he never showed up. Some guys ended up invading our house, and amidst the shooting, one hit my mother. She died right in front of me. Your father might not have pulled the trigger, but he was responsible for my mother's death. If he had shown up, none of this would have happened," he confides.

Luna is in shock and nearly faints. Vincenzo catches her, and they look into each other's eyes as he helps her sit on the bed.

"Are you okay? You need to eat something; you're very weak," he says.

"I'm fine. I'm just shocked by all this. My father never told me anything about his past. All this time, he let Davis get involved in all this to protect him. How could he lie like that? I'm so sorry about your mother. I don't even know what to say," she says, still in shock.

"You don't need to say anything. It's not your fault," he tries to console her.

"I believed a lie my whole life—that my father was just a merchant, an honest man, and now this. He could have killed many people, involved in the mafia. My God, what a nightmare," she puts her hands on her head.

Vincenzo receives a call and steps away from Luna, going to the corridor to talk. Matteo tries to warn him that his father wants to see him immediately. As Vincenzo gets agitated, Luna reaches the bedroom door and overhears the conversation, becoming upset.

"Hello, Vincenzo?"

"Hi, Matteo. What happened?" Vincenzo hears the apprehension in Matteo's voice.

"Your father wants to see you immediately. You need to come back."

"And why all the hurry?"

"He found out you're with Luna and asked to find you as soon as possible."

"Thanks for letting me know. You know how my father is. Only you and I know where she is, so don't say a word to him. I'll be back tomorrow."

"You can trust me. I won't say anything but be prepared because he's furious. He said you should have eliminated them, and if you don't, he will. He wants Luna to be tortured and dishonored and then handed over to her father, and when he sees her state, he wants them all killed," Matteo confesses.

"That's not going to happen. He won't lay a finger on her, or he'll have to deal with me. No one will touch her."

"Calm down. You can't go to war with your father over this girl you don't know, despite everything her family has caused."

"I've said what I needed to say. No one will touch her. I'll be there tomorrow to talk to my father. I need to go now. Thanks, Matteo."

As soon as Vincenzo hangs up and turns to go back to the room, he sees Luna at the door with a distressed expression.

"Were you listening?" Vincenzo asks.

"What does your father want to do to me and my family?" she asks, crying.

"Please don't cry again. My father won't do anything to you. I will never let anyone touch you, understand?" he says, holding her chin.

"Why don't you let me go? My family and I can run away. You'll never hear from us again," she pleads.

"I can't let you go, I'm sorry."

"Why can't you?"

"I don't know. I just know I can't. Look, take a deep breath. I'll ask Amália to keep you company. I need to be alone."

Vincenzo leaves the room, leaving Luna alone. He can't stand seeing her cry; it affects him in ways he doesn't understand. He goes downstairs, to the yard, to smoke and try to ease his tension.