“Ultimately, Aria didn’t leave me a choice. I couldn’t let this opportunity pass. She walked into my territory, if I’d let her leave without using that to our advantage, I would have looked weak. Letting her go at all was a huge risk. I don’t owe Aria anything.”
I swallowed. “She’s Anna’s godmother.”
“They won’t ever see each other again, unless Luca surrenders or dies, then maybe there’ll be peace again.”
I touched my belly. Would Leonas grow up in a world of war? Would he rule over the Outfit still at war? It scared me.
Dante kissed my temple then caressed my belly. “How are you feeling?”
I almost laughed because I was miserable. Of course, he meant physically.
“Good. Leonas is very active today,” I said with a small smile despite the tension I felt. I took Dante’s hand and pressed it to the spot where Leonas was kicking.
Dante’s expression softened.
“You realize these photos will stir up a scandal in the Outfit too. I’ll be the poor pregnant wife who was cheated on, with the most beautiful woman the Outfit had to offer to Luca. That will give all the Golden Couple enthusiasts new ammunition. I bet a few will even hope Aria will run off to Chicago so she can marry you.”
Dante made a face as if he tasted something bitter. “The Golden Couple rumor has always been nonsense.” He cradled my face, his eyes almost angry. “And as far as I’m concerned, Valentina, you are the most beautiful woman in the Outfit.”
“Aria is no longer in the Outfit,” I reminded him, because he deserved to suffer for this move.
He let out a low breath. “For me you are the most beautiful woman.”
I didn’t let his words mollify me. “What if the rumors about your affair eventually reach Anna’s ears? She’s still too young to understand, but she’ll realize it’s something bad.”
“She won’t find out. These photos won’t be published anywhere in my territory, Val.”
“People will talk. It’ll spread.”
Dante nodded slowly. “Yes, no matter what I do, I won’t be able to silence everyone in the Outfit. You will have to bear some of the consequences of my actions, even if I never wanted you to. I’m sorry for that.”
I leaned back with wide eyes.
“What is it?”
“I think this is only the second time you said you’re sorry.”
He smiled darkly. “I had many more reasons to apologize to you, I know, but it’s something I’m not very good at.”
“I know. And I appreciate your apology, but I still wish you would have found another way to attack the Famiglia than by making up an affair rumor.”
Dante didn’t say anything but I could tell that maybe part of him agreed.“The photos haven’t appeared anywhere yet,” Rocco said as a way of greeting as he entered my office the next afternoon.
“Luca must have managed to keep them under taps. But he has seen them, I have no doubt.”
Rocco nodded thoughtfully as he sank down in the armchair across from me. “My contacts to the press beyond our borders are very limited. I’m hoping some rag will have the balls to post an article. It’s a scandal none of them should pass up on.”
“Indeed,” I said. I had to admit I wasn’t entirely unhappy with the fact that the photos hadn’t made headline. The possible rumors had worried Val more than I’d anticipated, maybe because of her pregnancy but I didn’t want to stress her out more than absolutely necessary. “I’m sure Luca will send me some kind of message soon.”
“I’d guess a bloody one. I doubt he’ll give you a call.”
I smiled grimly. Luca would definitely send a bloody warning of what was to come. He would retribute, no doubt.
“I could tell Fabiano to call Liliana or Gianna under the pretense of wanting to talk to them. That way we might be able to get intel on what’s going on in the Vitiello household. Luca must have confronted Aria by now.”
I nodded slowly. Gianna and Liliana might reveal something to their brother. He had started his initiation process, so he needed to learn to do even the difficult task, like laying a trap to his sisters. I ran a hand through my hair. When I’d been a young man, I’d dreamed of being a better man, a better Capo. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be both.
“Have you told Giovanni yet?”
I shook my head. “I’m meeting him later. He and Livia are coming over for dinner to see Anna and check on Val.”
“Only two more weeks?” Rocco said.
I nodded. I’d been worried that Leonas would come early like Anna, but so far Val’s second pregnancy had been free of complications.
Rocco shook his head, then a look of pride crossed his face. “I’m becoming a father too. It’s still very early so we haven’t announced it yet, but if things go well, my newborn son and your Leonas can become friends.”