There is a general agreement though two or three people look unconvinced. My father just stands there, silent.
“Padre, I know you don’t want this, but sometimes we have to make necessary changes that are better for the family. I want your blessing on this.”
My father looks at all the faces turned in his direction and sighs. “This will not end well, but I hope you prove me wrong, Miguel. You have my blessing.”
My father knows he was outvoted, especially because he denied his own blood. It was his biggest mistake.
We go over a few details together before I send them all away, except Lyle.
“Go get her,” I say. “She’s coming with us.”
“He could just take her then,” Lyle comments.
“I know what I’m doing,” I say, though I have a seed of doubt in my heart.
Lyle leaves to fetch Kira while I slide into my suit jacket. She comes down, and I gesture to the front door. “The car is waiting.”
She looks up at me with wide eyes, so I quickly say, “Don’t hug me. I have a reputation to maintain.”
She nods, and we leave through the front door to the car.
“Where are we going?” she asks quietly once we’re on the motorway.
“I told Alessandro to meet me at Central Park,” I say, unable to look at her. I know what this means for us—I have to let her go.
“Thank you, Miguel,” she says softly, and I feel her hand take mine and squeeze. I squeeze it back and then move my hand away.
We walk into Central Park together, and I see Alessandro already seated on the bench, smoking a cigarette.
“Alessandro,” Kira gushes. He gets up and opens his arms. She rushes into them and hugs him tightly.
“Were you hurt?” he asks gruffly.
“No, Miguel treated me well,” Kira lies. I didn’t treat her well, I hurt her, and she will probably never forgive me for that.
“Don Sorvino,” I say seriously, “I am willing to let your cousin go home with you now if you agree to my terms.”
“Name them,” he says, looking at me distastefully.
“Raphael is my son and, therefore, future Don of the Rossi family by birthright. I want to see him and teach him about his Rossi family.”
“Is this true?” Alessandro asks Kira, and she nods. Alessandro looks back at me.
“When he is Don, I expect the Sorvinos to pay tribute by giving the Rossi family the territories that would go to the next in line in the event of Sonny Sorvino’s death. They are his then, not yours or under you.” I keep my eyes trained on his.
Alessandro looks down at Kira. “Is that why your father made you leave?”
“He thought he was doing what was best for me,” she says softly. I know she’s defending her father because Alessandro is not above killing his family members if they cross the line.
“Agreed,” Alessandro says at last. “However, only two of the territories can go to Raphael. I’ll ensure they’re the bigger operations, so the Rossi family makes good money from them. But only once he is Don.”
I hold my hand out, and Alessandro shakes it. “Now come, Kira, he misses you terribly.”
Kira holds onto Alessandro as they walk past me. Our eyes meet, and I see a sadness there that I haven’t seen before. Although I secured my family's future, I feel defeated. Because Raphael is a Rossi, they will respect the Rossi territories out of respect for Raphael. That protects my family, and we will have a higher income later.
But at what cost?
I watch Kira walk away, and I know I’ve lost out because what I should have done is professed my undying love for her and begged her to stay with me—begged her to let us be a family together instead of a family apart.