His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies

“Luca’s comment? What about it.” Christian chuckled.

“The comment about your dad and your uncle seemed to bother you.” I tried to clear up his mind. He wefew seconds before he finally started talking.

“There’s not much to say— grandpa was supposed to give the entire empire to my uncle, his oldest son—gave it to my dad…it clearly hit a nerve with some of my cousins,” Christian explained. “How old were yohappened?”

Christian had a bothered look on his face as if he was trying to get out of this conversation. “I was six so remember much— but I remember how everyone had changed when my grandpa retired.”

“How come?” I asked.

“People started to treat us different, we moved into a bigger house— started living more isolated…my dacold person,”

“And Luca?”

“Uncle Berto was supposed to take over my grandpa— and after that Johnny and Luca but when he retirminute he had changed his mind…uncle Berto was not really a family guy and my grandpa would do anyus,” Christian explained, and I couldn’t help but wonder. “Are you a family man?”

He chuckled and avoided my gaze. “I may not always show it, but unlike my brothers, I will walk throughfamily.”

“So that’s why Lucio chose you…the same way your grandpa chose him.” I concluded and thought aboutwas actually suppose to be in his position— but for some reason seemed to have fewer issues with it tha“You know, my cousins call me a fake, all of us. They say we don’t belong there— and me especially becafollowed in grandpa’s footsteps, he chose his youngest son instead, even my own brothers dislike me.” Cas if it didn’t affect him, but it clearly did.

“Johnny seems like a loyal friend and cousin.” I smiled, thinking about how he always stood by his side acomplained or given him any backhanded comments, if anything he was there for Christian.

“He is, he’s been more like a brother to me than my own brothers have— while if anything…he should beholding a grudge against me.”

The way Christian praised Johnny had always amazed me. There was no doubt that despite everything hehis brothers, but the way he spoke about Johnny was different.

“And Vincenzo?” I tried to throw in the subject. I had to bring it up one way or another, and now would bAlthough they did not talk to each other anymore— I was extremely curious about Vincenzo saying his dwith the Lamberti’s was complicated.

Christian smiled. “We used to be best friends, ever since we were young. It had alwayVincenzo, and

nerve. “Did you and Vincenzo stop being friends because of me?“No…a lot has happened, we were about to break ties at one point and I just happened to do it

Christian

dad and I figured that, that man must’ve fit

for the befrom that family so I’m glad the two of you cut ties.” He told me, unaware that we had been hanging outHis words were supposed to scare me,

It was strange to see

if you guys did not do a background check.” I chuckled, thinking about not only everything being onclub, but

respect you.” He spoke in a serious tone. Even though we were fine nowbut wonder where

not much to say, I was raised as an orphan and my birth parents abandoned me, went from grogroup home— dropped out of college, and here I am,” I told him my uninteresting

you get your

woman, she was like a mother to me and used to work at the place I was dropped off as with her for a while but she passed away.” I smiled, thinking about Melanie Reyes, a woman who had takhad truly treated me as her own. For that, I would always be grateful.

shoulders and tried to hide my feelings. “Speaking of women and grateful,

a…date.” Christian chuckled while I cringed at his words. “Emmanue“So you were a little rebel in

to have quite a temper. After college, I had turnnotch and lost the confidence I once had. “I can’t imagine,”

back,” I warned him while he

eyes at his

studying?” He had changed the subject to one I had been trying to avoid. He could ask the

“Dance.”

dancer?” He continued asking, and there was

a choreographer or a backup dancer, maybe even open my own dance studio…but things don’t alwexpected.” I sighed as he nodded his head and took in

I asked him. It seemed as if he was speaking from

a choice so I never really thought about it.” He spoke with a smile on course, he

of your childhood?referring to the butterfly necklace around my

when I got older I lost it,” I explained. “Your familywas thoughtful. I would like to