Chapter 102

Luca’s POV

Marabella and I brain-stormed while we quickly showered. We came to the conclusion that Robert is most likely working with Franky. He probably thought Franky would help him take me out so that Robert could take over. How could I have been so blind to it? The signs were right there in my face. Marabella and I walked with determination towards the kitchen, knowing that was where everyone was.

I stopped short at the door, hatred coursing through me when I saw my uncle. My mother had worry on her face as she looked between my uncle and I. I don’t blame her. One of us is most likely going to die tonight, but it’s not going to be me. “Come, let’s go sit down and eat”, my mother announced, trying to break the tension between us.

I put my hand on Mara’s lower back and led her to the dining room. My eyes never left my uncle. I know something bad is up. He is a traitor to this family, and here he is, bold enough to sit and break bread with my family. I will take joy and releasing him from his mortal bond to this world.

“So, Uncle, why are you here this evening?”, Sergio asked, knowing damn well something was up. “I heard you and your brother were kidnapped. I had to make sure you got back safely”, he answered, clearing his throat. “That’s funny. I don’t remember you reaching out and offering your help in their rescue”, Marabella said calmly, looking up and making eye contact with him.

“Well, young lady, you were already gone by the time I got here. So I could not offer my help”, he hissed in her direction. I growled as I put my arm across Mara’s chest. Honestly, it was pure instinct. I felt as if he was going to attack her. “How convenient”, Mara mocked.

“How did you hear?”, Ma asked, curiously. “That’s a good question. I know that no one here called you”, Carlo butted in. Robert’s face paled, as the realization that he was caught set in. “Why don’t you eat up, Uncle Robert. You don’t want to miss out on your last meal”, I chimed in with a smirk.

“His last meal? What is that supposed to mean?”, my aunt squeaked. “This doesn’t concern you, Claire”, Robert snapped. Good, Robert is accepting his fate. Marabella’s leg bounced under the table, her anxiety getting the best of her. I placed my hand on her leg to calm her. The tension at the table was palpable, so I understand her anxiety for sure.

To break bread with the enemy is a rite of passage. Though, I have apparently been doing it for years and did not know. My anger burned brighter with each second that passed. He’s the reason my father is dead. The reason my brothers were hurt. The reason my wife was shot and abducted.

A growl slipped through my lips from the pit of my chest. Marabella placed her hand on top of mine, and weaved her fingers through mine. “Let’s go”, I announced, standing from the table. “It’s time to discuss business”, I growled in Robert’s direction. Robert huffed as he stood from the kitchen chair.

I turned towards my wife and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Stay with Ma”, I whispered. Mara nodded softly. She understood that I wasn’t asking her to stay out of the matter, but to protect my mother. That’s one of the many things I love about my wife. She can read me like no other.

I walked away with confidence knowing that my mother was in good hands. Sergio stood and followed us out of the kitchen. I walked with purpose. My goal was to end this quickly. I already have Franky to deal with still, I really don’t want to have to deal with Robert for too long either.

I entered my downstairs office and went straight for my chair. I sat back and looked at a very pale Robert. “You’ve been working with Franky this whole time, haven’t you?”, I cut straight to the point. No time for games or beating around the bush. Robert smirked, “And so what if I have. You and I both know that you don’t deserve to be considered the Mafia King”, he mocked.

I laughed darkly, “And you believe that you do?”, I asked, tilting my head to the side. “Yes. I do”, he held his head up proudly. I stood from my seat and walked around the desk. “That’s fucking funny”, I mocked, before I punched him in the jaw. He snapped his head back around to look at me with hate and disdain.

“You don’t deserve to slither through dirt, you are a scumbag”, I growled. Robert laughed, “I’m a better person than you”. “Is that so?”, I asked. “You must not know the type of person Franky is. And because you lay in bed with him, you are as terrible as he is”, I said, pulling my gun from my side.

I loaded the chamber, and pointed it at his head. “You will find out in hell”, I growled. “I planned your father’s assanation”, he admitted, confirming my theories. I pulled the trigger, planting a bullet right between his eyes. His brains flew out the back of his head, covering my office wall. Sergio sighed, knowing this mess was going to be hard to clean up. “My apologies. I just couldn’t stand to hear him speak any longer”, I said to my little brother.

Sergio threw his hands up and shook his head. “No apologies necessary, brother. If you wouldn’t have, I would have”, Sergio said. I nodded, “I guess we need to go inform his family they need to plan a closed casket funeral, huh?”, I joked darkly. Fuck that dude, he betrayed his own blood for power. He has got what he deserved in my eyes.

Sergio nodded and opened the office door. As we walked out his wife and eldest son were already running towards us. “What have you done?”, Aunt Claire screamed. “I recommend a closed casket funeral”, Sergio said with seriousness as we walked past them. “What the fuck?”, RJ said. “Try anything, and you’ll be next”, Sergio warned.

I continued on to the kitchen, leaving the rest of this up to my men. I know that little prick, RJ, won’t do a damn thing, he is too much of a pussy. When I walked into the kitchen, Mara and my mother weren’t there. I panicked slightly, looking around for them. “Marabella!”, I called out, my heart rate accelerating to an ungodly speed.

I went outside to the gardens, praying that my beautiful wife thought that might be the safest place for them to be. Which it definitely was. The place is a maze, only the people who live here actually know all the good spots. When my eyes landed on her hazel eyes, I knew immediately that I had chosen the perfect wife.

I blew out a breath of relief as I walked up to her and hugged her tightly. “What’s wrong?”, she asked softly. “I thought something was wrong. I couldn’t find you”, I answered in a whisper. “I wanted to take her outside to miss all the commotion”, she mumbled. “Good girl. You are so smart”, I uttered, kissing her neck.

“Is everything alright son?”, my mother asked, walking up to us. “Yes ma. Uncle Robert will no longer be a problem”, I told her. “Did you kill him, Luca?”, she asked solemnly. “I did what needed to be done, mother”, I answered her. “Luca”, she sighed, shaking her head disapprovingly. “He betrayed us, ma. He’s the reason pa is dead. He’s the reason the boys got hurt, and he’s the reason Mara was shot”, I said in one breath. “I did what needed to be done”, I reiterated.

My mother looked completely shocked by all the new information I just threw at her. Which is one hundred percent understandable. My mother nodded her head. “I suppose you did. Come, let’s go sit by the pond for a while, whilst they sort out the mess you made inside”, she said, waving us further into the garden.