Chapter 28

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

“HEY. TALK TO me,” Luca said, following after Dom as he stormed through the house. “What did he say to make you so upset?”

“Weren’t you listening in anyway?”

“Well, yeah, but I couldn’t catch most of it.”

“Then don’t worry about it.”

“Dom, something set you off, so either you tell me or I’ll ask Vincenzo.”

Dom stopped in his tracks. He turned around slowly to face Luca, a hard expression on his handsome face.

“Ask my father? The fucking king of New York. Have you lost your mind?”

Luca shrugged. “Maybe I have. Maybe I’m crazy now, but if I am, it’s only because all of you have made me this way.”

“Then be my fucking guest.”

“Fine. I will.” Luca stalked off, heading out to the deck to track down Dom’s father to get some answers. If his time being held against his will by both families had taught him anything, it was that he no longer had it in him to fear whatever they did to him. He’d already suffered and lived in fear of the what-ifs, and he just couldn’t do it anymore.

Vincenzo stood on the deck looking out over the lake, and it was remarkable how much he looked like Dom in that moment. With the way he held himself so regally, it was easy to see the power he wielded not only over his son and his chosen family, but also over anyone he came into contact with.

He’s just a man, Luca told himself. He’s a father and a husband, someone who has endured unspeakable tragedy. Just talk to him.

He walked outside, squinting in the bright sun, and moved in beside Vincenzo, who didn’t acknowledge Luca’s presence. His gaze remained focused on some point out on the water.

Shit, now that he was out there, Luca didn’t know where to begin.

Lucky for him, Vincenzo broke the silence.

“What is it you want, Luca?”

“I want to know what you said to upset Dom.”

Vincenzo turned to face Luca. “And why would you care?”

“Because I’m a decent human being, and decent humans give a shit.”

“Ah. Maybe you are. But that’s not why.”

Considering the entanglement Vincenzo had caught them in when he arrived, it was obvious he already knew the why. It wasn’t like Luca could deny what Vincenzo had seen with his own eyes. Luca’s time with Dom had opened him up in a way he hadn’t imagined, and there was no stuffing the way he felt back in a cage.

“What you said earlier,” Luca began. “About me still being a threat. You have to know I want nothing to do with the Fiores. I won’t be whatever it is they want me to be.”

“I know that now.”

Luca frowned. “Then what did you mean?”

“I mean you’re a threat to my son.”

“What? But I would never do anything to—”

“Just your presence here has him reconsidering what’s been asked of his life. Of his future. You’re not a part of that, do you understand?”

“No,” Luca said. “No, I don’t understand. Why can’t Dom decide his future and what he wants?”

“Because he’s my heir. He’ll be the head of an empire that’s bigger than anything you can imagine, and that requires sacrifice.”

“Haven’t you both sacrificed enough?”

Vincenzo’s mouth snapped shut and he looked away.

Luca wondered for a moment if he’d overstepped, but then Vincenzo said softly, “I see he told you about Serafina and Giuliana.”

“He did. I’m sorry that happened to you.”

Vincenzo nodded, staring out at the boats passing by on the water. “It’s been so long ago now, but it still feels like yesterday. I can still see Dom helping Giuliana into her swim vest before taking her and Caterina down to the pool. Serafina would be cooking up a storm in the kitchen, so happy to have her hands on anything and everything the market had to offer that day. This was where her heart thrived… We never should’ve left. I was too blinded by ambition to see it at the time, but…” He trailed off, lost in a memory.

“I understand why you’d want revenge,” Luca said.

“I did, for a very long time.”

“Did? Like…past tense?”

“Yes. It’s all over now.”

“You…you did it, then.” Luca dropped his eyes, noticing for the first time the wounds on Vincenzo’s hands. Had he done it himself?

“I know that was your family,” Vincenzo said. “But you’re better off without them.”

“They were never my family.”

“Still. I understand if you’re upset.”

Luca waited for any emotion at all to rise inside him, but he felt nothing. From what he’d witnessed, Fiore had been the worst kind of man, and after what he’d put the Rossettis through, maybe he deserved the ending he got.

God, when had Luca started thinking that way? Thinking so casually about another person dying?

Then again, Fiore would’ve done the same to Luca if he hadn’t cooperated. So maybe Vincenzo was right—maybe the world was better off without Fiore in it.

“So that’s it, then,” Luca said. “You’re the most powerful man in the city.”

Vincenzo didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. The triumphant smile said it all.

“With a position like that, I imagine people will have to listen to you.”

“What are you getting at, Luca?”

“I know what you want from Dom. The marriage, the kids. Keeping who he really is under wraps.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Don’t you want your son to be happy? To find someone to love the same way you did?”

“Let me guess. You’ve deluded yourself into thinking that someone is you.”

“It could be.”

“It won’t,” Vincenzo snapped, making Luca flinch. “It will never work.”

“Why?”

“Because whatever happened here isn’t real. You both used each other to pass the hours, and now it’s time to get back to reality. You aren’t Dom’s future.”

“Okay. Say you’re right, and I’m not the one in his life. You’d really have your son be miserable with someone he doesn’t love just for show?”

“Who the hell do you think you are speaking to me that way?” Vincenzo stepped toward Luca, but Luca wasn’t backing down.

“I’m someone who cares enough about your son to think he deserves better. He shouldn’t have to hide who he is.”

“He should if it keeps him safe.”

“Safe? Are any of you ever really safe? That’s a joke. If the real problem is Dom being gay in your world, you’re in a position now to change things, don’t you think?”

“I think I’ve had enough of your mouth.”

Luca threw his hands up. “Welcome to Dom’s world. He says that to me every day.”

“I don’t need you telling me about my son. I’ll make the decisions that benefit him and the rest of the family best. And they won’t have anything to do with you.”

“Stubborn to the end,” Luca said. “I see where Dom gets it from.”

“This conversation is over.”

“Fine by me.” Luca shoved off the rail and started back to the house, but before he got to the doors, he stopped and turned back to Vincenzo.

“Dom will do whatever you ask. He’d move heaven and hell if that’s what you wanted; he loves and respects you that much. But if you care at all about his wants and needs, really think about what you’ll be taking away from him and if it’s worth it.”

Luca turned on his heel and headed back inside to seek out Dom.