Chapter 34

Dante

It was one of those days that Hailynn and I just wanted to stay in bed and succumb to laziness. It was one of her moods and I was willing to accompany her.

“Dante.” She muttered against my chest. She had her head laid on my chest, arm around my waist and one leg crossing over mine.

“Hmmn?” My eyes were still close as I responded.

“I’m sorry if I held you back with your club opening.”

My eyes opened immediately looking at her. “That was weeks ago, amore. Why did you suddenly bring that up?” I asked in curiosity.

My club opened as soon as we settled our misunderstanding about the woman I hired to organize the event. As much as I want to relish her jealousy, I didn’t want to make her suffer. Something might happen to the twins or her if I don’t clear things up right away. That’s why I’ve been a literal angelo to her. I’ve been tolerating her bullying for their sake.

“It just crossed my mind.” She slowly sat up, releasing me from her embrace. “It’s just… you’ve treated me so well lately and I couldn’t even let you cheer on that most important day.”

I remember we planned to go to the opening. She’d come with me to support me. We even got my office ready so we could stay there. Unfortunately, she was feeling nauseous and dizzy so we had to cancel coming to the club. I stayed with her the entire time until she got better.

It was at that time that I decided that I won’t leave her here. I have not gone out ever since then. If there are meetings, I do it online. My priority is always her.

I chuckled. “What are you talking about, amore? That club was for you. It was supposed to be something that could make me stay here with you. That’s before we knew you were pregnant but now, it’s just one of my businesses.”

“Am I holding you back, Dante?” Her eyes were big like a puppy and lips in a pout.

Is this one of those times that her hormones are suddenly acting up?

I laugh. I then sat up and placed my arm around her. I kissed her temple. “Don’t be silly, amore. Stop making things up again. You’re always plotting something that could make me suddenly look bad.”

Her stare caught me off guard. It had meaning. I could see the wheels turning inside her head. I doubt she would tell what she was thinking.

“Amore, I would do anything for you.” My fingers found its way to her cheek, brushing them softly and affectionately. “Anything. I already proved that by choosing you over my mafia. There was nothing to choose for from the start. You’re the endgame.”

A smile slowly slipped from her face. “I love you, amore. Sempre. Verso l’infinito e oltre.”

Her eyebrows pulled together questioningly. “What does that mean?”

I smirked. “You need some googling to do then.”

“Dante.” She whined while scowling. “T'es vraiment con.”

It was my turn to scowl. “What the hell does that mean?”

She giggled mischievously while tapping my nose. “You need some googling to do, Mr. Di Angelo.”

---

I was just done with my paperworks. I got out of my office with a purpose of checking Hailynn who was having her afternoon nap. Her belly is getting bigger and bigger by the day. Not to mention it’s bigger than average.

It was harder for her to stand so long and she exhausts easily if she wants to do something that regards something physical. You can’t blame me for eyeing her like a hawk and never ever leaving this house.

I met Leo who was approaching me through the halls. I raised a brow when he had a look that something unexpected came up.

“What’s wrong?” My eyebrows pulling together.

“Vassily is here.”

I stilled at the news. Vassily coming here may not be good news. I have cut myself off from the mafia that I’ve grown with. Why did he suddenly come here?

Leo led me towards the patio where Vassily was waiting for me. I saw him immediately when I reached outside. He stood tall with eyes looking straight at the view of my garden. Leo stood somewhere on the side only to watch over us.

“Vassily.” I called.

“Nice place you got here. I hope this is the reason why you didn’t want to go back to Italy, brother.”

I remained silent when I stood next to him. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked him the question that I wanted to know this whole time.

“Why are you here?”

He mused. “You know… Cara deliberately told me not to come here. You made a choice and that choice needs to be respected.” My face remained straight with eyebrows knitted together. “I say bullshit.”

I exhaled.

“You left your life for this?” He waved his hand and that only added to the insult. “You left your family for a woman, Angelo?”

“Do not disrespect me or my wife, Vassily.” I said through gritted teeth. “She is my family. This is where I belong now. You better start listening to Cara.”

He shook his head in disappointment. “Come back with me, Angelo. You are the rightful leader… the king of the mafia. Uncle Domenico left all of that to you. You dishonor it by cutting your connection from your true family. Are you insane? She is just an ordinary woman you accidentally met.”

“She bears my children, Vassily. I am the father of our children. She and the lives inside her are my family. The mafia is still family but I want my own blood. This is something I wish for a long time. Respect that, fratello mio. We all know that I don’t deserve leading the mafia. Cara is.”

I started to turn and leave him, fed up with his bullshit. Leo will just lead him out. Vassily wrapped his hand around my arm and stopped me.

“If you want to have the bastard then we can get them once they’re born. Come back with me Angelo, the mafia-” I interjected with a strong punch on his Russian face.

He fell down on the ground because of the strength I pack on my punch. He glared at me menacingly.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?! I came here to wake you up, Angelo! We all know you don't belong here. You think you can play house with her? Just because you simply dropped everything of the past doesn’t mean it will not catch up to you. You have enemies who want nothing more than your head. You will only risk your so called family’s lives if you continue this charade.”

I looked away, furious at his statement that held the truth. I stiffened when my eyes met Hailynn’s blue eyes.