Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Alessio

I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for dad to finish his phone call. In the early hours he had already called me to his office, and at the moment he sat in his big chair, fully ignoring me as he discussed some sort of business.

Behind him stood my uncle, Stefano, who also happened to be his advisor. Despite him being an almost 65 musely beast. I had never feared him, liked him, nor admired him–but if looks could kill at the moment, I would’ve been dead by now.

It was probably deserved after the scene I had thrown last night, when I had cut of my engagement with Maxine Baldini in front of everyone. To add fuel to fire, I had also announced my plans to marry the maid. Jimena.

It was

all an act, but the aftermath was very real

Ever since, the tension was thick. Dad hadn’t looked at me since last night, and Dante who had sworn he wasn’t into the maid, treated me like a ghost.

Dad ended his call, meaning I could finally escape Stefano’s dagger eyes. Not that it meant much because Domenico Fanucci had taken matters into his own hands and by now was also looking at me with those disapproving eyes.

“Did you hear any of that?” he frowned.

Honestly, I hadn’t “Kind of hard to with Uncle Death Stare here trying to kill me off with his laser beam eyes” I chuckled towards Stefano.

Stefano snapped, and his face turned a shade redder. “You’re the one killing this family, boy. Not mer”

“Over ending an already doomed engagement?” I mocked. “Or is it because I chose to marry for love?”

“You will not marry the maid,” Dad’s voice was clear enough. Had it been one of my brothers or anyone else for that matter, the conversation would’ve been over, right there and then, but unfortunately for him, I was not the one to back down.

‘s Jimena. And yeah, I will,” I leaned forward. “As a matter of fact, she’ll be here in a few hours, with her suitcases, so you’ll better get used

“Her name’s

to her.

Jimena was as weak as a paper sheet. Convincing her, or more–so forcing her to get on with my plan wasn’t that difficult. It wasn’t as if she had anything better going on for her in the first place.

I furrowed my brow, daring Stefano, who was about to explode, to say something and he did. “Your duty is to marry the Baldini girl and unite our families, he stated. “We need that alliance.”

“Alliance this, alliance that, the eyes rolled in the back of my head. “This is not the middle–ages. Please know, I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions”

“Ales-” Stefano paused taking a breath. “The Baldinis are growing stronger, Alessio. If we don’t align with them, they will become our enemy.

Enemies…

We already had many of those. One more really wouldn’t matter.

“So, we fight back. Since when did we become the scared ones?” I came with a solid point.

Stefano looked like he might explode. But I wasn’t done. “Dad, when did you become s

50 weak?

Somehow those words had managed to slip out, but I meant every word of it.

Domenico Fanucci.

A name that screamed both respect and fear. A name that could silence a room without having to show his face, and it was all because of the terrifying reputation of how he dealt with those who crossed him.

No mercy, no hesitation.

He had the power to make a whole family disappear as

ar as if they h had never

existed.

That’s how he had earned his nickname, the Shadow king of the East.

Yet, that same shadow was now a shadow of weakness, worrying about alliances and useless peace treaties.

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Chapter 10

Where was the man I admired?

“Watch your

mouth!” Stefano already barked in defense, but dad responded with a simple smirk and shrug. If anything, he looked more tired than upset. “I have a family to protect, Alessio. I’ve changed”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m weak,” he locked his hands together and pushed his chin in his hands. Then he leaned in, his eyes piercing mine. “Td rather kill the maid than let her marry you.” he spoke in a low tone. “I’d kill you if I have to my boy. Don’t test me.“

There he wa

I swallowed my throat. That was the real Domenico. The one I sometimes feared. Yes, sometimes.

The one I’d always been up against because neither Cian nor the youngest of us, Dante, were fit to be heirs. If he felt the need to kill the maid, so be it–I would just find someone else, but he wouldn’t touch me because he needed me. He relied on me.

I drew in a breath, but before I could reply, the door slammed open. Mom came crashing through the door with eyes which were about to explode

Dad stammered. “M–My love he out of all people knew that look all too well. She must’ve heard everything and wasn’t having any of it. Just as 1 had expected

“Domenico,” she began, her voice cold but clear. “You’re not killing anyone. Alessio says he loves the maid. He marries her if he wishes”

I let out a quick chuckle. Mom always knew how to make an entrance. And right now! She was clearly team Jimena over team Baldini

I had always known Mom wasn’t a fan of the Baldinis or Maxine. Probably not thrilled about the maid bringing our reputation down either, but anything was better than the risk of eventually having to share a business.

‘t do this.”

Dad blinked carefully. “Giulia, you know that I love you with all my heart, but I can’t

“Yes, you can and you will” Mom nodded, slowly placing her hands onto his desk. “I’ve already told you before. If you come between our sons and their happiness, you’ll lose me.*

Her threat left the room silent. She could easily leave him, take a huge chunk of his money knowing he wouldn’t be able to touch her, yet she didn’t It was as if she liked having that power over him.

Dad began to chuckle, which soon turned into a full–blown fit of laughter. I stared at him, thinking he had officially lost it

He clapped his hands. “Very well then. He can play with the maid, and after all of that is over–we will all Lough about this”

A growl released from Stefano’s mouth, followed by a loud aggravated yell. “Domenico!”

“These are real family matters, Stefano, Mom spoke calmly. “I appreciate your concern, but you shouldn’t even be here in this room-

“And you should stay out of this Stefano snapped. “Aren’t you supposed to paint your nails or stand in the kitchen or something! These are business matters, so I suggest you’ll—”

“Shut up!” Dad silenced him before I could do so, and it was a good thing he did because my hand was already in my pocket, reaching for my gun.

No. I wasn’t going to shoot him. Just show him his place because Uncle or not, he couldn’t just talk to her like that.

“What, What?” Stefano raised his chin, eyeing my gun. “What are you going to do?” He dared challenging me

I gave him the same energy in return. “Come on, disrespect my mama one more time, and I’ll show you!”

“Let’s go, show me!”

“Good god, I said quiet Stefano!” Dad kicked the steel trashcan by his feet. “You too, Ales!” He shifted his attention on me. “And put that thing down. It’s not a shooting range.”

I responded with a chuckle of disbelief. Stefano started it and I reacted because he had left me no choice. Surprisingly enough I always got the blame for everything

Mom placed her hand on my shoulder. “All your dad wants is for his brother to respect his wife and children, and his son to respect his brother. Is that too much to ask?” she scolded us, completely aware that I was only trying to defend her. The sarcasm dripping from her tone was insane.

“No?” Dad breathed. “Thank you!”

I met his gaze. “So will you be accepting Jimena as my fiancee or not? When she steps foot inside this mansion, can I guarantee her safety?*

Stefano looked even more defeated, but Dad nodded his head, giving in to my request. “I’ll accept the maid. The words came out with somewhat of

12:01 PM

Chapter 10

aggle “Now if everyone could please get the out of my officer

from He rubbed his head, trying to release the imaginary headache. Uncle had already burst through the door by the time I got up

my

chair

Moms cleared her throat, her hands in her hip. “I know you’re

fre not talking to me, Domenico she pushed me aside so she could take my seat instead

“Of course not, my love.” Dad had no choice but to respond. “I–I would never raise my voice at you. You know that.”

Leaving them alone, I took a relieved breath and exited the room with a semi–relieved feeling. Although dad accepted the maid, he seemed to believe it was some sort of phase which would just pass. After that he would summon whoever seemed in enough for him to join our family.

It wasn’t quite a victory, but it was a start.