Dark Mafia Heir: Chapter 31

The diamond earrings in my hands catch my eye as I twist them slightly, letting the diamond tilt toward the light. It shimmers, a cascade of colors bursting from its facets—fiery reds, electric blues, and glimmering golds dancing like tiny fireworks.

It’s the day before I leave for Sicily, and goodness, I still hate the idea of being far away from Antonio as much as I did when he mentioned it during dinner last night.

I’d rather stay here with him—die with him if need be, but I know it’s useless arguing with him. He made it clear as day that it wasn’t up for negotiation, and nothing I said would’ve made him change his mind. He’s just that kind of man who’ll do anything to keep his family safe.

I rub a hand over my belly. I’ve been nauseous all night, and now I’m just anxious. What if he gets hurt when I’m away or worse? What if he loses to⁠—

No, he can’t lose. Antonio just can’t lose to anyone. He’ll be safe. He has to be. I don’t want to imagine a world where he isn’t here with me.

I run a hand over the diamonds on the earring. “They’re beautiful.”

Antonio takes them from me and helps me wear them. “They look even more beautiful on you.” He kisses the top of my head before pulling back. “They have trackers in them. Don’t take them off for any reason.”

I smile at how overprotective he’s being. “Are you afraid my dad will hurt me?”

“I just want you safe. I am sure your father had something to do with Dante’s death.” He pauses and inches closer, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Call me if anything happens.”

I don’t agree that my papa will try to hurt me. He’s not the best dad in the world, but he’d never try to hurt me. I don’t try to argue with Antonio, though, because he has every right to be wary of my father.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I peer into his eyes and tell him the words he wants to hear. “I won’t take it off, I promise. And I’ll call you if anything happens.”

He presses a soft kiss to my lips, and then he cups my belly. “I hope you understand why I am doing all of this, Vivienne. You and our baby mean the world to me. I’ll lose my mind and burn the world down if anything happens to you two.”

My vision blurs with tears. “I know. You have to stay safe, too, ’cause if anything happens to you, I’ll do more than burn the world.”

“I have our child’s birth to look forward to, and we’re yet to pick out baby names. I won’t let myself get killed before I get to do that.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “Don’t tell me you plan to die after that.”

He chuckles. “No, I don’t. I’m not dying until I get to raise our kid and grow old with you.”

I laugh, but tears stream down my face instead. I’ve been an emotional mess since I got pregnant. “That is enough for me.”

He’s about to say something when Luca and the new guy, Angelo, join us in front of the house, where the car I’ll be leaving to see my father in is parked.

“We’re ready to leave, boss,” Luca says.

“Make sure nothing happens to her,” Antonio orders sternly. “You know what to do if anything goes wrong.

He nods.

Antonio nods back at him, and then he pulls away from our embrace. “I have a meeting soon. I may not be back on time, but I’ll have Agatha prepare some of the things you’ll need before I leave.”

I mouth “Thank you” to him.

He opens the backseat for me and doesn’t walk away until the car reels out of the mansion.

It takes almost an hour before we get to the Cole mansion. There are guards everywhere as Angelo drives through the driveway, and there are new faces I haven’t seen before. I can’t tell if Papa is being extra careful, just like Antonio, or if something’s off.

Angelo and Luca tense in their seats as well. They feel that something’s off, too. I can tell from the look on their faces.

I texted my father last night to let him know I would be coming to see him this morning, and his reply had been very short and straightforward. Too short.

I’ll be waiting.

That’s all he said to me. I wasn’t able to reach Harper, but it’s Saturday. She’s mostly home on Saturdays.

Luca pulls over by the entrance, and Angelo hops out from the front seat to help me climb out of the car.

I give him a polite, thankful smile. “Thank you. You don’t need to come inside with me.”

“The boss gave us instructions. We can’t let you go in alone,” Luca says. “You won’t even notice we’re here.” His shoulder stiffens, and his expression grows colder.

I shake my head. He won’t back down if that is Antonio’s order, so it’s no use arguing with him. “Fine.”

The guards by the door inspect us for weapons. They take Luca and Angelo’s guns and the knives they had strapped on several parts of their bodies. I find it very strange that my bodyguards need to be inspected in that way.

An instant shiver runs down my spine when we enter into the manor. I can’t find any of the housekeepers anywhere around the house. It’s like a ghost town in here.

I exchange glances with Luca and Angelo. “I need to speak with my father.”

“Where’s his study?” Angelo asks, speaking for the first time since our journey down here.

“Upstairs.”

“We’re coming with you,” he says.

I lead the way to my father’s study and knock once before pushing the door open. I’m stunned when I see my papa standing with his back to the door. He’s staring at something outside the window.

“Dad?” My legs are wobbly as I walk into the study at a sloth’s pace. Something’s off. There’s an unspoken tension in the air. “Are you okay?”

He turns around slowly enough to make my heart race. “Vivienne.”

I turn around to my bodyguards. “Wait here.”

Luca gives my father a suspicious glare and says, “Scream if something happens.”

I frown at him. “I’m with my father, Luca. He’s not a monster that will eat me alive or something.” Closing the door, I edge closer to my father. “Is something wrong? Where are the maids and Harper?”

He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. His gaze flits to my belly. “You’re carrying his child, aren’t you?”

Air stalls in my lungs. I take a step back and cover my stomach. “How did you know?”

“Your sister told me.” He walks to his desk and settles on the mesh chair. “It slipped out during an argument.”

“Dad… It’s… I came because I wanted to tell you about it.” My scalp prickles, and my stomach won’t stop churning. “I love him, Antonio, I mean. I’m in love with him and with your blessings⁠—”

“You’re an embarrassment, Vivienne,” he says gruffly. “I am ashamed of you, and the bastard you’re carrying is no grandchild of mine.”

My throat burns and it’s suddenly too hard to say a word. I see how he sees it. I fell in love with my kidnapper and got pregnant. He’s within his right to hate me and be mad, but my child did nothing wrong. He doesn’t deserve to be insulted just for existing.”

“He is not a bastard. He has a father⁠—”

“A father who kidnapped and violated you, Vivienne.” He’s raising his voice and clenching his fist now. “A father who is an enemy.”

“He wouldn’t be your enemy if you didn’t kill the man who raised him. Don’t ever speak about my husband and child like that.” Bile creeps up my throat, and the only thing I can bring myself to feel is bitterness. Hatred for this man who is supposed to be my father yet tried to sell me off for connection.

All I feel is resentment for this man who has never looked at me with love but tries to bring me down every chance he gets.

He lets out a sardonic laugh, and his eyes darken with rage. “What will you do? Run off and report me to your darling husband?” He rises to his feet and starts to prowl towards me. “Kill me?”

Unease rolls through me like a dark wave, but I don’t move back or show any fear. I straighten my spine and keep my gaze on him. “I will if I have to.”

He gives me a smug smile. “You won’t have to.”

I flinch when two gunshots ring outside. I hear Luca groaning and two thudding sounds. Tears gather in my eyes instantly because I know what that sounds like. I understand what is going on.

I whip my head around to face my father. “What the hell did you just do?”

He’s standing in front of me now, his tall frame towering above mine. “Remember you betrayed me first, Vivienne.”

Those are the last words I hear before everything goes black.