Page 29 of Beneath the Shadows

“You’re holding me back. I’m ready now.”

“Your actions say otherwise,” he snaps back, his voice rising. “This isn’t about whatyouwant. It’s about what’s best for the family.”

“This is my rightful place,” I hiss through clenched teeth. “I won’t let you take it away from me.”

My father’s face pales, but he remains resolute. “You will respect my decision.”

“Respect?” I laugh bitterly. “You’ve never respected me.”

"Valentino, calm down," my father says, his voice strained.

"Calm down? This is bullshit,” I shout, slamming my fists onto the table. Plates and glasses rattle with the impact. I shove my chair back violently, the legs scraping against the floor. “I’m tired of being treated like a child,” I roar, grabbing a glass and hurling it against the wall. It shatters, fragments scattering across the floor.

“Enough,” my father commands, but there’s a tremor in his voice. “This is exactly what I’m talking about. You must control your temper in challenging situations. You’re reckless.”

“I’ll show you reckless,” I sneer, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him from his chair. “You’ve never believed in me.” I shake him violently.

My father’s eyes widen, a mix of shock and fear flashing across his face. “You’re ruining everything,” I yell, stepping closer until I’m right in his face. “Every sacrifice I made, every plan I put into place. All for you to throw it away on some ridiculous notion that Marco’s better suited. You think I can’t handle this? You think I’m weak?”

He gasps for air, his hand trembling as it clutches my arm. “Valentino, stop.”

“Stop?” I laugh maniacally. “You’ve underestimated me for the last time. I am Valentino Comiso, and I will take what’s rightfully mine,” I growl and release him with a shove, sending him sprawling to the floor.

He clutches his chest, his breathing growing ragged. Pain and betrayal fill his eyes before he slumps forward, his body giving out.

“What’s wrong with you? Get up,” I demand coldly, but he doesn’t respond.

The door bursts open. “I’m sorry I’m late,” Uncle Marco says, slightly out of breath. “Nicki needed…” He stops mid-sentence, his gaze shifting from me to my father. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. He just collapsed,” I reply, my voice devoid of concern.

Uncle Marco rushes across the room, dropping to his knees beside my father. “Call an ambulance,” he barks his orders at me. “Now.”

The world shifts around me. Even as my father lies unconscious at my feet, I feel nothing. All I can focus on is the power within my reach—the power that’s about to be mine.

Antonio

Once I’m alone in the car, I call Dante to get more information about what’s going on.

“Are you alone?” he asks.

“I am.”

“Guido called. Bossman and Valentino were having lunch. Your uncle collapsed. I don’t have all the details. All I know is that your father’s there and an ambulance was called.”

“I’m on my way,” I reply and hang up.

My heart hammers in my chest, adrenaline surging as I blow through every red light in the city. I’ll deal with any traffic violations later. Getting to the restaurant as fast as possible is my only concern.

The car screeches to a stop behind an ambulance that’s parked outside the restaurant. I burst through the front door, hurrying across the dining room. Taking the steps two at a time, I rush downstairs. EMTs are crowded around Uncle Gio, performing chest compressions.

I spot Valentino standing in the far corner. "What happened?"

“We had just got our food and were discussing the future of the family," Valentino explains. "Dad was telling me it was time for me to take over as Capo."

Studying him, I try to read between the lines of his carefully constructed facade. "And then what?" The suspicion in my voice is unmistakable as I press for more.

“He just collapsed,” Valentino replies, his voice strained but composed.

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