Page 84 of Dark Mafia Heir

I should feel anger, the urge for vengeance. But all I feel now is the need to protect, to not lose any of the people I care about again. To keep Vivienne and our unborn child safe.

“Do you think Mariana will like this decision?” I ask. As much as I am affected by Dante’s death, I know Mariana is even more.

They’d known each other since they were kids; he was her soulmate. I imagine this will be harder on her than it will be on anyone else, knowing a boy she raised is in love with the daughter of her enemy.

“Mariana is like a mother to you, Antonio. She might not have given birth to you, but she and Dante loved you as if you were theirs. Talk to her, make her see reasons with you and it will not be a problem.” Dario pauses and clears his throat. “She’ll understand you better than anyone else.”

Dario is right. Mariana won’t hold it against me if she knows I am in love with Vivienne, but Mariana is the least of my problems. No one can stop me from loving Vivienne, not even the devil himself.

Vivienne’s feelings for me are all I am concerned about. She’s the only one who can break us, and even then, I won’t stop until I get her back.

“I know,” is all I can bring myself to reply.

His phone buzzes, and taking it out of his pocket, he sighs. “I gotta run, man. Talk later.”

“Are you taking Ginny?” I ask.

Vivienne’s happy to have Ginny around. She’d be disappointed if Ginny leaves now.

“No, I’ll pick her up later.” He pushes up from his seat and smothers his suit jacket. “Give it some more thought, and let me know when you decide.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Anytime.” He leaves, and I drift back to my own thoughts.

There’s only one thing left to do now: negotiate with Peter. I don’t negotiate with anyone, but I have to for Vivienne’s sake.

Pulling my phone out from my pocket, I dial Peter’s number. Fortunately for both of us, he answers on the first ring.

“If it isn’t the devil himself,” Peter drawls in a gravelly voice. “To what do I owe this unexpected call?”

My nostrils flare, but I remind myself to remain calm. “I’ll get right to the point, Cole. I’m inviting you for dinner at my house on Sunday night. You’re to bring Harper with you.”

He horselaughs, his loud voice ringing in my ear like a funeral bell. “Dinner at your house? After you kidnapped my daughter. Do you really think I am stupid enough to dine with my enemy?”

I do think he is stupid; he wouldn’t gamble his daughter’s life away to protect a secret if he wasn’t. But I don’t tell him that. Instead, I say, “Trust me when I say sitting on the same table with you is the last thing I want. Vivienne misses her sister; we need to come to a compromise for her sake.”

“And if I refuse?” Peter asks.

“Then you’ll leave me no choice but to take your daughter.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I am. My wife needs to see her sister and I’ll make that happen whichever way possible. I’ll tow your entire mansion down here if I need to,” I state sternly, and I mean every word I say. “Friday night at seven. Oh, and we have one more matter to discuss when you come.”

I hang up before he has a chance to argue.

Friday night will either end with us being allies, or one of us dead.

29

Vivienne

Arush of warmth spreads through me as the sound of Harper’s voice washes over me. Hearing her voice sounds like sunshine ripping through the sky on a cloudy day, filling my chest with so much love.

I jump to my feet and run down the stairs in excitement. I don’t even look where I am going, and I don’t stop smiling either.

I suppose Harper is in the foyer, looking around for a sign of me.

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