Page 106 of His Son's Ex

Luca glares at me. “You’re making a scene.”

I step forward, my teeth baring in a silent snarl. “You think I give a damn about a scene? After what you’ve done? After what you’ve cost me?”

He straightens, a flash of bravado sparking in his eyes. “Cost you? You have no idea what I had to do to keep my place in this family. You’ve shoved me aside my entire life. You never wanted me.”

“That’s just a small portion of the poison your mother fed you, but did you really think funneling money to Lombardi would earn my affection?” I approach and slam my palm on the table, the glasses and silverware rattling. Sarah gasps, jumping at the gesture. “You had the nerve to dip into Bellacino accounts—myaccounts—and pay off the man who tried to gun downyourwedding, attended by our guests. Do you realize the position you’ve put me in?”

Sarah looks at him. “Luca, what is he talking about?”

Sweat is starting to bead at his temples as he grips the table. “Sarah, don’t?—”

I point at her. “Yes, Sarah, go ahead, ask him. Ask your beloved husband how he’s been laundering money behind my back. How he’s been dancing to Linda’s tune like a marionette while playing footsie with Gianni Lombardi.”

She pales, her head whipping to Luca in horror. “You didn’t! Our own wedding?”

“Sarah, shut up,” Luca snaps, the first fracture in his composure.

I narrow my eyes. “I want answers and I want them now.”

He stands abruptly, knocking his chair back. For a moment, I see a glimpse of the child who used to cower behind Linda’s skirts when I walked into a room, thanks to her coddling and spewed nonsense. Now, as a grown man, he carries the same arrogance that destroyed Linda, fueled by a sense of entitlement.

“Why should I answer to you? You’ve never been a father to me—just a checkbook.”

Sarah stands, looking ready to bolt, but my gaze pins her in place. “Sit.”

She sinks into her seat, trembling. “Luca told me everything was for us, for the family. That his mother had a plan.”

I arch a brow, turning back to Luca. “Ah, Linda’s plan. Right. Because it’s worked out so well so far—kidnapping, hostages, scumbag alliances, and only God knows what else.” I give him a deadly glare. “I’m only going to ask you this once.Where. Is. Eva?”

His face twists with defiance. “What do you care? She’s not even a Bellacino. She’s just some random sl?—”

I grab him by the collar before he can finish the word. He chokes, eyes wide with fear. My fury surges, blood pounding in my head. “Go ahead. Finish that sentence,” I dare him.

His lips quiver but no words form. Sarah gasps in terror, pressing a hand to her mouth. Luca’s eyes dart around, searching for an escape, but my grip is ironclad. I let him breathe just enough to speak.

“Dad… let go,” he says, his voice raspy.

“Answer me.” I loosen my grip an inch. “Where is she?”

“I–I don’t know,” he manages. “Mom won’t tell me. She just said?—”

Sarah breaks in, her voice quivering, “She said the payments were for the Lombardis, that they’d handle the Petrov girl.”

Luca snaps, “Sarah, shut up!”

She flinches. “No, I won’t! Dante, I’m so sorry. I had no idea Linda was using us like that. I only just found out she was the one who requested every payment, not Luca. She pushed him into it. She told him it was for securing his place in the family. I swear, I only found out after the money was gone.”

My eyes narrow as the truth hits me like a lightning bolt. Linda used Luca as a tool, and Sarah’s now realizing how deep they’ve sunk. “So you’re not the grand conspirator after all, Luca. Just a pawn in Mommy’s game. Jesus Christ, you’re pathetic.” I release him, giving him a slight push.

He stumbles back. “You never gave me a chance. Mom was the only one who supported me. She said we’d prove to you that I was worthy enough to take over, that you’d see it eventually.” Bitterness saturates his tone. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re too late, anyway.”

“Too late for what?” I hiss.

He smirks, though there’s a spark of concern in his eyes. “Eva. The baby. Mom’s getting rid of them tonight. Whether you like it or not, I’m still the only family you have.”

Time stops as the words ring in my ears like gunshots.Getting rid of them tonight. A wave of pure panic mixed with fury slams through me, cold and absolute. My teeth clench, my fists tighten. Sarah, pale as a ghost, claps a hand over her mouth, horrified.

“You worthless little bastard,” I breathe, feeling darkness coiling in my chest. “You let your own mother plan the murder of my unborn child, your sibling, for what? Your legacy? Is that what you really want?”

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