Page 237 of The One
I hold my breath. Despite what she just told me and the fact that she’s here with me, which should, in theory, tell me everything I need to know, I still want to hear it from her.
She shakes her head. “I wasn’t shocked when you told me you killed him,” she says firmly. “He betrayedla famiglia,you, Tiero.
“It wasn’t a small transgression. He spent years making calculated moves to weaken your family. And he fired those shots at Tiero. When I spoke to him, he had no remorse. He seemed proud of what he’d done. That disturbed me the most.”
A shadow passes over her face, and I squeeze her hand.
“He made me and my sisters aware every single day how much he detested us for not being boys. Antonio Accardi wasn’t a good man. The world is a better place without him.”
A mix of emotions surges through me. Pride, admiration, and sorrow for the pain she’s endured. I lift her hand and press a kiss to her wrist.
“Will your mother feel the same way?” I ask after a moment.
Her lips press together in thought. “For most of their marriage, he wasn’t a good husband. I’m sure he cheated on her.”
The memory of the young woman I saw in his bed flashes through my mind. Yeah, he cheated.
“There was a time when my mother loved him, when he might have even loved her,” she says softly. “But once Mia came along, that love started to change.”
I tighten my grip on her, pulling her closer. She lets out a soft sigh, resting her head against my shoulder.
We’re silent then, just drifting in the warm water, relishing being here together.
“I don’t really want to leave here tomorrow,” I admit, my voice quieter than I intend. “God knows what shitstorm will be waiting for us when we return.”
Mari’s fingers trace idle patterns on my chest, listening.
“Here with you, I can breathe. I can be myself. As soon as I step off that helicopter, I lose that. Everyone will expect me to be the Don, and I need to deliver.”
Her fingers still, and I know she hears the uncertainty beneath my words.
“I was never supposed to lead. I was meant to be a backup. Truly, I never expected to step into my brother’s shoes.” I let out a slow breath.
“He and I were a team. We ranla famigliatogether. How am I meant to do this on my own?”
Mari shifts closer, pressing a lingering kiss just above my heart before looking up at me.
“You are Mateo De Marco. You are not a backup,” she says with quiet conviction. “Never forget, you are your own man. You are not your brother, and I’m glad about it.”
She threads her fingers through mine, squeezing gently. “You are not as ruthless, and I hope you never will be. You will rule with other qualities, ones that make youyou.”
Her words settle over me, her belief in me making me smile.
“There will be a transition period, and yes, it’ll be tough at times,” she continues. “But you’re not alone. You have Romeo as your second-in-command. He’s loyal to you beyond doubt. And you have me. I’ll be there, waiting for you, reminding you of who you are.”
She brushes her thumb over my knuckles. “Even if it’s only for a few hours at a time.”
I exhale slowly, some of the tension easing from my shoulders.
“Things will get easier with time,” she murmurs.
“Yeah,” I say, though my doubts linger. How long will it take?
She studies me for a moment, then rests her palm against my cheek.
“When we get back, you’ll be the queen ofla famiglia, and we’ll need to let everyone know,” I tell her, watching her reaction.
“I want you to organize a wedding reception. We also need to have a memorial service for Tiero, which I’m still praying is a fake one, and the ceremony for me to officially take over as Don.”
