Chapter 1
Emma POV:
This shit is daunting. I don’t like the fact that Tony had to be with us. I just don’t trust him.
When we pulled up to the circle drive I immediately recognized the home. It was my grandfather’s home. I thought that was still in our family? I am confused as hell now. Like is this he place Capo’s takeover once they are in charge? Shaking my thoughts I got out of the SUV to be greeted by none other than Donatello Morelli. Capo and deadly killer of the Mafia chapters all over the world. As I walked up to him I realized I knew him. He was my grandfather’s underboss when I was just a child. We shared similar looks and I just felt off. Matteo stood next to me of course and we all made our greetings outside before Capo brought us to a board room. As we sat at the enormously large table the board members sat across from Matteo and I. I kinda felt like we were on trial for something we didn’t do but hey what do I know?
“Emma firstly I am so sorry about your father.”
I thanked him for the condolences. He slid me a white envelope and said it was from my father. My papa was always 5 steps ahead of everyone. Don gave me the ok to step outside alone to read the letter. Matteo gave me a squeeze on the hand and I gave him a curt smile. This was worth it to me. Worth to read my fathers note and maybe understand things a bit more.
I stepped out in the hall and sat in the small chair. I took a deep breathe to pull out the letter. I looked down and saw my papa’s handwriting. I shed a tear knowing he wrote this letter and it was to me. It wrote:
“Dearest Emma,
If your reading this letter then, I did not fair well in the war. There are so many things I must tell you. The first thing is that know that I love you and your brothers very much. Your mother did a fine job of raising you. I know you may find all of this a confusing mess but, please understand that I did this to protect you.
You must trust Capo. He is a solid and good man. He will protect you at all costs. If you haven’t figured it out yet he is your biological father. I know this must come as a shock but, many years ago when we fought with the DeLuca’s I had to make a choice for the safety and well being of your mother. I sent her away back to her father’s where I could protect her. I didn’t tell her why I sent her away just that we were to be no more and I couldn’t be with her. She thought just as you when Matteo banished you. It had been a year and when I finally sent word for your mother to come home she expressed to me that she had fallen for your grandfather’s underboss Donatello. They were childhood sweethearts and in many ways she should have probably ended up with him. Your mother loved me and I loved her. When she came back she had no clue why I sent her away. Being completely conflicted she confessed that she was pregnant with you. I couldn’t be mad of course I pushed her away with no knowledge of why. She just assumed I was a heartless bastard who didn’t care much about her.
When she came back and told me who your real father was I was going to protect you at all costs. Don knew she was pregnant with you and that it was his. We all agreed for the safety and well being of you that I would raise you as my own and that way no one would mess with you being that your my child. Don’t be mad at your mother as I have set her free now. She isn’t dead like you would think. She is in fact living with Capo and I hope he is taking good care of her. I am sorry to let you down and I am sorry I never got to meet my grandson. Yes I knew about Liam and I am so very proud of you. Your going to be the best mother anyone could ask for. Matteo is a fine man and will take care of you. This my dear is what brings me to the last part of this letter.
Lean on Matteo and take out the rest of the Popov family. Tony is a rat who set all of this up. He is the one that wanted you gone because he got in too deep with the Whitt’s. His dirty dealings put him in hot water and in return he needed to connect them to his family. That way he could guarantee his dealings. That is where Jenna Popov comes into play. The Whitts and Popov had worked together for many many years. When things went south and we partnered with the DeLuca’s it was to end the Popov’s. So in turn Tony double dipped on two familia’s who were all at war. He wanted you gone so Matteo could marry Jenna after he got tired of us not killing off the Popov family. Capo knows all of this and in fact will take care of Tony on his own accord. I told Don that when the time was right he needed to make something up for him to have to come and learn the truth.
Please don’t be mad with your mother. She truely loves you and is happy with Don. I may not be there on earth anymore but, I am always with you in spirit my dear girl. Be kind to Don and grow a relationship with him. For which you are the next in line to take Capo. Remember you are the queen and you and Matteo will do a fine job in running the chapters of the mafia underworld. Now do what I trained you to do your whole life… fight and protect what’s yours.
I love you my dearest girl,
Papa”
I read the note at least two times before I was shedding tears. Tears of what? Anger, disgust, sadness… just about every emotion ran through me at the moment. This was my papa but, he wasn’t? Donatello Morelli was my real father? My mother had an affair on my papa with Donatello? I guess I could somewhat understand that as I know what it felt like being banished for 3 years. I guess my mother moved on faster than I ever could? My mother is still alive and living here? Where is she? Then wrapping my head around Tony? He is the one that has caused all of this and pretended to be a sweet living father and grandfather. Did Cara know this? Did she partake in this sick war of games? Then Matteo… did he know? Was I so stupid to think that he didn’t? I mean the letter says to trust him and that he is good? Shaking my thoughts I pulled my 45 from my leg and cocked the gun. I am fucking tired of these mafia men!
I opened the door with the gun behind me. I acted timid as I slowly opened the door.
“Emma? Are you ok?” Matteo spoke as he stood.
I nodded and whipped the gun and aimed it at Capo and turned to my sweet living father in-law.
“WHAT DID YOU DO YOU SORRY SON OF A BITCH?!?!?”
“Whoa! Emma!!!! Put the gun down!” Tony held his hands up in surrender. I looked back over to Capo who had his arms crossed smiling ear to ear.
“You are very special indeed my dear girl. I am sure you have many questions pertaining to that letter. Don’t worry about Tony he will be taken care of. BOYS! Take him to the cell’s.” Don spoke with such force.
“Emma! Baby! Put the gun down! What the fuck is going on?!?” Matteo said.
He was just as confused as I was which gave me the assurance that he is fact didn’t know what a scumbag his father was. I looked back at Don was Tony was screaming profanities at me as they dragged him out of the room.
“Let’s go agead and have a seat shall we Emma?”
I looked at Don and for the first time in my life I felt connected to a man. Not like Matteo and I but, where I had similar features. We had the same green eyes and facial expressions. It was like looking in the mirror of a male version of myself. Never have I felt like I was part of my brothers or my mother. I always felt like the black sheep of my family. I loved my papa but, I always felt like I wasn’t part of the family. Maybe I just deflected it from being the only girl? Shaking my thoughts I decided to listen and I lowered my gun and sat back in the chair with Matteo following my movements. Before I could think Matteo took the gun from me and slid it away. I looked over at him with wide eyes. Coming out of the fog I realized what I just did! I fucking held a gun to capo don and I am sure I will catch a beating from this little act I just pulled.
Don let out a loud laugh and sat back at the head of the table.
“My dear girl I love your spirit! I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?”
Shaking my head I just looked and stared at this man… he was my real father.
“Wh-where um is she? I want to see her!” Looking at Don.
“See who baby? Emma are you ok?”
I turned to see Matteo freaking out inside but, trying to keep a cool face.”
“I am fine Matteo I would just like the answers from his mouth.” He nodded and I turned my head back around.
Don just looked at with adoration and love. Something I haven’t ever felt from a father figure before.
“I am sorry I wasn’t at your wedding. I am sorry I wasn’t the one to give you away. I am sorry I wasn’t there to hold my grandson when he was born. I am sorry for all of this Emma. We had to keep you safe and if they had known who I was to you they would have killed you many years ago.”
I sat and listened to his words. Nodding in agreement.
“What the fuck is he talking about Emma? Grandson?”
I turned my head and looked at my husband who seemed to be sweating bullets.
“Matteo… this is my biological father. Donatello Morelli. Leader and Capo of the Italian Mafia. He and my mother…. I choked up.”
“Your mother what? This is your real father?”
Looking at me shocked and confused just as I myself was I nodded.
“Your mother is probably out back shooting clay’s in the garden. She told me you used to love that sport. She kept me in the loop about your life. I am very proud to see what your mother and I created. She told me about your nursing degree, how Marco made the arrangement to end the DeLuca war with the Serrano’s. She told me about your childhood and when you used to come visit your grandfather I would always be in awe of you. Your a beautiful young lady and I am proud to call you my daughter.”
“Wait a fucking minute! Francesca Serrano is alive? If your Emma’s father then who the fuck are her brother’s father?”
“Marco is or was their father. He sent Fran away when things got rather ugly between Tony and Marco. Tony actually wanted to kill Fran for years and that is why he sent her away. Fran and I go way back. You could say we were first loves, we wanted to get married and have a big family. When Marco came for business he and Fran looked at one another and she was gone! I couldn’t be mad or upset. I loved and love your mother very much. I refused to lock her down in a loveless marriage where her father would have dictate our lives. Much like what Tony is trying to do. I had to let her go. She was head over heels in love with Marco as he was with her. I knew my place was to work under your grandfather. When things started getting hairy Tony called the hit on Marco. Marco knew what was coming and before all of that went down he brought Fran back to me and that letter for you.”
Pointing his finger at the white paper.
“This is really fucked up? My father is not a good man but, I wouldn’t think he would go against the peace tready or try and take Emma out? We have a child together we we..”
“Yes my son. Your father made his bed and I am done fucking around with him. That is what caused a lot of this. I made up a story of a letter to send to you and your father. You technically did break the Mafia code of divorce but, I know Tony was behind it. When all hell broke loose with Jenna that’s when Tony lost his shit and got really sloppy. He wanted you two to be married again before coming here thinking that is why I was asking for you two to come here. That is kinda a old rule. One that I wouldn’t punish you two for. Love is complicated and I am a perfect example of that. Emma I want you to know I have always loved and cherished your mother. I may have had my flings and fun times but, I never had any other children nor married. Have I cleared up a few details for the both of you?”
I looked at Matteo and he looked like he was battling the world in his head. Can’t say I blame him. I was too.
“Are you ok? I am sorry your father.”
He looked at me “just processing bella.”
He then smiled and looked to Don.
“So, all of this is a lot of news but, who takes your place when you step down?”
Don let out a chuckle and nodded.
“Your smart! Of course she does. It’s much bigger than just running a mafia family underground and I will train her to run this world we live in. The question is Mr. DeLuca are you willing to give up that power and control to let your… Wife be your boss?”
I turned to Matteo. He seemed to once again be processing all of this.
“I love her!”
“Ah yes, we all have that one love don’t we? Let me ask you Matteo do you think your mother picked your father first?”
Matteo sat for a minute.
“I-I don’t know Don. She doesn’t like to talk or tell me much about her younger years.”
“Well one day she may tell you her story. As for now come let’s get you settled in.”
I turned back to Don.
“Settled in? We have to go back to Ireland. Our son is there, our family. We still need to take care of somethings.”
“Of course my girl but, I already had a plane sent once you got here they will be here shortly. Besides I figured you would like to see your mother. I know she will want to meet her grandson.”
I teard up to the words. My mama is here and she can meet Liam.
I nodded. This is going to be a interesting time…
Donatello Morelli
