*The same day*
*DANTE’S POV*
My mother’s funeral had been a blur of grief and alcohol, a cocktail of emotions that had left me feeling more hollow than I had ever felt before.
It was in a haze of despair that I had crossed the line with Camilla.
I had no time for relationships.
They were draining and a liability.
Her presence, though innocent at first, became a source of comfort that I sought out Like it was a norm.
I chose to act oblivious to the night we shared because I didn’t want her to get involved in my world.
The darkness of my dealings and the dangers that lurked in every corner of my life were not things I wanted to expose her to.
“She was too good for that”.
But now it was too late.
As much as I didn’t want to believe the words she spoke I could tell she wasn’t lying about our child.
And it would only be a matter of time for her to step right into the world I wanted her to have nothing to do with.
I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the week settling heavily on my shoulders.
A full seven days since I’d sent the hair samples for the DNA test, and I was still waiting.
Patience wasn’t something I often had to exercise, but this situation was different.
Even if I thought what Camilla said was true…
I needed confirmation, and I needed it now.
Alex, my right-hand man, stood in front of my desk, his arms crossed as he looked down at the papers he held.
“How much longer are those doctors going to make me wait?” I asked, the impatience in my voice apparent.
Alex shifted his weight.
“They said It should be ready within two weeks.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Two weeks? It’s already been a week. What’s the holdup?”
“We sent it to one of the most discreet labs. They’re thorough but slow, and we can’t afford to rush them. You know how it is with sensitive matters like this.”
I exhaled sharply, tapping my fingers on the surface of my desk.
“I don’t like waiting, Alex. Especially not for something like this.”
“I understand, boss, but we—”
Before Alex could finish, the office door creaked open, and my father strolled in, a commanding presence as always.
His sharp eyes flicked from Alex to me, clearly interrupting our conversation, but as usual, he didn’t care.
“Alex,” my father said with a nod, acknowledging him briefly before turning his attention to me.
“Am I interrupting?”
“Not at all,” I said, waving Alex off.
“We’ll continue this later.”
He nodded and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.
My father took a seat opposite me, settling in as though he owned the place.
Technically, he still did, but he’d left the day-to-day leadership to me.
Not that he didn’t have his hand in matters when it suited him.
“Father, what brings you here?”
“We need to talk about the deal with the Italians,” he said, his voice calm yet firm.
“The gun shipment is arriving soon, and we need to make sure everything goes according to plan.”
I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes.
“I’ve already gone over the deal, and something feels off. There’s too much risk involved in the shipment. If anything were to go wrong with the shipment we would be the ones to take all the losses. It’s like they’re trying to play us.”
My father waved a hand dismissively.
“We’ve dealt with them before. And on your mother’s honor, we gave our word, and I’m not about to go back on it now.”
“But this time feels different. They’re pushing for a larger shipment than usual, and they have been moving funny lately.”
“You’re too cautious, Dante,” he said, shaking his head.
“Sometimes you have to take risks. That’s how we’ve built our empire.”
“I know that you are only saying this because of mother and the family ties we have with the Italians. But I know you, after all, you’re the one who taught me what I know, you are only upright when it has to do with matters that concern Mother. But I won’t gamble on a deal that could cost us a lot of setbacks. We need to renegotiate the terms.”
He paused, looking at me intently.
“You’ve been running this operation well. I trust you’ll figure it out.”
I didn’t respond immediately, my mind already running over the potential angles I could play.
My father had always been willing to take risks, but I wasn’t as easy to convince.
He leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly.
“You’ve done a lot for this family, Dante. You’ve led us through some of the toughest years. But imagine how much greater our legacy would be if you had a son of your own.”
I tensed at his words, my eyes flicking to his.
He’d never brought up the subject of children so directly before, and it was too coincidental given the current situation.
‘This old man.
Was this the real reason he came here?
And here I thought he came to talk about business.’
“I’m not interested in settling down right now,” I said, trying to steer the conversation away from salty waters.
My father’s lips curved into a small frown.
“Dante you’re not getting any younger. And neither am I. I’m old, sick, and all I have is you and your sister. I want to see my grandchildren before I die,” he added, coughing.
My eyes flung open in shock.
I didn’t think he was going to go to this length.
There was nothing that could shake this man’s old bones and now he’s here pretending to be sick. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Is that what this is about?” I asked, my voice guarded.
“You’ve never pressured me about getting married before.”
“Well, now I am,” he said, leaning forward.
“You’ve proven you’re more than capable of leading this family, but it’s time to think about the future. About what comes after you.”
I remained silent, feeling the familiar tension creep up my spine.
There was something in his voice, something he wasn’t saying outright.
My father always had a way of digging at the truth without revealing his cards, but I could sense it now—he knew something.
He continued, his tone a little too casual.
“It’s strange, though, don’t you think? For the past week, your work has been lacking, as if your thoughts are elsewhere and you’re distracted.”
My jaw clenched.
So he knew.
“I’ve been dealing with personal matters,” I replied evenly, trying to keep my composure.
“Nothing important that you need to concern yourself with.”
“Personal matters? Like a child?” His gaze locked onto mine, sharp and calculating.
For a moment, the room felt like it was closing in on me.
He knew, or at least suspected something.
But how much?
He was just interested in me having a son and getting married a minute ago and now his demeanor has suddenly switched.
Just what is he getting at?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice cold.
He chuckled, but there was no warmth in it.
“You can keep your secrets, Dante. But I’m your father. I know you better than you think.”
Our eyes locked in a silent standoff.
My father was testing me, probing to see how much I’d give away.
But I wouldn’t fold.
Not yet.
“I’ll handle the Italians,” I said, standing up.
“And as for the rest… I’ll figure it out.”
My father stood as well, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Just remember, son, family is everything. You may think you can handle it all on your own, but even you need someone to carry on the Draven name.”
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
“Just what is he thinking?” I muttered to myself.