Luca's POV

Some hours before the last chapter.

If I had the opportunity to choose the family that I was born into, I probably would have never chosen the Romanos. The lifestyle that my family lived, is not one that I would've wanted for myself or my son.

From a couple of generations before mine, the Romanos have been a part of an ongoing well-developed mafia. The leadership of the group has been passed on over the years from as far back as my great great great grandfather, to my grandfather then to my father. Leadership is usually passed down to the firstborn son of the current leader. They were all bred, coaxed, and groomed to be outstanding leaders of the mafia. I wasn't the 'rightful heir' to this 'mafia throne' since I wasn't the firstborn son for my father, my brother Cristiano was. However, because of this very mafia lifestyle, my older brother and my mother were killed when he was only ten years old. That left me being the next Romano in line who is supposed to take over as the new leader.

Growing up, I too was groomed to be the next great leader. Even though that wasn't what I wanted, I had no choice but to go through the necessary training, as my father instructed. My father Sergio was as ruthless as one could be, and he never hid that from me. He proudly displayed his ruthlessness for me to see, and follow as an example. But I was stubborn growing up, and I also never hid the fact that I didn't want any part of the mafia lifestyle- I've seen and experienced firsthand, what it was like and the danger it brings. Padre allowed me my free will over the years, gave me sufficient time to think it over and prepare for my future as the next leader. He hadn't bugged me about taking over in years, that I had started thinking he had forgotten about it, up until about a month ago. I have told padre over a hundred times that I had no intention of taking over, but now I was starting to realize that maybe turning him down multiple times wasn't going to work. He is never going to take the hint and back off.

When it comes to my father, he always gets his way. He always makes sure that everyone who comes across his path, is in debt to him. He loves to make sure that he does you a favor and you'll owe him one. I was usually smarter and made sure that I never owe anything to padre. But he had a way of making you in debt to him, whether or not you intend to be.

"Padre, you always pick the worst times to show up or start a discussion or confrontation," I said to my father when he showed up at my office at work.

"If you would only stop trying to run away from said discussions and confrontation, I wouldn't have to show up at a time you don't think is convenient," Padre responded.

"I'm busy, I haven't been here in a while. There are things I need to get done and papers to sign..."

"You're the boss, you can take a few minutes off to listen to what I have to say." He said to me taking a seat on the couch across from my table.

"What do you want padre?" I sighed rubbing my fingers over my forehead.

"I want you to listen to me carefully and think about what I have to say before making a decision."

"If this is about taking over..."

"I said I want you to listen, Luca," Father said firmly. "Now, I'm sure you know that I am a family man, I've always been and I always will be. I am willing to do anything to protect my family and that is the same thing I would like to see from you- making your family your number one priority."

"You mean your extended family?" I couldn't help sneering at him.

"I am a man who does not take any threat posed to my family lightly." He said ignoring my snide remarks. "If you try to hurt my family, then you've made a death wish for yourself. I'm willing to go the extra mile and make the necessary decisions that you're such a coward to make. It took some time, but I called in a favor from my friend Rostov in the Russian mafia, and I was able to accomplish what you should have been the one to accomplish. I have got the cowards who were sent to kill you and Nicolo."

"What?" I asked in shock. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that the cowards who shot Nicolo and killed Andrea last month. We have them." Padre said emphasizing each word. "You see the length I am willing to go for you and my grandson because you're family? The cowards are at one of the warehouses. They are very much comfortable as we speak, just waiting patiently for you to decide if you want to have a talk with them."

The sarcasm in his voice was so obvious when he said they were comfortable.

"But... How?" I asked still in total shock and disbelief.

"Don't ask me how, these are things you'll know once you decide to take over. I was able to make the hard decision you couldn't. I still look out for my family because I am a rational person and I understand that you are going through a hard time processing what happened. But now, Nicolo is getting better and you need to take a good look at what could've happened. If you don't man up soon, the next time there is an attack on your life or Nicolo's, it may be worst. I cannot continue to fight this battle all by myself. I'm going to give you at least one more month to get yourself together and make the right decision." Padre said standing up and buttoning his jacket. "You claim that you don't want this lifestyle because of the amount of ruthlessness, but, you can't hide and deny who you really are because you're scared. Remember that the guys who tried to kill your son, and killed Andrea, are at one of our warehouses. If you're ready for some good old fashion revenge, and finally decide to unleash that ruthless side of you, then you know how to find us."

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