Notorious: A DeLuca Family Novella (The DeLuca Family) by K.A. Ware

Author:K.A. Ware [Ware, K.A.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: K.A. Ware Books
Published: 2016-08-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Seattle, Washington

May, 1998

Elena

“So what do you want for dinner? I’ll make whatever the birthday boy wants,” I said, reaching out to pinch Carlo’s cheek. He swiftly dodged my attempt and sidestepped me.

“I don’t know, manicotti?”

“Sounds good! Now, get out of the kitchen so I can get breakfast started,” I ordered, flicking a dish towel at him for emphasis.

Carlo laughed loudly, turning to flee the room only to be stopped in his tracks at the sight of his father standing in the doorway, scowl in place.

“He won’t be home for dinner tonight. We have business to take care of,” Vincenzo declared, his tone brokering no room for argument.

I felt my stomach drop and my vision darkened at the edges as my head spun. I’d done everything in my power over the years to sway Vincenzo’s hand. I wasn’t able to shelter Carlo from everything, but I’d been able to stave off the worst of it. Something in my gut told me our holding pattern was over.

“What are we doing?” Carlo asked, his eyes narrowed at his father. He was a smart boy, but he was a teenager, after all; they didn’t always have the best sense of self-preservation.

My eyes darted between father and son, bracing myself for Vincenzo’s reaction. Carlo’s tone would certainly not be appreciated.

“We’re finally going to make a man out of you,” he spat viciously.

Carlo didn’t say anything, just stood there staring at his father as if his existence was challenge enough. I began to twist the towel in my hand viciously, my mind racing for an excuse to prevent Vincenzo from taking him, but I came up blank.

“Come,” he ordered over his shoulder as he stalked out of the room, not even sparing me a glance.

It seemed Vincenzo had deemed his son’s sixteenth birthday as a marker for the beginning of his indoctrination into the family.

“It’ll be okay,” Carlo said quietly to me. His hand coming to rest on my shoulder before he followed after his father.

I was worried for Carlo, but he was strong. Luciana and I had made sure of it. We’d tried to combat every one of his father’s influences. I just hoped it was enough to make him remember who he was.

“Where are you taking my son?” I heard Luciana’s shrill voice call out from the foyer.

Oh no, this is not going to go well.

I rushed out of the kitchen, hoping to mediate before things got any worse for Carlo. Even after the agreement we struck years ago, Luciana had not been able to grasp the consequences of her outbursts. She still didn’t understand that her defiance of her husband only brought down pain upon her son.

“He is my son,” Vincenzo boomed. “I will do with him what I please. This should come as no shock to you. He is a DeLuca. He needs to stop acting like a little boy hiding behind your skirt and start learning to behave like the man that will one day run this family.”

“I hate you!” she screamed.

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