Balotelli-Bale Series Book #6: Regina Mia & The Godfather Part 1

Chapter 46: Mafia Bride Part 1

Marianna's POV
My heart is very unsettled.

I'm thinking about my son and whether he will avert his crisis. I'm wondering if this will be the last crisis he faces. He said it himself, he won't stop. It is so like Nickolas to make me worry to the point I'm almost yanking my hair out. We are back in Florence. Nick better be on his best behavior because I can't fly out to see him anymore. The baby is pretty close.

"When are you going to tell him?" Nate's voice broke the silence of the morning. I winced at the question, obviously not eager to answer.

"Don't assume I can read your mind Nathaniel."

He glanced at me, pale blue eyes sharp with a retort he kept to himself. He does not understand how insane this pregnancy makes me feel. My body is at war with this baby. I'm still suffering from morning sickness. Nick's pregnancy was way easier! Unfortunately for Nate, he's the only one around to use as a punching bag.

"When will you tell Nickolas that Mancini is your brother?" A vein almost snapped in my head if my heart didn't skip violently. I turned fully to stare at him. "What?"

"How did you know?"

"I found the letter Gio left you."

"You went through my things! You violated my privacy!"

"You left it on your dresser and it's not the first time either." He placed a plate of scrambled eggs and two toasted slices of bread in front of me. He took a seat, making sharp eye contact.
"You are obviously fond of reading it. It's one of the last things Gio wrote."

I sighed heavily.

"I can't tell... I can't tell Nicko because Gio did not tell Nicko. There must be a reason for it."

"You do know that they will probably kill each other, right?"

"Mancini promised me he won't hurt Nicko. So far, he hasn't."

"Only scheming. Threatening. How long until he shows his claws?"

"Do you know something Nate? When I first met Mancini, something in me stirred. There was something about him I immediately felt attracted to and I couldn't place it until Gio's letter. He is my little brother. When I'm around him, it feels like I'm with Gio. My father had a son he never acknowledged. I understand his turmoil and bitter feelings for Nicko. He was deprived of a love he had a right to. I love him. Gio asked me to love him. I love him like I love Nicko. I have a duty to compensate for what Gio didn't give."

"You also have a duty to your son. He is being bullied and you choose to sit on the fence."

"Would you rather I go on the offensive? He is not so bad if you get to know him. Do you know he sometimes sounds like Gio? I'm terrified of forgetting my father's voice so I call my brother often. I see him as much as I can. He is the only part of Gio I have left."

"So is Nick."

"Nick is yours Nate, all through. Mancini is Gio's. Everything he is a product of Gio's behavior towards him. I do know who he is and I am aware of the resentment he has for Nicko. But I love him. Telling Nicko won't change anything."

"They are fighting over a woman. It's only a matter of when. Among the three of them, someone is going to die."

I love all three of them. I don't want anyone to die. Listening to Kei tell Nick that she will protect him made me love her more. There hasn't been a single woman who has sacrificed that much for him. Nick isn't easy to deal with. Kei has been patient and I love her for it.

"And we will mourn. But I can't break Gio's wishes to keep Mancini a secret. If Mancini wants it to come out then he himself will talk to Nicko."

I just hope that no one dies. I hope it doesn't end that way.