Before dawn | Dark romance

Chapter 66 - A morning of clarity

May 29, 2024

Friday

Dear diary,

Let me tell you about my day.

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[1/4]

The afternoon sun filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as I sit with Brianna and Emily in a cozy café, a few blocks from Luca's apartment. Luca left early this morning because he had to work, apparently some things are going on right now, which requires him to work even more. So I was excited when Bri texted in the groups chat we are in with Emily, to ask if we wanted to go out for breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the chatter of people around us, but my mind is still tangled with the events of last night.

"So, how did things go with Luca?" Emily asks, her eyes filled with curiosity as she stirs her latte.

I take a sip of my tea, letting the warmth calm my nerves. The memory of my conversation with Luca lingers in my mind, both comforting and unsettling. "We talked," I begin, choosing my words carefully. "He tried to explain things to me, make me understand that I'm not in danger. He said he'd do anything to protect me."

Brianna nods, her expression supportive. "That's good to hear. Luca really cares about you, Maddie."

I nod, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. "He said he'd stand in front of a bullet for me if it ever came to that," I add softly, the weight of his words still resonating within me.

Emily exchanges a glance with Brianna, her brow furrowing slightly. "Vinny told me as well last night," she says. "They know we would talk about it, so he explained as well. It was... shocking,"

I lean in, intrigued by what Emily has to say. "How do you feel about it?" I ask, knowing that her perspective might help me make sense of my own feelings.

Emily takes a deep breath, her gaze thoughtful. "Honestly, I'm okay with it," she admits. "It was a shock at first, but I trust Vinny. And I understand that his world is part of who he is, and I just like him for him. But I get why you're shaken up, Maddie. Learning that Luca is next in line to take over... it's a lot to process."

Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I stare at her in disbelief. "Wait, what?" I blurt out, my voice rising in surprise. "Luca is next in line? He didn't tell me that."

Emily's eyes widen, realizing that she might have revealed something I wasn't aware of. "Oh, Maddie, I thought you knew," she says quickly, her expression apologetic.

"No, I didn't," I reply, my mind racing. "How is that even possible? I Googled and red that the title always goes down to the oldest son. So, that should be Santino, right." I spend the entire morning reading every article I could find about the Mafia. It is still so absurd to me that something like this even true. That it exists in the real world and not just in some book.

Brianna nods, acknowledging my confusion. "That is usually how it goes," she says. "But if you get to know Sonny better, you would understand why Giuseppe's first choice is Luca. Luca's has been groomed to take over since he was a teenager"

I absorb her words, the reality of Luca's position sinking in. It makes sense now, the way he carries himself, the respect he commands. But it also terrifies me. The world he's a part of is so far removed from anything I've ever known.

"Why wouldn't he tell me that?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice. "It's such a big part of his life. Of his future." And what does it mean for me?