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

Chapter 67: Godfather

Keira's POV
"Happy anniversary."

I winced at the bright light, slowly turning to look at my husband. He is seated on the edge of the bed. Unlike me, he is fully dressed. I took a moment to take him in. Don Giovanni's son. I still can't believe it. Now I really understand the resemblance. It's not just that he sounds like Gio or that somehow looks like him, his presence feels like Gio's. He is Gio's blood.

"Happy anniversary." I smiled at him. One year has gone by so fast. "Why are you awake? I thought the plan was 2pm."

He chuckled softly, his warm hand touching my cheek.

I am in no way a morning person. Being an adult is the only reason I am. If I had my way, I would wake up at noon at the earliest. I'm sore. Like every time we've been together, I'm sore. Last night was different. It was deep. He was not in a hurry to end our love making. We kept at it until our bodies couldn't do it anymore. It felt different.

"2pm sounds great. But we have to go somewhere. I'd like you to come with me. Come mia amore. Get ready." He pulled me up.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes." He smiled fleetingly. "Dio! You're so beautiful."

My heart skips a beat when he looks at me this way. I'm not sure why. I pushed the covers away and went on to prepare myself. I worked through it swiftly.

"What should I wear?" I craned my neck to look at him through the bathroom door as I dried my hair. He looks distant, his hand playing with the ring on his finger. I walked towards him, observing the distant man. He can't even hear me. "Mancini."

He looks startled. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Where are we going? I need to decide what to wear."

"Uh... A dress will suffice, nothing formal."

"Are you okay?"

"I am. Hurry up please."

I hurried up and in a few minutes, I was ready to go. We didn't leave in the usual way, a convoy of cars. We walked to the dock and boarded a big sailing boat. Russo, the captain and a single maid are the only ones onboard. As he engaged Russo in hushed conversation, I distracted myself with the beauty of the waters around me. Sicily is such a scenic place. Sometimws it feels like home.

My mind drifted away to Nick. We left things at an odd and awkward place. He gave me no choice. I had to show him because he doesn't listen. I have been tasked with a difficult situation. Mancini trusts me fully to want me to be his right hand. Naming me as his underboss is not something casual. He is seriously trusting me to take care of things. On the other hand,  Nick expects me to play on his team. A lack of action on my part shows leniency for Nick and it means distrust from Mancini. I am married to him and it is him I need to be loyal to right now. Of course I would never hurt Nick. But if I don't play it right, I'll get hurt.

"Kei." It's Mancini. "Join me for breakfast."

I followed him to the inside where a table has been set up. He pulled out a chair for me before sitting down. He has a strict rule, we eat first then business.

"Won't you tell me where we are going?"

"We are not heading to the same destination." I frowned at him. Is it literal? Does he have an assignment for me? "You will only take me so far. Kei, I'm afraid our journey is at a crossroad."

The maid served us tea. She presented some pastries and fruit before excusing herself.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's eat first and then we talk." The rule. Meal times are to be enjoyed.

I nodded and we had our breakfast in silence. One year married hmto him. It's a quarter of my marriage to Sinclair yet I feel I have been through enough storms to not want anymore. I want to ask him about Gio. I want to bring up Gio and study his reaction.