Mafia's Arranged Princess Bride Book1 King of New York

Chapter 50

Nico

Seeing Lucky with her parents causes me to have a bang of guilt, I have taken her away from her family. Her brothers are supposed to be here but they're too strong headed to see sense. Apparently, they think they can take on the world and will find the shooter.

Fucking good luck to them, even I am having difficulty finding out who it was. On other matters, Dario is now here too. I feel better that he is safe within this residence. We have set up one of the master suites upstairs for him with round the clock care. So far, he is refusing to talk to anyone, even though he is now lucid. His withdrawal is not a pretty sight, but he has to tough it out otherwise he'll wind up dead on the streets.

"You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, Son," my father says as he comes to stand next to me where I look on at Lucky and her family embracing.

"No more than usual, father. How are you feeling?" His health has started to deteriorate but he's had a good innings now heading into his early eighties. He coughs, it sounds raspy.

"Nothing I can't handle. Stop worrying about me. So, this is what it's come down to is it?" He furrows his bushy, grey eyebrows. I turn to look at him as hard as it is to take my eyes of Lucky. She makes me catch my breath and mesmerizes me. She's laughing at something her mother says, throwing her head back to expose her long, slender neck. I want to sink my teeth into it and mark her.

"What's that?" I ask him giving him my full attention. Lucky glances over and is that a faint smile I see? I'm sure her lips are slightly turned up. I nod at her, she turns away. Maybe having her family close by will soften the blow a little.

"I said this is what his has come to has it? Gianluca's and Santangelo's under one roof. What a fucking mess."

I contain my temper, always he has something to say. Instead, I bite my tongue before I respond. "You know this is the only way. Do you expect for us to go to war with their family? We're both as powerful as each other right now with our shares of the city. I want full control. Her brothers are not going to hurt me when she is married to me."

"You think not?" he scoffs at me and raises his eyebrows.

"The bond will mean that we are all one family, you know that. And nobody breaks the bond."

"Don't they? Then tell me son why was your brother handing your money to that cunt Lucien Monletto in the casino? What was that all about? Dario has crossed the line; he has broken the code of conduct in this family. A total waste."

Now I am clenching my fists by my side, because no matter what anyone says. Dario is still my kid brother, he always will be and whatever happens, I will always. ALWAYS, have his back. "He is lost, father you know that. He needs help and nobody is giving it to him."

"Lost his way," my father spits out. I wipe my face where it landed. "That boy has had everything handed to him on a silver platter, he was born with a fucking silver spoon in his mouth. What he needs is to be taught a damn lesson not molly-cuddled like a fucking baby." It always surprises me when my father at this old age, can be so cold, vehement and callous.

"He will have the help he needs father." I go to walk away.

"Over my dead body, he needs to be dealt with. He is a lose cannon. This family can't tolerate betrayal and he has betrayed you, Nico. How do you know he didn't take a pop at you? Huh? Tell me that."

I turn and glare at my father, rage burning inside me. Lucky comes up behind me, I feel her hand on my shoulder. "You okay, Nico?" It's the first time she has ever willingly come towards me. Perhaps she senses something is not right, and has witnessed the heated exchange between my father and I.