The Mafia's Heir

Chapter 27

"Cynthia!"

Our heads snapped to the house to see Daniel standing there. My first thought was: What is he doing here? The second was: He just ruined our moment. At this point, I probably would have changed my mind about rejecting Afan. He was proving to be persistent and persistence always got you somewhere.

Daniel...

"I see you're enjoying yourself," he noted. I got up to go hug him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up. I immediately wrapped my legs around him. "I missed you, my darling." I didn't miss you one bit. "Why did you run away? I would have helped you and Lucio."

"I didn't want people telling me what to do anymore," I muttered into his neck. "I wanted to get away from the mafia for a while, too."

"Gosh, I'm so sorry, Cynthia. I won't ever let you leave my sight again."

Why did I not feel sorry for not missing him? He was really being a pain and I never said that about Daniel. Maybe it was because he always sided with my father and pretended that everything was going to be fine when it wasn't. He didn't think for himself when his son was born. I hated him for that.

Afan cleared his throat. I had seriously forgotten that he was there. I let Daniel put me down and turned to face him again. He stood just a few feet away from us with his arms crossed. Was he mad or what? Daniel pulled me behind him possessively.

"In respect, a man should bow in the presence of a king." He had returned to being plain ol' King Afan of Malaysia. "Is that going to be a problem this time...Daniel?"

Wait, they knew each other? How did I not see this coming?

"It will always be a problem, your majesty," Daniel challenged.

I was about ready to stop the swelling argument. It was one thing to not bow and another to remind a person of their status. Then again, I didn't care what happened to Daniel. Maybe the fight would knock some sense into him.

Before I could react, the men were pulling each other in for a hug. I stood there gaping. How long had they been friends? I wish I could hug Afan like that! Ooh, I wonder what it would feel like to be held by such a strong man.

"I knew she had to be with you or Zachary," Afan said. "There is no way she would get with Ryder. How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while."

"Couldn't be better. Just trying to keep up with Cynthia," Daniel joked. He didn't know how right he was. "How have you been? How are Amina and Aisha?"

"I'm fine. They're fine. We're all still adjusting to the change."

"Must be tough running such a large kingdom."

"Not a kingdom..."

"Country. My mind is still stuck in time."

"Mine also. How are your parents?"

This was interesting. How was Daniel's parents? Did they have anything to do with why Daniel was such an outlaw to my family?

"They're doing quite fine. Eomma is refusing to come back."

"Alessandra's anniversary is just around the corner. I'm positive she doesn't want to be reminded of it fully."

It was quiet. I could feel Daniel stiffen in front of me. After he had told me about his sister, I had come to believe she was an important asset. Why else would someone be so heartbroken over a death? I'm sure that if anyone else in the mafia was to die, no one would bat an eyelash. That's just how it was.

"I'm going to visit the site tomorrow," Afan announced. "If you want to come along, it would be great. Cynthia, I hope you have a great stay here."

Before he could walk past us, I mouthed, "My room." He nodded at me and disappeared. Once I was sure he was out of sight and earshot, I walked around Daniel and looked him in the eye.

"You know...I'm still angry with you," I said.

"What did I do?" he asked.

"You agreed with my father. You never came to find me. You came here unannounced, probably hoping that I could immediately forgive you. I'm not at all sorry for running away."

"I understand that you may feel--"

"No, you don't. What I want to know is why my brothers act like our relationship is a disease."

"Your...brothers?"

I sighed and shook my head. "Don't pretend like you don't know. Alessandre and Alexandre think you're the devil. I could see it in their eyes."

"Alexandre and Alessandre are your brothers!" he exclaimed. "Your extended family has never liked my family. My sister never liked your brothers either."

"Why don't they like you?" I asked.

Daniel sucked in a breath and looked around me. He wasn't going to get out of explaining this time. I wanted to hear all that he had to say. If any of it turned out to be a lie, he can kiss this marriage goodbye.

"My family has always been envious of yours. It was mostly a fight between my uncles, my grandparents and yours. They decided that it would be wise to overtake the Italians at their weakest point. That was around the time your great-great-great grandmother was still alive and your great-great grandmother was the mafia queen. They attacked their mansion and killed them both. Your great grandmother was to take the throne after that.

She fought and fought for her birthright and almost succeeded. There was a spy in her force. He announced to my uncles and grandparents her coronation. When everyone was distracted with this, they trapped everyone inside the chapel and blew them to bits. Your remaining aunts and uncles vowed revenge and they got it. They killed my aunts and uncles by public humiliation. My entire family was shunned and we were labeled as dangerous and traitors. No one could be bound to us unless by marriage.

Then, you were born. My parents thought it was the perfect opportunity to try and break our 'curse'. They changed my name and we moved to America. By the time I met you, your mother had already been with Joshua for a couple years. Your father had been watching you from afar, but not too closely. I was able to convince Joshua that I was good enough for you and my parents played along. My mother genuinely cares for you, Cynthia."

I was barely listening. I had stopped listening after he'd told me they killed my grandmothers. How could someone's family be so ruthless?

"What happened to my grandmother?" I asked.

"No one knows. Many say that she left the mafia--which is highly impossible. Some say that she now works here as a maid. Others say she went and created her own mafia, despite the fact that everyone thinks that women are weak and shouldn't rule," he said.

"Am I weak to you?" I questioned. "With me running away from the mafia, does that make me weak?"

"Cynthia--"

"Does. It. Make. Me. Weak?"

"No. I never--"

"My point exactly. You could never tell me the truth. Why is that so hard to do? Ever since Ryder got involved, you've been more distant. You follow my father like a puppy."

"Cynthia, listen to me." Daniel grabbed my shoulders. "It would not do us any good to argue over the past. It wasn't our fault. Prove to me that I'm a bad guy."

"You just being here is proof enough." I knocked his hands from my shoulders and left him at the poolside. I walked through the busy halls with my head held high. No one would think that I'd just finished arguing with my soon to be ex-husband. I was surprised that Afan had waited for me at my door.

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