The Mafia's Heir

Chapter 37

Youngmin wasn't speaking to me anymore. When he went to the party alone earlier this morning, I didn't think he'd get into any trouble. After hearing more rumors about him following a woman again I decided he really was angry with me. It was my fault he was acting like this. And to think I would never care about his feelings. I find myself every hour of the day thinking about him and what he might get into.

Zachary was with me to help me through this, but it wasn't helping any. With Youngmin not afraid of a divorce anymore, I was thinking I could finally go through with it. Zach and I could get married and be happy with Lucio. Youngmin, if he knew anything at all, could go find Ren wherever she would be and get Christian back. I wanted him, but it was already bad enough that the woman I was supposed to hate had him. She wouldn't give him to me if I asked.

"What are we going to do about Christian?" Zachary asked.

"I don't even know," I confessed. "I didn't expect to see him anymore."

"I'm not mad at you about this, you know. It was surprising, but I'm not mad. Knowing that Lucio is mine and that you did follow up with a DNA test proves you took our betrothal for real."

"...I still feel bad about lying to Youngmin."

Zachary sat on my bed and shrugged. What would he know about Youngmin anyway? They were enemies from middle to high school. I heard them talking in Youngmin's room and it seemed like Youngmin was done with all of us. I could tell in his voice that he truly wanted to leave this life and never come back. When I become mafia queen, I'd let him do what he wanted.

I looked down at Lucio in his crib. With the partying going on I hadn't had a chance alone with him. To actually nurture and baby him. He was sleeping at the moment, his tiny chest slowly rising and falling. I loved him so much when he was quiet and wasn't whining when he wanted to be picked up or fed.

The silence was comfortable. I wished for it to stay this way, but much needed to be discussed. Ryder was missing on day four. I didn't call him thinking he was just sleeping. Could he be awake today? I didn't sleep much when I came here. It was like I already was used to it or something. Maybe he's just exploring the city. He did say he was bringing someone. Maybe it's Ren. Maybe he has an actual girlfriend.

"Youngmin doesn't want anything to do with us anymore," Zachary said. "I spoke with him yesterday after he came back from the restaurant and he made it clear that unless you wanted to talk about a divorce, he didn't want to speak to either of us."

"That's fine with me." I turned to him. "That's one way to get rid of him."

"I told him about Christian."

"You what?"

I couldn't believe he would do something like that. I asked him not to say anything. Now that Youngmin knows he's going to want to see for himself. He'll find Ren and talk to her himself. If he happens to strike a deal with her, he might be able to gain full custody of Christian. Or even joint. I wanted that to be me. If only I could meet her before Youngmin gets any ideas of his own.

"Zachary, if he--"

"He needed to know, Cynthia. Even if we didn't get along before, we get along now. He's one of my best friends who's been with me for a long time. I can't continue to keep secrets from him, if it doesn't benefit me."

"It benefitted me! What if he finds Ren and asks to get him from her? What if she says yes?"

"Don't you ever just think positive?"

I stalked over to Zachary and stuck him across the cheek.

"You listen to me," I growled. "I'm the one in the running for queen. If anyone is to have that child, it's me. Youngmin isn't wanted here and if he's able to get his hands on Christian, he'll be able challenge Lucio to the throne."