The Mafia's Heir

Chapter 44

"Tyler, it's so nice to see you again!" I exclaimed and threw my arms around his neck. "It's been so long. How have you been?"

"I've been fine, Tia." Tyler chuckled in my ear. "You've gotten finer."

I rolled my eyes. "Sure. What are you doing here? Everyone is literally out to kill you."

"You think I don't know that? It's been happening since I started killing."

"You should be more careful. The people I don't trust are convincing me that you're an evil person."

"People like who?"

"Jung Ren and her brother. Some of her fiancé's friends. I think that's about it."

"What about Zachary?"

I thought for a moment and let him go. I hadn't seen Zachary for a very long time. We talked on the phone last night, but he didn't say much. If I heard correctly, he was out with Ren's fiancé. I really hope he didn't tell them about Ty's relation to me. I doubt he'd do something so trifling.

"I don't think Zachary's that dumb," I said. "If he says anything, it's game over for him."

"And Ryder?" Tyler seemed genuinely worried.

"Ryder doesn't seem to care about anything. He barely spoke to me at the last mafia party. I couldn't find him for most of the night. At the meeting we had this morning, he seemed reluctant to say anything against you."

"Good. That's how it should be. Where's your grandfather?"

"He should be in his room sleeping. He's gotten sick lately and I don't know what to think about that." I sighed. "I don't think he wants me to be mafia queen?"

"What? And why not." Tyler crossed his arms.

"Something about me turning out to be like my father and such. If Ren wasn't a choice for the next mafia queen, then he wouldn't have any other choice but to appoint me as the next queen."

Ty let his arms drop and looked behind me. Was there someone there? I turned to see what he was looking at and frowned. There was nothing there. What is he thinking about? Nonno can't possibly know what's good for the mafia right now. Everyone is acting weird and even with Ren around, they seem more agitated. It's like they're waiting for something back to happen.

"So...what are you doing here?" I asked. "I could have gone to meet you somewhere."

"I wanted to see you for myself. It's been some time since we actually talked. America does wonders for a person, but it isn't the same without my favorite cousin." Tyler smiled.

"I'm your favorite cousin? Funny you should say that."

"What?"

"Nothing. Do you want to eat? I could have something sent to the east dining room."

"I'm fine. Let's go see your grandfather. You say he's sick, so I want to see him before he croaks."

"Are you assuming he's going to die? My bisnonno lived to be well over eighty. Nonno is barely in his late seventies."

"Everyone has to go sometime, Tia. I'm just saying what might be true."

Tyler didn't allow me to say more. He took my hand and we walked around the mansion until we got to Nonno's room. I could hear him talking to someone and I prayed that it wasn't Ren. But, she doesn't know what Tyler looks like, so I began praying it wasn't anyone from our meeting earlier.

I opened the door and was surprised to see my brothers' mom in the room. She had her back to us, but I could tell she was either crying or had been. Nonno's eyes flitted over to us and I could see a small smile creep onto his face. He was happy to see me? I'm glad he decided not to sport his normal look of disappointment this time.

"Possiamo parlare dopo, Irene. Riposati. Si sta facendo tardi," Nonno said. We can speak later, Irene. Get some rest. It's getting late.

"È solo tardo pomeriggio, David." Irene chuckled. It's only late afternoon, David.

"Allora vai a mangiare. Non hai mangiato niente da questa mattina." Then go eat. You haven't had anything since this morning.

"Certo, padre."

Irene got up and planted a kiss on Nonno's cheek. She turned around and the look on her face said it all. She still doesn't like me and the feeling's mutual. She brushed past me like I was a disease she was trying hard to avoid.

"Tia, che gentile da parte tua venire a trovarmi oggi." Tia, how nice of you to come visit me today. "How have you been?"

"...I don't see how you can just deal with people like those representatives from France." I sat in the seat Irene had just occupied. Tyler stood beside me. "Tyler è qui."

"Vedo. Take a seat, Tyler. How have you been, my son?"

Ty smiled at Nonno and made a show of showing how he felt about this situation. I was surprised Nonno still remembered him. I don't think Tyler ever came back to Italy since he went to college.

"I've been better," he said. "I know everyone is after me right now and being here is a huge risk, but seeing you again, Nonno, is the best decision I've made all year."

"This year has only just begun, Tyler. Why did you come here today?"

"Jung Ren's parents are dead."

My eyes widened at the news and I immediately began to think of all the things Ren could be going through right now. If she knew, then it might be why she was so desperate to find out everything about Ian. She's trying to mask her hurt and pretend nothing ever happened. I doubt her brother knows or he wouldn't have come to the meeting. This was great news!

Imagine obtaining the spot as mafia queen, because Ren had to go back home for the funeral. I wouldn't have to worry about her or her brother getting in my way. Nonno would have no choice but to make me the queen. More power would be in my hands. I could ban Ren from entering Italy forever. These thoughts had been so entranced, I didn't notice when Tyler began telling us about what happened.

"--she screamed and I hung up. I don't know how she's feeling at the moment, but it taught her a lesson. She can't have everything in life. Ren might be getting the assets left for her and her brother, but she won't have the assurance that they'll have her back if something bad ever happens to her." Tyler laughed.

"You're just as I remember," Nonno said with a smile. "Did you really have to kill her parents?"

"I told you she had to learn a lesson. She was getting too hot-headed. Her parents were long overdue for a visit."

"Do you know what this means?"

"She's in a state of guilt and pain. Would she be able to stand being the mafia queen if her parents just died?"

Tyler was right. Ren shouldn't be stable enough to attend these meetings and pretend she's fine. If my parents had been murdered by the man who we were after, I wouldn't have the mindset to go after him. I wouldn't want to be a queen who's torn over their deaths and has no one to turn to.

"You're putting yourself out there."

"I know. It's about time someone saw me for the man I really am."

∴ ∴ ∴ ∴

Whoa, the man he really is? That sounds a little...sus. We know Tyler and Cynthia are cousins and they both will do anything to make sure Cynthia is the queen. Let's see how this all pans out.

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