CHAPTER 90: HYPOCRITES

Valentina’s gaze flickered as she noticed discreet movements happening around her.

A couple of minutes later, Ross leaned in to whisper to her.

"There’s somewhere I need to be right now. I’ll be back," he said.

She nodded a little distracted in her thoughts.

Valentina waited until he had risen before she moved her gaze towards Luciano’s table.

He was rising to his feet, whilst also staring at her.

A shiver ran down her spine as their eyes met.

An hour later, and she could still feel the exact sensation she had felt with his fingers deep inside of her.

Luciano stared at her for a couple more seconds, before he moved out of the table.

"Are you going to tell me what is going on now?" Giovanni approached him one more time.

This time, his frustration was evident in his voice.

"Amicomio, have I ever done anything that has placed you in a compromising situation?"

Giovanni lifted a brow, and Luciano swiftly rephrased.

"Have I not always redeemed myself?"

"A better question," he smiled.

Luciano chuckled. "When I return, I’ll tell you everything. Vitto will attend to you while I’m away."

Giovanni halted and let him go ahead. However deep in his mind, he worried because there was something off.

And never had Giovanni Ferrari sensed something off, turned a blind eye to it and not regretted it.

Luciano walked into the room hidden behind the false wall of the hall.

He went straight to his seat at the head of the table, and sat down.

His feet tapped against the fine carpet, as he waited for everyone to come in.

The moment the clock struck midnight, the doors opened, and they began to file in.

First were the Dons. They were the oldest, so it was only normal that they were accorded that respect.

The ladies came in next, followed by Lorenzo and Enzo Romano.

"We keep going into rooms. When do we see the infamous Neravalle?" Lorenzo wasted no time in asking as he walked in.

Luciano ignored him, his eyes glued to the door instead.

His tapping foot ceased when Ross Voltron walked in.

Any other country, and a war would break out for this singular act.

A mafia lord from another country could never join in the private meeting of mafia lords from a country.

It was all the proof he needed to know that Lorenzo and Ross were deeply entangled with each other.

Ross smiled on entering. "Careful Luce. You’ve given us inspiration to create cities. We might steal your knowledge," he teased as he took a seat.

Luciano rolled his eyes. One person was missing.

It didn’t take him long to avail himself.

"My bad, my bad. The whiskey had me seeing double walls," Niccolo grinned as he walked in.

Luciano chuckled silently.

"Well we’re all here. Go straight to the point, Luciano. It’s midnight. Except you have plans for us to sleep here?" Enzo shot straight to the point.

Lorenzo raised his hand.

From Enzo, Luciano’s lazy gaze moved to Lorenzo.

"You have something to say?"

"Actually, I do. Let’s start with the most obvious. What is my niece doing in your home?"

"Hmmm–" Luciano stared straight faced. "Have you confirmed she’s your niece? Because from the story you’ve always told, every single person died in that house that night."

Lorenzo shifted uncomfortably as all eyes went to him.

"Well that’s true. I don’t take back anything I’ve ever said."

"Then there is every possibility she’s not your niece?"

"Explain the resemblance to Bianca then," Don Rafael said. "Don Pedro, God rest his soul, was my dear friend. Bianca was my goddaughter. I would recognize her anywhere. That’s her daughter surely."

Luciano shrugged. "Until it’s professionally confirmed, it’s all hearsay."

"It’s not," Ross Voltron who had been patiently listening said, and everyone’s gaze switched to him.

"You know something. I mean you have to. That explains how she was able to accept your proposal," Enzo said.

"Oh yeah, I do in fact know Val very well," he bragged. "Back in the States, we were—" he paused, and smirked as he stared pointedly at Luciano. "Lovers."

Luciano’s pulse quickened, but his eyes remained empty.

"Then you must confirm her connections to me."

"Yes Lorenzo. Indeed, it is as you’ve said. She’s the daughter of Bianca Barone Wallace and Allen Wallace."

The mention of Allen Wallace spurred a tense reaction.

His name was still a touchy subject. The man that had once freely walked into Italy despite being a wanted man, and taken a jewel. Right from the Great Don Pedro’s home.

No one knew, until he was safely back to the states.

Luciano did a quick view around the table. He was very surprised to see that even the sellouts had the nerve to feign anger in solidarity.

It was hypocritical for the mere fact they were now freely inviting another possible problem into the country.

"Then it’s settled. She’s my niece. Did you kidnap my niece on purpose Luciano? To what end? To spite me?"

Luciano shook his head in amazement. "You have some nerve, Lorenzo."

"Mio?!" He beat his chest. "Do you all hear how he talks to his elders?" He looked around the table for support.

"You’re right to feel annoyed, Lorenzo. If it was my family member I found out has been kidnapped by a man with a history that intertwines terribly with mine, I would be very upset too," Ross said.

"Thank you, Mr Ross. This is what I’m talking about! He respects no one. Because he thinks he has some money? Do you think money is everything?!"

"Your father put up that system. He bought everything and everyone with his money," Luciano fired back with a mellow and measured voice.

The ladies gasped. Niccolo Whistled. The rest sighed, knowing it wasn’t going to end well.

"What did you just say to me?" Lorenzo’s jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared.

"I don’t think I stuttered. The rule was made by your family. He who has the money, controls everything. You’ve all spoken. It’s time to fucking listen!"

He rose to his full height, and his braggadocious confidence, threatened every man in the room.