Page 188 of The Italian Obsession

I drop my head and stare at a random mark on my desk.

“Your father wanted you protected. We only followed his wishes.”

I stay silent.

“This has all been a shock for you, and I understand that you’re angry. I know that you don’t like how this has come to light, but believe me, your father grew up with no secrets kept from him. He knew too much from a young age—too young. He battled through his childhood every day, and he despised his father for it. He didn’t want that for you.”

My eyes rise to meet his. “So, you lied to me?”

“We protected you. There’s a big difference.” A frown crosses his face. “And I stand by that decision.” His jaw ticks. “One day, you will look back and understand that you wouldn’t be the honorable man you now are if things had been different. If you knew then what you know now, it would have changed the way you saw the world. Your childhood was happy, and you were well adjusted. That was all your father ever wanted.”

My breath quivers on the inhale.

“I will resign, if that’s what you want.” His eyes search mine. “But there is one thing you will have to do for me first.”

“What?”

“You have to come and meet Angelina.”

“Forget it.”

“Enrico,” his voice sharpens. “You are thirty-four years old, and look how upset you are over this. Giuliano is going to find this out when he is only twenty-one. He is the child of a mistress. His whole world will crumble. Every single thing he thinks he knows is a lie… even his name. His father isn’t the man he knew. He is your baby brother, Enrico. Whether you like it or not, you have to look after him. He is the true victim in this story. Him and his beautiful mother Angelina.”

“Did you know her?” I whisper.

“Yes.”

I frown.

“She’s an incredible person, Enrico, and she deserves our respect. Stop looking at this like you’re a hurt child, and begin thinking of it as a man who needs to step up and protect his family.”

“She’s not my family.”

“Whether you like it or not, she is.” He shakes his head. “She is a Ferrara. Maybe not by marriage, but most definitely by heart. She bleeds your father’s blood, and he bled hers.”

I drop my head.

“She gave up her entire life to be with him. She has been nothing but respectful and loving… even to your mother.”

I frown as my eyes rise to meet his. “They know each other?”

“Of course they know each other. They’re friends—part of a family. It’s not ideal, but they made it work. We all did.” He stands and holds his hand out to me. “Come.”

“Where to?’

“I’m taking you to Angelina. I don’t care if you fire me, but as my promise to your father, you will meet your other family—the ones you didn’t know.”

________

The car pulls up to the gates of the house in Lake Como.

“Thank you,” Lorenzo says from his place behind the wheel.

The guards look into the car and see me in the passenger seat. Their eyes widen and they all stand back, granting us access.

“I thought the guards were taken off this house,” I say as we drive through the gates.

“Your mother demanded they stay. She wanted them to remain safe. She’s concerned for their well-being.”