CHAPTER 53: FICKLE ILLEGITIMACY

Daniela in her room paced back and forth, her phone tucked in her ears as she waited impatiently for her mother to pick up the phone.

"Hello Mama," she said immediately the other end of the line clicked.

"Yes darling. Did you succeed so soon? Is that why you’re calling?"

"No Mama, I mean yes. But that’s a conversation for another day. There’s something I need to tell you right now."

"Go on then, princess. What is it? You sound worried."

"You know the girl who is friends with Valentina that I told you about? The one who I say is always kissing up to me for some weird, unknown reason."

"Yes, the one you said you are using to find out all of Valentina’s secrets. What about her?"

"Her mother’s name is Maria Esposito Gomez."

Helena went silent at the other end of the line.

"Mama, are you there? Can you hear me? If you can hear me, please tell me she’s not the daughter of your estranged sister. Tell me she’s not Papa’s real daughter, please." Her lips quivered in fear as she questioned.

"Daniela, I have to go."

"No wait, you haven’t answered my question Ma–"

The line went dead.

Daniela folded a fist, as she dropped on the bed.

"This can’t be," she muttered under her breath. "Papa can’t be her father. I can’t let this be. No way!"

She went into her head, and began to plot.

***

"Slow down Val, please," Elio walked behind Valentina who was walking around in circles.

Every time she moved from one point to the other, she ended up circling back to where she began.

"Get me out of this maze! I have to leave this place!" She screamed in hysteria.

"I can help, but you have to let me."

She paused, and turned to him. "You can help me? Who are you against Luciano De Luca–" she paused and laughed bitterly. "Oh wait, it’s Luciano Alvarez."

"I know how you must feel–"

"No you don’t. And don’t insult me by pretending you do. Your loyalties do not lie with me, Elio. And that’s okay. I can live with that. As long as I get the hell out of this place."

"Well you can’t, okay?" He stopped before her.

"Watch me. If I have to crawl my way through a hole to get out of here, I will. And if I don’t find a way, I’ll put a bullet through my head."

"Val! You can’t say things like that. Luce is angry right now. And you can’t say he’s not in the right to feel how he feels. But with time, he’s sure to calm down. Then maybe you two can talk levelheadedly."

Valentina sniggered. "There is never going to be a calm conversation between me and the son of Matteo Alvarez. He killed my father in cold blood. I was four years old, and had to be smuggled out like contraband because he could have killed me too. Do you understand why I need to leave this place?"

Elio sighed. "Valentina—"

"Elio, move out the way," an authoritative voice ordered.

Elio looked through her, and saw three guards, including Luciano’s head security, Lyon, approach them menacingly.

"Signor Lyon, perfavore," he pleaded.

Valentina whipped her head behind to understand why his whole face had changed, and just as she turned, they grabbed her.

"What are you doing? Let me go! Elio? What is happening right now?"

"I’m sorry ma’am, but carpo has ordered that you be thrown into one of the cells," Lyon said.

"What?! Has that bastard not done enough? Put me down, you cowards! If he wants me arrested, that’s fine. But you’re not about to humiliate me by carrying me all the way to a bloody cell. I can walk," she said stubbornly.

"Signor–"

"Stay out of this, Elio," Lyon warned before turning to the guards holding Valentina. "Put her down. But if you try any trick, you’ll force my hand."

Valentina nodded, and her feet were placed on the ground again.

"I’m sorry Valentina. I promise I’ll do all I can to help," Elio said to her.

"Don’t be. I’d rather be locked up than see that bastard face again. Just help me ensure Natalia is fine. That’s all I want."

The guards led Valentina away, and Elio watched them do it, without any means to help.

He couldn’t bear watching her anymore, so he turned around, and began returning to the punishment room.

On his way, he saw Vittorio also returning.

"What happened, piccolo?" He questioned when he saw the look of defeat on the boy’s face.

"Luce ordered Valentina to be thrown into a cell."

Vittorio hissed through his teeth, as he strode ahead.

Lifelessly, Elio followed behind him. Never had he felt more powerless than in the moment, and no matter how much he thought, there was simply nothing he could do.

"You’ve made a rash decision, Luciano," Vittorio said as soon as he walked into the room.

He paused when he saw Salvatore pouring him a drink.

"Would you rather I have her killed then? But don’t worry, a man wouldn’t execute the order. I’ll have Ro do it," he replied, and took a sip from his drink.

"Can’t you see that she serves more purpose alive than dead?" He asked in a frustrated tone.

"Oh I see. You convinced me she does. So now I plan on keeping her alive. In exchange for that, I want the map, and I want my father’s name cleared up. And since you’re such an advocate for both, you’ll lead the charge. I don’t want to see her again."

Vittorio’s head doubled back in shock. He could have sworn Luciano was smitten with the girl.

How could affection so easily turn to hatred?

It was something he couldn’t fathom.

"Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll get her to give up the map, and help clear your father’s name. But she deserves a bit of mercy too. She lost her parents."

"I don’t give a damn." He downed all of his drink, and lifted the glass to ask for more.

Salvatore silently refilled the glass.

"Very well then. Her friend. What do you plan on doing with her friend?"

The door opened, and Elio walked in.

Luciano’s gaze shifted to the boy he considered his own younger brother.

"I sent Lyon, knowing you wouldn’t be able to follow my orders, because Valentina has you wrapped around her fingers. Elio for your sake, and the sake of the bond we share, do not disobey me again."

"Sìcarpo," he replied with his head down.

"And as for your question Vitto, I’ll leave Natalia’s fate for Daniela to decide."

"What?! You’ll do what?"

"You heard me."

"You’re acting irrationally. What sense does it make to leave her fate in the hands of Daniela, knowing how selfish she is? Do you think she would want to share Giovanni’s affections with his real and only daughter?!"

"We are friends, but you’ve insulted, undermined and questioned my authority a little too frequently."

"That’s only because you’re not acting like the Luciano I know you to be. You’re letting your hurt dictate the–"

"I don’t care!" He roared, and threw the glass in his hand against the wall.

Everywhere went silent, save for the echoes of the shattering glass.

"Nothing matters anymore okay?" He rose to his feet, and walked to the door of the adjacent room. "Absolutely nothing." He entered the room, and slammed the door shut behind him.