His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 217

About an hour had passed, and there was still no sign of Luca. Even then-we had already taken most of the pictures but still stuck around hoping for the best. Family members were getting impatient, and time was ticking.

“Can’t Johnny call him?” I asked Christian, who immediately shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Serena-”

“Christian, people are starting to talk,” Franco interrupted our conversation. Christian muttered something under his breath and looked across the room. Of course, everyone was curious about Luca’s whereabouts because everyone knew how important this day was to Lucio.

“He’ll come,” Christian spoke. Franco had a sympathetic smile on his lips and placed his hand on his shoulder. “A lot has happened and—”

“He’ll come.” Christian repeated. “I don’t believe Luca would do something like that.”

I wanted to believe in Christian’s words, but we talked about the same Luca who tried to take away his position under his dad’s orders. “So what do you suggest we do, boss,” Franco mocked him. He seemed just as confused as I did and had also accepted that his grandson would not stop by anymore.

Christian frowned at his grandpa, ready to snap any second before he took a breath to control himself. “Let’s announce Dario to keep them quiet.”

Franco chuckled. “That’s the same thing I would’ve suggested.”“

Christian forced my hand into Franco’s. “Grandpa, please take care of Serena-I need to get Dario and Siena.”

He rushed off while I looked down at my hand. If this was Christian’s way of taking care of me-I had to say it was hilarious, considering the man wasn’t even that fond of me.

“Serena,” Franco called out my name. I prepared myself for whatever harsh words were about to leave his mouth and looked him in the eye. He would’ve probably slaughtered me if he knew what kind of feud I had started between Johnny and Beau or about what happened with Dario because Franco was the kind of person to kill anyone who stood in Christian’s way.

“We’ve been getting along well, don’t you think?” He spoke to my surprise. My eyes widened at his unexpected comment. “Y-yes?”

He carried a slight smile on his lips and caressed my hair. “Don’t worry, my head is full with a dying son, a devil of a child, and my brainwashed grandson-so you are the last person on my list.”

Only when he had mentioned it. I realized that these people had other things on their minds. My issues were not even close to being the end of the world, and for that, I felt guilty. “I’m sorry,” I told Franco, but he shook his head and pulled me along. “I don’t like apologies.”

We made our way to Lucio, who was almost asleep in his wheelchair. “Is Luca on his way, or am I dying first?” He joked, creating an awkward atmosphere. If Christian were here, he would’ve stomped away because he couldn’t take his dad’s jokes-but neither could I.

“Hmm, Serena?” Lucio looked at me. Ignoring him was not an option, so I looked at Cesca, who stood behind him for help-but she turned away instead. “You know.” Franco saved me. “Christian is bringing Dario, so we can officially make the announcement.”

Lucio spoke while I was finally able to breathe. “That should

been going on.

Dario, which had once made me feel at peace, felt uncomfortable, and it was all because of my own mistakes. It was all because I had taken it too far with my comments. Our eyes met for a split second before he immediately looked away-not being

couldn’t help but feel sorry. She was supposed to be at home, but instead, we were here-wasting time

wanted her dead.

as I grabbed her from his hands. I stepped back to give everyone some space while Christian shot me a confused look. The rest of Christian’s siblings joined us while I buried myself even more to the back.

whispered in my ear. “But you’re

grabbed everyone’s attention and nearly trembled at Cesca’s words. She was right. I was the one who told Christian to consider sharing the family business with

I would like to thank all of you for coming here.” Lucio began while my attention went elsewhere. Throughout the speech,

and was shocked by his piercing gaze. Could it be a

as if he only had one goal, and after a while, I had finally noticed who the man was staring at. He was staring at Lucio.

It couldn’t be…

Was it Berto?

escaped from the back. Christian was too focused on his dad’s speech. to notice me, giving me the perfect opportunity to blend myself in the crowd as

appeared to finally notice my presence looked me in the eye and held the end of his hat to lower it as he looked at me with a grin. I tightened my

it. The man was

make Dario the other head of the Lamberti family.” I heard Lucio’s voice through the microphone

on his face, it was

Serena,’ He mouthed right before he turned around. How did he know my name? Of course, he knew my name. I was with Christian-so everyone

telling me to go back and erase it from my mind, but my heart was telling me to follow after him—so that was exactly what I did. “Hey, wait!” I called out.

made his way to the door while I followed closely behind. I had finally managed to catch up

chuckle escape from his mouth before he turned around and raised his head to face me. It wasn’t long for me to process the dark aura around this man. “You know who I am, Serena,”

worry, I still have to deal with Dario before I can deal with

sorry, 1-I

whispered. “Tell my son that I brought him a small present…for taking over the family business and

outside, while I was confused at his choice of words and unsure of what to do. Should I go back

Siena as I tried to find the perfect solution, but there was none. I would not do anything else with Siena in

what are