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.”

spoke while I was finally able to breathe. “That

for years, Lucio was unaware of everything that had been going

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

She was supposed to be at

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

in my ear. “But you’re not a victim-please don’t forget that you brought this upon yourself.”

Cesca’s words. She was right. I was the one who told Christian to consider sharing the family business with Dario. Even then, there was one thing that confused me, and that was that she

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

was shocked by his piercing gaze. Could it be a family member who I had never met

at. He was staring at Lucio. My eyes moved to the side of his face,

It couldn’t be…

Was it Berto?

I whispered as I slowly escaped from the back. Christian was too focused on his dad’s speech. to notice me,

and held the end of his hat to lower it as he looked at me with

was no doubt about it.

of the Lamberti family.” I heard Lucio’s voice through the microphone before the room was filled with claps and

on his face, it was

turned around. How did he know my name? Of course,

me to go back and erase it from my mind, but my heart was telling

way to the door while I followed closely behind. I had finally managed to catch up and grabbed him by his shoulder to

around and raised his head to face me. It wasn’t long for me to process the dark aura around this man. “You

pulled Siena closer-while Berto scoffed. “Don’t worry, I still have to deal with Dario before I can deal with Christian, so it’s not your time…yet.” He spoke. “You should go back inside. I don’t want you to get hurt, not

sorry, 1-I

well deliver a message to Dario,” Berto whispered. “Tell my son that I brought him a small present…for taking over the family business and for betraying me.”

outside, while I was confused at his choice of words and unsure of what to do. Should I go back to interrupt whatever was going on and get Christian,

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

are