Hush 2: Slow Burn (2 page)

Chapter One

The Takeover

Uri

Italy

I wish I could say that everything turned into peaches and roses after the night we will never speak of again. Things are never that simple in my life. Instead, I have been summoned to Italy. My uncle knows how much I hate that shit, but I say nothing because I have a feeling I know what this is about. I have seen it coming for some time now.

Once I realize these two old sods, Don Vincent and my uncle, Don Nicholas, were behind pushing Valentina and I to marry I knew. I am not here because this is something I want. I am here out of respect. So whatever is said to me I will listen and then I will speak my piece. I still haven’t decided if this is something I am willing to entertain.

Vita and Valentina come first. I will not endanger my family. Big sacrifices are being asked of me here. I know more than what these old men think. This is why I made Valentina remain in the States this time around.

That woman is still as stubborn as the day that I married her, but Vita softens her more each day. I think our little girl has provided much of the healing my Tina needs. However, when I told her I was on my way to Italy without her she nearly drew her gun on me.

I chuckle to myself at the memory as I make my way out to the lanai to meet with Don Vincent at his home in Italy. I frown as I step out into the light breeze. The sun is bright, kissing my face as I scowl at the four men sitting before me, Don Vincent, Valentine, my Uncle, and Luca.

I haven’t seen Luca’s ass in months. Yet here he sits for this meeting. I swear I want to punch him, if not because of his stupidity, then because I am tired of my wife asking me where the fuck he is.

I have told him over the phone that if he doesn’t want Shannon he needs to grow some balls and let her go. She has enough on her plate without him being an ass. While Valentina seems to be healing Shannon seems to be spiraling into depression.

When we decided to spend more time in New York, so that Valentina could work for Briggs Security and run her business as well, we both thought it a good idea to bring Shannon along with us. She had been staying in her father’s large estate all by herself. I didn’t like that for a number of reasons.

One reason being her security. The other reason being the fact that she needed someone to keep an eye on her mental faculties. She has been flying back and forth to Chicago at times, but mostly she has been with us.

We keep a full house these days. Nico hadn’t told me until the very last moment, but he signed a new contract with an American football team. He has been playing soccer in the States for the last few months. It seems my daughter has both of her uncles and her aunts wrapped around her finger.

On a positive note, Annabella and Shannon have made fast friends with the Mairettie and Briggs women. Valentina has surprised me by bonding with them all as well. Although at times, I wish she and Pam would stay away from each other, two pure trouble makers those two. Rita isn’t too far behind. I have watched her and my Tina with those looks of mischief on their faces looking as if they are plotting to go on a mission to kill and destroy.

Luca has no idea of all he is missing out on by running from his life. I think if he were to get his shit together Shannon would too. I sigh. I will have to get to that later. This meeting is clearly about something entirely different and I want to get it over with now.

“Welcome, my Son in law,” Don Vincent says in his raspy voice.

“Don Caprisi, it is good to see you well,” I reply as he pulls me in for a hug.

“You call me Vincent, Uri. Where is my granddaughter?”

“I left my Bellas in the States this time around. I had a feeling what you called me here for will cause me to have to play a little differently from here on out,” I say pointedly.

“Ah, yes you are right. I was just hoping to get to see them. It has been awhile, I am sure you can understand why I needed to escape from the States for a bit. It was not easy to learn what I did and remain in a place of such pain,” the Don sighs.

“Yes, I think I can understand. We will make plans to spend some time here in Italy soon, so that you can have time with both Valentina and Vita,” I offer.

“This brings me to why I have asked you here,” Don Caprisi says solemnly. “It is time for me to retire from all of this. I have run this family for way past my due time. I should have seen the snake in my own garden, but I lost sight of things a long time ago.”

“Son, I see that look on your face,” Uncle Nicholas says. “You have known this was coming.”

“Perhaps we need to shed a little light on things first,” my father-in-law says as he lifts a hand to wave someone over to us.

I turn only to become more confused. I by no means expected to see my mum at this meeting. I had left her in New York with the rest of my family.

“Don’t look so surprised. You are a smart boy. I am sure you have figured out that I know a lot more than you think,” my mum says as she walks up to me and cups my face.

I lift a brow at her, but I say nothing. I turn back to the men standing before me. We all wait for my mum to have a seat and then we each take our own. I don’t say a word as I take in each face before me.

Luca is looking on with curiosity as well. I notice the uncertainty that crosses his face for a moment, but he quickly wipes it away. My mum is doing her best to compose her expression as well. Too bad her eyes are giving her away.

“Whatever shit storm the four of you plan to rain on me, I would appreciate if you would get on with it already. I would like to get back home to my wife and daughter,” I say flatly.

“Hear us out, Uri, before you shut down,” My Uncle sighs.

“Nicholas is right, Uri. You may change your mind about how you feel once you know everything there is to know,” Vincent says.

I incline my head. “Then speak,” I say shortly.

“You have so much hidden anger, Uri, but you have to understand things have been in play for so much longer than you realize,” Uncle Nicholas says.

“It has always been in the cards for you to marry one of my daughters and take over the Caprisi family. Before you were walking and talking. Before Luca had even been born,” Don Vincent starts. He lifts a hand when I narrow my eyes at him. His face softens and becomes somber. “Just listen, Uri. Back then your father and I had big plans, plans that obviously were leaked to others. At that time, we had agreed that you would marry Lissette, my oldest daughter.

“You two were still in diapers then. Your father and I thought it would be the best way to strengthen our bond and family. You would marry Lissette and one of your brothers would take over the Donati Empire. I had no plans to have more children. Valentina was an unexpected surprise twelve years later.

“By then we had lost your father and your Uncle took over the family. Your mother had every intention to honor what your father wanted,” Vincent says before looking over to my mum and nodding.

“That is the real reason your grandfather, my father, wanted to get his hands on you,” my mum says with a wealth of emotions. “He never liked the Donati family. The Manzos had become very close friends with the Zuko family. My father, your grandpa Manzo, had planned for me to marry into the Zuko family.

“His best friend had been the brother of Carmelita Zuko. Carmelita had seduced your Grandpa Donati at his bachelor party. Rumor has it she slipped something in his drink. She turned up on his doorstep a year later to tell his pregnant wife that she had his illegitimate son.

“Your grandfather had been livid. Your Nana was so distraught she went into labor a month early and gave birth to your father. Angelo Sr. sent Carmelita and her son away and when her brother went in search for them, he was murdered. My father blamed everything on your grandfather.

“He brought Carmelita and her son Roberto back to live with our family. From the time I was a little girl, they pushed a relationship with Roberto on me. He was my friend, but I never fell for him romantically. Then I ran into your father one day in the village when I was visiting with my Nana. Just one smile and I fell head over heels in love with him.

“We dated the entire summer that I spent in the village. When I returned home, my father was livid. He had heard of my relationship with Angelo Jr. and lost it on me. Angelo had promised to come and ask my father for my hand in marriage, he was settling things with his father before he came for me. I didn’t know it then, but I was already expectant with you.

“When your father and Grandfather arrived at my home it was like a mini war was started. The Donatis had come in piece, but my father would hear none of it. The only way I could bring piece was to blurt that I was pregnant. I had just confirmed it that morning.

“I think Roberto loathed your father from that very moment. In his mind, I was to be his wife as my father had wanted. He was also looking into the face of the brother that gotten to keep the father that never wanted him.

“When Angelo Sr. realized who Roberto was, he did open his arms to him. He had taken him back with him to get to know the young man he had turned away all those years ago when his mother arrived on his doorstep,” my mum pauses to wipe at her tears.

“My father tried to make up for his mistakes concerning your uncle,” Uncle Nicholas says. I am too blown away to say a word. I have always thought that Roberto Zuko was nothing more than my mother’s hateful husband that didn’t want me around. “Dad didn’t see how much Rob hated us all. He blamed Roberto’s mother for her deceit and said he spent too much time not getting to know his son because of her.”

My mother touches Uncle Nicholas’s hand then she continues her tale. “Roberto was good at hiding the truth. I believed him for years when he said he just wanted to know his family and that he forgave me for falling in love with your father. He was there for your birth as well as the birth of your brothers and sister.

“It’s the reason I thought I could trust him after your father was murdered. I went to him for help. He said he would help me and take care of everything. I told you and Valentina this part once before, but what I left out was that some years ago, I overheard Rob talking to my father.

“He pretty much admitted to being a part of having your father murdered. They both did. They were supposed to get you and your father out of the way so that Rob could step up. Your grandpa Donati was devastated after your father was killed,” My mum’s voice cracks with emotion.

“It was then that I had to step up to cover for the mess dad had become. He took you and hid away from everything else. I had no intention of taking over the family I was just stepping up to cover for dad,” Uncle Nicholas shakes his head at the memory. “It didn’t take long for dad to name me his successor.

“Roberto went ballistic. He came to me making all kinds of threats. Then he just disappeared. The next thing I knew Pop died, your grandfather came for you and Roberto turned up saying he married your mother.”

“Your grandpa Donati had always believed your father was on to something with joining a particular set of families. He had agreed it was the right thing to do before your father was killed,” My mum starts again. “Your father was going to take over the family just before he was murdered in the street like an animal. Rob saw to that.

“He also made it so I didn’t know he was a part of any of it. My father sought out to destroy you when he started you out as a killer so early on. He never thought you would actually do it and survive, least of all become any good at it. Roberto knew what my father was doing the whole time.

“It was Roberto’s idea to change your brothers’ and sister’s last name to Zuko. He said it was best to keep them safe. He made me think that you all were in great danger. That the people that kidnapped you could come back for them,” my mum explains.

“That’s the bullshit you fed me my whole life when I asked to come to see them. When I wanted them to come see me,” I snarl.

“I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t know. I thought by having you deny who you all were to each other I was keeping you safe, but the people I needed to keep you safe from already knew exactly who you all were,” Mum says with trembling lips.

“You have always thought that I sent you away because I didn’t want you or because I thought that you would taint Luca. I love you like my very own son. I am proud of you, Uri,” my Uncle says while looking me right in the eyes. “I sent you away because I saw something in you. I saw your father and your grandfather. I saw a true Donati.

“I knew on your own, you would become the man your father wanted you to be. I also knew it would keep your Uncle and Grandfather at bay for a while longer. You think I would ever condone the behavior Luca displays over and over again,” Uncle Nicholas looks between Luca and I and lifts a brow.

“What is that supposed to mean,” Luca snaps.

“It means that I have had plans for the both of you for a very long time. When you were born, I knew you would be the next Donati to run the family. My brother was gone and I didn’t see it in Nico or Michael to take over the family. It has always been the two of you.

“I let you act a fool in public. No one would believe that I would hand the family over to you. As far as Uri goes, he was never a threat because he doesn’t listen to a damn thing I say. He has been a bull in a china shop for years. No one expects me to hand a thing over to him either and Don Vincent never once showed interest in joining the families after my brother’s death.