Chapter 35- His Genuin
Lucia I turned to find Dante filling the doorway, his usual predatory grace somehow softer in the hospital lighting. He wore a perfectly tailored suit despite the late hour, but his eyes held something.
How did you
“Your security tram called mine.” He moved into the room with deliberate care, like he was approaching a wounded animal. “Then I heard about the strikes. And the Korean deal‘
“This isn’t your problem.” But even Theard the weakness in my voice.
“No” He settled into the chair beside me, close enough that his heat serped into my side. “Someone’s systematically attacking your family. Termory, operations people -all carefully targeted. You still think the isn’t my concern?”
Before I could answer, Papa stirred. His eyes opened, focusing first on me, then narrowing as he registered Dante’s presence.
“What is he doing here? His voice was weak but carried dut edge of authority Td grown up obeying
“Offering help,” Dante said before I could respond. The harbor development project could stabilize your shipping operations. Gave your workers incentive to stay loyal.”
“We don’t need Romano charity.”
“Not charity.” Date leaned forward, his voice carrying that quies intensity that commanded attention. “Partnership, Equal stake, equal profit. Your expertise in shipping, our connections in development. A leghimate project that benefits both fundies.
Papa’s laugh turned into a cough “And what do you really want Control of our operations! Our territory?”
“I want my wife’s family whole and strong. The words came out fierce, almost angry, “I want the people targeting you to learn exactly what happens when they threaten what’s mine.”
Something Eckered in Papa’s eyes.
Before he could respond, alarm blared from the nurses station. Voices shouted about some emergency in another room, footsteps pounded past
our door
“That’s Len’s room.” Marco appeared in the doorway, face light with comrolled panic. “Something’s wrong with his breathing… “should check on Leo”
“Go” Dante’s voice was soft. “I stay with your father.”
“Go, piccola” Papa’s voice was tired hot carried that familiar nose of command. “Your brother needs you.”
Hours and hours.
The hospital hallway felt endless, Medical equipment beeped in steady rhythms, and the antiseptic smell burned my nose. doctors warned above possible complications. A nurse passed, giving me a sympathetic smile – they’d grown used in seeing the Valentini family
Leo stabilized, but
paring these halls over the last hours.
I went back to Papa’s mom Voices from inside making me besitate.
“Your daughter is stronger than you give her credit for.” Dante’s voice, low and intense “She’s been coordinating with Marco to stabilize the dock sauation while you’ve been hent
“My daughter,” Papa’s mice was weak but carried that familiar stubbornness, “shouldn’t have to handle these battles. The Valentins empire- “Will be stronger with her helping lead it.” A pane, then softer “She got the Korean investors back to the table, you know. Three hours of negotiations in perfed Mandarin while sitting in this hospital hallway.”
Hadn’t know he noticed that
The Romano harbor p project, Papa started
“Is just the beginning” Papers rustled – Danie must have been showing him something on his tablet. “Look at the projected reveries. The employment opportunties. This won’t about Romano control – it’s about Isuilding something lasting. Together”
“And what happens when your two–year contract ends!” Papa’s question made my heart stutter. “When this arrangement with my daughter- concludes
Sürer stretched for a moment. “Some arrangements,” Dante said finally.
I chose that moment to enter, not ready in hear whatever might follow. Both men looked up – Papa propped against pillows that couldn’t quite daguise how small he looked in the hospital bed, Dante in the visitor’s chair with his jacket off and sleeves rolled up, showing the tattoo that marked himas Romano heir.
“Leo’s stabilized,” I reported, moving to check Papa’s monitors out of habit. The fluid in his lungs is clearing
“Lucia” Papa caught my hand, his grip weaker than I remembered but still commanding. “Sic Please
I perched on the edge of his bed, hyperaware of Dante’s presence behind me. “The workers at Terminal Three are asking abotat returning” I said quickly, needing to focus on business. “If we structure the shift schedules-
“Enough” Papa’s one made me feel like a little garl again. “Dane has been.. explaining things to me. About in harbor project. About other
Chapter 35 His Genuin
possibilities.
I glanced back at Date, but his face gave nothing away. “Papa, you don’t have to-
“Let me finish.” He squeezed my hand. The been proud. Too proud maybe. Watching our empire crumble while refusing help because it came with the Roman name attached
“Your pride built that empire,” Dante said quietly. “No one forgets that.”||
“And my pride could desi my it.” Papa’s eyes met mine, carrying a weight I wasnt ready to face. “Unless Hearn to trust my daughter’s judgment. And her partner’s intention.”
Something warm bloomed in my chest at that word.
The furbor project is just the stam,” Tsaid carefully. “If we combine our shipping expertise with Romanu development resources—
“Show me.” Papa gestured to the tablet Danie still held. “All of it. No more pride no more old grievances, show me how we build something
stronger.
A nurse came in to check vitals, smiling sa Papa’s improved color. “Your husband has been quite insistent about your father’s care,” she told me as she adjusted an IV. “Made sure we had his complete medical history, arranged for specialists…”
“He’s very…thorough” I managed, feeling Dame’s eyes on nie.
“Good man.” Papa’s gruff approval made us both look at him in verprise. “Even if he is a Romano,”
A commotion in the hallway drew our attention. Marco appeared in the doorway, his usually perfect appearance showing strain. “Terminal Four just called. Someone tried setting fire to the main warehouse.
I started to stand, but Dante’s hand on my shoulder stopped me. “Taylor’s team is handling, he said smoothly. “The situation is contained.” “Your men?” Papa’s eyebrows rose.
“Protecting Valentini intereses is protecting Roman interests now.” Dante’s voice carried that quiet authority that commanded attention. “We face these threats together.”
Papa studied him for a long moment. “The harbor comment,” he said finally, “Bring them in the morning. We’ll review them properly.” My heart stuttered. “Papa”
“You should sleep too,” he said softly, finding me by the window around midnight. The city glittered below, deceptively peaceful. “I’ll watch them.” “Why are you doin the Ined in study his face in the dim light. “Really?” .
His hand settled on my hips, drawing me closer. “You know why”
ki was surprisingly penale, ale tender. “Sleep, cam. I’ve got you.”
Iler myself believe it.
Can 12
