Act like my wife

21. The heir

Patrizio's point of view

After a thousand missed calls, Veronica finally picked up. "What?!" Was the first thing she yelled over the phone.

"Mia Vera, come on, I was worried sick about you. Doyle said you were rushed to the hospital and that you met with the doctor. What did the doctor say?"

There was a hesitation from the other end before she answered. "Nothing much, just that I'm a little stressed. I am fine, don't worry." Her tone of voice didn't sit right with me.

"Are you sure, Mia Ve-"

"I said I'm fine! Leave me alone, Patrizio. Go back to enjoying your little vacation in Italy, isn't that why you sent me far away from you? So you can have the time to do as you please"

"What are you saying-?"

"You are Geraldo all over again. Why do I keep attracting men like you?"  She sniffled. "I'm so done with you right now... I'm leaving"

"No! Vera, per favore-"

"I don't want to listen to your bullshit! I don't want to talk to you! You're just a criminal and I don't want my baby associated with that world"

"What baby?"

"Uh..." She hesitated. "I meant Bella". She answered with a shaky voice.

"Vera, please don't say that to me. I am not a criminal, I am a businessman, I swear to you. The only reason people refer to me as Don is because of my father. Please don't go." I took a moment to breathe. "Okay fine, I'll tell you why I came to Italy, my mother threaten to hurt you if I don't come along... 1 promise you, I don't want anything bad to happen to you. The initiation is only a few days away, then I will become a full-fledged member of the mafioso just like they want. Please believe me"

She stayed silent for a second, then she spoke. "I had no idea. I'm sorry for yelling at you. But I can take care of myself. I want to go home to see my family, please Patrizio, let me go"

How could she say this to me when all I've wanted was for her to be happy?  "Fine, just be careful."

"Thank you. Have a nice life". She returned.

"You too, Vera"

She hung up. I just couldn't believe what happened, how can I protect her if she is out of reach?

I dialed another number and the person picked up. "Doyle, have someone follow Veronica and make sure she is safe"

"Yes boss"

***

The day of the initiation arrived faster than I had hoped. The quest to find out about Geraldo's connection to Gina had failed woefully. He was one of my trusted men, but when he made the mistake that cost him his life, that was when I confirmed his untrustworthiness. It's a shame he's not alive to explain himself. Why would he steal Gina's baby? Maybe there is one person I know who can answer this question...

I barged into the conference room where about twenty members of the mafioso were gathered. They all turned their heads in my direction as soon as I walked in.

My father walked up to me, a look of pride in his eyes. "The man of the hours has arrived." He placed his hand on my shoulder and faced the rest of them. "Tonight, we shall welcome him to share one covenant with us, tonight, he shall become my heir."

They each applauded with huge smiles on their faces. My eyes darted around the group until I set my eyes on Felicia. She wore a bright smile and a purple flute dress, her blonde hair was styled into an updo. She raised a glass at me and I slightly nodded my head in response.