Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT THE MAFIA BOSS BROKE DOWN
Dante Moretti was a man who rarely showed emotion.
He could sit through difficult meetings without changing expression.
He could hear bad news and remain perfectly still.
But that night, I found him alone in Isabella's nursery.
He was sitting in the rocking chair.
Luca slept against his chest.
I stopped in the doorway.
"Are you okay?"
Dante looked up.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered:
"I failed her."
I stepped inside.
"Isabella?"
He nodded.
"She told me she was frightened."
His voice cracked.
"I thought she was overwhelmed. She was pregnant. She was dealing with her father. I told her I'd handle everything."
He looked down at Luca.
"And then she died."
I sat beside him.
"You didn't know."
Dante shook his head.
"I should have listened."
His eyes filled.
"I should have taken her seriously."
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Luca stirred.
He opened his eyes.
Saw me.
And reached out.
Dante gave a broken laugh.
"Of course."
I took the baby.
He settled against my shoulder.
Dante watched us.
"He has her eyes."
I smiled sadly.
"He has yours too."
Dante looked away.
Then he whispered:
"I don't know how to raise him without her."
My chest tightened.
"You don't have to know everything."
He looked at me.
"Just love him."
For the first time since meeting him, Dante Moretti cried.
Quietly.
May you like
Without trying to hide it.
And I understood that beneath the dangerous reputation was a father terrified of losing the last piece of his wife.
