Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
All three men stare at me, waiting for me to go on.
“At first, I was not certain. Elizabeth Hudson was deemed to be his birth mother. That was the declaration made by IVI, which you can confirm through the Tribunal’s records.”
“Yes, we are aware,” Guillory replies. “But there was never a DNA test. We took Enzo’s word as a Sovereign Son. Of course, that was before his incarceration for the murder of his brother. Are you telling us you believe this nanny of yours to be his rightful mother?”
“Yes.” It physically hurts to admit after my assumption that Natalia was deranged for believing so. “She only recently informed me that she is. She told me that Enzo had attacked her. He forced himself on her, and Nino was the result of that encounter. When Enzo found out, he tortured her and left her for dead so he could take the baby.”
The room falls silent for a long moment while they consider my words. It’s a serious accusation against Enzo, but that isn’t my concern. I am concerned that Natalia has no ties to IVI, and they won’t want this to get out.
“Do you believe that he is capable of the things she accused him of?” Guillory asks.
I lower my gaze to the floor, ashamed that it took me so long to see who he really is. “The truth is undeniably slashed into her skin.”
“And yet…” He taps his pen against the wooden desk before him. “You came to this Tribunal many times over the years, declaring that we’d gotten the details wrong in his case. You told us it was implausible, unthinkable, that he could commit such a heinous crime. You denied that he would ever assault his brother’s wife. You laid blame on his brother for starting the altercation that led to his death. You denied that you’d ever known Enzo to be violent in general.”
“I am aware.” I cringe at the reminder. “I will admit I was blinded by my loyalty to him. He was a lifelong friend, and I had never witnessed any indication of his disposition for violence. Those blinders have been removed now, and I can see things for what they are. All I can do is apologize for wasting your time and ask for your forgiveness on that matter.”
There’s another long pause, and the three Councilors speak quietly amongst themselves before returning their attention to me.
“It is an unfortunate circumstance if Gwendolyn perished during her attempt to veil the truth of her son’s nature. However, this court believes our time is better served pursuing other matters. Despite your dark family history and the stain on your father’s name, you are a well-respected member of this community, Scarcello. On the matter of Nino Marcone, we find that you are fully capable of providing for him and ensuring his safety, as you have done for the last four years. We will not be reviewing the case Enzo has brought forth, and from this day forward, we will grant you full legal custody of the child if that is your wish.”
“It is my wish,” I reply gruffly. “Thank you, Councilors.”
“However.” Guillory holds up a finger. “There is a problem we must discuss, and that is the matter of the nanny.”
“I understand,” I grit out.
“It is this court’s understanding that by your own admission, she infiltrated your household under the guise of being a nanny when in truth, she is the child’s mother. She has no ties to IVI, no loyalty to prevent this from becoming an outside problem, and while we are sympathetic to her plight, this is a glaring issue.”
“I take full responsibility for her,” I tell them. “She doesn’t mean to cause harm to The Society. She simply wants to be close to her son.”
“That’s admirable of you,” Guillory replies coldly. “But we need more.”
“Such as?”
“Pending the results of the DNA test, we have prepared three viable options.” He glances between his fellow Councilors. “The first is that she will enter The Society and marry an eligible member from the lower echelon.”
“No.” My nostrils flare. “Absolutely not.”
“The second,” Guillory goes on as if I didn’t speak. “Is that she will marry you if you are partial to her.”
Heat crawls up the base of my neck as I shake my head. “I have already made it known I have no intentions to marry.”
“Then you have one other option,” Guillory says.
“Which is?”
His face is stoic as he delivers the blow. “You can kill her.”
24
Alessio
I’m pulling into the driveway when the email I’ve been waiting for finally comes through. There’s a note from the doctor telling me to let him know if I need anything else. Attached is a PDF of the results.
I turn off the ignition and stare at it for a moment. Selfishly, there’s still a part of me that wishes it weren’t true. It would be so much easier if it weren’t, but when I open it, the confirmation is undeniable. Natalia is Nino’s mother. Everything she told me on the boat was true, and I’m a goddamned asshole.