Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 94: Chapter 94

ALINA
I kicked out immediately, landing a blow against Luca's father. He hissed and pushed me away and I went sprawling on the floor.
Pain shot up my arms, and I moaned, frowning up at the man towering over me. “Why the hell would you do that?” I spat at him.
“So not only have you taken over my son's home, but now you feel you can hit me back?” He snapped at me, pulling me off the floor.
I frowned. “You surprised me. I didn't know it was you. Good afternoon, Mr. Marino.” I greeted, shuddering in pain.
I had badly scratched my arm falling on the floor. Luca's dad looked me up and down derisively. “Where’s my son?”
My forehead wrinkled. Luca had a phone, why didn't his father call him directly?
“I'm uncertain, Mr. Marino.” I turned to Lorenzo who was watching the scene, uncertain. “Where is my husband, Lorenzo?”
“He's in a meeting at the office.”
Luca's father frowned. “Inform him that I am coming to his office.”
He turned to me. “I hear that you are keeping Valerie's children in my son's house. She is dead, shouldn't the children go to their father?”
My heart slammed against my chest. He sounded disgusted with me for even daring to have them here. “They're not safe with Riot. He was abusing them.” I informed him bluntly.
Maya and Leo would never step foot in Riot's home again. I turned and walked away from Luca’s father. He jerked me to a stop.
His hand shot out of nowhere and he backhanded me across the face. “How dare you walk away from me?!” He roared with anger.
My face stung as tears stood in them. I blinked, refusing to cry in front of him as my chest thumped.
Looking up, I said in a deadly voice. “I respect you, Mr. Marino, but I warn you, never try that again.”
Lorenzo's eyes widened in shock at the cold words. Luca's father blinked in shock too.
While he was still processing my words, I walked away from him. This time, he let me go.
I felt the tears pour down my face finally. My cheeks were still stinging from the force of his slap. My chest heaved as I cried, but I cleaned my face as I walked into the house.
I knew Luca wasn't home, but suddenly I craved his arms around me. I wanted him to hold me. First, Enzo, then my mother. And now his father.
The day had been really rough. As I stepped into the house, I heard the sound of tears coming from Valerie’s wing of the house.
Luca had interviewed and found two nannies for Maya and Leo. I had been too busy to see them that morning, but now I hurried towards their room.
I found Leo sitting in bath water, licking his feet as he cried for his mother.
The sight made my heart break as the nanny held him tighter, trying to soothe his tears.
“Let me wash him, Megan.” I said softly.
Megan was Leo's nanny. She gave me a worried look and left the bathroom.
I knelt beside Leo, wishing Luca was here. Both the kids loved him.
I took Leo into my arms even though he was wet and hugged him against my chest. I held him until he had stopped sniffling as tears stood in my own eyes.
I wish Valerie had never left the house that morning, my heart breaking for her death.
I lifted Leo from my chest. “Would you like some ice cream?” I asked him.
His blue eyes, so like Valerie’s, crumpled. “No. I want my mommy. Where's my mommy?”
How would I tell a child that he would never see his mother again? I dried my face and sat on the floor. “Your mommy is somewhere safe. We'll see her someday soon.”
The words sounded untrue even to my ears and Leo shook his head. “But I want her now!” He broke into tears again.
I held him tighter, my heart thudding hard against his own banging heart. I sat there, soothing him until he fell asleep.
I walked out of the bathroom and found Maya was already sleeping. I laid her brother beside her and stood watching them for a second.
These two young souls had no one but me. Valerie had left them to me because she believed I could protect them, and I swore I would never fail her.
After putting the children to bed, I reached for my phone. I closed their door gently and walked to my room.
I called Pietro. “Good afternoon, Pietro.”
“Ali. Forgive me for thinking you had forgotten I existed.” He said, sounding mocking.
I laughed. I knew he was joking. “I was only trying to keep you safe. How has it been at Cartier's?”
Cartier was Pietro's daughter. She had birthed a child and Pietro had traveled to see his grandchild.
“My grandson is perfect, but as he can't talk nor walk yet, I think I am ready to return to work.” He sighed in a long, suffering way.
I laughed. “That is perfect, because I have work for you.”
I told him to start court proceedings to adopt Valerie’s children. I wanted them to be mine, no one should be able to take them away from me.
Pietro was silent on the phone. Then he sighed. “Are you certain that's a good idea?”
“I do not care. I am doing what she wanted me to do.” I said.
“Fine then. I'll arrange a meeting with Mr. Campbell.”
Mr. Campbell was our family lawyer. I ended the call and curled into bed, sleeping for an hour.
When I woke, I called Luca but he didn't take the call. There was a knock at the front door and my eyes met the last person I was expecting to see.
It was Analide. I stood, pushing my chair back. I didn't allow her to say a word before I snapped. “What do you want, Analide?”
She hurried to me, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. “Alina, you have to forgive me, I'm so sorry for what I did.”
“You went behind my back to talk to the press. If that story had leaked, you’d be dead to me.” I snapped the words, feeling an explosive anger under my skin.
“I didn't mean to.” She pleaded, taking my hands gently. “I apologize. Please let me make it up to you. I will never do that again.”
Her words made my heart soften and I finally nodded. “Fine. But never try that again.” I warned her.
She nodded enthusiastically. “I am planning a vacation with Mika and Ethan. Do you want to come along? This can be my way of making it up to you.”
I scrunched up my forehead as I thought. A vacation would be nice, but I didn't know if I wanted to go on one with Analide. I didn't trust her completely yet.
She was still watching my face eagerly. I sighed. “Give me a few days to think about it.”