His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 8

Christian looked at the beautiful woman in front of him and observed how she held a conversation with Johnny. To others Isobel seemed close to perfect, she was beautiful to look at, smart, educated, kind— ancould not disagree with that. In the past, Francesca had always been outspoken over how perfect Isobel would be for Christian while ttime got embarrassed by her statements. It had not only been Francesca but a huge majority who had shthoughts, but for Christian that was a no-go. He did not like her in that way and ignored the crush she had developed, but he had no problem whatsoshe threw himself on him and took advantage of her. Despite throwing several hints that he was not lookrelationship, she still came back to him, hoping he would eventually change his mind. “Ian, what’s your take on this?” Marc had asked him. Christian who hadn’t paid any attention to the convhis eyes and shrugged his shoulders. “They’re talking about anime again.” Johnny yawned. The reason why Marc hung around Christian was that he was his personal bodyguard, but for Johnny it wJohnny was Christian’s cousin, his favorite and most normal cousin to be exact, he didn’t have to be his rbut he wanted to be. The two were the same age and had been best friends since they were in diapers. “is the same as Johnny’s yawn, I don’t care,” Christian spoke, leaving Isobel with a disappointed pout on h “While you think about your actions and how they keep on hurting me, I’ll look and see if I can help Emmscoffed and got up from the couch before making her way over to the kitchen. “Pretty sure that had a double meaning.” Marc laughed. Christian wasn’t stupid and felt it too, but there could do about it, it was not his fault that his friends spoke about topics that did not interest him or thatherself to get used by him. His thoughts were interrupted by the notification sound on his phone. Lucio would be returning and as aon top of business, whether it was transport, restaurants, or the clubs. At times even he didn’t know why he let Christian in charge whenever he was out, but besides being a gChristian had something which his other sons did not have. Christian did not have the desire to take oveand that’s why it was given to him. Lucio Lamberti himself had experienced how this business could break a family bond and did notCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

want thhappen to his sons, which was why he chose the person that cared the least. Christian read and didn’t know how to reply. He knew by saying all the girls his dad meant one in particuSerena who was as sick as one could be. He did not know or cared why Lucio had taken an interest in the girl and figured it was due to her being everyone else, but he had seen his dad angry before and everyone was aware Lucio was a man you did nWas all he could type back. “Marc, you know who Serena is right?” Christian asked his friend who immediately nodded his head. “Yeaspilled champagne over Vincenzo and one of your one-night stands? She looks awful by the way, she remwalking corpse.” Marc commented. “Yes…, her,” Christian confirmed, completely leaving out the last statement. After all, she was one of the mnothing special. “I need you to keep a close eye on her until she gets better, I need you to follow her around no matter wand make sure she doesn’t drop dead somewhere,” Christian ordered him. “Is there a reason why uncle is giving her this special treatment because whenever we have meetings he name quite often?” Johnny who had tried his best to follow the conversation asked. “I don’t know and hcare, just don’t want to get him angry,” Christian explained and looked at Marc again, waiting for an answChristian felt bad for knowing Serena felt the need to work in the state she was in, but he knew that somcould not miss their tips especially since they had bills to pay. If Christian could, he would’ve just given thcheck but he thought with his head and knew it might hurt their pride especially if it came from him. Whenever he walked through the hallways and people stopped what they were doing and froze up he fenot want to be feared unless it was necessary but he knew he couldn’t help it, he was aware of his difficumisunderstood personality but his father had told him that in this business and especially as the heir it’s the people you work with fear you. Christian did not fear anyone other than his parents. He feared his father for being powerful and he feareher unwanted comments. Whether it was about which kind of cologne he was wearing or what kind of suwearing, Francesca was always looking for points she could disapprove of. It was hardly that his mother wcompliment him unless it was to brag to her friends about how handsome and

successful all of her childThe eldest, Gio, was twenty-seven years old and feared by many. He was already married and had two daa harsh personality but he was dependable and always took care of everyone. Enzo was twenty-five yearmaker and a ladies’ man but could also be serious and was definitely not someone you could walk all ovStella and Mia. They were nineteen years old and just like Christian, very stubborn but also extremely wisin college. After getting his business degree Christian had no time to rest and was immediately expected to take ovbusiness. It was what all the other families had chosen and most of all, it was what his father had decidedwas right everything would be going to Christian. Christian did not mind and was prepared for this. Ever since a young age, he had experienced how Lucio and his brothers along to important meetings and showed them the downside of this business. Lucio hadeverything his father had once taught him. He prepared them for what they should do to keep the businlet others fear them, how to hold a gun— and how to get rid of someone. Family comes first, regret and your pillows, were the words he spoke afterward while wiping their tears. “I’m going to check up on Isobel, I think you really hurt her feelings. I’m not used to her being this quietannounced and made his way to the kitchen, leaving Johnny and Christian alone. “Are you going to be at the annual family reunion next month?” Johnny asked. As every year Francesca Lorganized a large family get-together. It was meant to be an event so the family could catch up but it truFrancesca to brag about her life and Lucio. Francesca and Lucio had met each other in an old school way. Their parents had arranged a meeting andbut luckily for both sides, they managed to get along. “I don’t know, I’ll see if I can make it.” Christian shrugged, not in the mood for a family reunion. He did nin going considering he had to hear the same questions every single year. “Are you afraid grandpa and grandma are going to ask you for grandchildren again?” Johnny laughed, recousin’s mind while Christian’s cheeks turned red. If there was anyone known to ask uncomfortable questions it would’ve been his grandparents. He loved including his grandfather who throughout the years lost his cold reputation and turned into a kind familydid not change the fact that Christian was not ready for their yearly interrogation.

“I just don’t feel like going,” Christian said to get his cousin off his back, but he knew better and so did Jwasn’t buying it. He chuckled and placed his hand on Christian’s shoulder while he made fun of him. EveChristian couldn’t appreciate people who disrespected him, it someway calmed his heart because he knehim differently because of his status. He had a close, small circle of true friends and cherished them for trhuman being. “Just go to their reunion, with each year you decide to ignore their question, grandpa and grandma are ndeath.” Johnny laughed. It wasn’t supposed to be funny, but to Johnny who laughed at his own jokes a lwas, but Christian was not impressed. Not even his parents could convince him to go, so who was Johnny“The day I’ll show my face at the reunion is the day I’ll become a dad-to-be so they have something to gmeaning, never.