the throne lay at the hands of this woman and my heart sinks with every step taken.
She leads me to her office, a pretty room overlooking the garden, and points to the seat in front of her desk.
“Sit, we have much to discuss.”
I do as she says because she will have the answers I need and look at her expectantly as she fixes me with a disapproving look.
“We have decided that you are no longer required to take your place at the head of this family. You are free to return to your new life, on one condition.”
I just stare at her in shock because I was not expecting this. She leans forward and says in a hard voice. “You will return for one weekend every month to visit. You will not sever ties with us because we are your family whether you like it or not.”
A cold feeling grips me as I fear the worst and say harshly, “And Sophia?”
“Has been returned to her family. There will be no arrangement and no marriage, the deal is off the table.”
I almost can’t register what she’s saying and say angrily, “What do you mean she’s gone, where?”
“Calm down, Lorenzo, remember who you are talking to. Now, this is how it will be. Lucian has agreed to step up and lead the family with Romeo and Dante as his joint seconds in command. You will always be a part of this family, but not in the business. Sophia has been returned to her brother because their business is no longer any concern of ours.”
She leans back and I see the ruthless glint in the eye of a woman who always puts her family first. “You have what you wanted, now go and pack your bags, you leave immediately.”
“Not until you tell me where Sophia is.”
“I’ve told you, back with her family where she belongs. You see, Lorenzo, you were two of a kind. Both unhappy with the lives fate dealt them and looking to escape. You found yourselves thrust together and sought comfort in one another’s arms. You cannot build a future on that, so we are giving you both time to readjust to the situation. Sophia is safe and free to decide her own future and so are you. You both have what you want, Lucian has what he wants and I’m working on the other two.”
She smiles so sweetly it’s in direct contrast to the woman who just told me to leave and I’m surprised to see a tear edge down the crease in the corner of her eye as she says softly, “If yours is true love, then it will bring you back to each other. Distance will create meaning and if you are meant to be together, you will be. I always wanted the best for you; you must believe that. If you are happy, I am happy and being here was not the answer. You need to find the man inside you before you can care for a woman. This is our final offer and is non-negotiable. If you sign the papers that release you from the family business, you can only return as an inactive family member. It’s your choice but know you are always welcome here, which is why I must insist you visit.”
She takes the envelope that I retrieved from her attorney and pushes a sheaf of papers across the desk and holds out a pen. “Sign your life away, Lorenzo, and go and find a new one. Just make sure that you’re happy because if you find it’s not what you thought it would be, there is no going back.”
It’s strange, but as my grandmother offers me my freedom, it leaves an empty feeling in my heart. This is it; I’ve won. I’m finally free—then why does it feel so empty?
She smiles with a sadness that tells me how hard this was for her and as I take the pen, I almost feel her willing me to snap it in half. But I don’t. I sign my name on the dotted line for the last time. Lorenzo Romano and stand up to leave as Maverick.
As I kiss my grandmother goodbye, I take a moment to relish my victory, but it’s a hollow one. I’m leaving my home as one person, but that means shit when I leave alone.
As the black car drives me to the airport, I call Sophia for the entire journey. There is no answer and I must leave a thousand