•OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA•

Julia's POV

I should've stayed sober.

"Are you okay, tesoro?"

I gripped the chipped wooden table until the veins in my hand popped up like daisies and I passed deep breaths in and out of my mouth.

"I'm f-fine." —I shakily reached for my glass, nearly knocking it over—, "You just aren't who I expected to meet today."

"I apologize for not making contact sooner. I feel as though I know you deeply and you are only just realizing my existence."

Oh trust me, I've known about you for a while. Doesn't mean I was ready to meet you.

"Oh, how comforting." I stammered as my breathing finally steadied.

A weighted silence passed between us as Mancini carefully studied me.

"Dio mio. You remind me so much of Lucia, my daughter." He finally spoke.

I inhaled a weary sigh and I held my hands out as if that would stop reality.

"Yeah. No disrespect Mr. Man—"

"Don." He firmly corrected.

"Don Mancini. No disrespect, but why are you here?"

"Here as in...?" Mancini asked, being purposefully dense.

"Right here in front of me. Why did you come?"

"Let's just say I'm keeping a promise to a friend."

"You're going to have to better than that. How'd you even find me?" I folded my arms as my eyes followed the waitress returning with two glasses of lemon water.

"Don't tell me you have forgotten how powerful a Don's connections can be? Or has your time away from Adrian already worn off."

My gaze darkened instantly.

"We're done here."

I forced the heel of my palm into the table and shot to my feet. As I slung my purse over my shoulder and pivoted, I ran smack into a large chest wearing a crisp black button down.

My eyes drifted upward to meet the stony expressionless eyes of one of Mancini's men who obviously had no intention of letting me pass.  

Mancini, who coolly sipped his water, stretched out a hand inviting me to return to my seat. 

"Siediti. Per favore."

My gaze rallied between Mancini and the buff 6'11 guard. Impatience harshly tied the room together as another one of his other men stood, daring me to make a wrong move.

I wasn't stupid—at least not stupid enough to go toe-to-toe with two or more of a Don's muscle. With one last glare to each of the black-shirted men, I slid back down to the chair.

"I'm a friendly, tolerant man, but don't give me a reason, tesoro; and don't ever get up when I'm speaking. Ever."

"What is it that you want from me?" I asked in a low tone.

"I'd like to talk. Especially since we're family."

"What?"

"Such a shame. All that time wasted with Maniscalco." —Mancini scoffed—, "Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps."

I stared back quietly.

"About a year before his death your father decided he wanted out of this life, so he asked for my help.

"My father would never do that. His loyalty was complete toward Franco." I firmly spoke up.

"La disperazione può far fare a una persona cose sorprendenti."

I repressed the urge to argue as his words pricked at the reality I knew all too well.

"Unfortunately, you don't simply get out of this business. Once a part of the family, the family becomes a part of you—it is who you are. To leave is to...how they say suicidarsi."

Mancini twirled his ruby ring around his finger before clasping his hands together and continuing, "Your father  proved to be a brave and intelligent man. Without a doubt, he was one of the best financial advisors I have come into contact with. Like myself, he's seen what this life can give—and what it can take. He already lost your mother, he did not want to lose you too."

"Why are you telling me this?" I struggled to remain stone-faced.

"Because I need your trust. I need you to understand my position. I am here to help you."

"So let me get this straight. My father wanted out of the mafia and he came to you, head of another family to help? Then, asked you to watch over me—help me out and keep me out of trouble, yeah?"

"At its core I suppose you could phrase it like that."

I was solemn for a bit before leaning back and smugly crossing my arms over my chest.

"I don't believe you."

"No? I have no reason to lie, Julia."

"You men don't need a reason." I spat as my lip curled.

Mancini chuckled with undertones that let me know I was pushing it.

"Well listen. That'll change in time—with trust. For now, I have a promise to fulfill, so I'm going to share and I'd like for you to do the same."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Everyone has a choice, Julia. But, in this instance, no it is not optional."

~~~~

"So he is going to train Nicolai. I knew he would, but I guess I just...didn't think it'd be this soon."

"I advised him to wait."

"'Advising ' Adrian of anything is futile. You might as well be speaking to the wall." I voiced as I rested my head in the palm of my hand.

"Listen Julia. Despite what you think, I want what is best for you and for your boy."

Me and Mancini's eyes locked and I couldn't help recognize the sincerity encompassing his irises.

"Can I ask something?" I finally snatched my stare away; averting my sight to the brighter day outside. 

"Certo."

"Why did you shoot Stefano?"

"I don't see how that concerns you, little one."

"Seeing as how I was living with them at the time; it absolutely concerns me. You put his family, me and Nicolai in danger. What if we were caught in the cross fire?"

"Allow me to share something with you. I am a business man, but I have a heart; and I count myself as one of the most human out of all the monsters in this life. You and your son were not in any danger that day. Andres and I made sure of that. 

The steady beats of my heart skipped. 

"Wait. You and A-Andres...what?"

"Mancini smiled gently while standing and holding out his hand."

"Venire.  Abbiamo molto di cui discutere."