Sold To the Grizzly Don (Alcee and Bruno) novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

An hour later and Bastiano and Tito were escorting Raniero and Cianna into the apartment and the tears which the little family shed together earlier were long gone. They were sitting composed, in the living room, on the sofa with Antero sitting between them.

Brunella, Cicciu and Lorita were sitting on a loveseat set perpendicular to the sofa.

Raniero’s eyes narrowed on the group as he was led into the space. “What is going on?”

“Family meeting,” Torq said coolly and pointed to the chairs set up for him and Cianna. “Take a seat.”

“This feels more like an ambush than a meeting.” Raniero said bluntly.

“It’s the way it is with him.” Cianna spit out angrily,

“You will do well to watch your tongue, Cianna. I put up with a lot of your shit last night at dinner because won’t make again. Sit the fuck down, shut your goddamned mouth and listen for a change.”

of

the situation.

It

was a

mistake

“Torq,” Raniero’s voice deepened at the insult to his mother.

“Sit your ass down, Raniero, now. We still haven’t fully addressed the situation with you and your comments last night either.”

Raniero looked to Bastiano who made a bold move and went to stand behind the sofa where Alcee, Torq and Antero sat and stood tall next to

Tito.

“Is this how it is?” Raniero asked Bastiano with a crack in his voice. “You stayed out all night and come home to bring me to this ambush and then you stand there.”

“The fact you see this as a divide,” Torq spoke before Bastiano could, “is a problem, Raniero. This family, swears loyalty to it’s Don. It is a family built on tradition, strength of leadership and loyalty but also one of respect for the head of the family. You sitting there,” he pointed to where Raniero was seated next to his mother, “is a direct result of you creating as situation where there are sides in my family. I will tolerate anyone taking sides in my family. It is my side or no side.”

Raniero looked away, his eyes staring at a spot on the wall. “I am your brother.”

“Yes, you are my brother, which means, I expect more from you. You, as my brother, should know how much I value loyalty. I allowed you entrance to my life when my own grandfather cautioned me against it because he felt it was too risky. He swore more than once you would betray me because you didn’t only have the blood of one betrayer in your veins but of two betrayers.”

Raniero bristled.

“I love you. You are my brother,” Torq continued. “From the moment my grandfather told me who you were, I wanted you to be part of our family. I went against his wishes to do so. I convinced him, you would not be like Corrado, or your mother and you would be loyal to this family. When you fell in love with Bastiano, I was convinced it meant you were part of this family, and your loyalty would be unwavering. I supported your love. When my grandfather argued with me before his death I was inviting trouble into the house of Lozano, I argued I knew your heart was good. It is good.” Torq leaned forward his hands resting on his knees. “I know your heart is good. I know you love me, and you love the man you would wish to be your husband. What I don’t know, and I am now second–guessing, is whether you love this family, the Lozano family. The family I fought your whole life to make you part of you do not appreciate. You do not respect.”

“This is bullshit.”

“Shut the fuck up Cianna or I will end you right here, right now and my son will be given first row seats to what happens to anyone who disrespects his name. The Lozano name.”

Cianna blinked at the cold rage coming from Torq. He motioned to Alcee to put the headphones on Antero. When he knew they were working he continued.

“I gave you space because you are his mother,” he motioned to Raniero, “but it is clear it is a mistake. You do not appreciate the opportunity you were given. You think because I value him, you deserve recognition and value of your own. You forget, Cianna, what you did. You forget we all know how my father told you point blank it was over. You forget he told you he did not wish to be with you anymore because he was going to do what was ordered by his father and be the family man. He was going to settle down and do what was right. He married my mother. Instead of abiding by this, you wanted his wealth and part of his power. You hounded him at every turn. You showed up uninvited like a fucking parasite to places you should never have been. You put yourself in his car naked and he threw you out the first three times. You showed up to a suit fitting and accosted him in a dressing room. You insulted and belittled my mother in social circles. It was only after you flung yourself at him for months and months and months did his dedication waver. My mother who was pregnant with me and feeling horrible bouts of morning sickness

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Chapter 144

and his stupid libido being unsatisfied did he weaken and give into you. Then you blackmailed him. He lost everything because of you, and he foolishly let his pride and arrogance win. Instead of admitting he was weak, he professed some kind of love for you we all know he never felt to explain his weakness. He used an excuse, but we all know it wasn’t love.”

“He loved me.”

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