Page 53 of His Son's Ex

“I’ll behave,” she promises, though the mischievous glint in her eye belies the saintly tone. “We’ll have a nice family meal. You, me, and your Eva. If Luca and the rest decide to show up, so be it.”

A low growl escapes my throat. “Luca’s been a problem in his own right.”

She waves that off too. “He’s all bark right now. Let him sulk. If he decides to confront your new girlfriend, well, it doesn’t sound like Eva’s the type to roll over.”

A small smile tugs at my lips. “Far from it. She doesn’t tolerate nonsense. That’s one of the reasons I—” I catch myself before finishing the sentence.

One of the reasons I love her.The words stay locked in my throat.

My mother’s gaze sharpens, missing nothing. She simply says, “Hmm, indeed.” She doesn’t press any further. Instead, she merely folds her hands in her lap before changing the subject. “So, we have a plan, yes? I’ll meet with Vito, see if I can’t talk some sense into him before you blow him off the map. And you’ll bring Eva to meet me. The rest, we handle as it comes.”

I nod, though my jaw still aches from clenching my teeth due to pent-up anger. “Yes. Thank you, Mother.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You know how these things can go. The Lombardi’s have never been rational.”

I allow a slight chuckle. “True. But I’ll handle it.”

She stands and pats my cheek—an uncharacteristically affectionate gesture. “Of course you will. You’re my son, after all. Just remember to keep a clear head. We can’t let old feuds cost us everything we’ve built.”

I stand up as well. “I’ll keep a clear head.” In the back of my mind, though, I feel the vow I made to myself simmering. One more move—if they hurt me again, if they threaten Eva, if they so much as breathe wrong in her direction—I’ll show them exactly what I’m capable of.

As if sensing the violent thoughts swirling in my head, she rests a hand on my arm. “Dante, you do realize your father and I once said the same about the Petrovs. It led to tragedy.” A flash of remorse crosses her features. It’s rare to see her unsettled. “What happened with the Petrovs, let’s just say I carry those choices with me every day.”

I level her with a steady look. “We both do.”

She breaks eye contact. “Enough. We must be smarter now. And you must think of Eva, the promise you made to her.”

My heart lurches at the mention of Eva’s name. “I am. That’s why I won’t let the Lombardis run unchecked.”

“Then we’re settled. I’ll arrange a meeting, see if old Vito is open to reason. You do your part—keep the violence on hold for now.”

A muscle in my jaw twitches. “Fine. But if he’s not open to reason?—”

Her smile is thin, knowing. “Then we proceed with a heavier hand. But not yet.”

I breathe deep, reining in my impulses. “Not yet,” I echo.

For a few moments, we stand in silence. Finally, I run a hand through my hair, my gaze drifting to the ornate grandfather clock in the corner. The conversation’s drained me.

She picks up her teacup again, gesturing for the staff member to refill it. “Stay for dinner?”

I shake my head. “I have a prior engagement with Eva.”

Her eyes glint. “As I said, invite her next time. I’d like to see this woman for myself.”

I resist the urge to sigh. “I will. Soon.”

“Good.” She sits back down with the posture of a queen and waves me off. “Go, then. And Dante?”

I pause, halfway to the door, glancing back. “Yes?”

A rare softness in her expression. “Don’t lose yourself in anger. Remember, sometimes we catch more flies with honey.”

I smile softly. “My jar of honey’s run out, but I’ll see if I can scrounge some up.”

She smirks, lifting the teacup to her lips. “Just don’t forget your stinger if that fails.”

As I exit the estate, a swirl of conflicting emotions tangles in my chest. The Lombardi’s have forced my hand more than once nowand I’m tired of playing nice. I know my mother is right—I need to wait for her to sit down with Vito before making a move.