62

Luciano

"What?" I snapped, not believing a word he said.

My father sighed and raked his fingers through his hair.

"Count this as my final gift to you. I'm giving you a choice—the mafia or your family?"

"This is another one of your ultimatums, huh?" I asked.

"It's the final one," he smiled bitterly.

"W—Why are you doing any of this? What made you change your mind?"

He sighed. "Honestly, I never really wanted this life too."

My eyebrows raised in inquiry. He never wanted this life? He's the very last person on Earth I would imagine not enjoying the mafia scene.

"It is what my father taught me—the mafia always comes first. Everything else is only in second place. I instilled that quote in my mind, and even now, I still believe in that mindset."

"So, you want this life after all?" I asked.

"I didn't want it at first," he said. "But I've become used to it. There are a lot of things and people I've sacrificed because of that belief, and frankly, I'm way too deep into this li