The Surrender of the Twin Dons Chapter 10

The Surrender of the Twin Dons Chapter 10

## Luciana’s pov

The day everything fell apart, Salvatore swore his oath before every member of the family—right there in the estate gardens.

So during my hospital stay, neither Salvatore nor Vincenzo showed up at my ward once.

The day I was discharged, one of Salvatore’s capos came to see me.

“Miss Neri. Don Rizzo instructed me—anything reasonable you might require will be provided to you without hesitation.”

I looked at the composed Italian man, keeping my tone steady and unwavering’I want a sum of money. And I want to study abroad.”

My family was a mess. Two older sisters had dropped out young to work. My brother was the family’s golden child. I wanted to give my sisters something—a chance at a better life.

“Funds have been arranged. Regarding your studies—any preference for country or university?”

I gave a slight nod. “Thank Don Rizzo for me.”

The Capo stood, hesitated, then asked, “Miss Neri… is there any message you’d like delivered to Don Rizzo?”

I lowered my gaze to my thin wrist.

Girls like me were nothing to Mafia families. Interchangeable playthings.

Maybe Salvatore had felt something real.

But against family interests, real feelings were worthless.

I shook my head. “There is.”

A flicker of quiet hope crossed the capo’s features.

I looked up and offered a faint smile. “Please tell Don Rizzo… I wish him safety and peace for the rest of his life.”

The Capo blinked, clearly thrown. “Nothing else?”

But I’d already settled back against the pillows and closed my eyes.

He didn’t press. Turned and left.

Outside the hospital, I spotted Salvatore’s car.

Parked beneath a plane tree, windows tinted and shut.

I couldn’t see who was inside.

But he could see me.

True to his word, he stayed put. Didn’t approach.

And I didn’t look back.

Before boarding, my phone buzzed with a message from Salvatore.

I opened it.

It was a letter.

“I sat motionless in the back seat.”

Watched her walk away, step by step.

Until she vanished into the crowd.

My Capo asked, carefully, if I wanted to stop her—if I didn’t, it’d be too late.

I waved him off.

The car merged into traffic.

I leaned back, shut my eyes.

In the gentle sway, sleepless for days, I drifted back to that night.

Vincenzo’s bet—I’d known about it beforehand.

That’s why I disregarded all family protocol and attended that shameful, debauched gathering. I broke the rules once, just to gamble against my own brother.

I couldn’t watch you—innocent, unaware—be handed over like a chip.

That night… I hadn’t planned on touching you.

But you hugged me.

Pressed your cheek against my chest, trusting.

Said I smelled good.

I couldn’t help it. I kissed you.

And you didn’t pull away. Kissed me back, clumsy and sweet.

At that moment, desire won over reason.

I thought—just once. Just borrow Vincenzo’s name. Have her, once.

But some things, once touched, become addictions.

Once wasn’t enough. I wanted forever.

I lost control.

Seeing Vincenzo snap at you.

Hearing him say he’d take you upstairs to ‘tend to you’ himself.

The last thread inside me snapped.

I thought—then let’s burn it all down.

Even if, in the end, you sentenced me to death.

But I never imagined…

You would sever every tie between us so utterly and irreversibly.

You said you never wanted to see me again.

Luciana—clever girl that you are—you know exactly who ‘she’ is.

I’m not asking for forgiveness. Only that you know… I never saw you as a bargaining chip.

I would surrender every ounce of power and territory I own just to hear you call me ‘Babe’ of your own free will one more time.

Luciana… though you never want to see me again… I still need to say it.

Goodbye.”