Page 19 of Princess's Revenge
“Well he was right!”
He puts his hand up to stop me, “Furthermore, ceding the territory would redraw the lines for the first time in decades. He felt that to capitulate would have been a sign of weakness. He was confident the Cassaduchis would not risk war over this.”
“And?” There’s a pregnant pause.
“He was wrong,” the Don says with both his hands out.
Now a feeling of dread consumes me. “And what happened?”
“Youknowwhat happened.” He knocks back his scotch and pours himself another.
They killed my whole family! That’s what happened…you old fuck!I hold my tongue, I don’t say those words, but ask, “Why didn’t you do anything? Why didn’t you retaliate?”
“Andrea, it was the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make. I chose to redraw the lines and keep the peace.”
I explode, “BUT THEY KILLED MY FAMILY!” I find myself on my feet, pacing the length of the balcony, “How could you let them get away with that?”
I get to the railing and look up at the stars. I wonder if they’re up there somewhere, looking down on this travesty.
The Don is suddenly there with a hand on my shoulder, “I did what I did to protect my own family, Andrea. As far as I knew, there were no Lupertazzis left. No good would have come from retaliation. Both families would have been destroyed. Don’t you see that?”
“But they struck first and you didn’t do anything about it!” I feel tears coming and fight them back, “You just laid down like a coward! Did you at least try to make things even?”
He turns me with his hands on my shoulders and a stern glare, “I saved lives! Would you have had me sacrifice my own sons to honor a memory?”
“I would have had you stand your ground and be a man!”
The Don shakes his head and steps away. “Iwouldask—Who the hell you think you are to speak to me this way?But, you are your father’s daughter.”
“All this time…” I’m almost lost for words. “Let me guess—you’ve been making one concession after the next because they know you don’t have the balls to hit them back.”
He grimaces with what looks like shame.
“Our territory must be next to nothing by now! My father’s legacy, his rules, his ethics, his desire to protect his people…all for nothing!”
“What would you have me do, Andrea?” The Don sounds exasperated. That’s because he’s weak!
“I don’t care whatyoudo, but I know what I’m going to do.”
“What?”
“I’m going to take them down. I’m going to put things right. I’m going to redraw the lines.” I turn my back to him. He’s a coward. If I have to do it on my own…so be it. For my father. For Mikey.
“Andrea, what you’re proposing will mean all-out war. Nothing good ever comes from revenge.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
He steps away and takes a breath. We’re both quiet for a moment. He turns back and comes to me, placing his hands on my shoulders once more.
“Andrea, when the time is right, I may be in a position to give you what you want, but that time is not now. I need you to trust me.”
“You haven’t given me one reason to trust you, but youhavegiven me every reason not to.” I pull away from him. “You’re aliar!”
“As a gesture of good faith, for you to trust me, I will trust you. You may come and go as you please. If you choose to stay, then I will give you what you ask…but only when the time is right. Will you trust me, Andrea?”
I consider my answer for a moment before I lie too, “Yes.”
I have to bide my time…for now.