Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 848 : Excited for the Future

*Elio*

It had been two days since everything happened. That first moment we’d heard about Emilia’s kidnapping continued to repeat in my head like a never-ending film. Seeing Cat break down in horrible sobs had been the worst experience of my life, aside from Emilia getting kidnapped, of course.

I knew I couldn’t let that happen again. I knew Cat was right. It was time for us to disappear from the mafia life, to save our baby girl from any more trauma that could arise. I had to save my wife from any more trauma and heartache.

But I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what our life would be like going forward. If I was no longer the Don, who was I? Aside from being a husband and father, who would I become as my own man? These questions, thoughts, and ideas had been haunting me the entire plane ride across the Atlantic as we headed to Italy.

I knew what I was doing now was right, but it was still a hard thing to do to give up everything I had worked so hard to build. What would I begin to build next–a life from scratch?

“Elio, are you all right?”

I heard Cat’s voice breaking through my thoughts.

I’d turned toward her, pressing my lips softly against her temple. “Of course.”

“We’re almost to Al’s place,” she replied before turning her head back to the car window.

Al had sent an SUV to pick us up from the airport. My eyes peered out the same window that had held her gaze. Italy was so beautiful. I’d almost forgotten the beauty of it all as I took in the scenery passing us by.

Cat and I had decided it was time to visit Alessandro to tell him my news in person. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how he was going to take it, if he’d be angry and not agree with my decision or if he’d understand and be supportive.

After all, he was a rather strong, opinionated person. I could see it going either way. Regardless of how he took it, I knew it wouldn’t change my mind. I was doing this for my family. It was what had to be done.

We brought Matilde with us to help with Emilia. She had been more than happy to accompany us to Italy. I also thought it made her feel better staying close to Emilia after everything that had happened. I wasn’t sure whether she was still blaming herself, regardless of how much Cat and I had tried to tell her it wasn’t her fault.

It had been a good twenty or so minutes before we finally arrived at our destination. We all had gotten out of the car, staring at Al’s complex. It was like stepping out of a time machine. It all looked the same as when we’d last visited.

I knew this used to be my parents’ complex when they lived in Italy. We were back to where it had all started for my life, back where my parents had decided to leave the mafia. It seemed fitting that this was where we would come to officially end it as well.

I took a deep breath before being the first one to step forward. Cat followed with Emilia in her arms, catching up to walk beside me, Matilde staying close behind us.

We saw Al waiting for us behind the gate. “Welcome! Welcome!”

I grabbed a few bags of luggage from the driver to carry in with us while he went back for the rest. I’d tried to tell Cat to pack light, but of course, she wasn’t satisfied until she’d zipped her fourth suitcase. She claimed most of it was for Emilia. I had nodded my head, pretending to believe her as I’d kissed her cute, smiling face.

Al led us to his guest house first to drop off our luggage and get settled before the meeting with him in the main house. Matilde went along with Al, leaving only Cat, Emilia, and me inside the guesthouse. Cat went into the bathroom to splash some water on her face and freshen up before the three of us headed to the meeting.

“Do you think he’ll be angry?” Cat asked, closing the door to the guesthouse behind us.

“I think he’ll be shocked,” I admitted.

“Do you think he’ll try to get you to change your mind?” she asked, clearly nervous.

I placed my arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to me as we made the walk over to the main house.

“I’m not sure, Cat, but I do know that nothing he says will ever make me reconsider my decision. We’re getting out, okay? I promise.” I kissed her to reassure her that I was doing this for us, for our family.

She nodded, seeming to be satisfied with my answer. A few short moments later, Al greeted us as we entered the main house. Matilde was sitting on one of the sofas with a glass of water.

“It is so good to see you both,” Al said, gesturing for us to join him and Matilde.

“It’s great to see you as well, Al,” I replied, taking a seat next to Cat.

“Dinner should be ready in about an hour or so,” Al informed us. “And Mia should be here any minute. She is really looking forward to seeing you again, Cat.”

“Oh! That’s great! I was wondering where she was,” Cat replied, excitedly.

“She just had to step out for a little while, but said she’d be back before dinner,” Al said.

There was a bit more small talk among us, Emilia being the center of attention until Mia arrived.

“Cat! You’re here!” Mia exclaimed, rushing in for a hug.

Cat stood up with Emilia resting on her hip. I couldn’t help but stare at my gorgeous wife in such a typical mother’s stance. Motherhood looked so good on Cat.

“Come, come. I have so much tea to spill! We’ll leave the men to their business,” Mia said, stealing Cat away.

Cat looked back at me and I nodded my head, letting her know I’d be all right on my own. Matilde scooped up Emilia from Cat’s arms and followed them.

“Well, I guess that’s our cue,” Al chuckled when we were alone. “Care for a drink?”

“I’d love one,” I replied, getting to my feet.

Al led the way to his office and I had to admit, I was feeling slightly nervous about telling him my news, whether it was because I was unsure of how he’d react or because once I said it out loud to him, it would feel more final, more real.

Once we were inside, he gestured for me to sit on the brown leather sofa while he grabbed us two glasses halfway filled with the finest scotch. It warmed my throat going down.

“I’ve been meaning to congratulate you on ending Junior’s reign of terror. You finally took him out. I’m proud of you,” Al said, taking a swig of his scotch.

“Thank you, Al. It had taken longer than it should have, but it was a sweet victory,” I agreed.

“He was a son of a bitch, wasn’t he?” Al chuckled, emptying his glass. “I’m sure Cat feels a lot better now that he’s dead.”

I knew I’d be lying if I said yes. Even though she did feel better now that he could no longer hurt her or Emilia, it still didn’t erase all the trauma she now had to live with because of him, the trauma I would help her heal once we were completely out of the mafia.

“She’s relieved, to be sure,” was all I replied.

Al filled his glass up with more amber liquid before topping mine off as well. “I have to ask, Elio. Is there a reason you’ve come all the way here on such short notice?”

“There is, Al,” I said, setting my glass down on the thickly lacquered wooden side table. “I’m stepping down as the Don.”

It took Al a few silent moments before he spoke again. “Stepping down? Why? You’ve done such an amazing job as the Don. I was just telling Mia how proud I was of the Don you’d become.”

“As much as I appreciate you saying that, it’s what’s best for my family,” I replied.

“Come on, Elio. I know you all had a scare, but that’s what this life entails, right?” he said, clearly still in shock.

“It is. You’re right, Al, but things change. I was kidnapped when I was a baby, and now that my own daughter has been kidnapped, I just can’t take any more risks. I won’t risk her life or my wife’s just to stay in this life,” I told him, trying to make him understand.

Al nodded, processing everything. “I understand, Elio. I do. I don’t like it. And I think it’s a shame to lose you as the Don, but I understand.”

A silent wave of relief washed over me.

“Do you know what you’re going to do next?” he asked, draining the liquid from his glass.

I took a sharp breath in before exhaling all at once. “I’m working on it.”

“It can be tough leaving the mafia, Elio,” he said. “For so long, your whole identity was the Don. Trying to find somewhere else you belong, trying to find a new identity, can be hard.”

He wasn’t wrong, but I really didn’t want to get into that with him right now. As much as I loved being in the mafia, I had to admit that I loved my family more. And it was time to start putting them first.

“We’ll make it work. I love my wife, and I love being a father to my beautiful baby girl. We will certainly never be short on happiness,” I assured him.

“Yeah, I can see that,” he agreed, smiling.

I nodded, finishing my own glass. I felt satisfied with the words I had just spoken because they were true. Cat and I loved each other to the bone. Nothing could ever come between us, and having our daughter made us even stronger. No matter what came next or where we went next, I know for certain that we will continue living a happy life together.

“Well, now that you are stepping down, have you decided on a new Don?” Al asked.

We hadn’t technically decided on a new Don yet, but I knew exactly who I wanted to take my place.

“I haven’t asked him yet,” I told him with a smile. “But I know who I want to take my place.”

Before another word could be spoken, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Al told them.

Mia and Cat walked in.

“Dinner is ready, darling,” Mia told Al.

Al stood up and walked over to his wife. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

He and Mia walked ahead of Cat and me back toward the dining room. He had his arm around her waist and they were talking among themselves.

“How did it go?” Cat whispered.

“Everything is good,” I assured her. “I’ll give you more details tonight when we’re back in the guesthouse.”

She smiled, looking relieved. “I love you, Elio.”

I returned her contagious smile. “I love you, Cat, both you and Emilia, always.”

She hugged me tightly, stealing a kiss before we walked into the dining room. Matilde and Emilia were already sitting at the table, with Emilia in a high chair. Her cute little face lit up when she saw Cat and me.

I walked over to her, kissing the top of her head as I sat down in the seat next to her. Cat sat beside me and I rested my hand on her thigh underneath the table. As long as I had my girls with me, I knew I would always be a happy man.

Dinner was served and we all had a great time talking and laughing with one another. It had felt like the end of an era was being celebrated, and I had to admit I didn’t hate it. I’d accomplished so much in my life thus far. I was excited to see where it would take me next... where it would take my family next.