Empire rachel van dyken

my father wished it.

I did what I had thought best.

I had been young.

Stupid.

Completely hell-bent on following through with my father’s wishes, unaware that by following through with his instructions, I’d break one of the strongest crime families that ever existed, allowing the Abandonatos to take their rightful place.

Not that I was bitter.

The Abandonatos were better being the leaders of the Cosa Nostra in the United States.

Just like the Campisis were best at running things overseas, and making sure every family was kept in check.

I patted the inside of my jacket, my old fingers fumbling with the letter from Luca, his dying wishes.

For me to find his children.

And establish them within the Family.

But I had to wonder.

By doing what he asked — would I push my family further away? Because a dead man’s wish… was a fickle thing. A slippery slope.

And if things went correctly….

I sighed again as I eyed the black Mercedes waiting.

Sergio.

The first chess pieces had already been moved.

Now. I would wait.

“Oh, Luca,” I whispered. “I wish you were here. I do need your guidance, more than ever.”

The breeze picked up, whipping a newspaper around my legs. I kicked it off and made my way over to the waiting car.

Sergio looked up.

His face was pale.

He was a good actor, making his friends and family believe that he was doing fine. That his wife’s death was making him a better man — and in a way, it was.

But he was also mourning.

He was more than devastated.

He was lost.

I knew the look well.

For it was in my own lonely reflection every day.

Dear God, don’t let him turn out like me.