Chapter 6

Luciano POV

I stared at Lazarus, my expression giving nothing away. Then my eyes shifted to Lovie and something in me loosened slightly.

“Baby.” I crouched down to her level. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes Dad I slept well.” She pouted slightly. “But why did you leave so early? You didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry baby. I had things to take care of.” I carried her and glanced over her head toward the entrance where Richard stood waiting.

“Richard.“

Richard gave a slight nod.

I turned back to Lovie, dropping her and ruffling her hair gently. “Daddy has something to handle. Why don’t you go inside with Uncle Richard?”

“Okay.” She looked up at me with those eyes that could make anyone do anything for her.

“But don’t take too long.”

“I won’t.”

She smiled and turned to leave, her steps slowing slightly as her eyes landed on the boy standing beside Ella. Curious.

“Buttercup.” Richard crouched down, arms open. “Come to uncle.”

She ran to him without hesitation but turned a bit and waved Lazarus, her laughter cutting through the quiet of the compound.

“Miss Adelaide.” Richard straightened, his voice professional. “Please come with me.”

The guards moved efficiently, collecting the luggage and heading toward the house. Ella’s eyes met mine for just a second unreadable, then she turned and pulled her brother along behind her as they disappeared through the entrance.

The compound went completely dead.

Lazarus hadn’t moved. He stood exactly where he had been, watching everything with a certain stillness that I had known.

My face emptied. “To whom do I owe this visitation?” I asked, sliding my hands into my pockets.

He let out a dry chuckle. “So now I have to announce myself before coming to see my own son. You came back from France and didn’t come home once not even with the kids. Don’t you think they would want to see their grandmother?” He said, moving toward the seating area beside the parking lot.

“I don’t remember ever telling them they had grandparents.” I followed and took a seat, loosening my suit button. “And besides, you’ve already received the alert. I don’t owe you anything beyond that.”

He laughed. “I sent you on a small errand as a welcome back gesture. You making a mess of it wasn’t part of the picture.”

“How I handle my affairs isn’t your concern only the result is. And the result has already been delivered.” I crossed my legs, watching him. His expression was composed but his eyes were giving him away. “So what exactly is the problem?”

He let out a slow breath. “I suppose you’ve gotten better at reading people.” He leaned back. “Coming home with a wife wasn’t part of what I asked for. You just got back and you’re already creating noise for yourself. Don’t you think you should slow down? Seven years is not a short time Luciano.”

“Well.” I smirked. “I suppose that means I’m finally back. Wouldn’t you agree?” I held his gaze. “Why don’t you head home. When we are settled I’ll bring my wife to visit.”

He studied me for a moment. “Did you tell her about your past? Or have you decided to simply move on from your mistakes as if they never happened?” I kept my face still.

“Some people can’t seem to function without dragging up the past.” I said evenly, standing and dusting off my suit. “Why don’t you focus on what you’re actually good at instead of trying to manage things that are beyond you.”

“But your mother has been missing you.” He said, taking in the scenery with a slow breath through his nose. “Don’t be too heartless, at least come and check on her.”

“Using your wife to draw me back home is a little old fashioned don’t you think.” I replied, eyes moving over his clothing briefly. His dressing never changed. “Besides if she wants to see me she knows how to reach out. Richard can come pick her up anytime.”

His eyes snapped to mine.

“Rude.” He said flatly. “You want your mother to come to you. I did not raise you to be this mannerless.”

I chuckled. “I suppose not every man is cut out to be a father. You did a fairly poor job at it.

Couldn’t manage two while some men out there raise five without breaking a sweat.”

He scanned me slowly. “You children were too difficult. That is why you turned out this way.” A pause. “But I chose not to pay too much attention otherwise I would have a lot more to regret by now.”

“Well, even if you used all your effort, we would have turned out even worse so just the little is enough. I will appreciate you for that.”

He smirked. “Oh really? Your sister would have thought differently if she was here now with us”

“Can’t decide for anyone but in my stead, I don’t think you made any serious effort that deserved recommendation.” I replied, brushing my hair with my hands.

He rose slowly. “Since your shell is still too hard to open gently” he straightened his jacket, “I suppose I’ll have to find a hammer.”

“Lazarus.” I turned toward the house entrance. “Go home and take care of your wife. Stop obsessing over what isn’t yours.”

I caught movement near the doorway. Luca. Peeking from just inside the entrance, trying very hard to look.

“Your time away has made you disrespectful enough to call your father by his name.” Lazarus followed behind me, unhurried.

“Earn it back first.” I said, keeping my eyes on Luca, willing him to make eye contact so I could signal him back inside. “Until then you take what’s on the table.”

Silence.

Then his voice came again. Chilly.

“What about Lovie and Luca.” He said. “Do they know what you did to their mother? And their stepmother?”

My stomach dropped. My brow furrowed