SWNOVELS Mila: The Godfather: Part 1 – Chapter 34
RIAGAN
“Don’t ever question my love. When in doubt, just look at my scars.” – N
“You’re so pretty, Mum,” Riagan lies in bed ready for sleep, when he lovingly touches my cheeks, noticing that a tear has slipped from my eyes. “Don’t cry…” My boy whispers with a frown on his cherubic face. “I don’t like it when you cry.”
I smile through my tears, trying to reassure my son that all is well. But all is not well. It hasn’t been for a while now. Despite that, nothing will make me stop smiling through my pain. Nothing. I would do absolutely anything for my son. Even withstand a pain so great it’s tearing me apart.
Because my little boy is the greatest gift Natalia has ever received.
Her Riagan.
Her little king.
“I need you to know something, my little love.” I lean over in his tiny bed and brush his light brown hair back gently, revealing blue eyes that look identical to mine.
I put my big girl pants on and offer my child what I never had.
A mother’s loving and gentle touch.
My boy will need it now more than ever.
Riagan is young.
Only five years old, and although he is quite young, he is very perceptive for a child of that age.
He is clever.
An extrovert.
He knows what he wants and goes after it.
He was born to lead, that I believe with my whole heart.
After a long interval of silence, my boy speaks up. “I don’t like your tears, Mum.”
“I am crying happy tears.” I quickly reply with a little white lie. I know the truth. The ugly truth.
My heart is breaking in two. The fairytale life I had hoped to live is falling apart all around me in heartbreaking pieces, and I can do nothing but stand back and watch helplessly as it all becomes ash.
How can they win when the biggest threat to her child and lover’s life is a man as powerful as Tommaso Volpe?
An obsessive man.
A cruel one without a heart.
“I love you, Riagan. No matter what happens, remember that Mum chose you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Even when pain and heartbreak fools you into thinking otherwise. Be sure that I would go to hell and back as many times as needed to keep you and your father from harm.” I whisper ferociously, hoping the boy understands.
“You’re leaving again.” Riagan holds my hand tightly, willing me to stay.
I look at my son, trying to hold back the agonizing pain taking over my entire being. Trying to conceal the look of pure devastation on my face.
Because I know in my heart that I won’t be able to escape Tommaso Volpe’s claws.
Not with my life, at least.
I know that there is no choice, no other option, but to give my life and body to the soulless man. But my heart, love, and soul? That all belongs to the little boy, currently looking at me as if I am his whole world, and his father.
Until my last breath.
“Even when I’m not physically here, Riagan. I’ll be here.” I tap my son’s chest three times. “As long as you carry me here, you will never be alone.” I whisper. Riagan places his tiny hand on top of my shaky one, trying to comfort me.
“Okay…” My little king says in a small voice.
“Okay.” I smile as more tears fall from my eyes.
One simple word but it wouldn’t be so simple.
Not for them.
Months later, life took an unexpected turn and nothing was ever the same.
Because my heart did break with each passing moment I was away from my precious family.
It broke in two.
Half of my heart stayed in Philadelphia with my little family, and the other half was stuck in Detroit.
When three more children were born.
Two of my blood and one my bruised and broken soul chose.
Even Tommaso’s cruelty and my hatred for my life could not stop me from loving all my children.
All four of them.
Only one thing ever could.
Death.
And it did.