THE MAFIA'S LORD SLAVE

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, LOSS A

expected it to hold up after three centuries? He'd been foolish to believe that a mere building, no matter how well-crafted, could remain st

ving Roderigo's face. The surprise was evident in his features, a

more to himself than to the guar

uard replied, his voice respe

om, taking in the familiar sights

g the room dark and hazy. Despite the dim light, Roderigo could see that the furnishings were much the same as they had been when he was a child. The ve

he dim light. On either side of the throne sat two carved tigers, their marble eyes glinting. The room

livery, unlike in his youth when they h

tone, his father. The man who had tormented him with sleepless nights, who had inflicted more

spreading across his face. He rose from the throne, hi

well received," he hissed. "If you think I will fall for your false show of affection, you are sorely mi

exhaled a long stream of smoke from his pipe. "Calm do

enom dripping from every word. "You have no

h!" Creed exclaim

?" Marshall asked, his gaze narrowing and his brow furrowi

place," Roderigo spat, his words tinged with

. Everyone stopped and stared at him, as if they couldn't believe he had just sa

the effort. For a moment, Roderigo thought he saw a flicker of

emanded, his voice rising in ange

his voice flat and emotionl

His thoughts raced, his mind whirling with the implications of what his father had said. Storm stood up and rushed to his

ace. Images of his mother flashed through his mind, memories of her warm smile and her kind words. He could hear her voice,

n, and he could not control his tears. He f

oothing words of comfort. He could hear her voice, clear as if she were standing right beside him.

ow me out of the house on a stormy night, and lock her up inside?

to answer. He seemed afraid to meet his son's ga

ke the life of the woman who had given her life in service to you

ted for Marshall to speak. He stood there, his head do

he wanted before she died was to see you, and we tried to find you. We sent a letter, but you never replied. We thought you didn't want anything to

never known that his mother

ered the letter now, and how he had ripped it to shreds without reading it. He had be

t deserve your forgiveness. But please, find it in your heart to forgive me. I've lived with this gu

process what his father was saying. He had never expecte

ly finding his voice. He stood up, his hands sha

, impatience getting the bet

all began, his words coming slowly and with difficulty. "But I'm getting old, and I won't be around forever. The

could have chosen any of your legitimate children, or simply left the business to die. But ins

ing violently. A maid rushed to his side, offering

to Blackstone's Empire," H

filled with shock and disbelief. "

uths agape in shock. They couldn't believe what they had ju

ief. "How could I possibly be the chosen heir? I'm

ef. "How could I possibly be the chosen heir? I'm

said softly. "You are a son of Blackstone, and you have a

led with conviction. "You have the qualities that a leader needs - strength,

onged, and you want to make things right," Roderigo said, nodding slowly

sped, blood bubbling from his lips. "You were never interested in wealth or power.

ther, let me hold you one last time," Mar

nd himself walking towards his father. The old man opened his arms wide, and Roderigo fell in

the Marshall eyes rolled back in his head

inning around him, and he couldn't catch his breath. "Dad?" Roderigo

udible. "Please believe me when I say that I love you, a

h, he grasped Roderigo's han

his voice fading. And then, his head slumped to the side

and heavy, like a shroud had been cast over the room. The only sound was