Undressed By The Mafia God novel Chapter 338

Chapter 338: I’ve Been In Worse Situations

Luca lay still against the stiff white sheets, one arm stretched out while dark red blood slipped steadily through the IV line and into his veins. The rhythmic beeping of the monitor beside him filled the room. His head rested against the pillow, eyes half-lidded, not quite asleep. His thoughts drifted in and out—fragments of voices, flashes of memory, the constant replay of everything that had happened in the last few days.

The door opened quietly. Luca already knew who it was.

"Luciano..." Don Genovese’s voice came softly.

That made Luca open his eyes.

"Father," he greeted. His gaze followed Massimo as the older man stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. "How are you doing?" Luca asked. There was sadness in his father’s eyes.

Massimo let out a quiet breath, moving closer until he stood beside the bed, looking down at his son. "I should be asking you that."

"I’ve been in worse situations, father," he said lightly, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Don’t tell me you spent a couple of days with mother and grew soft."

Massimo’s lips curved despite himself. "A dangerous accusation," he replied. "I spoke to Enzo," he said after a moment. "Bianca’s father. He told me what you said," Massimo continued. "About Bianca. Is that true, or are you merely looking for a way to get out of the marriage?"

Luca exhaled slowly, turning his head just enough to meet his father’s eyes fully. "It’s true," he said. "I just have to prove it," he added. "I’m hoping Julian’s lips will grow loose now."

"I’m sorry," Massimo held his gaze. "I’m sorry for what you have been through."

"Okay... Mum has broken you," Luca said, squinting at him, trying to figure out if this was some elaborate hallucination brought on by blood loss.

"Listen to me, I’m sorry. Not just for what just happened... but for the past. Everything." Massimo paused, jaw tightening slightly. "I should have protected you more."

Luca stared at him. "And then what?" he asked. "Grow up to be a bitch?" His lips twitched faintly. "No, thank you."

It was Luca’s way of deflecting. Massimo knew that.

"I did favour you," Massimo admitted.

Luca’s brow furrowed slightly.

"I know that," Massimo continued, holding his gaze. "And because I did... I punished you more. So you would not become a target for my weakness."

Luca shifted slightly on the bed, wincing. "Dad," he said after a moment, his tone somewhere between awkward and strained, "this is making me really uncomfortable. We... we don’t share feelings in this family," Luca added, gesturing weakly with his free hand. "It’s weird."

"Maybe that’s part of the problem."

"Or part of why we’re still alive," Luca shot back.

"Ask whatever you want. Anything," Massimo repeated. "And I will make it happen."

That caught Luca off guard more than the apology had. His eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion slipping in.

"Why?" Luca asked. "You want to feel better about what you’re about to do?" His gaze locked onto his father’s, searching. "Kill your own son?"

"No. I want to feel better about being the reason you went through all of this."