The Black Sparrow

LP: Chapter 10

Lucian had no choice but to leave Georgina in Spain and visit Italy. His father’s capo and a few soldiers came to pick him up at the airport, and they were careful not to draw too much attention. Lucian didn’t want to be here, but he needed to. Pietra was panicking, as was Lorenzo. When he said goodbye to Georgina, she didn’t object or ask why he was visiting. She was aware that his father was sick. But he couldn’t say that besides that, there was another reason—the child brought to their home.

Even on the plane, he was thinking about all the women he had shared a bed with. He made sure he was protected, but as they say, condoms aren’t a hundred percent effective. He had been cursing in his mind for a while now. Was the child really his? The last thing he wanted was to have a child right now while everything was still chaotic.

And if he were to have a child, Georgina was the only one he wanted to be the mother. He had slept with so many women… countless of them, but he made sure that none of them got pregnant. So how did it happen that there was a child? And how old was the child? Five? That meant he was about to finish university around that time.

He was quiet throughout the journey to their home in Palermo. He couldn’t fall back asleep when Pietra called him, and his conscience was nagging him because he had added another secret from Georgina. He felt like such an asshole for leaving her during their vacation and for lying to her altogether.

When he entered the foyer, his sister greeted him. She was two years younger than him and had become an architect. She lived in Rome, which was about a ten-hour drive. He doubted she had driven because she was in a hurry to see their father. By plane, it was about an hour’s flight.

“Luc,” she greeted him. His sister had become even more beautiful and suited to Rome. As much as possible, they kept her away from the family business. If only she could move far away and live in another country like him, it would be better for her. She loved to travel and see places, but Pietra loved Italy too. It was her home.

His sister hugged him, and he returned the embrace. He kissed her on the forehead. “How are you?”

“I’m okay. Busy juggling work and looking after Dad. He’s still stubborn. The food is bland, but he knows he can’t have salt.”

“That’s expected. Where’s our brother?”

“He’s in the office with Uncle… learning the ropes of the business while you’re—away.” Pietra cleared her throat, but Lucian chose not to comment. He wasn’t here for that. He just wanted to know about the child.

“And the kid?” There was a lump in his throat. If that child was really his, he didn’t know how to explain it to Georgina. It was either she accepted the child or she would leave him entirely. He couldn’t deny the child if he was indeed his. Luc wasn’t a monster.

“In the guest room watching TV. Dad doesn’t know about him yet.”

Lucian furrowed his brow. “What?”

Pietra shrugged. “Dad doesn’t go out of his room. He only stays on the balcony when he gets bored lying around. His treatment is done here, not in the hospital. The doctor also visits him here regularly. He doesn’t come down to eat with us anymore.” She scratched her neck. “And also, we didn’t want to give him false information. If the kid is yours, then it’s your responsibility to tell Dad.”

***

He went to his old bedroom, and nothing had changed. His father always had it cleaned, and nothing could be thrown away or altered in his room. He sent a text message to Georgina to let her know that he arrived safely in Palermo. She replied with just a thumbs up. Italy isn’t that far from Spain, and his flight wasn’t that long. But he felt so exhausted. He was anxious to know the truth, but at the same time—he was scared to hear it. It seemed that was how it was when you were running away from a ghost. If only he hadn’t had so much s*x back in the day, he wouldn’t have a problem like this.

Once he was able to rest, he headed to the bathroom to take a shower. He was going to see the child, and he didn’t want to face the kid in a bad mood. Somehow, a cold shower would help cool his head. When it rains, it really pours. And he was being hit with one problem after another right now.

“Marcello, porta il ragazzo in biblioteca.” (Marcello, take the boy to the library.)

“Si.” He immediately complied to fetch the child and bring him to Lucian. He would wait in the library and talk to the boy there. A five-year-old doesn’t really know much. Maybe a letter from his mother would help if he had any.

Lucian sighed and gazed out the large window. He used to love it here when his mom was still alive. They would play outside to their hearts’ content, and she would bake cookies with them. They would have small picnics. She was amazing, and her demise was way too early.

Marcello cleared his throat, catching his attention. The child was looking down. He hadn’t seen the boy’s face yet, except for the pitch-black straight hair. His weight looked right for his age—not too thin, not too fat.

“Lasciaci e chiudi la porta dietro di te.” (Leave us and close the door behind you.)

Marcello left, leaving just the two of them. “Take a seat wherever you like.”

Lucian remained standing. The child followed suit but remained silent. He sat in the middle of the sofa but still didn’t look at him.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you.” Lucian didn’t want to scare the kid, but he seemed to be doing that perfectly. He muttered softly under his breath.

The boy looked up, and their eyes met. They had the same eyes.