Ion
I tried to put on a happy and brave face as I watched Bianca open presents and play with some of the other kids that clan members had. It was her fifth birthday, and she was spending it without her mother; without Mariana. I had not canceled the wedding plans. I had heard nothing to tell me that she was dead, which meant one of two things; either she was being tortured for the hell of it before they got rid of her, or they were having a disagreement on whether to kill her or not.
Either way, it was buying me time to find her, something that was essential. It was one of the reasons I had also invited all the other U.S. clans to her party. Anton Balan himself, who had two children of his own, had shown up as well as Jan Constantin, to my surprise. He had wanted to assure me he had nothing to do with Mariana’s capture and wanted to offer to help in any way that he could. Despite his stupidity and cocky nature, the guy was not into whatever betrayal was going on. I was going to take advantage of this at my office later, but right now, I needed to focus on the little girl that for all intents and purposes had become my daughter.
I tugged at her blonde ponytail playfully, hoping to make her smile. I could tell she loved her presents, but that she would rather have her mother. Bianca turned to look at me with those dark eyes of hers, made even darker by the sadness contained in them. I hated that this young girl had gotten caught up in all of this. It was one thing to be a part of this world. We all eventually had children, assuring that our legacy would go on to rule our clans, but we attempted to keep them slightly sheltered from the worst of it until they were older. Very few had to go through the loss of parents and threats the way Bianca was. I hoped that one day I could give her the life she deserved. This pretty princess would never have to rule the clans anyway, as long as Mariana and I could have a son. Bianca would be free to do what she wished with her life as long as I could find a way to protect her.
Bianca turned to look at me with a half-smile, the best she could muster. “Are you ready for some cake?” I asked her, giving my best version of a smile. I was missing Mariana too, and I felt like the Vasile women had me by the balls. I was catching feelings, but I guess it could only make our marriage sweeter. I remembered the way that Mariana’s parents were with each other. They were more than a marriage of convenience. They loved each other. I wasn’t sure if my parents had that same kind of love, but I supposed it couldn’t hurt to have my cake and eat it too.
“Yes, Daddy!” she said with a nod, standing up and grabbing my hand. It’s the first time she’s called me that, and I can’t help but feel such joy in my heart. At the same time, I feel joy, I feel heartbroken, wanting Mariana here with us. I will get her back; I have to.
She looked to her little friends and said politely, “Would you like to join me for cake?” I felt proud. My cousin had been turning her into a smart young lady, homeschooling her while caring for her.
The kids all got up and followed us to the dining room where a chocolate cake with Bianca’s name and age were on it waiting with five candles for her to blow out. She leaned over, closing her eyes to make a wish. I had a feeling I knew what that wish was for, and I was determined to make it come true.
***
“Thank you all for coming. As you know, Mariana has been taken again, and it is worse this time. I need the clans to come together and be loyal to me at this time. If not, I suggest you prepare for a war because of our engagement, if nothing else, means I can stake my claim as leader of the mob. Do not make the same mistake Jonas did in underestimating me,” I announced to the crowd in my office of clan leaders and members around the United States. I was taking my place as king now to save Mariana. I pulled my gun out and showed it, letting them know I meant business.
“The Balan clan is with you,” Anton said with a bow of his head. There was a murmur of agreement around the table at that. I could feel the respect coming for me. It was respect I had always commanded but was finally using. There had been a talk at the engagement party of how they enjoyed my authority as well as that of Mariana; that they wouldn’t be opposed to her ruling, even as a female. I didn’t think that those in front of me were the ones who had betrayed me, who had betrayed the mob in general when I thought about it.
The meeting went well, and I had every single one of them looking for wherever Mariana was being held. Any sign of her would come straight to me. All that was left now was me and Anton. I had asked him to stay back because his job before taking over the clan for his father had given him a particular set of skills that I needed.
“You want me to look into the attempt on her life, don’t you?” Anton asked, knowing me so well.
“I do, as well as to keep an eye on my own men. They are betraying me as well as one of the original clans. I need to know who it is so I can shut this down for good,” I told him, pulling a wad of cash from my pocket. “I will pay as much as it takes.” Anton nodded. He would do this for me, I knew it.