Is this destiny?

3:02 AM

Emma opened her eyes and blinked her sleepiness away in order to see the time.

She groaned when she realized that she can't sleep anymore. She tossed and turned in the bed, but sleep eluded her. After all, it was 6 PM in Los Angeles and no matter how tired she was, her body took her previous four-plus hours long sleep as an afternoon nap.

Now what?

Emma scooted out of the bed, wrapped a light blanket around her shoulders, and padded her way down the silent hallway in search of the glass of warm milk. That usually helps her to sleep.

The villa was quiet and dark. It was obvious that everyone was sleeping.

The moonlight seeped in through the windows, many of which were open to allow a fresh night breeze to sweep through the villa.

Emma was heading toward the kitchen, but when she saw widely open double doors that led toward the back garden, she stepped outside.

"You can't sleep?", Angelo asked when Emma approached the lounging chairs that provide a great view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Under the moonlight, Emma saw Angelo sitting there, but when he spoke, his deep voice cut the night's silence and something in her chest jolted, startling her a bit.

"No. Jet lag.", Emma responded. "You?"

"I am jet lagging myself and I am also excited that you are here.", Angelo said and gestured to Emma to sit on the empty lounging chair. "Join me in waiting for the sleep to come."

Emma took his offer and leaned into the chair comfortably.

They gazed at the Mediterranean Sea that glistened under the moonlight.

The leaves rustled with the breeze, occasional crickets chirped and there was a distant sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The sounds mixed in relaxing harmony and Emma enjoyed the feel of the gentle wind that caressed her cheeks while bringing the salty scent from the sea.

"It's so peaceful here. Beautiful."

Angelo hummed in response.

"What do you think about the people you've met tonight?", Angelo asked after some time.

Emma was happy that Angelo brought up that topic. "They seem friendly. I was wondering if I am seeing the reality or if there is something else hidden under all those smiles."

"Those smiles were genuine, but there is always more under the surface.", Angelo responded. "No one is permanently good or bad, people change based on circumstances they find themselves in."

Emma agreed with this point, but… "How can you trust them if you know that they might change if the incentive is strong enough?"

"You need to know what motivates the person. Only by giving them what they want you can ensure that they follow your orders. At the same time, by them knowing that you can take it away, they will think twice before backstabbing you. Some are after power, some after money, and some need to learn the hard way."

Emma gulped softly when she picked up the underlying iciness in Angelo's voice. She didn't want to talk about anything bad, but she knew that she can't avoid it either. "The hard way?"

"Mhm…", Angelo hummed. "You see, Emma… that dinner table was much longer. It was so long, that we had to set it up outside. When I caught Bruno plotting against you and me, I had to punish him, to send a message. Other than Bruno, a number of other people were involved as well, either by helping him directly or by not reporting his unusual behavior, and I dealt with all of them decisively. People who attended tonight's dinner might not like their current position, or the amount of money I'm giving them, but they will remember how to behave if they want to continue living. They were looking at you in awe because you are my bottom line, and they see you as someone who should not be crossed. You are my firstborn and the strongest candidate to be the next Capo."

Emma was not sure how she feels about this. She liked the part where Angelo said how she is someone important, but then there was a part of punishing and killing which sent shivers down her spine. But he also mentioned her as the next Capo and she couldn't drop this topic easily.

"And how do you see me?", Emma asked.

"You are my daughter. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe and make you happy."

"What about Sean and Ryan?"

Angelo didn't understand. "What about them?"

"Will you do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and happiness?"

Angelo frowned in confusion, unsure where Emma was going with this. "Of course. If it's in my power, I will make all my children happy."

"What if we want the same thing and it can't be shared?"

Angelo paused. "Why do I have a feeling that you are talking about something specific in a roundabout way?"

"Dad… Why didn't Sean and Ryan take over your position officially?"

"That is not theirs to take. It is mine to give.", Angelo responded stiffly, like she offended him with that question.

"OK. Why didn't you give them the position?", Emma quickly corrected herself.

"Why do you care?"

"They are my brothers."

Angelo was confident that there was more to it. He was not born yesterday. "Are you sure that is the only reason?"

"I am concerned about them."

"Do you expect me to talk openly while you hide things from me?"

"I'm not hiding. I'm just…", Emma exhaled. "Sean and Ryan changed, and I want to know why. I am trying to understand what is going on here and what they got themselves into."

"No one forced them into anything, Emma. Actually, by not stepping down from my position, I am shielding them."

"I know.", Emma said before his words sank in. It took her a second to comprehend how Angelo is still the Capo because he does not want to give his position to Ryan and Sean.

"Dad, what would you say if I told you that I want to join you in shielding them?"

Angelo narrowed his eyes. "You want to join me?"

Emma nodded. "You said that people who attended dinner see me as the next Capo, and I'm sure you could use some help."

"You want to join Nero Armi? As Capo?"

"Uhm…", Emma was not sure if she should say yes to the Capo part, but there was a way to respond without closing that door as a possibility. "I want to be with my family. I want to protect myself and the ones who are dear to me. And if that means becoming a part of Nero Armi, then… yes. Am I good enough to be considered as the next Capo? I don't know. But I hope that by learning about Nero Armi you get to mentor me and see for yourself if I satisfy the requirements, and after that, we can talk."

Angelo inhaled slowly until his chest hurt and then he held his breath. He waited for this moment for years and now that Emma said it, he needed a moment to process it and engrave it into his memory.

Emma, his firstborn, the strongest of his children said that she wants to join Nero Armi and she will consider becoming the next Capo.

Angelo saw Emma as the next Capo because he knew that she would go above and beyond to protect her family, to make their lives comfortable. She worked and studied and didn't complain when on top of that she had to take care of her three brothers while their mother was not around, and Emma came on top, becoming a fine young lady, a medical professional, a director of the rehabilitation center… soon-to-be a mother. All those are a testament to Emma's amazing tenacity to survive and push forward instead of surrendering to circumstances, and those are the qualities a Capo should have.

He didn't hand over his position to Sean and Ryan for several reasons. First, neither Sean nor Ryan have the right mindset. They are good and hardworking boys, easy to get along with, but they are lacking the edge and determination Emma has. Also, there can be only one Capo, how can Angelo pick one twin over the other? And there was also the point where Angelo felt that neither of the boys is fully interested (or capable) in being a leader. They were great helpers and amazing at executing orders, but whenever they needed to decide on something, they would look at Angelo for guidance.

Angelo knew that Sean and Ryan wanted to step up and become leaders but being unable to do so was frustrating for the twins to the point that they would act recklessly and exhibit erratic behavior.

Angelo was confident that with Emma's presence, things will change because she is like a beacon that provides direction to her brothers. He saw that Sean and Ryan were carefree during dinner, and he was confident how that happened because of Emma.

Angelo smiled a little and leaned back into the lounging chair.

"Alright."

Emma blinked while thinking how this was easy. Too easy. "That's it?"

Angelo looked at Emma like she asked something silly. "What did you expect? An entrance test?"

Emma was not sure how to respond to this. She knew that Angelo wanted her to be the Capo but considering that she was rejecting him for more than three years, Emma assumed that Angelo would give her a hard time or at least question her why she changed her mind now.

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