“So this war…”
Diego catches my eye and nods. “We fight together. Because that’s what partners do. It’s what family does.”
Tears form in the corners of my eyes, and I return to the couch, dropping down next to Diego.
“You won’t be alone in this, Serena,” Diego murmurs. “You won’t be alone ever again.”
“I shouldn’t need the help,” I whisper. “I should be strong enough to take this on and unleash my own will.”
“Nobody is questioning your abilities,” he says. “But you’re dealing with a lot and it’s going to be a long road. Don’t think that asking for support will make people doubt you. It will only make you stronger in the end.”
“Learn from my mistakes.” Vince lets out a deep sigh. “The past few years have been hard, and I should have done things a lot differently when I took over for my father.” His expression darkens and he’s quiet for a second. I look back to Diego, whose eyes lock on his brother’s.
Shared secrets.
God only knows there’s no shortage of those in families.
“I want you to know that I appreciate all of you and what you’ve done for me. You saved my life. And even though my dad is gone, I think that saved him, too,” I say, swiping at my eyes. “You know, when my mom died, it was just me and my father. I never had this. The family thing.” My lips lift into a quivery smile. “It’s really nice.”
Diego drops a kiss onto the top of my head. “You’ll never be without it again.”
“Look, that’s really sweet, but is someone gonna mention the big ass elephant in the room?” Vince asks, tapping his foot with impatience.
More secrets? I’m officially lost.
“Nope,” Alek says. “It’s gonna just sit here and stare us all in the face until we figure out what the hell to do about it.”
“You let Fortunato get away,” Vince says to Alek. “That’s bad for us in more ways than you know.”
“Oh, I know them all very well.” Alek stands up, hovering over Vince with his arms folded across his massive chest. “And if you even think of blaming me when it was you who—"
“Hey!” Diego interrupts, handing Ava to Gianna and pulling Alek away from Vince. “Cut it the hell out. None of this was supposed to happen, but now we need to deal with it. Shit that went down this afternoon doesn’t matter anymore. What does matter is how we move forward, understand? We need to be careful, smart, and focused. That’s how we win this war.”
“He’s right. It’s our fight now, guys. We protect each other, no matter what dumbass moves one of has made,” Vince says.
I rub my temples, tuning out the rest of the discussion as I recall my final seconds with Papa. I won’t let him have died in vain. Him or Mama. I will do what I set out to do. I will be strong for my parents and for my own livelihood. I want to be an inspiration to the young women I help, and I can’t do that if I cower. I need to face my challenges and stand up to my enemies. And I will destroy whoever gets in my way.
Since Nic Fortunato sits at the top of our list, then so be it.
His reign of terror is over.
Epilogue
PART ONE: SERENA
TWO MONTHS LATER
I snuggle against Diego, running a hand down the front of his starched, button-down shirt. It’s open at the collar and the white pops against his dark bronze skin, a sexy and relaxed look that I absolutely love on him.
No penguin suit for him tonight.
And no gown for me.
Our blacked-out Escalade zooms through the streets of Rome en route to Villa Miani, where we’ll join hundreds of others to support The Fight For Freedom, an international organization dedicated to helping combat human trafficking. It’s an annual charity event that attracts A-listers all over the world, and tonight will be no exception. The guest list is long and doused in fame and fortune, and I’m sure the paparazzi are chomping at the bit to snap photos of one of the most exclusive events of the season.
Two months have passed since Papa died, and I’ve been hard at work in this short amount of time, trying to expand the reach of the foundation while overseeing all of Papa’s territories from Sicily, my new home.
Nic Fortunato went into hiding after the ambush back in Palermo. His organization is still functioning under the leadership of his underboss, but he’s MIA…something that nags at me, keeping me tossing and turning most nights.
I can finally see my future, but I have to wonder if I’ll ever be able to make it a reality.
Because people like Nic Fortunato never forget.
And they always get their revenge.
“You okay?” Diego murmurs, his voice humming against my ear.
I nod, forcing a smile. I spend entirely too much time worrying about the other shoe dropping. Tonight, I want to think about happier things, like the fact that one of the girls my foundation supports has watched her dreams of becoming a fashion designer become a reality over the past few months.
My dream. And I couldn’t be more excited for her.
“I’m so proud of you, babe,” he says, one of his hands running up my bare leg and sliding up my skirt. “You’re being honored tonight by one of the biggest anti-trafficking organizations in the world for all of the work you do.”
“It’s not work to me,” I say. “It’s a privilege to be able to do for those who can’t do for themselves, to help them achieve their goals, and to watch them take control of their lives. They make me a better person, do you know that?”
“I don’t know how you could possibly improve upon perfection,” he whispers, dropping a soft kiss onto my lips. His tongue dips in between them, encircling my own as his hand travels farther up my thigh.
“You’re so bad,” I moan when his fingers slide inside of my pussy, rubbing against my clit. “We can’t do this now. We’re almost there!”
“I’ve wanted to make love to you since you walked down the stairs in that dress,” he breathes. “I’m gonna tear it off of you as soon as we get back into this car, so be prepared.”
I giggle, twisting around and straddling him. “You can’t tear it off. It’s a one of a kind!”
He smirks. “So are you, babe. So are you.”
I lean my head against his shoulder. “Tonight is going to be amazing. I’m so excited to show off Clarissa’s design. Can you imagine how much exposure she’ll get from a walk down the red carpet?”
“Yeah, I think you’re going to shock the crowds tonight for sure. You know they’re all expecting you to step out of the car in some overpriced designer gown.”
I let out a little squeal. “I know! That’s what makes this so perfect! I’m done with all the glitz. I think this is a great message to send the world.” My smile fades. “That crazy bitch Via was right. I can’t believe I never saw it before. Walking red carpets draped in jewels and expensive designer gowns that could feed families for months! I mean, what the hell was I thinking? How could anyone really take me or my foundation seriously?”
“Well,” Diego says, a smile lifting his lips. “I think a little glitz is necessary sometimes. I mean, I respect your new low-key look, but there’s nothing wrong with adding some sparkle.”
I give him a little punch in the shoulder. “What about my inner sparkle? Doesn’t that count?”
He nods, stroking the side of my face. “It’s one of the reasons why I’m so crazy in love with you, Serena.” He pulls something out of his jacket pocket and holds it up in front of my face. “And it’s why I want you to be my wife.”
My mouth drops open when I see the facets of the large diamond engagement ring glitter under the soft interior lights. “Oh my God,” I gasp. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Well, it pales next to your…inner sparkle.” He snickers. “But it’s not bad.”
I gaze at the ring and then at Diego. He cocks an eyebrow. “So, what do you think? Are you okay with a little glitz after all?”
I nod, my eyes brimming with tears. “I’m more than okay wi
th it.”
“Okay, so there’s just one more thing before I can put it on your finger.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, blinking fast to keep the tears from streaming down my face and ruining my eye makeup.
“Will you be my wife?”
“Yes!”
And the tears just flow. I don’t even try to stop them.
Diego slides the ring onto my finger and we stare at it as the car pulls to a stop outside of the venue.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
I take a few deep breaths and swipe my fingers under my eyes. “How do I look?”
“More beautiful than you’ve ever been,” he says in a serious voice.
I crush my lips against his, hugging him tight around his neck. “I love you more than anything,” I whisper. “Forever and always.”
“I like the sound of that.” He tugs at the hemline of my dress. “And don’t forget what I said. I’m tearing it off! Clarissa can make you a new one.”
I hop off of his lap and smooth the front of the dress as our driver steps around to open my door. He holds out his hand, and I step onto the red carpet. Blinded by flashes, I link my arm with Diego’s as we start our moonlit stroll toward the entrance.
I smile at the spectators as we walk, posing for pictures every step of the way.
“Serena! You look amazing as always! Who are you wearing?” A reporter for Donna Moderna, the biggest fashion magazine in Italy, stops me just before we walk through the doors.
I do a little half-twirl for the benefit of the photographers flanking her on both sides before answering. “It’s actually the design of an up-and-coming designer named Clarissa Fiore. She’ll be debuting her collection in Milan at Fashion Week in the fall.”
“Well, she’s obviously lucky to have found a fan in you!” The reporter flashes a bright smile. “How did you find her?”
“Actually, I feel lucky to have found her.” My smile fades. “She’s one of the lucky ones…someone who was able to survive a horrendous experience and use it as inspiration to make her life as fulfilling as possible.”
The reporter’s mouth drops open. “Oh, so, she…”
“She’s back in control of her life.” I smile. “Keep an eye out for her. I see great things in her future.”
“And what about you? You’ve certainly been busy over the past few months, raising funds to help victims of sex trafficking, creating programs to provide education and housing, starting an organization focused on empowering women in southern Italy. What’s next for Serena Vitale?”
I exchange a secret smile with Diego, squeezing his arm tight. “Let’s just say I plan to take another walk very soon, and it won’t be down a red carpet.”
PART TWO: ELIA
I trudge down a long steep hill leading into the river valley village of Gorreto, Italy. I didn’t drive here. I walked, did exactly as I was told.
No cars.
No noise.
No attention gotten.
No fucks given.
The place is desolate. Nothing but trees and grass as far as the eye can see.
And in the dark, that’s not too far considering the lack of light.
When Nic Fortunato goes underground, he leaves zero signs of life in his wake.
I finally make it to the small dark wood-paneled house sitting at the bottom of the hill, tucked far away from civilization. I doubt even Google Earth could find this place, it’s so damn remote.
The thought of slicing his throat just enough to let him die a painful death here, alone, gives me a delicious chill.
But I want more than just the knowledge that he suffered a slow death at my hand.
I mean, yes, I definitely want that, but only after I take care of business.
The business of eliminating his empire, of decimating everything that he values in life, publicly.
I sure as fuck know it’s not me, his only son.
And it wasn’t my mother.
I want to destroy everything he’s ever worked for because the one thing he never gave a shit about working for was a relationship with me.
My throat tightens, and I clench my fists.
If I go down that rabbit hole now, shit will get ugly fast. And there’s nobody here to witness it my wrath.
I want the whole world to know it was me, the liability…the black sheep of the family…the redheaded stepchild…who brought the almighty Nic Fortunato to his knees before cutting off his goddamn head and slashing his overinflated ego with the same machete.
I stand still for a long minute outside the door, taking deep breaths to keep my temper in check.
Because there’s a damn lot of anger festering deep inside of me…rage that has been bottled up for far too long and is about to explode.
I bend down and palm the key from under a loose floorboard, taking a quick look around me before sticking it into the ancient lock and twisting the brass knob.
I walk into the house, the scuffed hardwood floor creaking under my feet.
My father appears in the kitchen doorway, a welcoming smile on his face that I can see from a mile away is as fake as the tits on the women he paraded through the house after my mother was murdered.
“Elia,” he says in his low gravelly voice that hints of too many cigarettes over his fifty-five years. “You found the place okay?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” I say in a flat voice.
A flicker of distrust flashes across his ruddy complexion and his eyes travel the length of my bods for any bulges.
“You really think I came here to take you out?” I ask.
A nervous smile lifts his lips. “We have a history.”
“And that’s exactly why you had me banished in the first place.” Stupid fuck. If I was gonna kill him, I’d do it with something much more fun than a simple gun. I sit down on the couch and kick up my aching feet. It feels like I’ve been walking over hot coals for the past two hours when I started on this on-foot quest just outside of the village of maybe a hundred people at best.
No fucks given because there really aren’t any eyes to judge.
“What do you want, Nic? You brought me here to this godforsaken part of Italy where elephants go to die. Why?”
He walks toward me, taking a few tentative steps to start.
Good. He should be cautious.
If I know my father, he’ll be prepared, too.
I’m sure there are weapons in every corner of this place.
You know, just in case his long lost son decided to put the drop on him.
Nic Fortunato isn’t the type to go down quietly.
“I need you to go to Palermo.”
“Oh, now you need something from me?” I lean forward, my mouth twisting into a grimace. “After everything you’ve done to me, you want me to help you now that the Marcone family has basically cut off your dick and run it up their flagpole for the world to see?” I scoff.
“What I did to you?” he asks angrily. “I gave you everything you ever wanted! I gave you a top job, money, cars, property! What have you not gotten from me, Elia?”
I clutch the arms of the couch and push myself upward, my blood boiling as it courses through my veins. I can’t tell him the truth about what I know. Not yet. But the hunter’s knife stuck in my left boot is sizzling against my skin. My fingers twitch, and I stifle the urge to pull it out and plunge it into his chest. “You set me up,” I hiss. “You sent me into the lion’s den knowing I’d never make it out alive. But I did. You didn’t plan on that, did you? You wanted to get rid of me so you could make Via your second in command.”
Nic’s face flushes a deep shade of red, his lips stretched into a thin line. “Don’t you talk about your sister like that.”
“Half-sister,” I say.
“Antonio Marcone killed her in cold blood, and he needs to pay!”
“So that’s why I’m here? To carry out your little revenge play? An eye for an eye and all that shit?”
Nic glares at me, and
I know he’s biting his tongue right now because he needs me. He went into hiding after that mass mayhem where he was positioned to take over the world before the Marcones foiled his plans.
“Elia,” he says, struggling to control his voice. “It’s your time. I want you to oversee our organization. You alone can save it. I need you to carry on my work for the time being while I figure out my next move.”
“We have lost a tremendous amount because of the Marcone family. Money, lives. They need to pay, and you are the only one who can make us whole again.”
“So crush the Marcones? That’s all I need to do?”
He smiles. “Not quite. There is one more thing.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Waiting.”
“There is another family who has stolen from us, who owes us a large debt.”
“You want me to collect?”
“Yes, but you won’t be taking money. I don’t care about the money.”
“What the exchange?”
His smile widens. “Their daughter. She’s a musician. Julia Graziani. She goes by a stage name though. Julia Loren.”
“And what am I supposed to do with her once I have her?”
“Not so fast. For now, you’ll watch her. She is an accomplished violinist and travels the world touring. I want you to follow her. Learn about her. Be prepared to make your move when I give you the green light.”
I rake a hand through my hair. “I fail to see the connection. What’s the link to the Marcones?”
“Let’s just say the families are loosely affiliated and if we have Julia as leverage, not only will I get my money back but I’ll also get my opportunity to destroy the Marcone family.” His voice cracks. “Just like they did me when Antonio killed Via.”
Like he’d so much as blink if I took one between the eyes.
He never gave a shit about anything but himself, which is why this grieving father bullshit he’s trying to pull doesn’t hold a goddamn ounce of water.
Wanted: A Dark Italian Mafia Romance (Men Of Mayhem Book 1) Page 21