by Reilly, Cora
“Can we go over to Emma? I want to say hi,” Anna whispered. I touched her cheek, overcome by emotions at her consideration. Dante and Leonas were talking to the Underboss of Detroit so I indicated to them that we’d go ahead. Dante gave me a small nod. I took Anna’s hand then paused. “Or are you too old for hand holding?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m okay.”
I laughed and led her to the front. Danilo straightened the moment he saw us heading their way.
I shook his hand. He was a tall, handsome man with brown hair and eyes. Serafina with her fair beauty would complement him well. “Hello Danilo, I hope you’re not too nervous?”
“I’ve waited for this day for a long time,” he said politely.
Anna hugged Emma carefully. Emma too was dressed in a bridesmaid dress, her brown curls arranged beautifully on her shoulders.
“You look pretty,” Emma said.
“You too.”
Emma blushed and looked down at her lap in obvious embarrassment. My heart ached for her. In our world girls were judged by their beauty and by their capability to bear children. As a disabled girl, she’d be regarded as less because she was considered as lacking in both areas, which was complete and utter nonsense. Yet, despite her father’s efforts, she wasn’t promised to someone yet. I still couldn’t believe how disgusting the Cincinnati Underboss had reacted to the accident.
Danilo’s expression was full of protectiveness as he regarded Emma and Anna.
I bent down to Emma. “Your brother is a handsome fella.” She smiled shyly up at me then peered up over my head at Danilo.
Straightening, I turned back to Danilo. Anna told Emma about her visit in the Indiana State museum. She always insisted on going to museums when we visited a city, much to Leonas’ chagrin. Emma actually seemed interested.
“Your sister is going to miss you once you move out,” I said quietly.
Danilo frowned. “I moved out a few months ago, but Emma is going to live with me as soon as Serafina has settled into the mansion.”
“Oh,” I said surprised then glanced toward Danilo’s parents. His father had been battling stomach cancer for a while now. He didn’t look good. Too thin and pale, and much older than late forties. “Because your mother needs to take care of your father and doesn’t have enough time for Emma?”
Danilo didn’t say anything, his expression polite but making it obvious that he wouldn’t discuss his family with me.
I smiled then glanced at my watch. “I think we need to take our seats. It’s not long now.”
Danilo gave me a quick smile then pushed Emma over to his parents. Anna and I took our seats in the first row as well. A few minutes later, Sofia, Ines, and Pietro joined us. Even though it was tradition for the father to lead the bride to the altar, Samuel would do it. He and Serafina were close as could be expected for twins.
Danilo took his place in front of the altar, looking perfectly composed. Tall, dark, and handsome, many girls admired him. I bent down to Anna. “He’s got many fans among the ladies.”
Anna bit her lip, her eyes twinkling. “I know.”
I didn’t get the chance to ask what she meant because Pietro stood abruptly, his phone pressed to his ear and a look of utter shock on his face.
“Pietro?” Dante asked, standing as well.
“Someone attacked the bridal car and is trying to kidnap Serafina.”
A hush fell over the crowd, their attention shifting from Pietro to me. I gripped Pietro’s shoulders.
“Where are they?”
“About two miles from here.”
I pulled my gun and my men followed my example. I ordered half of the men to stay here and protect the women and children, while the rest of the men and I headed out. Before I left, I kissed Val harshly, then motioned at Enzo and Taft to stay close to her and our children.
I ran out of the church, followed closely by Danilo and Pietro. Danilo was barking orders at his men. He’d learned to carry the weight of responsibility early and he wore it well.
His eyes were wild with determination before he jumped into his car and led the way. Pietro and I chased him, followed by even more cars. Who was behind the attack? The Bratva? Luca?
Soon smoke rising up from a black car caught my eye. We pulled up beside it. Pietro and I jumped out of the car. A body lay on the ground in a puddle of blood and beside it crouched Samuel, clutching a hand over his bleeding side. Pietro rushed toward him, not even paying attention to our surroundings. Raising my gun, I scanned the area but didn’t spot anyone. I joined them, squatting on the ground beside them. Serafina’s bodyguard was dead. Two shots had blasted through his stomach.
“What happened? Where are they?” Danilo growled.
Samuel’s gaze flickered with terror. “It’s the Camorra. They want Fina.”
“Fuck!” Danilo snarled.
Samuel stumbled to his feet, pointing into the woods. “They ran that way. Let’s go!”
Danilo ran off and I followed.
“Fina!” Samuel shouted. I glanced over my shoulder. Pietro was close behind but Samuel had trouble keeping up with us due to his wound.
Serafina’s scream rang out off to the right. We sped up. More men joined us, fanning out. Twigs snatched at our suits. The terrain was uneven and made running difficult, particularly dressed as we were. Serafina’s attackers probably had dressed more sensible for a chase.
“Serafina?” I called.
“Fina?” Pietro’s voice was shaky.
We ran for a long time, but Serafina didn’t call out again. I wasn’t sure if we hadn’t run in circles. Orientation in the woods was close to impossible.
“They are gone,” I said quietly when we stopped to catch our breath.
Pietro supported Samuel who could barely stand by now, looking ashen. His shirt and trousers were covered in blood.
Danilo shook his head, his white shirt plastered to his body from sweat. “Search the fucking city!” he roared at his soldiers. His men rushed off, back to the street and their cars.
“Call your doctor and tell him to come to the church,” I told Danilo.
He nodded. “I’m heading out now. I know this city, every corner, every nook. I’m going to find them.”
“Do that.” He stormed off. Pietro helped Samuel back to the street, while I gave orders to the Underbosses and Captains who’d joined us on the chase. They needed to give our contacts in the surrounding areas, at airports and close to the Camorra border a heads-up so they kept their eyes open.
Samuel sagged into the backseat. I bent over him and pulled his hand away to check his wound. “The bullet has gone straight through.”
Samuel grasped my arm, leaving bloody handprints all over. “Remo and Fabiano, they attacked us. Their goal was Fina.” He shook. “Fuck, Dante, what do they want with her?”
“Let’s get you to a doctor, Samuel,” I said, trying to remain calm even as my thoughts were spinning out of control. Pietro sat beside his son on the back seat and I drove. Pietro looked completely shaken as he pressed down on Samuel’s wound. “Everything will be okay,” he repeated.
They both seemed in shock. I’d fought with them before. They kept a calm head even in the most dangerous situations, but this was different. Serafina was in the hands of the Camorra and we all knew what that meant.
I drove even faster, needing to get back to Val, Leonas, and Anna. I had to see them with my own eyes, needed to make sure they were safe and healthy.
Danilo’s doctor awaited us in front of church. Ten Made Men stood guard around the building, the rest of the guests were still inside. The moment Samuel was in good hands, I hurried into the church.
Val, Leonas, and Anna sat with Ines and Sofia still in the first row. Val’s worried gaze hit me and relief filled me seeing my family was okay. I wouldn’t let anything happen to them.
Ines jumped up from the pew and rushed toward me. She was barefoot and her makeup was smeared from crying. I caught her as she stumbled against me
, her frantic eyes meeting mine. “What’s going on? Where are my children? Where’s Pietro?”
I wrapped an arm around her. “Ines, Pietro is all right. Samuel was shot.”
Her fingernails dug into my arm. “Where is he? What about Fina? Dante tell me!”
Val came up behind her but apparently she’d ordered the children to remain in the first row. Everyone in church was looking my way.
“Samuel will be fine. He’s been taking care of.” I paused, not sure how to say what needed to be said. For a moment I looked at Anna who watched me with wide, horrified eyes. I couldn’t imagine what the news would do to my sister. If Remo had Anna in his hands. My throat corded up just considering the option. “She got captured, Ines. But we sent out men to search the city for her, and I alerted every soldier to keep an eye out for her. We’ll find her.”
Ines stared up at me, her chest heaving. She shook her head. “Who’d kidnap my daughter? Why? She’s innocent!”
I feared that was exactly why Remo had chosen her. Fury slithered through my veins. He’d gone too far, and he’d pay for it.
Ines clutched me even harder. “Dante, tell me who!”
Her voice was shrill, more fearful than I’d ever heard her. Not even when she’d found out she was to marry Jacopo had she looked this terrified. “The Camorra.”
Ines stumbled back, her trembling hand pressing to her mouth. She would have sunk to her knees if Val hadn’t wrapped a steadying arm around her. “Shhh, Ines, we’ll find her.”
Ines looked at me with blame in her eyes and it cut me worse than I’d ever admit. “I need to see my son.”
“Ines—”
“Take me to my son,” she whispered harshly. Sighing, I motioned for one of my men to take her to Pietro and Samuel.
When she was gone, Val came toward me. If everyone hadn’t been watching, I would have clutched her to my chest, and I could tell from the look in Val’s eyes that she wanted to do the same.
“Are we safe here?” she asked in a shaky voice, her gaze finding our children who were peering our way. The terror in their face was something I’d never wanted to bear witness to.
“I doubt the Camorra will risk another attack, not now that we’re alerted,” I said in force calm. “But we’re going to evacuate everyone now.”
Franco Mancini came toward us, supporting his weight on a cane. He wasn’t much older than me but cancer had marked him. In the past, this would have made me relive my own pain of Carla’s suffering, and while I’d never forget her and what had happened, my worry over my family and my love for them was at the forefront of my mind now.
“Danilo called to inform me that Serafina was kidnapped by the Camorra. I assume we’ll have to postpone the wedding then.”
I gave a terse nod, trying not to linger on the thought that postponing might not be enough. The Falcones weren’t known for sparing anyone. If we didn’t catch Serafina soon…
“We need to evacuate everyone now, Franco. Tell your men to make sure everyone has enough guards to reach their hotels. If possible, they should head back home right away.”
Franco sighed. “This is the worst day in the history of the Outfit.”
He walked back to his wife and daughter, and I headed from man to man and gave them instructions on how to bring their families to safety. As Capo, I needed to show strength and remain calm, even if I didn’t feel it.
Val waited patiently with Sofia, Anna, and Leonas at the front while Taft and Enzo kept an eye on them with drawn guns.
When everything was organized, I headed to my family. Sofia and Anna huddled together, hugging each other, looking terrified. Anna jumped up and embraced my middle. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and stroked her head. “Daddy, I’m so scared.”
Fierce protectiveness filled me. “You don’t have to be. You’re all safe.”
I hoped the sheer force of my determination would be enough to prove my words correct. Leonas stood and came toward us. He looked mostly confused but I could tell he was scared as well, only trying to hide it. He touched Anna’s shoulder. “Dad and I will protect you.”
Pride filled me. I pulled him against my other side and squeezed his arm. Val got up, her arm wrapped around Sofia who looked completely shaken. I kissed Anna’s and Leonas’ head then gently untangled myself and went over to my niece. I sank down on the pew to be at eye level with her. Tears ran down her cheeks, and her nose was red.
“Where are Fina and Sam? And Mom and Dad?”
“Your mom and dad take care of Samuel. He was hurt but he’s going to be fine.” I hesitated. How to tell an eleven-year-old that her sister had been kidnapped by the enemy that wasn’t any better than the worst monsters from her nightmares? Her eyes held mine hopefully and terrified at once. I touched her cheek. “We’re looking for Fina. Someone took her but we’re going to find her.”
Her face twisted and she covered her face with her palms, starting to sob. She sank against me, her face buried in my neck. I lifted her in my arms as I stood. She was a petite girl, smaller than Anna. Her arms came around my neck, clutching tightly. “It’s okay, Sofia,” I murmured.
“Let’s get you to a safe place,” I said to Val.
Val made a brave face and wrapped her arms around Anna and Leonas.
“I’ll drive them. One of you drive a car in the front another in the back,” I ordered Taft and Enzo. I regretted not having more guards for my family. Once we were back home, I’d have to consider new options.
“Will do, boss,” Enzo said, and he and Taft jogged out of church. Drawing my gun, even though the outside was protected by my men, I stepped out with Sofia on my arm, and Val, Leonas, and Anna behind me. The parking lot was mostly deserted by now, as most guests had already vacated the place. As Capo, I couldn’t leave among the first even if I wanted to protect my family. I headed toward my bullet-proof Mercedes, glad that Indianapolis was close enough to Chicago to drive, so I had my car with me. I set Sofia down on the back seat but she clung to my neck, trembling. “It’s okay, Sofia. I’ll protect you. Once we’re back at the safehouse, I’ll let your parents know where we are so they can join us with Samuel.”
Anna slipped into the car and linked her fingers with Sofia. “I’m here.”
Sofia pulled back, sniffling. She had Ines’ eyes. Overcome by a new wave of protectiveness, I stroked her head again before I straightened and closed the door. Leonas sat beside his sister, trying to make a brave face. I gave him a tight smile and he lifted his shoulders a bit more.
Val took my hand the moment I got behind the steering wheel. She was shaking, but held her head high, trying to appear calm.
I gave the coordinates of the safehouse into the GPS then gave Taft and Enzo a sign before I set out. We arrived thirty minutes later.
It was a house surrounded by high walls and a vast garden, designed to give home to people in need of protection, especially important visitors.
I didn’t relax before we were inside. Val took care of the kids, leading them upstairs so they could change out of their clothes. The house always offered a wide array of clothing, for children, women, and men, so I was sure Val would find something fitting for herself and the kids.
I took off my jacket then lifted my phone, calling Giovanni. “Where are you?”
“In the hotel, picking up your and our luggage. We’re going to take it to you.”
“Good. Who else is in the hotel?”
“Most of the Underbosses and Captains have already left. They’re trying to bring their families to safety.”
“Can you tell someone to pick up Ines and Pietro’s things? I don’t want them in the hotel. They need to come to the safehouse as well.”
“Of course. Do you want me to stay? Or should I return to Chicago?”
Giovanni had taken over as my Consigliere while Rocco remained locked in that cell. I had a feeling his life might be of value soon. Sighing, I sank down in an armchair. “I need someone to hold the forte in Chicago while I’m not the
re.”
“Then Livia and I’ll return today. We’ll just drop your suitcases off at the safehouse.”
I hung up then called Danilo. It took a while before he picked up. “Any leads?”
“They headed out of town on Interstate 70 then switched to smaller roads. We lost their trail around Terre Haute but I have sent out every available man. We have to stop them from leaving our territory.”
“They’ll try to take a private jet or helicopter because it’s safer and quicker than taking the road.”
“We can’t let them take her to their territory…” The despair in Danilo’s voice was palpable. This was supposed to be a day of celebration for Serafina and him, instead they experienced hell. Serafina… I couldn’t allow myself to consider what she might be going through at the hands of Remo, or I’d lose any objectivity.
“The Outfit is looking for them. I’ll head out to join you as soon as Samuel and Pietro get to the safehouse.”
Taft and Enzo came into the living room and I ended my call with Danilo.
“We checked the premises and turned on the surveillance cameras. But we should add more armed guards in the surrounding streets.”
“See who isn’t needed for the search for Serafina.”
“I could ask my son and a few of our men to come from Chicago. He’s the best.”
Pride rang in his voice and he had every reason to feel that way. Santino was one of my best soldiers.
I nodded distractedly. “They should hurry. We’ll stay for a couple more days at least, until things have calmed and we’ve found Serafina.”
“Do you think we’ll get her back quickly?” Taft asked.
I stood. “We have to. Now ask for reinforcement.”
They left and I stared out of the window, trying to consider my options. Remo was a monster. Unfortunately, he was a clever monster if rumors could be trusted. I’d never met him or his brothers, only his father. That man had been a narcissistic maniac who could be driven to rash decisions. I hoped Remo would be the same way.