Novels by Skie

SALVATOREMy brothers and I weren’t religious, so we had refused to marry in church, much to the Famiglia’s disapproval. I wasn’t sure why they clung to their beliefs when they broke every rule established by their religion on a daily basis. Every man would end up in Hell, if what they believed was truth.I waited at the altar that had been set up in front of the tent in the gardens. Cosimo stood besideme as my best man, his eyes undressing Celestina’s bridesmaid Alejandra in a way that made her husband Damion scowl. I sent Cosimo a warning look but he ignored me. He probably would have preferred a bloody wedding, and from the look on Warren’s face as he sat in the first row, he would too. Augusto and Saverio sat a few seats away from the Vitiellos. To my surprise, Phoenix had allowed Caroline to sit beside Alessia. They seemed to be getting along well, and even Simone exchanged the occasional word with his sister.Cosimo rolled his eyes when he followed my gaze. He should have been

CELESTINAAunt Josephine handled the wedding preparations with Caroline’s help. The Grecos didn’t seem to show much interest in the details of the celebration. For them it was business, nothing else. It was decided that the wedding was to take place in my parents’ mansion in the Hamptons—the place where they had been killed. My mother by my father and my father by Phoenix. It was almost symbolic that this was the place where I would lose my life as well.On the day of my wedding, I stepped into the foyer of the mansion, a place I hadn’t set foot infor years. It had been mostly deserted since then. My brothers had inherited the place—not me since I was a woman—and they had preferred to stay in Atlanta, away from Phoenix and away from me. They were much older, so we never had much in common anyway. They were busy making names for themselves, despite our father’s wrongdoings. My marriage to Salvatore was supposed to wash away the blemish of the past, but my secret could ruin us all.Ove

SALVATOREWe pulled up in front of the massive stone and stucco Romano villa in Baltimore, where the engagement party would take place. With only two days before the actual wedding, there was no logical reason to get officially engaged at all, but logical decisions weren’t the Famiglia’s forte. Saverio, Augusto, and Simone remained in Las Vegas to make sure things went smoothly over there. They would only fly over for the actual wedding. It wasn’t as if any of us cared for the festivities. It wouldn’t be a huge affair like Caroline and Phoenix’s wedding had been many years ago. Our Underbosses and Captains would stay in their territory. Cosimo wouldn’t risk anything after the Outfit attack.“If they’ve invited that fucker Puma, I will paint their walls bright red with his fucking blood and that of any Famiglia fucker who gets in my way,” Cosimo growled. “He won’t be invited, Cosimo. Phoenix won’t risk it. He knows you and Puma will tear into each t other.” “What about you? You’d fuc

CELESTINAAunt Josephine looked incredibly pleased as she entered the library where I had been hiding all day from her and my uncle. “Phoenix had a meeting with Salvatore Greco today.”I put down the book I was reading, trying to keep my face emotionless. “And?”“Phoenix showed Salvatore a photo of you, and he agreed to marry you.”She watched me expectantly as if she thought I’d do a happy dance because Salvatore hadapproved of my looks. I swallowed hard. “That’s good news.” It was all I could manage, and it lacked enthusiasm.My aunt pursed her lips. “Celestina, really, I don’t think you grasp what this means.”Oh, I knew exactly what it meant, and that was the problem. “It takes some getting used to, theidea of marrying him, Aunt Josephine. Don’t worry, by the time I’ll have to marry him, I’ll be able to convey my excitement properly.”It was a blatant lie. If I managed not to flinch at every touch, that would be a huge success.“Well, you don’t have much time. Cosimo Greco insis

SALVATORE. I returned late that night to our mansion. Cosimo was awake as usual. He never slept more than a few hours. He got up from the sofa the moment I stepped into our game room. Saverio and Augusto were busy playing a video game, some kind of race. Augusto was in lead; just like in real life, he knew how to drive a car.“And?” There was a hint of eagerness in Cosimo’s voice. I wasn’t sure if he hoped Phoenix haddisagreed after today’s meeting so we could attack the Famiglia or if he really wanted peace. Cosimo only ever thrived in chaos and violence.“He suggested one of his cousins, Celestina Romano.”“If her last name is Romano, her father must be one of Phoenix’s traitorous uncles.”“You are right. Her father was killed for betraying Phoenix.”“So he gives us the daughter of a traitor?” Cosimo asked in a low voice.“We don’t care about these kinds of things.”Cosimo threw one of his knives at one of the armchairs, and it wedged itself into the leather. There were more holes

CELESTINA Today.A knock sounded, tearing me out of the painful memories. I took a deep breath and willed my voice to be strong. “Come in.”Aunt Josephine opened the door, but she didn’t enter. Worry tightened her mouth. “Celestina, that was very rude,” she said. She regarded me then averted her gaze, and again it was filled with a hint of guilt. “You should be honored to be given to someone of importance. With your background, it’s a blessing. Your wedding will be a spectacle. It’ll bring honor to your name.” “And yours,” I said quietly.She stiffened, and I instantly regretted my words. I had no right to criticize her or my uncle. “We braved a lot of unpleasantness because we took you in. You can hardly hold it against us that we are happy to have found such a honorable match for you.” “Has it been decided?” I asked quietly.She frowned. “As good as. The Grecos insist on Phoenix’s relative for the marriage, naturally,so Altair suggested you. Phoenix would like a word with you befo