It only took a few days for us to tell Leo and Laura that their mother was missing and that we wanted to adopt them. The children refused at first but finally agreed when we presented them with evidence - fabricated evidence - that their mother had abandoned them. They were adopted under my maiden name. Leo surprised us when he said it was the right thing to do. He was afraid that their adoption would cause discord among the Ganovese. He is still so young and yet is already very mature. As soon as the adoption papers were finalized, the children asked for permission to call us Papa and Mama, which we immediately accepted. Elio didn't say anything else, but the moment he closed his eyes and took them in his arms didn't escape me. These children will be loved more than I can imagine. Since that day, I wake up every morning patiently waiting for them to call. And I cherish every moment they are near me. We did the check-up ultrasound, and I was inconsolable for an hour when I was
I'm sitting in the leather chair in my office. I'm in a state of absolute stress, and I don't know what's keeping me from pulling out my gun and firing a bullet into the leg of the happy jerk in front of me. I take a long puff of my cigar like a man trying to get air so he doesn't choke. These bastards are going to kill me with an ulcer or cancer... or both. Cazzo. This day was perfect. I woke up holding Lucia in my arms. She let me make love to her, and I had to be in complete control not to take her to every corner of the house. My wife is absolutely gorgeous. But when she is pregnant, she looks like a goddess, and I could build temples for the world to celebrate her. Cazzo. I have just burned my entire cigar while Santo keeps his fists clenched on his thighs and doesn't dare to look me in the face anymore. I angrily grab my lighter and relight a cigar. Cazzo. Even my lighter refuses to work. The universe has decided to piss me off today. In a fit of anger, I throw the l
"Don Santo," the security team members greet me in unison. I massaged my temples as the pungent smell of cheap perfumes, the thick smoke of cheap cigarettes, and the lively music hit me hard. "Santo is enough. The Don is Elio. I've only taken over his job on an interim basis," I answer coldly. Cazzo. A young woman, completely drunk, has just tried to get past the protective screen formed by my guards. "You're here!" she says with a falsely delighted look. Another one who wants to make others believe she knows me. Me ne frego (I don't care*), and I continue my progression. I want to get out of here quickly. It's almost dinner time, and I'm pissed to make this courtesy visit just before my meal. I don't have time to realize what's going on, and I feel myself being pulled back. The drunk has just grabbed the middle of the back of my tailored jacket. "Hey, handsome, you can do whatever you want with me if you take me with you," she says to me as I stagger off. I'm like
(Didi) Crac. I look emotionlessly at my Family Leader as the lifeless body collapses before me. My hand, arm, and the right side of my face received the spray of blood from my victim as I pulled the blade out. I only had to stab my knife once. This surgical gesture, repeated countless times since my early childhood, is the reason I hate what I become as soon as I get home. Tender childhood? Let me laugh. There was never anything tender about the Bonani childhood. I walked in just as this man was threatening my Don. And my body reacted by pure automatism. He and I exchange a look of respect for each other. We have the same dark brown hair color and the same lips. The only difference is that I inherited our mother's green eye color, unlike him. "My little prodigy sister is finally back home," he said as he got up from his chair to give me a hug. "Vincenzo," I murmured, closing my eyes. I take a deep breath as I smell his perfume, and I know at
"La Madona! You're a lifesaver, Didi!" exclaims Alvize, the manager of the VIP section of the casino. "These are my recommendations and photocopies of my cooking and training diplomas that I passed in Europe. I hope not to disappoint you tonight", I say coldly before raising an eyebrow at the way he looks me up and down. He realizes my cautious look and clears his throat loudly to get rid of the embarrassment: "I don't need to look at these papers, Didi. In the restaurant business, the only recommendation above all others is Dino Bonani." I can't hold back a mocking chuckle and pick up my papers again: "Dino Bonani is my grandfather. He could very well be playing favorites." Alvize raises both hands to face level and shakes his head in the negative: "Not a chance. You and I both know that your grandfather is THE reference. No chance of him playing favorites." I don't say anything more and just look at him coldly. He's still ogling me. "Alvize. I don't appreciate ho
(Santo) "Get out of here, all of you," I order coldly. I glance back. Alvize and my men back away quickly. They all know I hate waiting when I give an order. The long-legged beauty also tries to leave. However, I automatically send my hand into the doorframe to prevent her from leaving the room. With my free hand, I point at her with my index finger, silently demanding that she stay. Then I take a step forward and unceremoniously slam the door behind me. I'm stunned by the way she looks at me, completely blasé. It's the first time in my life I've been voluntarily left alone in a room with a woman who couldn't give a damn about me. I walk past her and can't help but salivate at the enticing smell of cinnamon and sugar. I sit on the main leather chair in the "office" and grab the binder containing all our profits from drug dealing. Cazzo. Her sweet perfume is driving me crazy. I look up and am surprised by her absolutely relaxed attitude. It's not a behavior I'm used to deal
(Didi) "Get out of here, all of you," Santo orders coldly in his incredibly sexy voice. I think I'll give up trying to free myself from my family and offer my services to the Ganovese. To hell with cooking! Too bad I could never be more for Santo! At least I'll be able to see him every day if I take orders from Don Elio. And, besides, I know Lucia will always be there for me and console me when I see Santo with his wife and kids. Shit, shit, shit! I've got to pull myself together. I try to head for the exit, but Santo's arm blocks my way. He points with his index finger, silently forcing me to stay, and I'm absolutely stunned by the color of his eyes. He passes me by, and I must use all the control I can muster to avoid jumping on him. But yes! I could make him a key, tie him up and do whatever I wanted with him. What I wouldn't give to get my hands on him... Hey. Stop kidding yourself, Didi. He takes his place in the main chair behind the desk and starts working withou
"Excuse me?" I answer without understanding. How much do I take? How much for what," I can't help thinking inwardly. "How much do you charge for this?" he repeats, slightly annoyed, probably because I'm wasting his time. I tilt my head to the side and look down at the tray of petits fours. Why, yes. Of course, I do. Santo must want to pay for my catering services. "It all depends on the type of contract," I tell him. He half chokes and reaches for the water carafe on the edge of the desk. He quickly pours himself a glass and swallows the liquid in one gulp. Hey, what? Does he think I'm moonlighting? No, sir, I don't. I have a work ethic. A contract, and that's it. I'm a respectable citizen with charges and taxes to pay. There's no way I'm going to risk being audited and fined for fraud."Contract?" he repeats. I start counting on my fingers without looking at him, so annoyed that he wants to do it backward: "It's all going to depend on the days, the hours... obviously, I