VALENTINO
~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“Can I come in?” I asked, standing in the doorway of the room Carlo had placed Sofia in.She beamed at me. “Of course.”I walked into the room, but I didn’t go close to her bed.“You’ve grown since I saw you the last time,” she said.Maybe she had lost her mind too, because I knew we had never met.“We’ve met before?”“Yes. Multiple times, but I had to wear disguises. Your father would have been angry otherwise.”“Why?”“We made a deal before I left. He was going to protect you at all costs, and I’d stay away. Don’t get me wrong, though. I didn’t want to stay away. My parents weren’t happy that I was pregnant with Fiore’s child. They wanted me to get an abortion, and when I gave birth to you, they wanted to harm you. It was about that time that I knew I couldn’t be with Paul, too. The pressure was too much, and Fiona suggested I left. Fiore didn’t want me to takeVALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“Will you tell Father about your mother’s return?” Ciro asked. “No, and neither will you,” I replied as we made our way to the reception area. “You can count on me, bro. I won’t say shit. Hey, seems like we came at the wrong time,” Ciro said, nodding towards the crowd who were running in our direction. “The fuck is going on here?” I asked, as many of them ran past us. Ciro shrugged. “Dunno, but I know that guy approaching us.” He pointed at a short, round man that looked like he was struggling to keep up with the pace of the crowd. Ciro snagged his arm when he tried to run past us, bringing him to a halt. “Jonnie, what’s going on?” Ciro asked. “There’s been a murder. Lucian Sterling is dead. They hung his head on a spike,” Jonnie replied as he tried to catch his breath. “Who killed him?” I asked. “No one knows. A woman found his body when she was walking
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“You act like a child sometimes,” Drake’s smooth voice said as he strode into the living room. “Why? Because I’m reading this file upside down?” I asked with a smirk. He took a seat on a couch. “Yeah. How you holdin’ up?” “Great. Did you and Jacob fit in well with the men?” He shrugged. “Dunno. They all think I’m fucking you.” I arched a brow at him. “And why would they think that?” “Jacob kinda dropped a hint about it when he was drunk.” “And what did you say?” “I cleared the air. I know how much this means to you. You wouldn’t want to be referred to as the boss who fucked her own worker.” “You’re more than a worker.” He smirked at me. “Ex-fuckb
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Well, that was a total waste of time,” Drake said as we made our way back home. “Not a total waste. At least we were able to warn him.” I busied myself with my phone when a text from Zypher came in. Zypher: Lucian Sterling is dead. His funeral is tomorrow, and you have to attend. Alaina has gone shopping for some dresses for you. Lucian Sterling was dead. I didn’t know if to be happy or sorry for him, but good riddance, right? “We’ll have to push the appointment with the men for later. A member of the organization just died. I have to get prepared for his funeral. If I know Alaina, I’ll be trying on a thousand dresses.”“Okay. Maybe we'll ask Andrea and Slade to take care of the issue temporarily.”“Good idea. I'll text them.”********“They look like a perfect fa
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“We can leave now,” I said to Drake and Zypher. “Took you long enough. We were a second away from coming to find you,” Zypher said as we all made our way out. “Alaina texted me and asked if we wanted to eat something. Apparently, she’s the only one at home.” “Where’s Nana?” I asked. “She went to visit your parents with Leonardo,” Zypher replied. “I know it’s not my place, but you should go visit them someday.” “I will.” Drake elbowed my side. “Ravenna, you’re like the exact opposite of Alaina.” “How so?” “You can’t cook.” “I bake really well.” “That’s a lie. You never baked for me.” “Oh, you expect me to bake for you when w
CIRO~~~~◇◇◇“Hi! I was asleep when you two came in earlier. I’m Sofia,” Tino’s mother said as she took a seat on the lounger closest to where I was sitting on the edge of the pool. “I’m Ciro. It’s nice to finally meet you,” I said, faking a smile. “Something troubles you. I might be no genius, but I can see it in your eyes. What’s wrong with you?” She asked with worry in her eyes. Worry. A woman who I just met for the first time was worried about me, while my mother sat on a chair without a care in the world, watching as my father threw a cup at my head. I had gotten a minor cut just above my left eyebrow, dangerously close to my eye. “You know, it’s messed up that my mother watched when my father did this.” I pointed to the cut on my head. “To me without saying a word, but a woman I just met is
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“Ciro, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I’ve got a job right now, but when I get back, I’ll deal with your stupidity.” That was the fifth voicemail I left to Ciro, and he hadn’t replied to any of them. Aggravated, I walked into the kitchen. “Did you see Ciro when he left the house?” I asked. “Leave the boy alone. If you keep coddling him, he won’t be able to stand on his own. He’s made his choice,” Sofia said. “I have somewhere to be. On no account should you leave the house.” “Gee. One would think you’re the parent. Of course, I know not to leave the house. You’re so bossy.” “You’ll thank me later when you get to live. I’ll be gone for a few hours.” “One question before you leave. Where did you g
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“I have a bunch of incompetent assholes as workers. Byron was supposed to get the car checked out,” I said with irritation, climbing out of the car. “I already texted a guard from the club to bring us a new car. He’ll take this to the mechanic,” Carlo said. “We’re meeting a potential business partner. We’re already an hour late as it is.” “Boss, you should go sit in the car. The other car will be here soon.” Frustrated, I sat in the car. It took thirty minutes before the other car came, and when Carlo was about to drive off, I got a message on my phone. “Turn this car around,” I said. “Boss, are you alright?” “Turn the fucking car around.” “But, we already late as it is.” “If you question my ord
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~ ♧♧♧♧♧♧ “Tino, what is this nonsense? Who gave you the right to shoot all those people outside my house?” Aria snarled immediately I threw open the front door. “Why are you stained with blood?” “Those men outside died because they refused to tell about Fiore’s whereabouts. Except you want your fate to be like theirs, I suggest you start talking,” I said, heading straight for Fiore’s office while she followed me. Just like I’d thought, it was empty. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I am your father’s wife and there’s nothing you can do to me.” I backed her up against a wall. “It wouldn’t cost me anything to put a bullet in your head, but I am giving you a chance to free yourself. Where is he?” “He left on his private jet. I don’t know where he is.” She looked like she was being honest, so I stepped away from her. “Get out.” “Excuse me? This is my husband’s house. You have no right to order me around.” “You can
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤ FOURTEEN YEARS LATER... “Don’t call. Don’t text. Wait until we’re back. Understood?” I asked Jasmine, fixing the last of my makeup. “What if the house is on fire or there’s an earthquake?” She asked, crossing her arms. I paused with the mascara wand to my eye. “Why would the house be on fire?” “You know the sons you have. Domenico in particular. He broke the windshield of Uncle Ciro’s car when we visited the last time. Or the time he beat some kid up at school because he called him frost. The kid wasn’t wrong, though. His hair is white. I could go on and on, and you and Dad won’t get to leave for your meeting. We’re not raising normal humans, Mom. We’re raising wrestling champions.” A laugh broke out of me. She was right. Our first son was a bundle of trouble and his two younger brothers took after him, wreaking havoc around the house. “Okay, fine. You ca
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“He’s amazing, isn’t he?” Ravenna whispered, looking down at our son in her arms. “He’s perfect.” “I can’t believe we made him. Having him in my arms is worth all my sleepless nights. And yours.” I shrugged. “I don’t sleep that much, anyway. You were amazing.” “Where’s Jasmine?” “Outside with Sofia and the rest. They’re dying to see you, but if you’re not up for it, I can turn them away. I suggest them waiting until you’re out of the hospital.” “I’m kind of exhausted right now, but Zypher will strangle you if you deny her entrance.” “I can handle her. I’ll go deliver the news to them.” “Thank you.” “Can we see the baby now?” Zypher asked. “No. Ravenna is tired right now. You can see her when she gets home later today.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Why do I have a feeling this is all you and not Ravenna?” I shrugged. “There’s no way of finding out, is there? Except you plan on causing a scene in
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤MONTHS LATER... “Isn’t this Anthony’s car? What’s he doing here? Didn’t Zypher tell him I wasn’t home?” I asked as Drake helped me out of the car. “She knows you’re returning today. They probably came to check on you.” “That has to wait until tomorrow. I’m dead on my feet.” “I’d offer to carry you, but you’d probably slap the shit out of me.” “True that.” Drake shook his head at me. “Stubborn woman.” “Besides, you couldn’t carry me if I agreed to it.” “I lift weights in the gym every morning. I think I could manage, since it’s just a short distance.” “It’s all fun and games until we both come tumbling down the stairs.” He threw his head back in laughter. “Have zero faith in me, Ray?” I pushed open the front door. “I don’t trust myself to make it up the stairs without dozing off.” “Sneak up the stairs. I’ll handle Anthony and Zypher. Since Anthony is here, he’s probably in the kitchen.” “Thanks for
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“The people want a word, Ravenna,” Uncle Leo said. “Word got around. They have been pinning the death of every member of The eredità on you.” I turned on my stool to face him. “Well, they’re not wrong. I did kill those men.” “If you admit this to them without a background story, they’re going to be angry, and might vote to have you removed from your position as leader.” “That will only happen if I choose to step down. Otherwise, they’re stuck with me. Like I’ve said in the past, this isn’t a fucking democracy, but I’ll entertain their little tantrum. Whoever has a question for me can write it on a piece of paper alongside their contact information. Have some men gather the questions, and I’ll send out replies.” “Will do,” Uncle Leo said before walking out of my room. There was a knock on my door before someone pushed it open and in walked Alaina. “I’d have come in earlier, but I didn’t think you’d want to see me.” I rose fr
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤Not again. That was what I thought when I saw Valentino’s lifeless body on the bed of a truck, a pool of blood gathering beneath him. “Ravenna,” Uncle Leo’s voice called out. His figure was blurry from the tears swimming in my eyes as he reached for me, pulling me into his arms. “Let it all out, Ravenna,” he mumbled. The softness of his voice did me in. I wrapped my arms around him, crying my eyes out for a long minute. “It’s okay. I heard about your pregnancy. Is the baby okay?” He asked. “Yes.” “Okay. Everything will be okay.” “No, it won’t. Valentino isn’t here. He needs to be here. It’s his kid. He should be here. I- I can’t do this alone.” “You have me, Ravenna. Until he wakes up, you have me.” “What if he never wakes up?” I asked, my anxiety skyrocketing. “What if he doesn’t wake up before I have the baby? I can’t do this. I don’t even know if he wants the baby. We never spoke about a baby. What if
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Where’s my uncle?” “Oh, dear Leonardo. He’s a great man, but just like your parents, he’s easily trusting. That’s a no-no.” “What. The. Fuck. Did. You. Do. To. Him? I’m on my last nerve right now. Don’t drag out your suffering, Ilda.” “Knocked him out with a bat. He should be awake by now. There’s nothing you can do. We both know you won’t pull the trigger.” That was where she was mistaken. I wanted nothing more than to bury a knife in her chest and watch the life leave her body. I couldn’t believe this was a woman I’d killed for. A woman I had been willing to risk everything for. “What are you gaining by doing this?” She acted like a sweet woman that I didn’t see her doing a thing like this. I didn’t even see the connection between the woman who had raised me and the one in front of me. “Like Carlo told Valentino, the Costas took something away from us. Matteo used my sister, and he tossed her to the side like she was
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧I came to a halt when I found Fiore on a chair, Ilda on her knees next to him with his gun pointed at her head. Where the hell was Leonardo? “Surprised to see me here this early? I know I’m an hour early, so why don’t we get this meeting started?” He asked, his lips curling up in a sly smile. “Please, Tino. Just give him whatever he wants. I don’t want him to kill me,” Ilda wailed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had bruises around her neck and on her arms. They looked new, which meant he took her recently. “I’m giving you one last chance to come with me, son. There is no going back. Staying on Ravenna’s side will only lead to your death.” “This isn’t only about Ravenna. This is about me, Ciro, Sofia, Aria, and all other people you’ve caused pain. Do you know the shit you put Aria through?” “Not enough, seeing as she was still chasing your dick about. What? Did she finally give you her pussy? Is that why you’re tak
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Are you two sure you don’t need some security with you? I know I said he doesn’t have many guards here, but you can never be too sure,” Aria said, her heels crunching on the gravel as we walked up the driveway. “We’re fine,” Valentino answered. “I just hope for your sake, this isn’t a trap.” “If it were a trap, I wouldn’t be here with you. I’d just give you the address and hang back at my house. Quiet down.” Aria pressed the doorbell, and we heard someone gasp from inside. Someone was close to the door. I met Valentino’s eyes, and he gave a single nod, confirming my thoughts. “Open it,” I mouthed to Aria, pulling out my gun. Aria twisted the handle, but it didn’t budge. “It’s locked,” she whispered before the cries of a baby filled the air. Valentino nudged Aria to the side, yanking on the doorknob. “Sofia, is that you?” He asked. Louder cries filled the house as we heard someone unlock the door. “Who the fuck are y
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“It didn’t escape my notice that you ate nothing. Are you sick?” I asked, startling Ravenna, who was cleaning up her kitchen. “You actually noticed that when you and Drake were glaring at each other all night? Shocking,” she drawled, returning to wiping down the counters. “I was staring at Alaina. He grew overprotective. Sue me.” “The answer to who and where her mother is will not be slapped on her face,” Ravenna said with amusement. It was surprising that she knew what had been on my mind while I’d been staring at Alaina. She was the only one who could disclose her mother’s whereabouts, and she was proving stubborn. “I got the who part figured out. I’m more worried about the where part.” “Really? Who’s her mother?” “She used to work for your mother. Aria said to ask Leonardo, but I have no way of reaching him.” “So you need my help,” Ravenna concluded. I nodded my agreement. “I do.” “I’m afraid I can’t