RAVENNA ~~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤"So, you want our help?" The woman I had learned was called Gina asked."Yes," Uncle Leo replied. "I understand that it won't be easy for Ravenna because she's a woman -- no offense on that though -- and the other heads will not quite accept her. I do not put it past them to not stage attacks just to eliminate her.""So, you need us as mercenaries incase there's an attack," Gina summed up with a smile. "I quite like the sound of a female ruler. Those assholes think women are not worthy to sit on any throne.""So, will you help us? I know you have the means.""I will. You should know by now that I'd do anything to help my fellow woman, but with all the ammo I'll need to get, it'll cost money," Gina said."Name the price and you'll get it."Gina's lips splitted with a smile. "I'll send you the bill when we need the money. For now, you
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧"It's quite stupid of him if you ask me. Who lets their niece in power when they've been having a smooth ride being the leader?" Fiore scoffed before throwing back some more whiskey. 'An unselfish man who cares about his brother's child and what he would've wanted had he been alive,' I thought, but I refrained from saying so out loud. "Let me tell you something boy, this is a big disaster that Leonardo is bringing to his doorstep. A woman as the leader? What made him think we would accept her?" My father was a man that saw women as commodity and nothing else. He didn't think women were fit to rule. To him their only responsibility was making sure the kids were fed and taken care of. "Only men are fit to rule. Putting power over strong men in the hands of a little girl? Soon, Leonardo will be paying for this." I tuned him out after that.
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧"Do you know who that was?" Ciro asked as he barged into the office once again."Who are you talking about?" I asked, turning away from the glass wall to face him."One of those girls. It was Ravenna," he replied.No matter how much I had told myself she didn't matter anymore, had prepared to remain indifferent to news relating to her, my chest still did a tiny pang, but I fought to keep my face expressionless and tone indifferent as I said, "Okay."Ciro's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Okay? O-fucking-kay? What's up with you two? I asked if she wanted to see, but she declined. You guys used to be inseparable. Remember the time you bought a..."I slammed my hand down on my desk. "Stop. Don't piss me off. We grew the fuck up, that's what happened. I suggest you do. Living in the past will do you no good. Ravenna and us, we're on different fucki
RAVENNA~~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤"What the fuck did you just say?" I asked. "You didn't just belittle me and the entire women race, slut shame me, and disrespect me, right?" They had my blood boiling. They were one of the sexist men on earth who had a superiority complex over women, and I wouldn't stand for it. "Take it however you want to, but they are saying the truth," Fiore finally said. "So, because I don't have a dick, I'm unfit to rule? And I can't cuss like the rest of you?" I threw my head back in laughter. "Know what I find quite funny here? You're all judging my character based on my dress, but we all know you pay women who dress like me to fuck them, when you have 'decently dressed' wives at home. Isn't that just fucked up? "Infact, I know there are some of you here wishing you could fuck me, but you sit there belittling me? Well, to say I don't give a fuck would be an understatement. You can go fuck yourselves for all I care, but th
VALENTINO~~~~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧"Know what I find funny? These people are smiling at each other like if given a chance they wouldn't stab each other," I heard Ciro say from my side. I was barely paying him any attention, but his words flitted into my ear.It was Ravenna's initiation ceremony and yes, the woman of the hour was no where to be found."Hell, even I feel the urge to stab you," Ciro said.I snapped my head to the side to glare at him and he grinned."That got your attention. You've barely been paying me any mind all evening.""Shoukd I?" I asked with a look of boredom on my face.He had a look on his face that read 'isn't it obvious?'. "I'm your brother. You should be paying attention to me."I rolled my eyes at him. "You're not a child, Ciro.""I would be mad, but I know who's got your mind all over the place because of the prospect of seeing a certain someone," he said with a knowing look in his e
RAVENNA~~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤"We're here, miss," the driver said as he opened the door, holding his hand out to Anna who was the closest to him. Anna gave him a nod in appreciation. "Thanks, but I can get out just fine." It all happened so fast. One minute, Anna was stepping out of the car, and in the next, she was sprawled on the floor while a loud wail left her mouth. The driver bent down to take shield from the car as he pulled out a gun from the back of his pants. "Anna!" Zypher screamed, scrambling out of the car. I took the gun that Zypher had placed on the chair before also climbing out. "She's shot. It went clean through her arm. She's bleeding," Zypher said as she cradled Anna to her chest. "Where did the bullet come from?" I asked the driver, crouching next to him. "It hurts, Zypher. It hurts like a motherfucker," Anna cried as Zypher
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤To say tonight was the shittiest night ever wouldn't be wrong. My body hurt all over and I was stressed out."Do you, Ravenna Costa, accept to serve this organization and give it your very all?" Uncle Leo asked.We stood on a raised platform while the rest of the crowd stood watching us."I do," I answered."Do you promise to bleed for the good of this great organization?" He asked again."I do.""Stretch your hand forward."I did as he asked, and he took the Karambit that was placed on a table beside him."This is gonna hurt, but it will be over soon," Uncleo Leo whispered as he drew me closer to him.I gave a subtle nod, watching as he unsheathed the knife, the silver blade glinting in the light.He sliced a the knife down my palm, leaving a shallow cut. Blood drip
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧"Maybe Matteo's daughter isn't just a little princess after all," Fiore said coming up beside me with a champagne in his hand. "Ravenna? What did she do?" I asked. "Threatened to kill Bradshaw. She's got some darkness in her, too. You both would be perfect soulmates with the fucked up minds you have." He laughed at his own joke before sauntering off. Ten years away had changed her after all. I dropped my glass on a table before going down the hallway Fiore had just come out of. I slowly opened the door which the meeting had been held in, but she wasn't inside. I was just about to turn around when a shadow caught my eye. Quietly, I moved closer, and she looked to be asleep. Quite stupid of her. Who sleeps in a building full of people who would rejoice over your demise? Before I could take a step closer, her gun w
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