VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“Note to self. Question the credibility of Anthony’s information before jumping into action,” I said to myself. “It was just this one time. I helped you find that Sawyer dude, and I helped Ravenna find the man that tried to kill her,” Anthony said with a grin. “It’s not my fault we’re trapped in this...” He trailed off likely because he didn’t know where we were. “Basement?” He asked. “You were the one that made me drop my guns. I knew I shouldn’t have listened to you.” “I didn’t ask you to!” “We’re in this situation all because of you.” Backtrack to five hours ago. We had arrived at the island, and Anthony had taken us to his villa. An hour after that, he had suggested we go meet the jeweler. When I set my eyes on him, I knew there had been something off. Especially when he’d asked us to drop our weapons. I was strongly against it, but stupid Anthony had dropped his and waltzed right into the house wher
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“Have you checked out the flash drive Eloise gave you?” Valentino asked, running his brush through his hair. I stopped mid rubbing sunscreen on my thighs. “I believe someone said not to trust the information because it could be a trap.” He cocked his head to the side so he could look at me. “And I believe a certain someone told you not to trust him and you agreed not to.” “And I believe that said someone has done nothing to make me not trust him.” “Raven- “ “I don’t even see why this is turning into an argument. Besides, I thought you were going to get your father.” “I didn’t say the information wasn’t worth checking out. Sometimes, you take my words seriously, and other times you don’t.” “You can’t exactly fault my decision. You know who Lucian was.” Lucian had been strongly against me when he was alive, and I wouldn’t put it past Fiore to do something as fucked up as using Eloise to execute a plan after her husband
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧She loved me? I couldn’t believe that. It was probably the orgasm talking. It wasn’t new knowledge that people formed an attachment with people they were fucking and often confuse the hormones coursing through their system for love. “Let’s see if you say that when the hormones wear off in a couple of hours. Come on. Let’s go get you cleaned up.” “Why did you decide to get your cock pierced?” Ravenna asked out of the blue as I patted her body dry after the shower. It was such a random question that it pulled a chuckle out of me. “Fantasizing about my cock again?” She reached between us, stroke my hardening cock in her hand. “What can I say? It’s a magnificent cock.” I shook my head at her, pulling her hand away from me. “You’re insatiable.” We dried up in silence, then climbed under the covers in silence with her sprawled over my chest. “You still haven’t answered my question,” she reminded me. “Ciro made me
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“It’s rare for things to be calm around here. It feels so strange,” Ravenna said. “That’s so true,” Zypher agreed. “The break was needed, and who knows? Maybe Fiore is dead. It’s been weeks since we returned from the Bahamas and he has done nothing.” “Nobody ask me anything. Just ignore me and act like you can’t see me,” Alaina said as she popped out of nowhere, taking a seat on a pool lounge chair. “I’m not sure that’s gonna be possible. Your tantrum is begging for attention. Now, I’m just gonna keep quiet and back away,” Zypher said, swimming backward so she was away from Alaina, who looked a second away from jumping her. “What happened to you?” I asked, from where I was positioned on the gigantic pizza pool float. “By the way, your idea to get this pool float is amazing.” Alaina cracked a smile. “Thanks. I had to promise Jacob and Andrea my first-born child just so they could help me get them home. My arms were loaded with cl
ZYPHER~~~~~~◇◇◇◇“What the hell is this bullshit, Anna? Why the fuck am I in here like some caged animal, and where the hell is my mom?” Anna shook her head at me, making clicking noises with her tongue. “So many questions. I’ll have you know that this was a collective decision the group made, so don’t try to make me feel bad.” “What the hell is going on?” I was having a bad feeling about this. Especially with my mother absent from the mansion. What did they have planned that involved me being held captive in a cage? “You’ll find out soon enough. You’ll have to know it was never my intention. See you in a couple of hours.” She left and a few minutes later, I heard the basement door open and footsteps as they approached me. Chloe came into view, and I sighed in relief. I really wasn’t in the mood for another chat with Anna. “What’s going on Chloe? What’s so urgent that I had to come here only for me to get thrown into a cell?” “I really
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“I did the nice thing by leaving you for almost two months. Now we can have that talk. I hope you’ve thought out where your loyalties lie now,” I said, sitting across from the boy I’d captured the night I’d shot Fiore. “Are you going to leave me if I tell you the truth?” He asked, placing his forearms on the table between us. With a smile, I shook my head. “Oh, make no mistake. You’re gonna die today. Your reply determines how quickly and what method I use.” “Then I ain’t telling you shit. I’m a dead man anyway, so what’s the point?” He spat. Carlo chuckled at the boy’s answer. “That’s what they all say until he finally breaks them.” “I must say, I admire your false bravado. Why did you choose to work for Fiore? You have a pregnant girlfriend who was kicked out by her parents when they found out she was dating a man like you. You’re just nineteen. You have a lot to live for. Even if it’s not for your sake, do it for your fa
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“What a surprise to see you here. Are you here to apologize to Zypher?” I asked, leaning back in my chair with my feet propped on the desk. We were in the study, which I rarely used because Gina wanted privacy. “Apologize for what? Zypher got herself into this mess.” “But it would’ve been better if she had her mother firmly by her side.” Gina shook her head, her lips curling up in a wise smile. “You don’t understand. Zypher knew the implications for getting involved with Anthony, and she still did. At that point, I wasn’t a mother. I was a leader. The mother in me cried, but I had to be the leader for the people that took orders from me.” “So, what if you’re a leader? Your daughter comes first.” “You can choose what type of woman you want to be. A leader or a lover. You can’t be one and also be the other simultaneously. When love or any emotion at all affects the decisions of a woman, those decisions become selfish. “That’s
RAVENNA~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤“No.” A sob broke out of me as I took a seat on the chair next to the bed. “I’m fine, Ravenna,” Nana tried to reassure me, but I could see even smiling hurt her. “What happened? What did they say they wanted from you?” I asked, my vision blurry from the tears that threatened to fall out of them. “Nothing. I think they meant to scare me. I’m just glad that you weren’t around when this happened.” The tears I’d been trying to hold back broke free. Here she was with bruises covering her body and several broken ribs, but she was still worried about my safety. “I’m sorry this happened to you because of me.” “It’s not your fault.” “She’s right,” Uncle Leo said from the doorway. “Instead of crying, why not go out there and find the people who did this? Your tears won’t change anything.” He handed me a handkerchief to wipe my tears. “You two need to leave. I don’t want any more of this touching you two. Get someone to man
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