RAVENNA
~~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤♤“I thought you said you were going on a vacation. I didn’t expect to see you so soon,” I said as I opened the gate to my house.“Jacob. He was the reason for my quick return,” Drake replied.
“That’s a lie. He was missing me so much that he had to come back home. So, you live in a big house now,” Jacob said.
I shrugged. “Yeah. Let’s go in. Your visit was unexpected, so there’s really nothing to eat. Nana is just making dinner.”
I led them into the house and to the kitchen, where Zypher was assisting Nana in making the food.
“Oh, hey boys,” Nana said with a wide smile. “You’re just in time. Dinner will soon be ready.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile at you like that,” Jacob said under his breath to Drake, who chuckled.
“Boys, this is Zyp
RAVENNA~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤♤“I have a question.”Valentino looked away from the road. “Shoot.”“Did Fiore have anything to do with my kidnapping?”“I don’t know,” he replied, clenching his jaws hard.“You’re lying.”“Even if I know he was involved, what makes you think I’m going to say a word to you?”My mouth dropped open in shock. Since when did he protect Fiore?“Excuse me.”“You heard me right. Just because we fucked, it doesn’t mean I owe you shit.”“Are fucking kidding me?”I felt the urge to punch the shit out of him, but he was driving, and I wasn’t exactly hellbent on dying today.“You heard me right. Why would I tell you anything happening in my family? You might be the boss, but you don’t cont
RAVENNA~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤♤“Who’s this?” I asked after picking up my ringing phone.Zypher had found the phone at the men’s house and she had brought it back for me.“That’s not a cheery tone, sweetheart.”Anthony? How did he get my number?“What’s up, Anthony? How did you get my number?”He chuckled. “Sweetheart, I find out anything I want to. Why don’t we forget about that and focus more on the topic at hand?”“Which is?”“The dude who attacked you at your little party.”I knifed up my bed. “You found him?”“Yes. He’s mainly works as a loan shark, and other times, he’s a hired sniper. His name is Ken Russell. I just stumbled by an information that he’s attending an auction.”Dread filled my stomach. “This isn’t just an ordin
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“Long time, Valentino. Who did you murder this time around?” Detective Parker asked, walking towards me. Detective Parker worked mostly for Fiore, but on some days, he helped. He caused less burden when we had to bring in the cops sometimes, but of course it came at a price. A very expensive price. “No one. I didn’t do the killing this time around,” I replied. “These men actually deserve their deaths. They were auctioning off girls.” “How many bodies?” He asked. “Dunno.” I turned to Ravenna, who was speaking to one girl. “Come over here for a sec.” “What’s going on?” She asked. “How many bodies are inside?” Detective Parker asked. She gave him a curious look. “Who are you?” “He’s a cop. He’s here to help. You need to run things through him before he has to call the police department,” I replied. “Okay. There are about twenty five bodies in there. All i
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧“Dad talked to me last night,” Ciro said quietly from where he was sat at the table while I went about making breakfast for myself.“Seriously, Ciro, that’s the last thing I want to talk about. You’re also the last person I want to talk to.”“Why? Because Dad said he was going to hand over to me?”“No. I just don’t want to think or talk about anything that happened yesterday.”“Well, that’s not what I wanted to say. If only you had let me explain.”“Continue. Just don’t be too long because after breakfast, I’m going back to bed.”Ciro grinned at me. “What, no getting all dressed up in a suit and heading for work?”“Since he talked shit last night, he might as well do all the work. I’m taking a much needed rest. I think the next time we see
RAVENNA ~~~~~~~~ ♤♤♤♤♤♤ “That’s Paul. Don’t say anything when we go over and keep your eyes down. Are we clear?” Valentino asked, pointing to said man standing at the other end of the room, with a beaming smile on his face as he talked to another man. “Crystal.” We wove through the crowd of bodies until we came to a stop in front of Paul. He waved the man he was talking to off before he turned to us. “Valentino! It surprised me when you asked for an invitation. I see you finally took my advice and got yourself a sub,” Paul said, giving Valentino a fatherly pat on the back. “It was only a matter of time, plus this one is a wild thing in bed.” This one? Did he seriously just call me that? I forced myself to keep face neutral and my eyes down just like he had asked. I could hear the smirk in his voice, if that was possible. “What’s your name, angel?” Paul asked, but I didn’t answer. H
VALENTINO ~~~~~~~~~~♧♧♧♧♧♧"What the fuck are you doing, Hank?"He whipped his head to the side while he kept his gun pointed at Ravenna."I know you've been tailing me. You ordered that hit on my son, didn't you? Now it's time for me to take something equally as precious away from you."Well, that was news to me. I didn't know he was aware I was the one that ordered the hit on his son."Since when did a fuck buddy translate into something important? She only lasts for tonight so killing her would be a waste, no? And you want that revenge so much. Killing her won't give you that."My voice was filled with conviction, and I hoped he bought the lie. I moved my gaze to Ravenna's for a split second, and I found hers filled with fear."You think I'm stupid, huh? If she was just a fuck buddy that lasted for the night, why would you put her on your lap. That seemed pretty special to me.""What do you want, Hank? We both know
RAVENNA~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤♤“Renegade is inside. Make sure you don’t feed him anything. I have taken care of that already,” the guard who stood at the gate of Valentino’s house said as he opened the car door for me. I rolled my eyes at him. “I wasn’t planning on feeding him anything. What’s with you and your boss and telling me what I can and cannot do?” “You may go in.” I walked into the house and into the living room where I found Renegade on the couch watching some kind of... cooking show? “Hi. Looks like your owner spoils you a lot. Look at you watching some show on this big ass TV. Can I sit?” He grunted, and I took it as a yes, so I sat next to him, kicking off my heels. “I know it might seem weird talking to a dog, but that’s the only way I’ll be able to keep myself awake. Plus, I’m hungry, and I’m not allowed to ‘snoop around’, but to be honest, I don’t know if that includes the kitchen. What do you
RAVENNA~~~~~~~~~♤♤♤♤♤♤“Look who showed up,” Alaina said, as I pulled into the warehouse and got out of the car with Zypher. “Alaina. It’s been a long time. What brought you by?” “I came to get my car fixed. I was just about to leave.” “Alaina, meet Zypher. She’s a friend. Zypher, this is Alaina. She’s an acquaintance.” Alaina gasped dramatically. “An acquaintance? You hurt my heart, Ravenna.” She grabbed my arm, pulling me to her side. “We’re best of friends. We should go for drinks tonight to make up for lost time.” “I have a funeral to attend tomorrow.” “Even better. You can get a hangover tonight from drinking, and then wear your dark shades tomorrow to protect your eyes. They’re bound to think you’re remorseful for the death even though I have a strong feeling you’re not.” “Bingo.” “See? I know you so well. In fact, I think we’re best friends. Don’t you think so, Zee?” Alaina asked
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