FrancescaClean and modern, Enzo's beach house was the opposite of the castle. The property stretched along the Gulf of Naples, each room offering a magnificent view of the water and Vesuvius. Mariella lived here, while Enzo's wife and children were elsewhere, and he had the luxury of coming and going, the cheating bastard.Even though Enzo was barely around, his guards were always present, as was Mariella, which meant I was never alone, and I was exhausted. I spent most of my time wondering if this was the day I would be tortured or raped in revenge against Faust. Or worse, the day Enzo realized I was of no use to him and put a bullet in my brain.I barely slept. I ate to keep my stomach at peace, but I worried that every bite of food was poisoned. Every noise made me jump, and my nerves felt stretched to the breaking point. How much more of this could I take? How much longer until they realized I was pregnant with Faust's baby? What would happen then?The possibilities were too terr
FaustI knew something was wrong as soon as Giulio, Marco and five of my men crowded into my office on the yacht. We had anchored off the coast of Naples, not far from Enzo's beach house.“Papà,” Giulio said in his most reasonable tone. — You should sit down.Marco grimaced, knowing me well enough to understand how this happened. No one told me to calm down or sit down. I was the boss of this 'ndrina, the capo, and I could never show weakness. “Tell me,” I snapped, remaining on my feet.“A message arrived from D'Agostino,” Marco said. - Is bad.I appreciated his frankness, but my gut clenched all the same. What had D'Agostino done to her? If he had hurt her, I would bomb the entire Gulf of Naples, skull-fuck her corpse, and then go after his wife and children. - Show me.Giulio handed me the phone and I froze. My glorious girl wason his knees, his face covered in tears as a Glock was shoved into his mouth. Enzo trapped her, ropes crossing her body, under her breasts, and I could see
FrancescaEnzo stayed for dinner.I tried to hide in my room, but they sent me out to the courtyard to eat with Enzo, Mariella and six of their men. The outdoor space was softly lit and lined with beautiful, fragrant flowers. Gentle waves crashed onto the beach in a calming, rhythmic sound. The setting would have been romantic under any other circumstances, but I couldn't appreciate it. I picked at my spaghetti, aware that everyone was surreptitiously watching me. Was the food poisoned? Were they all waiting for me to eat and then pass out at the table?Mariella tried to keep the conversation going, but Enzo's men were not interested in talking, remaining silent, and Enzo gave her one or two word answers. Finally, he looked at me. —Don't you like pasta, Frankie?"— I'm just waiting for the poison to take effect.—Now, why would we poison you? You are much more valuable alive than dead. — He pointed to my plate. — Take a bite.— I'm allergic to shellfish. - It was a lie. I loved seafoo
FrancescaEnzo pulled me closer and started moving back. — I didn't lose anything. I still have your puttanella . I'm going to kill her.Fausto advanced, with the gun pointed at Enzo. — You die anyway.— Put your gun down or I'll shoot her. Now. Cum! — Enzo shook me, his arm around my throat, and I choked.Something flashed across Fausto's face at the sound, but he didn't take the gun away from Enzo. - I do not think. You will let her go.— Wrong, I'll keep it. I think I'll let you watch while I kill you.- March! — Fausto shouted, his voice echoing in the large space.Marco entered the door, but he was not alone. He had a wife and two small children with him. Their mouths were covered with tape, hands tied, eyes wide with fear. It looked like everyone had been pulled out of their beds, with the children still in their pajamas. Marco's gun was pointed at the children.Enzo stood perfectly still behind me. His voice was low and angry as he said slowly, “You dare kidnap my family?My st
FaustI saw her pretend to sleep next to me on the plane. She thought I wouldn't noticethe racing pulse at the base of your throat? Clearly she was awake, but I let her have it. She was upset enough. It would take time to win her over again.But I would. What she and I had together was too strong, too wild to deny.Did Enzo hurt her? I had no idea how she suffered at the hands of my enemy, except for the picture of her on her knees, a damn gun in her mouth. D'Agostino would pay for this a thousand times over before I broke up with him. Was there anything else? I needed to find out what happened during his captivity – not just to punish Enzo, but to offer him support and comfort.I examined her as best I could, but saw no bruises or cuts. No welts or broken bones. Maybe the damage is where I can't see it. My blood ran cold at the thought. Did Enzo rape her? Or harmed my child in some way?“Stop looking at me,” she murmured. - It is scary. And stop moving. I'm trying to sleep.— Cazzat
FrancescaHe was carrying me around the house. I tried not to think about how good Fausto felt touching me, the warmth of his chest enveloping me after all this time. This was a slippery slope, and there was no way I was signing up to do that ride again.My body's reaction to him irritated me. “Put me down,” I snapped. — You're still covered in blood and sweat.- No.I thought about smashing this cake in his face, but I decided not to. Although I found it satisfying, it would be a waste of a large cake.When we reached the top of the stairs, he turned left instead of right, walking toward his wing of the castle. - Where are you going?You went the wrong way.— You will stay with me from now on.I was unnerved. — I want my own room, Fausto.— You will stay here with me.Not God. Please, anything but that. Being close to him, smelling him. There would be no relief for my long-buried feelings. I grabbed the fork from the top of the cake and held it like a weapon. —My own room, or I swear
FaustI descended the dungeon steps, a familiar calm washing over me as I descended below ground. Maybe it was more detachment than calm, but I appreciated it anyway. Down here, there was no need to hold back. Instead of fighting the demons from my past, I could let them rise up and take over.Enzo D'Agostino was about to witness this transformation firsthand.I was almost ten years older than Enzo. He hadn't seen me at my worst when they started calling me il Diavolo. He would learn, though, starting tonight.Marco, Giulio and several guards were leaning against the stone. Cigarette hanging from his mouth, Giulio watched me attentively, his face tired and skeletal. When did he start smoking? I did not like. Vices made men weak.I couldn't stop to lecture him now, though. Besides, I had already asked him to give up enough. Maybe I should skip the cigarettes. A tentative truce was called between us while planning to get Francesca back, and I hated to see it broken.Looking at Marco, I
FaustMid-morning, I arrived in the kitchen to find my son and wife laughing over coffee and cornetti. It was almost as if the horror of the last month hadn't happened. I felt a smile tugging at my mouth. Things would soon go back to the way they were, including Francesca fucking me.Their laughter died down as I made another espresso. But I had other things in mind. I was exhausted. Enzo hadn't broken yet, but he would. I had given him a lot of grief last night, enough to last for days.Still, my mood was light. My dolcezza was back under my roof where she belonged.We should go,” she said softly to Giulio. — I don't want to be late.That made me turn around. —Where do you think you're going this morning?His right eye twitched, but his voice remained monotone. — To the obstetrician, Fausto.- I'll take you. — My day was full of calls and reports, but I would push them to do that with her. For her to forgive me, we had to spend time together.— You're going to take me to the doctor.
FaustFour and a half years laterThe door handle rattled, followed by a thud. More rattling.When Marco started to rise from his chair, I raised my hand. “Wait,” I muttered and hid my smile.A few seconds later, my office door opened and the beautiful face of my two-year-old daughter, Noemi, appeared. She walked in like she was in charge. — Papa! Zio Marco! Mom says it's time to come.I pushed away from the table and patted my lap. — Polpetta! I've been waiting for you. Come, give me hugs and kisses.— Oh, me first! — Marco took my daughter before she couldreached the table and turned it around. She screamed in pleasure, her short blonde curls flying.When he pulled her to her feet, she smiled and staggered. - I am dizzy.I gave him a second to get his bearings. — Now can I have my hugs and kisses?She ran over and jumped on top of me, squirming in my lap. Naomi was aggressive and energetic, just like her brother. And your mother, now that I think about it.Noemi stayed on my thighs
FrancescaI was worried the whole time he was gone.When Fausto was ready to return, I walked back and forth in the entrance while Nestor leaned against the wall, watching me. He didn't leave my side during my husband's absence, except when I used the bathroom. I knew this was to keep me safe, but I preferred to have Faust's gaze on me.After scolding me for scratching the entrance tile, Zia dragged me into the kitchen to order chicken in lemon sauce and a portion of roasted eggplant. She had a tartufo for dessert, which reminded me of Giulio and our dinner when I was first in Siderno. I started to tear myself apart.Zia shook her head at me. - He is better. He's a good boy, but he never liked this life, not like he should to lead. Your child will take over when the time is right.That was a conversation for another day. There was no way I was deciding my son's fate like that. I didn't care what Fausto said—our children would make their own decisions.“It's the hormones,” I told her.
In fact, I couldn't wait to sit down again. But instead I took a walk around the large hall where the round table was set up. I shook hands, kissed cheeks, slapped backs, and acted like I hadn't almost been murdered three weeks ago. Someone gave me a Campari and soda, and I saw it was Marco. I sent him a grateful look and drank half the cocktail in one go.Inside the room were members of La Provincia , the control council. The only person missing was Enzo D'Agostino. It was smart of him not to show up, because I would have strangled him right away.Finally all the leaders sat down, with our men behind us. I was sandwiched between the dons of Reggio Calabria and Platì, both men I knew well.Pasquale Borghese was the capo crimine, also the diplomat and mediator of the group, which is why he initiated the meeting. — Signori, let's begin, as we are all anxious to return home. Some more than others.— Yes, the ones with girlfriends! — Someone shouted, making everyone laugh.Borghese raised
FrancescaI couldn't stop crying.Five of us were gathered in the lobby, surrounded by three suitcases. Fausto was standing, leaning on a cane, with Zia and Marco nearby. Giulio and I stood to the side, near the luggage, and his arms were around me as I sobbed into his probably very expensive shirt. There was nothing more to be said. I had pushed for this result, I hoped it would happen, but it hurt.Giulio was the most composed of all of us, which was understandable. After all, it was his decision to leave. Fausto gave him a choice and Giulio eagerly seized the opportunity. Now he would begin a new chapter in his life as an entirely different person. When he walked out this door, he was no longer the Ravazzani heir. Not a Ravazzani, actually.And I would never see him again.I hated it, but I understood the reasons why he couldn't live happily here. And really, that was better for Giulio, that was all that mattered.When he broke the news to me, I heard the excitement in his voice abo
I looked at my wife's beautiful face, letting the tranquility she instilled in me settle into my bones. Then I pointed to the phone. When it started ringing, Marco put it on speaker and placed it under the table.“There,” said a voice, weaker than usual, but stronger than it should have been.— Enzo, come stai ? How are you feeling?— I've never been better, Fausto. But enough about me. I heard you're not well.- I am fine. Stronger than a bull. It's a shame you can't stay longer.- Yes well. Thank you for your generous hospitality. I'll have to see how I can reciprocate.“There's no need for that,” I said. — It was truly my pleasure.— Maybe you can come visit me next time. His wife seemed to like the beach house.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my nostrils. My wife's delicate fingers touched my hand, telling me to stay calm, so I said, “Last I heard your beach house was destroyed.Everything can be rebuilt, don't worry. Congratulations on your wedding, by the way.—
FaustI was too weak for the dungeon steps, so I instructed Marco to bring Vic to my new hospital room upstairs. In the middle of the night, they dragged him and threw him onto a plastic sheet spread out on the floor next to my bed. He groaned and winced, his broken and bloody body shaking in pain.Go well. That pleased me.— Can you hear me, pezzo di shit ?When Vic didn't respond, Giulio kicked him in the ribs. Vic gasped a few times, and after he calmed down, I replied: — Answer me.— Yes... Don... Ravazzani.—Know this, Vic Benedetti. I will make an example of you. They will whisper about the horrors of his death for years to come. You will suffer, coglione . You will suffer for spitting in the face of my trust and for what happened to my wife. The wife and sisters you were trying to protect from D'Agostino? They receive nothing from me after their death, noreven my protection.“No, please,” he panted. - Please.— He put a gun in my wife's mouth. A weapon. In my wife's mouth! — I
FaustI didn't sleep much that night.Lost in thought, I watched Francesca on the bed in the corner, the even rise and fall of her chest as she slept. A son. I hadn't lied when I said I preferred a daughter. Children brought a lot of headaches, a lot of worry. I did everything I could to mold Giulio into the man who would lead my family, but I failed. He did not want.You have to let Giulio choose.Two weeks ago, before I was shot, I wouldn't have cared about your feelings. He was the Ravazzani heir with a duty to me, to the family, and his wishes didn't matter.But I could no longer say that this was still the case.As I bled on the sidewalk, I thought about those I was leaving behind, including Giulio. My good boy, who only argued with me once, and it was because of his lover, Paulo. He would do whatever I asked, even at the expense of his own happiness. But did I want that life for him?I hated my own father, who never showed any consideration for my thoughts or feelings. We weren'
FrancescaThe nurse was in Fausto's room, reading his vital signs, when I entered. His heart machine started beeping like crazy when he saw me.— Ma che cazzo ? — Faust murmured.— Hello, husband. — I walked to the bed, ignoring the dark look he sent me. — How is he today, Angela?—Much better, signora. No sign of infection and he is regaining his energy.- Oh good. — I smiled at him and leaned over to kiss his cheek, which was now covered in whiskers. —Ciao, baby.Fausto was absurdly attractive when he was clean-shaven, but that was nothing compared to how hot he looked with a beard. There were even some gray hairs in his beard, which gave him a dad vibe that I definitely liked. I would beg him to keep some facial hair when he felt willing to play with me again.You shouldn't be here,” he said when the nurse left.—And yet here I am.— I should call Marco and have him lock you in the dungeon.— But you won't because they are busy with other things that are more important than me.—No
FaustI almost got killed. Again.This time, however, it was different. The other attempts on my life were botched, easily avoided. Except for the car bomb, I saw them coming.The shooter took me by surprise. I didn't expect a coordinated attack to facilitate Enzo's escape. I suppose I should have—he knew it was me or him, that one of us would end up dead—but I was shot in the street like an infantryman. In front of my wife.What was I thinking?I had been careless, which was unforgivable. She was carrying my son. Nothing mattered more than the two of them, along with Giulio. I should have stood my ground and made Francesca cancel the appointment. Instead, I let her manipulate me to get what she wanted.I wouldn't make that mistake again.Conscience once again tugged at me and forced me to wake up. My brain swam toward the sounds until my eyelids fluttered. I expected to see the beautiful face of my wife, who spent the night here with me, but Marco was there. It was the first time he