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Lilianna »»»◈««« "We're never going to find him, are we?" I murmured, my voice barely rising above a whisper as I leaned heavily against the crumbling wall of the grimy alley in Le Piagge. I scanned the filthy surroundings, the stench of decay and neglect assaulting my senses. Trash littered the narrow passage, and the flickering streetlights cast eerie shadows that danced on the graffiti-covered walls. A rat scurried across my path, disappearing into the darkness. My heart sank further. How could a child survive here? The thought gnawed at me. While I lived in my mansions and penthouses, my son was out there, walking these streets. Fear clutched my heart. Marco's fingers brushed my cheek, and I flinched, recoiling from his touch. Since that night with Kason and Anna, a chilling dread had settled deep within me. Any contact from Marco now made my skin crawl, dragging me back to those moments of utter helplessness. I couldn't forget how powerless I felt as Anna ruthlessly ended
Lilianna »»»◈««« I knocked on yet another door, each impact sending sharp stings through my bruised knuckles. My fingers throbbed, raw from the relentless pounding, but I couldn't stop. Marco and I had vowed to scour every house in this neighborhood. The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged woman with suspicious eyes. Her frown deepened as she took me in, "Cosa vuoi?" she demanded. ("What do you want?") I held up a photograph of Beatrice Berlusconi, my voice trembling with hope. "Hai visto questa donna? Sai dove abita?" I asked. ("Have you seen this woman? Do you know where she lives?") She squinted at the picture through her glasses, her gaze sharpening as she continued talking in Italian, "Oh, that's Betty..." Relief washed over me, a powerful tide that nearly knocked me off balance. Marco stepped forward, his presence grounding me as he placed a steadying hand on my back. "Can you tell us where she is?" His voice was calm, but the tension in his grip showed his impatien
Lilianna »»»◈««« The sight of him hit me like a punch to the gut. His small frame, fragile and vulnerable, the wide eyes full of innocent fear that twisted my heart. Those same blue eyes, unforgettable and haunting, locked onto mine after a quick, seeking glance at Betty. Each heartbeat felt like an eternity as I watched him take tentative steps forward, clutching a stuffed giraffe as if it were his only shield against the world. His eyes, flickering between Betty, me, and Marco, scanned us up and down. Betty knelt before him, her grip firm on his small arms. "Francesco," she said gently, "this lady and her husband are our friends. They are here to take us away, to help us. Now go, greet them while I pack a bag, she told him and he nodded. As he walked closer to me, every instinct screamed at me to scoop him up, to hold him tight. Tears welled up, blurring my vision. I fought the urge and knelt down, forcing a smile. "Hello, Francesco..." For a moment, he hesitated. Then, with a
Marco »»»◈««« I held her hand, her delicate fingers interlaced with mine, and on her face was a happiness I had never seen before. She seemed truly happy and at peace. And honestly, so was I. After such a long and excruciating time, I finally felt at peace, like I was finally back home after I had been missing for years. Even though I had just met Marcello, I felt an intense connection to that little man, a feeling stronger than anything I had ever experienced. The last time I felt this enchanted by someone was when I first met his mother. He had the same captivating charm, the kind that draws you in, just like his mother. I’m a father. Damn, I’m a father, and I have been for the past five years, almost six if you count Lilianna's pregnancy. And I never knew. All this time, even without knowing about him, it doesn't change the fact that I was a father. An adorable boy, carrying my father's legacy, my legacy... I couldn't wait to teach Marcello everything I knew, guide him, an
Marco »»»◈««« The limo came to a halt outside Cala del Leone, the final surprise I had planned for her. The secluded private beach lay just outside Florence, hidden away from the world. We stepped out into the cool night air, the sound of the waves crashing softly against the shore. A table was set up near the water’s edge, decorated with flickering candles and fresh flowers. The ocean stretching out endlessly under the moonlight. Lilianna turned to me, her eyes questioning. "What’s this?" I took her hand, guiding her to the table. "Our honeymoon," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down, her gaze never leaving mine. We were greeted with a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne, a private Michelin-starred chef preparing our dinner, and a live orchestra playing beautiful pieces just for us. As we settled in, I poured the champagne, the bubbles rising in the glass like tiny stars. The first course was served, and we began to eat.
Lilianna »»»◈««« I held Marcello tightly in my arms as we stepped out of the car, my heart pounding. I glanced nervously at Marco, uncertain how everyone would react to meeting Marcello. Samuele, Gabriele, Amalia, and Rio stood waiting inside our grand estate. Marcello's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of the massive house. "Whose home is that?" he asked in Italian. I knew it would take time for him to learn English so he could talk with the other kids here. I was determined to teach him everything myself. Marco stepped up beside me, gently brushing his hand against his cheek, "It's ours," he said. "You live here?" Marcello's eyes were filled with disbelief. I nodded, trying to infuse my voice with as much softness as I could muster, "We do, and from now on, this will be your home too." The way Marcello stared at the estate broke my heart. The images of his previous life flashed through my mind. I vowed to erase those memories, to give him a fresh st
Lilianna »»»◈««« I stepped out of the limousine, the blinding flashes of cameras immediately assaulting my senses. The red carpet stretched out before me like a river of fire, leading to the grand entrance of the theater. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of excitement and nerves, as I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. This was it. My first movie premiere. I smoothed the skirt of my gown, a shimmering emerald green that Marco had picked out for me. It hugged my curves perfectly, making me feel like a Hollywood starlet from a bygone era. As I walked, the fabric flowed around my legs, giving me a sense of grace and confidence. “Lilianna! Over here!” “Lilianna, who are you wearing tonight?” “Lilianna, how does it feel to be here?” The voices of the reporters and photographers blended into a cacophony of noise, but I forced myself to smile and wave, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. Marco was just a few steps behind me, his strong hand resting gently on m
Dear Beautiful Readers, Thank you so much for coming along on this wild and emotional ride with the Costello family. Writing this book has been an incredible journey, and I'm thrilled to have shared it with you. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to me. Knowing that you've connected with the characters and their stories keeps me going, even during the toughest writing days. I hope you've enjoyed every twist and turn, and that the story has left you eager for what's to come. Your feedback and love for the book are truly appreciated. Don't forget to leave a 5-STAR REVIEW on the book's main page. Please. Please. Please (In Sabrina Carpenter's voice) It inspires me to keep creating and bringing these complex, intense tales to life. I'm beyond excited to bring you one last wild ride with the Costello family in "Mafia Men VI: Alessandro's Games." Get ready for all the drama, excitement, angst, spice and dark twists as we dive into Alessandro's world. I can't wait to share