Waking from the sleep they insisted I take, I got ready and walked down, the music telling me they had already started. Walking through, I see them sitting with the cards while drinking and laughing.“Finally, he’s alive!” Dario laughs, my eyes rolling at the woman sitting on his lap. Walking over, I grab a drink and sit down.“I’m alive. You started without me?”“It was getting late.” Lorenzo shrugs. Sitting we play a few games, I pick up my phone, scroll through and I go to Lucia’s messages, the phone disappears from my hand.“No women tonight!” Dario looks at me, I point around the room at the women. “They are different.”“Do they have to be naked?”“Yes!” Everyone says it together and I roll my eyes.“I promised not to touch, I never said I wouldn’t look.” Lorenzo grins at me.“We will see.” I doubt he will stick to that later when he’s drunk. Sitting we continue to play cards.“So the plan is, Iz’s soldiers will be here with her. The others I have will replace the ones you want t
We spend the morning alone together, except for the moments we have to be perfect hosts to guests dropping off gifts. All the gifts have been showcased, as I call it, in the main room on the larger table.The only gift that isn’t, is the one from Giovi, which Marco insisted wasn’t exactly a wedding gift, more a welcome to the family gift. I still remember it, after Mr Olson left Marco had picked up the box and asked what it was.When I explained, and he opened it, he was visibly shocked. There was a look that said he knew something, or was hiding something. Then well, he insisted I put it in the bedroom as it wasn’t a wedding gift.I peer across at him, his eyes on the phone. Sure he said it’s just us today, but he’s been on the phone all day, constantly working. I wonder how he will cope tomorrow, or will we be saying our vows and him be sending messages from his phone?He looks up and sees me staring at him. “Sorry.”“If it’s important, just sort it.” I have a feeling he’s trying to
I stand in the pool with her wrapped around my body. I know I promised only to get someone to follow her, but I need to tell Lorenzo. He’s already worried and considering following her.That means he will uncover things in a bad way. I can just imagine his hurt when he sees her with a man and a baby. So I will tell him, but ensure he knows nothing is to be done or said. I smile down at Lucia, her hands running down my chest.I’m lucky to be here right now. If I had married Roxy quickly, this would be so fucking different. I would never get to marry Lucia or walk into events with her on my arm. She would be a secret like Alice is with that guy.My mind flashes images at me, images of Lucia married to another man but carrying my child. It would have been hidden. Lied about. I was about to fuck up my whole life.“You’re thinking hard there. That vein is alive that says you’re thinking hard.” Her finger strokes along it.“Not thinking hard, just grateful.”“Of?” She peers up at me.“Grate
I woke alone in the room that began this whole journey. The other side of the bed is cold, and that hurts. I know we aren’t meant to be together. I just hoped Marco would stay and break the rules. The light knocking has me climb from the bed. Wrapping the gown around myself, I smile.“Morning, bride!” Felicity pulls me from the room. “Breakfast with us ladies. Then get ready.” She is so fucking energetic. Sitting, we eat and talk, I look at Alice, and she keeps glancing towards the clock.I feel fucking awful. “Alice, go.” Her head shakes. “Take your dress, go, and meet us there in two hours or come back here if you have time. It’s fine, honestly.” I can’t imagine how she feels not seeing her baby all night.She hugs me and walks off, and I watch two soldiers leave as well. Are they following her already? Sighing, I try and forget about it for today.“Something wrong?” Felicity looks at me.“No, she just had arrangements. I know it won’t take her long.” She only gets an hour in the mo
The wedding is truly amazing. So many people come and speak to me, some I remember from them coming to the house with gifts, and some I haven’t met before.It’s clear many know I am Ciraulo, many gawp at the pendent in my hair, and it becomes the topic of conversation constantly. I feel this was Caiu’s plan.Announce I am his blood by having me wear this, it seems to be working. Marco is constantly explaining the connection, and how Caiu is my grandfather. To me, he is just an old man, the main Don, the head of the Cosa Nostra.Yet in blood, he’s my grandfather. Nothing can change that. Marco stuck to his promise, he hasn’t left my side since the moment I met him on the alter. If people ask to speak to him, he tells them tomorrow.Most have listened, and a few have complained. Marco asked if it was appropriate for him to go to their wedding and request to talk business. It quickly had them agreeing to wait. I introduced Marco to some of the Ciraulo family, who he didn’t personally kno
I walked out of that room hearing her screams and cries, and left my heart with her. Even leaving it there though did nothing to help hide the pain. Pain from knowing I caused her to be upset, and be hurt. Pain from knowing I may never see her again. Stepping into the car I close the door.“You good?” Lorenzo asks and they all look at me. I give a quick nod when in reality I’m not. The drive there is silent, and I try to push everything down, but for some reason, with the feelings being for her, I can’t.They are boiling over the edge, which isn’t good. I know somewhere inside of her she will forgive me if I return, and even if I don’t. I don’t think I will ever forgive myself for hurting her. Just hours ago, I promised never to lie or hurt her, and I failed. I had to, though, as failing to protect her is far worse.Sitting on the plane, I take out my phone and pull up the video. My eyes watch her. She’s still fighting to get out, and the whole place is trashed. I should be there.“Pu
I don’t know how long I am in the room before the door opens.“Mrs Pesci.”“Fuck you, Hugh!” Standing up, I walk through the house to the office. Alice, Iz and Felicity watch me as I storm into the office. Hugh follows behind.Sitting, I go through everything. I can’t just do nothing.“What are you looking for, Mrs Pesci?”“Hugh, don’t.” He nods and stands quietly, after ten minutes I find what I need. Using the office phone, I dial the phone and listen to it ringing.“Marco, should you not be on a plane by now?”“It’s Lucia.”“Lucia. Beautiful wedding, sí? I saw pictures, the dress was perfect.”“Are you fucking joking? I’m not calling to chat about my wedding. Why did Marco leave me to come to you?”The line goes quiet.“We have some business to sort.”My body shakes.“Mrs Pesci, you shouldn’t...” I glare at Hugh, and he closes his mouth.“Business? What sort of business Caiu?”“Personal business, dear Lucia.”“Don’t hurt him.” My voice breaks.“I don’t plan to, Lucia.”Plan to? “Pr
After I took the cigar, Caiu called in the family, his and mine. Something tells me he knew they would come, and he wanted them here as well. I underestimated all this, I got everything wrong. If I had known I would be going home to Lucia, I would have happily told her I was leaving.It was the fear of the unknown that made me hide it. I watched both families walk in, their eyes on me, and the cigar and I could see their questions. Then it was silence when Caiu announced to his kids they were under me, and from now on they took my orders.You would hear a pin drop with how deathly quiet it went. Caiu quickly explained that he himself would be contacting people and ensuring they knew my orders were the ones to follow, even after his death. He said it in a way that made his own children realise they couldn’t go behind his back once he died.I have a month. One month to enjoy my marriage to Lucia, then things get busy as that is the moment he steps down and passes everything to me. At le
I'm so fucking happy. This is the best Christmas ever. She's pregnant, Alex is officially ours, and she's marrying me! Tonight! I left her for a bit. Her dad is here, so they are talking everything out. I wanted to be there but knew she needed space to do it herself. I look across the chairs and other things. She wanted to come outside, but we banned her. She can't see this, not until later. "It's looking good." Lorenzo smiles at me. "Have you considered this, Dario?" Marco looks at me. "She said yes! She said she would marry me." She said yes. "I know, but I mean the whole surprise wedding; she said yes, but that doesn't mean now." "Yes, it does!" She wouldn't say yes if she weren't ready now. She's ready. She will say yes. She will love this. "Okay, calm down, you're too high." Marco chuckles, but I can't. I feel amazing right now. "How is it going with her dad?" Matteo looks at me. "No idea. I gave her space." I'm giving her space. "Matteo, he's staying at your house toni
I walked out of the room feeling sickened. Not so much that he had slept with my mother, more he slept with me purely because I looked like her. Like in his mind, I was her. I need to check on Alex. Walking into his room he's sat up on the bed looking at the book. "Read it?" He holds out the book, and I laugh. "Move over." I climb onto the bed, and he cuddles into me as I read it to him. Today is Christmas. I didn't realise, but Lucia had the baby on Christmas day! It's nearly three. I read to him, watching as he fell asleep. Slowly, my eyes slip closed. I wake feeling someone wrap their arms around me. Glancing behind me, I see Dario. I open my mouth to talk, and he shakes his head. "No. Leave it, little rabbit. Let's just sleep for a couple of hours." He holds onto me, and I fall asleep, with him and Alex cuddling me. I need to get answers later. I wake up in bed alone. Neither Alex nor Dario are here. Climbing from the bed, I go to our room and begin to get ready. "Little ra
So far, this guy hasn't been forthcoming. It's Christmas, and we're wasting time on him. Sure, we could just forget him and go to bed for as few hours as possible before getting up, but he's a risk. Alice came to get the baby, and Lucia is currently resting. So this needs sorting now. He's not someone who can be trusted alone, even with soldiers. "I never would have hurt her." I look up, confused. "Evaline, my plan was never to touch her or harm her. Weirdly, she is just like her mother. She's amazing." "How did you meet her mum?" I want to get her answers. "I had just taken down a target and was ready to leave when I saw her. I was twenty-eight, and she was thirty-nine. She was so different. She was so amazing I just went over and said hi, which is how it began. At that point, Evaline was born." "Did you see Evaline?" "No!" His head shakes. "I never did; we had been sleeping together for years. She wouldn't let me see Evaline. She spoke of her. He found out about the affair and
I look at Marco. He's heard nothing. "It's Christmas. Maybe just leave it until after today?" Lorenzo looks at me. "I can't do much, Lorenzo." I can't do anything without information that we don't have. "This is your first official Christmas with Evaline, don't fuck it up." Our dad looks at me, and I know he's right. The gunshot has us all jump up and rush out. I watch as a window smashes and smoke begins to flood the hall. "Get the women and kids!" Marco screams, rushing upstairs; I grab Luciano, Lorenzo grabs Alice, and I see soldiers follow Marco up to Lucia and Evaline. Carrying Luciano down, I sit him in the safe room. Rushing up, I see someone carrying Alex. "Put it on." I see something throw a mask at me. Placing it on, I rush up and see Evaline fighting to get to Alex's room. "Alex is downstairs, little rabbit, go." I watch as she disappears. Rushing through, I get to our room and see him. Throwing myself at him, someone grabs me and stops, and I watch them grab him. "D
I wake hearing a bang, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. I reach out to Dario, but he isn't there. The sound of gunshots has my body jump up and out of bed. Rushing, I get the gown and wrap it around my body as the windows in the room smash, and smoke begins to fill the room. I rush for the door and hear something. Turning, I look behind me and see someone jump through the window. Running out the door, I get grabbed. Screaming, I go to hit him. "Evaline, go with him!" Marco? I feel them pull me, but I try to get to Alex. I need to get Alex. Screaming, I fight against him. "Alex is downstairs, little rabbit, go." I don't get a chance to respond. I'm just pulled further away. As we reach downstairs, I'm thrown into a room and the door locks. "Evaline, thank god you're okay!" Lucia rushes and hugs me. I look around, Alice, Lucia, Alex, and Luciano are in here, and I believe it's James. I'm not sure which soldier it is. "What is happening?" I look around us. This room has no windo
Dario's arms stay around me as we dance. He started out fine, but in the past week, he's been slowly drowning and getting lost in his mind. I know he's constantly overthinking what is happening. Everything I try fails. Sex works while we're having sex, and then he's back in his head. It's taking so much effort to keep him here and with us. The last thing we need is for something to happen and for him to slip away in his mind and not wait for answers. So, I need to keep his mind off Mad Hatter or Tim, as they haven't been able to find anything. Marco even tried to send a message out for my dad in the hope he would reply and give us something, but it's been silent. I lean up and kiss his lips. "We haven't spoken about how many kids you want." I smile, and he looks at me so damn confused. "Babies, Dario, how many do you want?" "I just want you." My eyes roll. "You have me. We have Alex. I want to know about us making babies. How many?" He seems to be considering it. "I would be hap
It's too quiet, and I don't like quiet, not in this way. Quiet in my head, fine, but this feels wrong. He's gone quiet. He's stopped sending messages out. He's ignoring us. He's planning, he's planning something, what is he planning? I pace the room. Today is Matteo's engagement party. Tomorrow is Christmas. It's too fucking quiet. Quietly, quietly, not a sound. I'm listening and listening. "Dario!" I turn, and Marco is staring at me. "You're singing." He holds out his hands. "We were waiting for you!" "I..." Something is wrong. Quietly, quietly, not a sound. I'm listening and listening. "Dario!" I glance at him. "Get out of your head, focus." I can't focus. It's too quiet. "Okay, tell me what is in your head. You keep singing quietly, quietly, so speak." "It's too quiet." It's too quiet. "Right, and I agree it is. It's unusual. He's gone quiet; he's not responding, but stay out of your head. It's been half an hour. How long have you been standing here pacing and singing in yo
I sit with Dario. His brothers and his dad are facing me. "You slept with him, just say." Marco laughs. "I did, but that isn't it. That time, I never returned; about a year into it, Dale had bought a holiday home. He sent me to it alone and told me not to leave as it wasn't safe. I stayed there for maybe six months. A few weeks after I got there, the guy showed up. He basically moved in with me." I see Carlos' mouth drop open. "He never stayed in one place!" "He stayed with me. Dale would send maybe one message a week saying I wasn't safe and to stay hidden. If I tried messaging him, it wouldn't go through. I told him I couldn't keep calling him Mad Hatter, so he said to call him Tim for now. That wasn't his name, I don't think. He confided in me, told me about his childhood and things, and I know I should have said, but I saw him as a friend." Which was stupid. "And now you don't? Why?" Marco looks at me, waiting. "Because now I realise he was trying to get information from me.
Dario pushes me to sit in a seat and faces me. He's looking at me like I'm about to blow everything up. I feel like I am. I didn't tell him everything, not because I didn't want him to know, but because I had no idea how or if he would handle this. Then, I just figured out things while he was getting Alex in bed. "Little rabbit, please." He looks at me, almost begging. "I didn't tell you everything. I stayed at a small holiday home without Dale for about six months. I have no idea where he went. Tim, or Mad Hatter as we know him, stayed with me." "You knew his fucking name!" "No! I told him I felt awkward calling him Mad Hatter, so he said to call him Tim, which could be his name for now. His name isn't Tim. It's just a name he said to call him, so I didn't have to call him Mad Hatter." "You don't know for sure, little rabbit, why the fuck did you live with him for six months!" "Dale was gone. I don't know where or why. He was just gone. Tim isn't a bad guy, or I thought. Dale h