Chapter 2RenzoWhile I’m checking the status of all the shipments with Elio, I hear Giulio’s infectious laughter as he spars with Fabrizio and Vincenzo.“Giulio, it’s no use sparing,” I mutter. “I’ll never make you a guard.”He stops mid-punch and pulls a disgruntled face. “Come on, Renzo. I’m almost as good as Fabrizio and Vincenzo.”I let out a snort while Vincenzo says, “You wish.” Just to prove his point, he swipes Giulio’s feet from under him, making him fall on his ass.Elio’s booming laughter fills the air as he shakes his head, his tone filled with sarcasm as he drawls, “Yeah, you’ve gotten real good.”With a scowl, Giulio climbs to his feet. “I was caught off guard.”Getting up from the chair, I say, “Elio, make sure the shipment to China isn’t late. The contract with the Triads is important.”“Will do, boss.”When I walk to the door, Giulio catches up to me. “Where are we going?”“The restaurant,” I reply as I leave the warehouse.“For lunch?” he asks. “I’m starving. Sparri
Chapter 3SkylarWith every passing day, I become weaker, and Dad grows more frantic.When Dr. Bentall told us I was out of time, I struggled to process the fact that I’d die soon. A million things went through my mind.How unfair life is.I’m too young.I’ve barely had a chance to live. What happens when you die?Is there a heaven, or is it like before you were born, where everything is just black?I’ll never get to run my own kitchen. I’ll never make food for Dad again.I’ll never get married, and Dad won’t walk me down the aisle. I won’t have children.It’s unfair.But the thoughts slowly faded, and in their place, a weird acceptance that ‘it is what it is’ settled in me.There’s no fighting the inevitable.Whenever I think something is too hard or impossible to handle, I somehow manage to overcome it. It’s the same with dying. In the end, I’ve made peace with what’s coming, so I don’t lose my mind.Dad comes into the hospital room, and a tired but happy smile tugs at my mouth. Aft
Chapter 4RenzoOpening the door, my eyes land on the nurse, and I order, “Open him up and put his organs back in his body.”Pale as fuck, she nods as she cautiously steps into the truck.Elio follows her inside, his face torn with worry and grief as he says, “This is fucked up.”“Was Antonio the first man here?” I ask, my eyes already locking on my soldier.Antonio comes closer as he nods and gestures at the dead bodies on the floor. “I just reacted without thinking to keep one of them alive for information. I’m sorry, boss.”“Tell me everything,” I order. “Leave nothing out.”He points at the bodies again. “I found the fuckers removing Giulios organs and killed them before calling Elio.”My eyes flick to where Bianca’s opening the cut on Giulio’s chest before returning to Antonio.“One of his kidneys has already been taken for a transplant,” Bianca says, drawing my attention back to her. “I couldn’t stop it without giving myself away. I had to sign the documents with the doctor, so
Chapter 5RenzoFor the past couple of hours, I’ve been watching Harlan Davies.The man is in his mid-fifties and looks like any other wealthy man in New York.But he isn’t just any other man. He’s the fucker who paid for Giulio’s kidney.My phone rings for the hundredth time, but again, I ignore it.After Harlan buys something to eat in the cafeteria, he takes a seat at one of the open tables.Figuring he’ll be here for at least fifteen minutes, I turn around and head to the hospital room Davies’ daughter is in.Unlike Angelo, Franco, and Dario, I don’t have a problem with killing a woman. But I’m not as bad as Damiano, who won’t hesitate to wipe out an entire family.For the past ten hours, I’ve tried to process Giulio’s death while trying to figure out how I’m going to approach this shit show.If I wipe out the Davies family, I won’t get to the fuckers who are peddling organs in New York. That’s my priority right now.Nearing the room, my fingers curl into fists, and no matter what
Chapter 6SkylarWaking up the day after the surgery, I feel groggy as hell.An image of an attractive man standing next to my bed flits through my mind, and a frown forms on my forehead.Was it real or a dream?I can remember him vividly. He had black hair cut in a sharp faux style, the sides trimmed short. His eyes were a unique color, light brown irises with a dark green ring around them. Almost cat-like.He even growled like a tiger.“The kidney belongs to me.”My eyes widen as the thought that I might have seen a freaking ghost hits me.“Don’t be absurd,” I mutter to myself as I gingerly try to sit up.My midsection and abdomen are tender from the surgery, but the pain is a lot less than I expected.Leaning back against the pillows, I let out a sigh.Just then, Dad comes into the room, and when he sees I’m awake, a smile spreads over his face.“How do you feel?”The corner of my mouth lifts into a grin as I answer, “Stronger.”Leaning over me, Dad presses a kiss to my forehead be
Chapter 7SkylarWaking up in the middle of the night, I’m still clutching a pen. I fell asleep while making a list of things I have to do when I get released from the hospital.I’m so excited about the second chance I’ve been given, I can’t wait to get out of here.While I set the pen down on the bedside table, I pat the covers in search of the notepad. When I don’t find it, I reach for the remote so I can turn the lights on.Movement catches my eyes, and as they flick to the door, I don’t see anyone.I could’ve sworn I saw something move.Switching on the light, I glance at the covers, but not seeing the notepad, I frown and search the floor around the bed.“Where did it go?”Just then, my eyes land on the bedside table, and I see the notepad.I must’ve put it there before falling asleep.Getting comfortable on the bed again, I pick up the notepad and pen and flip to the page I was writing on.I read over the list I’ve made, then my eyes widen, and a gasp escapesme.A life for a li
Chapter 8RenzoUnresolved anger is like cancer. It fucking spreads and destroys everything in its path.I swing the bat at the fucker’s hip for the fourth time, and he howls with pain.After posing as a buyer, Dario set up a meeting with this guy. He’s the one who sold Giulio’s information at the blood bank.“Who the fuck did you give the information to?” I shout, unable to control my rage, as I slam the bat into his lower back.“Please,” he begs through snot and tears. “Don’t kill me.”We have him stripped down to his underwear, his body covered in bruises and blood.Caught in a haze of white-hot wrath, I beat the fuck out of him until I’m breathless, and he’s a whimpering mess at my feet.My body vibrates from the destructive emotions, and my voice is ice fucking cold as I ask, “Who did you sell the information to?”“I only have…an email,” he whimpers. “I never…saw the person.” “Give us the email,” I demand.He lifts his head and tries to crawl a couple of feet away from me. “It’s
Chapter 9SkylarThe stitches were removed a few days ago, and Dr. Bentall says my body is adjusting to the transplant at a satisfactory rate.Honestly, I feel as good as new, and with every passing day, I’m becoming stronger. I’m even gaining weight again.While I fill little pockets of dough with shredded beef so I can make steamed dumplings, Louisa places a cup of tea on the counter.“You’re spending too much time in the kitchen,” she chastises me. “You promised to take it slow.”“If I take it any slower, I’ll be in bed twenty-four-seven,” I mumble. I shoot her a grin. “It feels like I’ve been released from a prison sentence. Let me enjoy life.”“I just don’t want anything going wrong.”Giving her a reassuring smile, I say, “Nothing will go wrong. I feel healthy, and as soon as I get tired, I’ll take a nap.”She lets out a sigh before walking out of the kitchen, and I take a quick sip of the tea then continue making another dumpling.Suddenly, the tiny hairs on the back of my neck
Twenty-two years later…)EpilogueDamianoWalking out onto the veranda, I glance at the lake before my eyes drift over my guests.Everyone’s at the mansion for a cookout to celebrate Mamma’s eightieth birthday.She didn’t want anything formal, so I only invited the other heads and their families over to spend the day with us.I head toward where the men are sitting and take a seat.Dario points to where the kids are standing in groups, and he lets out a chuckle. “Rosie is following Enzo around. He can’t shake her.”I watch as Dario’s sixteen-year-old daughter sticks to my second-oldest son like glue. When Enzo stops and wraps his arm around her shoulder, the poor girl almost melts into his side.Fuck.I better have a talk with Enzo, who’s just turned twenty. I don’t want him getting any ideas until Rosie’s eighteen.Thankfully, he gives her a brotherly hug before letting go of her.My gaze follows Enzo as he walks to where his brother, Christiano, is talking to Angelo’s sons.When my
Chapter 45DamianoAmelio arranged a Mercedes van and a Porsche Cayenne for the vacation in Cape Town. As we’re driven to the hotel, my eyes are on Gabriella, who’s grinning as she stares at the landscape.“It’s so green, and the mountain is stunning,” she tells Mamma.She was surprised when I allowed us all to travel in the same vehicle, and I had to explain the risk of an attack isn’t as high on vacation as it is in New York.“The roads aren’t as busy as in Manhattan,” Gabriella mentions. “It’s nice.”I give her hand a squeeze and lean into her. “Are you happy, amore mia?”She smiles at me, excitement making the green flecks in her eyes brighter. “Yes. Thank you for arranging all of this for us.”“Emilio did all the work,” I mutter.“You’re welcome, boss,” the fucker says from the driver's seat. “Don’t make me throw you out of the car,” I grumble.When we pull up to The One & Only that’s situated near the waterfront, I slide the door open and climb out.My muscles are stiff from all
Chapter 44GabriellaEven though I didn’t have much of an appetite, I made Coda alla vaccinarafor Mamma, knowing she loves oxtail.I hope Stefano suffers a lot.It’s all I’ve been thinking about since we arrived home after attending the funeral.I can’t believe Aunt Greta’s gone.I glance at Mamma, where she’s sitting in an armchair with her eyes closed.“How are you doing, Mamma?” I murmur.Slowly, she opens her eyes and lets out a heavy sigh. “I keep listening for Greta. It’s so quiet without her.I know.“Should I switch on the TV?” I ask.She shakes her head. “I’m actually tired, cara. I think I’ll go to bed.” “Let me walk with you to your room.”I get up from the chair and help Mamma to her feet.As we walk to her bedroom, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and give her a sideways hug, then say, “Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make you feel better.”We stop near her door, and she gently pats my cheek. “You’re already helping, mia figlia.”Hearing her call me
Chapter 43DamianoArriving at the warehouse, I get out of the SUV and head to the side entrance.“Carlo, go torture Stefano,” I say. “Just don’t kill him yet.”He nods, and I stop by the room where Mrs. di Bella is being held. “Are you going in?” Emilio asks.“Yes. Go keep an eye on Carlo.”When I’m alone, I think about everything Gabriella told me.As ice flows through my veins, I open the door and step inside. I glance at Bobby, who’s been guarding her, and nod to the door.After he leaves, my gaze settles on Mrs. di Bella, who’s tied to a chair. “Comfortable?” I ask.Her breaths explode over her lips, her skin pale with sorrow. Fear darkens her eyes as she stares at me.“Gabriella told me what you did to her,” I murmur, my tone dark with anger. “What you allowed to be done to her.”“It’s all lies,” she cries.I dart forward, and grabbing hold of her neck, I force her and the chair backward until she slams into the concrete floor.I pull out my gun from behind my back and press the
Chapter 42DamianoAfter leaving Gabriella in Mamma and Vito’s care, Emilio drives Carlo and me to the warehouse.Yesterday was a quiet day for us. Once we all got some sleep, Emilio ordered food for everyone. There wasn’t much talking being done, because we were all processing the shitstorm we just went through.But as I’m on my way to the warehouse, my thoughts are focused on what lies ahead.Vengeance burns in my chest, an incessant inferno that can only be extinguished with blood.A fuck ton of blood.Today, everyone who’s hurt me and mine will die. Everyone but Stefano. He will suffer a million times more than Gabriella did before he meets his gruesome end.After the SUV pulls up to the warehouse, I shove the door open and climb out.Dressed in a suit, I adjust my jacket before I walk to the side entrance while pulling my phone out to call Tommy.“Yes, boss?” he answers on the second ring. “Bring them.”“Be there in ten minutes.”When I enter the building, I head to the room wher
Chapter 41DamianoI got little to no sleep with my cock buried deep inside Gabriella. Not fucking her is impossibly hard, but she needs the rest, so I power through.I deserve a fucking gold medal for the sweet torture I’m forced to endure.Then she fucking stirs against my chest, and her pebbled nipples brush over my skin.Christ.When her inner muscles clamp around my cock, I let out a harsh breath, sweat beading at the back of my neck.Before I can ask if she’s awake, Gabriella slowly starts to swivel her hips.I let out a groan, my fingers digging into her ass cheeks. “You’re killing me.”“Hmm…”She rubs her clit against me, the movements quickly pushing me toward an orgasm.“Amore mia,” I grunt. “You’re going to make me come.”“That’s the plan,” she moans before starting to press kisses to my pecs. “You feel so good.” Her teeth tug at my nipple. “You taste even better.”I don’t stand a chance against my wife, and I thrust up once before shooting my release into her wet warmth.M
Chapter 40GabriellaI was allowed a very quick shower before a nurse tended to my wounds.I sit on the side of the hospital bed, and clench my jaw while I watch as Damiano talks with a doctor.I just want to be alone with my husband.Somehow, I manage to keep my expression neutral as I struggle to keep all my emotions from spiraling out of control.Finally, the nurse leaves, and I slip off the bed. Even though my feet are raw and ache from running barefoot through the damn woods, I walk to the window and pull the blinds shut.“I’ll take her home first thing tomorrow morning,” I hear Damiano tell the doctor while I gingerly move back to the bed.I brace my right hand on the white sheets and suck in a desperate breath of air.I hear the door shut, and I glance at Damiano to make sure we’re alone.I suck in another breath of air, then all the trauma I’ve been forced to endure shudders through my body.Damiano moves closer to me, and when his fingers wrap around the back of my neck, I ca
Chapter 39DamianoDirt shoots into the air as we come to a screeching stop in the lot at the front of the property. The house is medium-sized and looks like it hasn’t been painted in the last decade.There are a dozen armed men scattered around the property, and they open fire on the SUVS while they try to find cover against the sides of the house.I shove the door open and order, “Launch the fucking grenades!”Tommy sends a grenade flying into the side of the house where a group of men are taking cover, and bodies fly into the air.Using the door as a shield, I open fire on the fuckers that are shooting from inside the house, and I have to reload the magazine before I’m able to move away from the SUV. With the submachine gun held in position, I run toward the house while shooting every fucking man I lay eyes on.My vision tunnels on the front door, and I riddle it with bullets before my body slams into the wood. It gives way easily, and I keep going, taking out target after target u
Chapter 38DamianoWith Mamma and the other women and children safe, we all focus on getting everything ready for the attack.Impatient as fuck, I glance at Dario, who hasn’t stopped working since I gave the order. “Do you know where Stefano is?”“His phone signal is bouncing off three towers. I have the area but not a precise location.”“Where?” I bark.“Somewhere near Manorville. Just over an hour away by car.”My phone buzzes, and I rip the device out of my pocket. Unlocking the screen there are more messages from Stefano.I haven’t tried to call him, because then I’d be playing straight into his hands.They’ve had Gabriella for twenty-four hours now, and I try to brace for the worst as I open the text.You’re quiet, cousin. I hope you don’t think you have any other option than to step down.I suck in a deep breath before pressing play on the attached video. It shows Gabriella still hanging from the ceiling by a rope.She must be in so much fucking pain.“Let’s get started,” the sa