Chapter One

Dear Reader,

Just a short note to inform you that the characters in this book are Italian/Sicilian born, therefore they speak that language. Throughout this book, to make it read more authentically, I have written their speech in Italian and followed it with the English in the brackets. I hope it does not distract you from enjoying my book.  

CityKim

‘Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the time of our death’

The woman prayed fervently on her knees before the ornate crucifix tears streaming down her face. The Priest watched her sympathetically but made no move towards her or comfort her,

‘Angelina come’

The voice was harsh and commanding but the woman paid no heed continuing with her prayers.

‘Angelina, do you want the Priest to see what happens when you disobey me?’

The voice dripped violence and the Priest stepped back into the shadows, Don Giovanni was not a man to be trifled with the woman was either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. He looked at the crying woman, she was Don Carlos' widow, the man he had buried a few hours ago, they had been very much in love, as a couple they had radiated happiness. The Priest knew he had been murdered so that Giovanni could have her, this woman was incredibly beautiful her hair was a waist-length stunning red/gold cape and her tear-filled eyes were a glittering emerald green. Even he, a man of God was aroused by her stunning looks but it was clear to even a blind person she had loved the dead man with all her heart. Brutally murdered a week ago because this other Don had always wanted what was his rivals and that included his wife. Don Giovanni sneered as he walked arrogantly back into the church,                                                                                  ‘All this could have been avoided if the little bitch had obeyed him in the first place.’

He thought smugly watching as Angelina got off her knees, genuflected to the cross and lifted her head brave and defiant as always,

‘I am so sorry Father’

She apologised softly and the Priest frowned at her,                                                                                       ‘What did she have to be sorry for she had done nothing wrong.’                                                                He thought then watched in morbid fascination as she pulled the gun from her pocket,

‘Come and get me you murdering bastard, or are you the coward Carlos said you were’

Her voice cracked as she said her dead husband's name and the Priest flinched and backed further until his back hit the wall of the recess he was hiding in a string of profanities echoing around his church.

‘Fucking bitch. You need teaching who is your Master now whore. You will regret disobeying me.’

Giovanni clenched his fists and strode towards her angrily but she stood her ground her beautiful eyes flashing with hate and something else, something he could not discern but he soon found out. When he was close enough to her and she could see his lust-filled angry eyes she calmly lifted the gun and shot him between the eyes at point-blank range. She couldn't miss and he crumpled at her feet quickly she fired two more shots into his body but he was already dead. Calmly she stepped away from the body and glanced back at the Priest. He was shocked to see her eyes were calm, a loving smile playing over beautiful lips that were moving in silent prayer.                                                                                                                   ‘Forgive me, Father, please forgive me.’                                                                                                         He did not understand why she would be smiling and then without any hesitation he watched her lift the gun place it to her forehead then pull the trigger.

Giovanni’s men came racing into the church but it was they were too late both of them were already dead, blood pooling beside them as the Priest gently closed their eyes and whispered the Last Rites over their bodies. The men stood back their heads bowed in respect as he completed his task and stood up then working quickly and efficiently they collected the bodies and carried them out to their waiting cars and disappeared in a shower of dust. Standing just inside the door of his church the Priest made the sign of the cross at the retreating cars turned with a heavy sigh and locked the door behind him, somehow he knew this feud had not ended with the death of these two people.

Father Darwin walked back into his church not quite sure what he had just witnessed, Don Giovanni was the most powerful man in Italy and he believed that was why he had killed his rival so there was no one else to challenge him. He had ended the wars between the gangs, brought a kind of uneasy peace to the streets, and even brokered a truce with the Police, he was well thought of by the people who lived in the city. When the Don said he was going to do something he did it, he provided cash for hospitals, schools and other Municipal buildings to be repaired and then maintained. Social areas were kept clean and well cared for so that all could use them, and children played in parks with their mothers watching them contently knowing they were completely safe. The areas they protected prospered, shops opened and crime was minimal, people quickly learned to go against the Mafia earned a quick rebuke and punishment. If it was a serious transgression they were given one chance and let off with a severe beating, if they transgressed again there was only one punishment, death, which was an excellent deterrent to would-be criminals. Don Giovanni had everything he needed, he was rich and successful with houses, cars, and more money than he could ever spend. He had the most beautiful women falling over themselves to be his woman and he used them to satisfy his needs but that was all they were for. He did not date them, he did not sleep with them, he fucked them, hard and savage taking them when and how he desired, with no tenderness and certainly no love. Giovanni loved only one woman and she was the wife of his hated rival that’s why he had murdered him in cold blood and taken her a fortnight ago. Unfortunately, he had underestimated Carlos’ widow, blinded by his lust for the beautiful woman he had claimed as his prize and that had been his mistake, she did not love him she hated him for what he had done the only man she had ever loved was Carlos.