When I received a call from Alessio letting me know that a plan was in the works to find me the perfect bride, I thought, Fat chance of ever finding the perfect woman. All I can hope for is a trophy wife who knows her place.
Another surprise was a hand-delivered invitation from none other than Luciano Donatelli and Emiliano Bianchi. I was quickly alerted that the men were in our territory, and not long after, they walked into one of my clubs and told the owner they wanted to see me.
I’m not ready to give away the location to my home. I take great pains to keep my sanctuary hidden. This is the only place where I have peace. The condo in the city is where the world thinks I live. The place I consider my home is on the outskirts of the city. My remote home on the lake is my haven. Security is considerable, and every precaution is taken to safeguard the location. All the soldiers on the property have been handpicked and personally trained by me.
I meet Luciano and Emiliano at the club an hour later, with Emiliano offering a personal invitation to attend an event in his honor and that of his fiancée, Cara. I have to say that Alessio, Reno, and Marco have come up with a creative way to introduce me to my new wife.
I don’t bother to hide my amusement. Luciano mentions a comment about a beauty pageant being an option.
“No, thanks. I’ve had enough of models, actresses, and poor little rich girls,” I tell them. They flock to me like moths to a flame. It serves my purpose when I need a quick fuck or a pretty woman on my arm for a gala event. Unfortunately, my duty as a capo comes before my own personal needs, and a wife has become a necessary commodity. She’ll have to be beautiful and elegant.
In public, the woman I make my wife will play the besotted wife. For my personal needs, I’m sure there will be plenty of women willing to warm my bed. In our world, wives serve a purpose. They are treated well, but do not expect fidelity. I’ve met very few men who stay faithful to their wives. They may grow to care for them, but even so, divorce is absolutely out of the question, so they make it work. I’ve even known some men who have become widowers, their wives dying due to “unfortunate accidents.”
My union will be with a woman from another family, and the entire purpose of acquiring a wife outside Ultimo Morte is to keep a truce alive. This means that I’ll be a respectful husband and ensure that she is treated well.
We spend the rest of the afternoon discussing business and the actions of the Bratva, who are becoming more of a nuisance with each passing day. I’ve offered insight on some of the talk that my men have picked up on the streets, and my underbosses are off shortly afterward to tend to their responsibilities.
I hold the invitation in my hand, looking at the date. Two weeks until I’ll meet my future wife.
* * *
Two Weeks Later…
When my private plane lands, Nero is there to greet me with several of his men. Ivo and I sent a handful of our soldiers ahead yesterday. Trust is a very delicate commodity, and I’ve learned that even your own family can turn on you. I see my men in the distance keeping watch as I step down onto the tarmac.
I extend my hand to Nero. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
“We like to treat our guest with respect. It’s good to see you.” He smiles and waves a hand to his black GMC Denali. “My father would like for you and your men to stay with him. There’s plenty of room, and if you so choose, you can have the carriage house all to yourself.”
To refuse would be an insult to Marco’s generosity. But I’m not loving the idea of being in a rival family’s territory and in someone else’s home.
“I don’t want to impose.”
“No imposition. My mother is looking forward to feeding everyone. She lights up when company arrives,” he says. Marco wouldn’t put his wife in the line of fire. Everyone knows that he’s devoted to her. He is a hard-ass, and a motherfucker in business, but he is good to his wife, and she’s dedicated to her husband.
“Mom has lunch planned. Felicia and Grazia will be in attendance, and you’ll get to meet my son, Antonio. A family affair, as my mother says.”
“How can I refuse?” I jest. “It will be Ivo and me, and several of my men. You’re certain this is not an imposition?” My men will be on their guard, and having them close is a benefit.
“Not at all.” Nero extends a hand to Ivo. “We’ve not been formally introduced. Nero Moretti,” he says. “I’d like to thank you for your assistance when we needed you.”
Ivo isn’t a talker, but he shakes Nero’s hand and gives a curt nod. He helps Nero’s driver put our overnight bags into the trunk and gets into the front seat, while Nero and I take our places in the back. On the way, Nero hands me a file with over a dozen pictures of young women who will be in attendance this evening.
“All these women have been selected by the capos and all their fathers have been spoken to in regard to the possibility of a union with Ultimo Morte,” Nero says.
“Did you get much resistance?”
“Not really. Firstly, our men know their place, and first and foremost comes La Famiglia. And in Reno’s and Alessio’s cases, it’s exactly the same. Our women know from birth that marriage is their destiny. Who they marry depends on their fathers, and most of our men are looking to improve their own positions. Whether that be more responsibility or a bigger cut of a business, we look after our own.” He shifts his focus from the papers in my hand, looking me directly in my eyes. “This does not mean that we mistreat our women. We are expecting that whichever woman is chosen will be cared for and treated well.”
Ah, the future capo is asserting himself. I find it refreshing, as opposed to insulting. “Rest assured, Nero. My wife will be the queen in Ultimo Morte. She will be treated as graciously and respectfully as Josephine, Anna, and your very own mother. Our families can prosper and flourish if we all work together, and I need a wife. That is the reason I’m here.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. It will also appease the parents of whichever beauty you choose,” he says.
I scan the photos and see that most of the women are blondes. Several have light brown hair, and all are tall and slim. “I see you’re catering to my taste in women.”
Nero smirks. “You’ve made no attempt to hide the type you’re attracted to. The few pictures we’ve found of you have been with a model on your arm.”
I sigh. He’s not wrong, but I grow tired of these women fairly quickly. Then again, my companions have been more than willing to spread their legs and partake of a good time. If they actually listened, they would know it was a temporary setup. Instead, many thought I was going to fall madly in love with them overnight and put a ring on their finger the next morning.
A wife isn’t someone I can send away. She’s in this for life, as am I. This means doing a lot more digging into their background. I’ll get Ivo on that as soon as we reach our destination.
Gloria and Marco Moretti are gracious hosts. I make excuses on Ivo’s behalf and send him along to the guest room, just opposite my own, to do research on the women in the file. I join Marco and his family for lunch. I already respect the men of La Famiglia, but Felicia, Grazia, and Gloria are absolutely enchanting. Gloria is the perfect hostess, and very motherly, insisting I take a second helping of everything. Grazia is very poised and the quietest of the three women, and she’s clearly completely in love with her husband. She isn’t able to hide it in the least. Felicia is more lighthearted. Her smile is sincere, and she appears to truly be a happy wife. The attention she showers on her son, Antonio, tells me she’s a good mother.
By the time I join Ivo upstairs, he has investigated each woman in the file. “They’ve picked the cream of the crop when it comes to the status of their families. Each one is the daughter or niece of an underboss. I’ve divided them into piles,” Ivo says. “These”—he places his hand on the photos farther to the right—“are well educated and between the ages of twenty-four and twenty-eight.” He moves to the next pile. “Princesses and high maintenance. They spend more money on clothes than a small country’s annual earnings.” He places his hand over the last pictures. “A little younger, twenty-three to twenty-five, and dutiful daughters.”
He’s written details on the backs of the photos, so I take them to my own room to study as I get dressed for the party.
* * *
Evangeline
I don’t even know what I’m doing at this party. Sure, Cara is my best friend from grade school, all the way through to college. I was lucky enough to be able to go because Dad wanted me to have an education. He’s not as old-fashioned as most of the men in La Famiglia. He might have started out as a soldier with the family, but Dad’s smart, and he’s now in charge of several casinos. He decided a long time ago that he was happy to be where he is. He could take on more, but unless it’s asked of him, he chooses not to push for more. It also means that although he has to be careful, he isn’t walking around with a target on his back like the underbosses. He works under Luciano, Cara’s brother, and Dad says he’s fair with his men.
Cara and I have become great friends over the years. We started off as study buddies, and that turned into a flourishing friendship. I love Cara like a sister. She’s sweet and down to earth, unlike most of the Mafia princesses who turn their noses up at me. I stopped caring what they thought ages ago and just ignore them. It’s not like we’re around one another very often.
Occasionally, our family is invited to a wedding or Christmas event, and out of respect for the host, our family would attend. Most of the time, the girls would flock around Cara to get her attention, but Cara would always come search me out, and we’d spend time together.
I can’t believe Cara is getting married. We’re both twenty-one, and for our world, that seems ancient to not be married. But times are changing, and lucky for me, Dad isn’t one of those fathers who tried to marry me off at eighteen. Although, I know that will happen one day soon.
Cara’s lucky that Emiliano came calling for her hand. He’s very handsome. Tall and strong, he’s got light brown, wavy hair and dark brown, soulful eyes that make him look like the boy next door. Make no mistake, though, he’s just as dangerous as any other man in La Famiglia, or so my father tells me.
I can see why Emiliano is attracted to Cara. She’s beautiful inside and out. Cara’s dark blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, and her hazel eyes shine bright when she’s excited about something. She’s the complete opposite of me, with my crazy ebony curls and blue eyes. My hair falls in spirals and spirals of curls that run down my back and frame my oval face. The only physical feature that Cara and I have in common are our curves. Mom says we should be happy because most women are paying top dollar to have breast- and butt-enhancement surgery.
Mom may be right, but I still feel like I stick out like a sore thumb at this party, where most of the women are walking around like models on a runway.
Cara hand-delivered the invitation to this party, in front of my parents, knowing full well that it would be impossible to refuse the invitation. Not only is Cara the consigliere’s sister, but Emiliano is also the future Capo’s brother-in-law, Nero Moretti. I thought Cara was going to let me off the hook when we spoke about it the week before, when I told her that I wouldn’t fit in.
I’m not down on myself or my family, but our world has its hierarchy, and as important as my father is in La Famiglia, he’s not an underboss. My brother, Aris, is quickly gaining the attention of Luciano and his underbosses. Aris knows he wants more and will do whatever the family needs to get there. Aris jumped on the invitation.
“I’ll be happy to escort my sister,” he tells Cara, and she gives me the “I told you you were coming” look.
“That makes me so incredibly happy.” Cara hugs me tightly. She whispers in my ear, “I let you off the hook about being a bridesmaid, but promise me you’ll be at the party?”
“I promise to be at the party, and I’ll be at the wedding.” I’m honored that Cara wanted me to be part of her bridal party, but it just didn’t feel right. Besides, she’ll have Felicia, Olivia, and Grazia by her side that day. I would be completely out of place.
So, here I am, with Aris by my side at the farthest table I could find away from the stage, band, and dance floor. Aris would have been front and center, but my brother loves me and has given in to my plea to keep a low profile.
The music is playing, and the dance floor is full of men and women enjoying themselves. Cara seems to be having a blast and keeps motioning for me to join her. So far, I’ve been able to avoid it, but I think my luck is running out.
“Angie, I’m going to grab a drink. What do you want?” Aris asks.
“Just a diet soda.”
“You know you’re old enough to drink, right?” he teases.
“Yeah, but this place is already giving me a headache. I don’t need to add alcohol to my system,” I reply. I’ve never been much of a drinker. On my twenty-first birthday, Cara and I went to a bar, with a slew of guards, of course, and ordered tequila. I found out quickly that I do not have a high tolerance for alcohol. A glass of wine, the occasional glass of champagne, and I’m done. From what Cara tells me, I’m a fun, goofy drunk.
“Whatever you say, sis.” He shakes his head, but plants a kiss on the top of my head before moving over to the bar on the other side of the room. I have to admit, the band is awesome, and my toe is tapping to the beat.
* * *
Raffaele
Marco Moretti made his initial appearance at Cara and Emiliano’s event. We spoke briefly and then he departed. I don’t blame him; this really isn’t his scene, and he only came out of respect for me. He’s left me in the capable hands of Nero and Luciano. Reno and Alessio are also present, and we’re seated in the VIP section of the club that they’ve taken over for their private party. From this vantage point, I have a full view of all the women in the file and every other person in the room.
Felicia, Olivia, and Anna are dancing with Cara, carefree and laughing. Cara keeps looking over at a table in the corner of the room. The darkest corner where a young woman sits. The lack of lighting allows me to see only the silhouette of her oval face and a mass of curls around her face.
Alessio notices that I’m looking at the dark table. “See something you like?” he asks.
Nero and Luciano follow my line of sight. “Is that Angie?” Nero asks.
“Yeah. Cara insisted she come. Took some doing to get her here. She only agreed because Aris is with her, and because Cara made it impossible for her to refuse,” Luciano replies with a shake of his head.
“Aris?” I ask, suddenly very curious about the woman hidden away who doesn’t want to attend an important party for the elite in her family.
“Aris is her brother. He’s a good soldier and is proving himself very effective and invaluable. His father is the manager of several casinos and has served La Famiglia for years,” Luciano tells me.
“Is she married? Promised?”
“You don’t want to go there,” Nero says. I raise a brow and meet his gaze. “The women we’ve chosen are of high distinction in our families. We were making a real effort to give you a choice of the best available women in our families. As much as we respect Cosimo, her father, he isn’t in our inner circle of underbosses.”
Suddenly, there’s a ruckus across the room, and the man called Aris is shoving another man into the wall, his hands around his throat. The music is loud, but the clamor of men racing to separate them makes the band stop playing in midsong, and everyone turns to watch what’s going down.
The young woman gets up and rushes over to her brother. It’s the first real look I get of the dark-haired goddess. The mass of perfect ringlets cascades down to her waist. Her simple black dress makes her skin glow cream white, the spaghetti straps displaying her toned shoulders and arms. The strappy heels trip her up, and she nearly topples into another woman on her way to her brother. By this time, Emiliano is pulling Aris off the other man and pushing him backward away from the guy.
Luciano is on his way over, and the first thing he does when he gets there is pull aside the man who seems to have started the whole thing. Emiliano finally has Angie’s brother under control, and something he says makes Emiliano’s jaw clench. Cara is now by Angie’s side, holding her back from getting to her brother. Anna and Felicia block her view from the scene. I noticed Sebastian when I came in, and he’s now by his wife’s side, and Olivia is clinging to his arm.
When Emiliano turns around, wrenches the man out of Luciano’s grasp, and takes a swing at the guy, Nero stands abruptly, making the table rattle.
“Christ, is one night of peace too much to ask?” he growls. He makes his way over. Although I find the altercation intriguing, I’m fixated on Angie’s soft voice calling out to her brother. Aris goes to her, wraps an arm around her waist, and guides her back to the table.
“Well, La Famiglia keeps things interesting,” Alessio says with a chuckle.
A short while later, Nero and Luciano return to our table, while Emiliano goes to Cara, who hasn’t left Angie’s side.
“What was all that about?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
“The little fucker insulted Angie, and Aris took offense. The jackass will be dealt with in the morning when he’s sober enough to feel it,” Nero replies. “I’m having one of my men drive him home and speak to his father.”
“Why do I feel like there’s more to it than that?” I say.
“It’s a tragic story,” Luciano says, leaning back in his chair. He turns to Nero, who breathes a heavy sigh before nodding for him to go on. “When Cosimo and Carla were first married, Cosimo was part of an attack on a rival gang that was encroaching into our territory. He was responsible for killing their leader. A few years went by, and Aris was born. Shortly after that, Carla was taken. The only reason she was returned alive was to make sure Cosimo suffered each day. She was raped and badly beaten.”
Nero takes it from that point. “It took almost three months for her to recover, and by that time, Carla discovered she was pregnant. Cosimo wanted her to end the pregnancy. Carla resisted. She believes that children are blessings, no matter how they come to you. She pleaded and pleaded until Cosimo relented. From the day Angie was born, Cosimo called her his daughter and has never wavered. They’ve never told their daughter and never will. Aris suspects, although his father has never uttered a word, and he too will say that Angie is his sister, and that’s the end of it.”
“Doesn’t she suspect?” I ask.
Luciano shakes his head. “Her complexion and eyes are like her mother’s. The only giveaway is her hair, but that could be from a grandparent or great-grandparent.”
I look across the room and see her dancing with her brother, a shy smile on her lips. Her brother pretends to sing along with the band. She’s stunning! And suddenly, I’m feeling extremely enraged at some punk kid belittling her, and jealous of the men watching her dance with the others. One guy in particular has his eyes on her curvaceous ass.
“Her father wants her to marry, but let’s face it, most fathers will see her has a half blood,” Luciano says.
“I’d like to meet her.” The words just flow out of my mouth. Ivo beside me turns to me with a perplexed expression, but he remains silent.
“What?” Reno says. He’s been sitting back and listening all this time, but finally speaks up now. “Is she even legal?”
“Do you know what you’re saying?” Alessio asks.
“She’s Cara’s age!” Luciano exclaims.
“Then she’s legal.” I shrug. “You said I have the pick of any unattached women in La Famiglia, Nostra Casa, or Il Destino. Is this true?”
“Yeah, but—” Nero begins.
“I want to meet her.”