Tristano
“Igive you my vow, and those of my ancestors, ‘loyalty ’til death,’ Carina. That’s what you and your sister will have from me and mine.”
These words, spoken less than half an hour ago, are already plaguing me. I meant them and will keep my promise, but I’m already berating myself for it. How Carina Nardone talked me into babysitting her younger sister will always be a mystery to me.
I glance at the young woman, who hasn’t moved from the chaise lounge she’s perched on, and blow out a breath. Violetta’s unnatural stillness has yet to disappear, nor has the sharpness of her turquoise-colored gaze. She cannot be more than eighteen years of age, but I’ve never seen her at the annual gala. That’s not saying much since I don’t pay attention to the women in attendance during that mandatory event, which is nothing more than a silent bridal auction. The fathers and guardians of the mafia princesses parade them around for us. It’s how empires are built, and how power shifts and grows.
Not only do I have no desire to be married anytime soon, but it’s highly unlikely I would find anyone who I’d be willing to stomach for the rest of my life.
Yes I can marry to secure a business alliance with another boss and have nothing to do with my wife once that’s all said and done, yet the idea is vexing. I’d like to have children at some point, to build the legacy of the Silvestri name, and in order to do that I need to fuck my wife. Repeatedly. Not a hardship, however, there’s more to it than that. I want my children to have a mother who isn’t a shitty human being. Considering the entitled mindset of the majority of the eligible women in the underworld, my chances of success are slim.
Carina is not like the rest of them, so there is that.
Knowing Rafael is detained by her father, Paolo Nardone, is distressing. Not only because my brother has a smart mouth that always lands him into trouble, but due to the fact Nardone isn’t known for his tolerance of others. Tethering my brother’s life to Carina’s is beyond risky, but she’s the only one who can get to Rafael without having a firearm aimed at her. Which is the only reason I let her leave.
Rafael is going to be so fucking pissed.
But if he’s alive to be in that state, then I’ll welcome his anger.
A single chime from my cell phone notifies me of an incoming message and I retrieve the device, assuming it’s Maximus. My youngest brother will no doubt be wanting confirmation from me, concerning Rafael’s status. Actually, I’m surprised Maximus isn’t already here.
The phone’s screen illuminates when I press my thumb to the sensor and the text is immediately on display.
Unless you restore my brothers at once…
The words dig into my retinas, blurring my vision, and then shoot to my lungs, making them nearly collapse. My grip on the phone tightens until the device creaks in protest and my arms shake. It takes several thin breaths and rapid blinking for the haze to lift from my mind and my eyes. I read the first line again and force myself beyond it this time.
Unless you restore my brothers at once,
my lion will tear you in pieces.
Airstrip on Bloomingdale and Peters.
Arrive no later than 3 a.m.
It’s concise and direct, leaving no room for interpretation. Yet, my mind nearly explodes from the questions that arise, and my chest constricts with blinding agony after reading the message. The first two lines are from a story I haven’t heard since I was a child, something that my mother would know to say to me. I’m always skeptical about such things, but this proves beyond a doubt it’s an authentic missive.
Because she’s the only one who used to read it to me every night. And to my brothers once they were born.
Is she alive?
This thought, along with strands of doubt, circulate in my mind and wrap around it until I’m bound with the need to know the truth.
There’s a chance someone miraculously uncovered information from the time of her life before the Wolf Pack unleashed their hellhounds on her. But that’s highly unlikely since the only people who were close to her then are either dead or still loyal to my family.
I shake my head as if it’ll alleviate the pressure building inside. The action doesn’t do a damn thing except deliver a sharp pain to the space between my brows. I massage the center of my forehead while considering what to do next.
There are many options, but none that include my newly acquired ward.
When I shift my gaze to Carina’s sister, it lands on a pair of eyes, already studying me. Violetta Nardone is mystifying. Not just because of her beauty, since there are many attractive women in the world, but due to the intensity that simmers just below the surface of her blue-green eyes. It makes me curious about the thoughts running through her mind, but now is not the time. Not now or ever because she won’t be my responsibility for very long.
The only mystery that needs to be solved is: Who sent this secretive text and what do they want. Because no one would do that without wanting something. At best, they sought out my attention.
And they fucking have it.
“Arturo.”
My right-hand man walks swiftly over to me, his steps expedited by the urgency in my tone. His astute gaze meets mine and I lower my voice, not wanting this conversation to be overheard by Nardone’s daughter. No matter how harmless she may appear, Violetta could always use this information, and not necessarily in my favor.
