“I will do my best to keep the peace in Italy for you and our future children.” And I meant it. Nothing meant more to me than Gia’s safety and our children’s. But I worried once I broke ground on my first casino tensions would rise within the five families and beyond.
I was Alessio Remotti, the heir and future Don of the Remotti empire. I would not be stopped from expanding our business and becoming a powerful leader.
With Gia by my side, all things were possible. By the looks on the other families’ faces, they knew it too. Not the Pisano, Sartorre, Greco, or Messina famiglias would stand in my way.
One day, the Remotti name would be known around the world. It would be dangerous, no question. But it was a mobster’s duty to his family and organization to risk it all for growth.
Gia, my wife, knew the sacrifices she would have to make for me to succeed and fully supported my dangerous duty.
Epilogue
Giovanna
Nine Months Later
“Il mio prezioso figlio. My precious son,” Alessio said in a soft voice filled with emotion and gratitude as he rocked our son, kissing the top of his head. “I promise to protect you from the evils in the world. You will live until you’re old and gray, mio figlio.”
Ciro Joseph Remotti was born less than ten minutes ago, and his father was already showing baby-hog tendencies. It was the sweetest, most unexpected behavior from my macho Mafia man.
“I hope his mother is included in that promise,” I said teasingly as I brushed my long hair. We arrived at the hospital in the middle of the night. After seven hours of labor, and tons of sweating, I looked awful. I needed to get myself put together before we had visitors, so I was fine with my husband bonding with our child first. I knew once Ciro was hungry, I would get him and I doubted I would give him up to others until I had my fill of my newborn son.
“Cuore mio, you will always be my number one priority.” He stood and came to the side of my bed. I loved it when he called me my heart. “Thank you for the most precious gift you could have given me.” He kissed my forehead and kept his lips there for a long second.
“He is perfect, isn’t he?”
“Yes, but not as perfect and beautiful as his mamma. Is there anything you need, my love? You’re not in any pain, are you?”
“Thank you for asking, but I’m okay. I’m enjoying sitting here and watching you with our gift from God.” The genuine concern in his brown depths made me suck in a sharp breath. When I’d first met him, I never imagined how in love we would be almost a year later. We’d fallen hard and fast and not once had I ever regretted marrying Alessio Remotti.
“Yes, God is good. And now that I have an heir to carry on our family name, the next one can be a girl.”
“But I thought you said we had to have at least two sons.” Sadly, in the world we lived in, the chances of my sweet baby Ciro living to adulthood weren’t in his favor. I hated the violent part of being in the Mafia.
Thankfully, Alessio had been taking precautions and increasing the security at the estate. I prayed it would be enough because if an enemy wanted you gone, they would find a way.
“Of course we will have two sons. Perhaps more than two. But a daughter would be a blessing too. Especially if she was like you.”
“I would want her to be charming like you. And strong.”
“Oh no,” Alessio said with a sad face when Ciro started to fuss in his arms. My adorable husband placed him gently in mine. “He wants his mamma now.”
“Yes, I’m ready to hold him. Do I look presentable for the family?”
“My love, you just had a baby. You’re radiant. Glowing. Don’t worry about the family. I will deal with them if they say anything hurtful.” He looked on proudly. “I guess I should go share the joyous news. Everyone is in the waiting room.”
“I’m sure they would appreciate the announcement.” We hadn’t found out the gender of the baby because we wanted tobe surprised. Alessio had friends, family, and associates placing bets and the amount of money collected was millions of dollars.
“Yes, I’m sure you’re right.” He remained next to me, just watching his son. “I don’t want to leave you both.” He cradled the back of my head and kissed my forehead again.
“We’re safe, tesoro. Take a minute to breathe and share the happy news with our family.” There were two guards outside the door to my private room, and more scattered about the hospital. I was confident my husband was exhausted after supporting me all night during my labor.
As it was, Alessio hadn’t been sleeping well the last couple of months. He worried a lot about everything. But the uncertain future occupied his mind every minute of every day.
Alessio dreamed of owning luxury casinos and hotels. He believed in having multiple income streams. He was a brilliant businessman, but his endeavors were getting push back from the other four families. They feared the Remottis would grow more powerful and richer and would rule over them.
It wasn’t true. Alessio didn’t want to be a king. But the truth was that nobody worked as hard as Alessio. They could be expanding too. They could be looking into new income streams, but no. They all wanted a cut of the profits as proof the Remottis weren’t trying to take over Italy. Even though Alessio was doing all the work and using his own money to pay for the luxury casinos, they wanted in and refused to give him a dime.
My dear husband was stressed and exhausted, but he tried to hide it from me during my pregnancy. I loved him dearly for trying to shelter me, but I had a feeling tensions were going to increase now that our bambino was here. Alessio had his first male heir and that was a big deal in the organization.
