Page 51 of Love & Power

twenty

With one final look in the full-length mirror, I smoothed my hands down the blood-red bodycon dress I’d changed into. My hair was up in a sleek, high ponytail, ensuring that everyone could see my face clearly. I paired the dress with a pair of red stilettos with gold heels that winked in the light.

The name Raffa means violence, and when the Raffa gets violent, blood is always spilled, which is probably why the family color was red with hints of gold to represent our triumph in the criminal world. Tonight, I was claiming my place in this family and its torrid history, so I felt it was fitting to wear red.

A knock sounded on my bedroom door. I waited for one of my men to enter, but when the second knock came, I turned to open the door, finding my grandfather. “Oh, sorry, I assumed you were one of the guys. Come in.”

Frediano was in a sharp navy blue suit with a red tie and pocket square, making a dashing combination. “I’m sorry to intrude while you’re getting ready, but I wanted to give you something.”

Shifting the thin square velvet box from under his arm, I watched as Frediano opened it, revealing an exquisite necklace. It was clearly a piece that had been crafted decades ago but was timeless. The gold links were made in a filigree pattern, giving it so much detail but didn’t take away from the large teardrop ruby that hung in the middle.

“This piece has been handed down from mother to daughter for generations. I wish with all my heart that your mother could have been the one to present you with this rite of passage, but fate has left it to me,” Frediano explained. “May I put it on for you?”

“Y-yes, please,” I stammered, turning my back to him.

The metal was cool on my skin, but the weight of it felt right, almost as if I was getting a hug from my mother. Frediano gently grasped my shoulders and turned me to face the mirror. There couldn’t have been a more perfect piece of jewelry to finish off my look for the evening. I sniffed softly, trying to fight back the tears that stung at my eyes as I reached up to touch the gem.

“Traditionally, this would be given to you on your wedding day, but I felt this was the right moment for you to have it,” Frediano murmured. “You have so much of your mother in you, Astin. Never forget that as much of you is Caprioni, you’re equal parts Raffa too. Take pride in the lineage you have and honor them both as you go through life by being the best leader you can be.”

Spinning on my heel, I threw my arms around him, hugging my grandfather as tightly as I dared. “Thank you…” I whispered, “… for everything.”

“My dearest granddaughter, it is my honor and privilege to be by your side through this.” He pulled me back and used his thumb to wipe away the tear that slipped out. “We might not always see eye to eye, but never doubt my love for you.”

Stepping back, Frediano cleared his throat and turned away from me to collect his emotions. Taking a cloth handkerchief from his pants pocket, he surreptitiously wiped at his face. It would seem I wasn’t the only one getting emotional over this interaction. I returned my gaze to the mirror, moving closer to get a better look at the necklace that hung just below the base of my throat. With my dress being slightly off the shoulder, it was the perfect length.

Another knock came, but this time when the door opened, Liu popped his head in. “Ready, omae?”

One more quick glance, and I was set. “Yup, let’s get this over with.”

Frediano offered me his arm, and I took it, knowing it was wise to show a united front. He might have given up leading the Family, but he was still an elder of the Raffa line. We walked out the front door and across the circle driveway to a stone building that had once been the chapel for the monastery. It was the one building that had been preserved closest to its original state with stained-glass windows, arched pathways, and wooden pews. As we walked up the main aisle, I wondered when was the last time so many people had filled this place.

Once up the few steps to the raised section of the chapel, Frediano paused to kiss both my cheeks before allowing me to face the Family. “Chin up, my girl, and be the queen we raised.”

I smiled affectionately at my grandfather as he took his place to my right. Quickly, I double-checked to ensure all my men were there, but I shouldn’t have doubted them. There they were spread in an arc behind me, watching my back, all dressed in new suits, looking sexy as hell. Good thing those men were all mine—now I just needed to ensure the rest of the family knew it.

Shoulders back, head held high with my hands relaxed at my side, I faced the people claiming the title of Family. It was a wash of red, gold, and black in various shades as they wore the Family colors proudly.

Taking a deep breath, I greeted them. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I’m sure you’re wondering who I am and why this meeting was called. My name is Astin Caprioni-Raffa, and I’m the new head of this Family.”

Gasps filled the room, quickly followed by the low rumble of people whispering to each other. I gave them a moment to digest what I said before continuing. When the surprise seemed to wear off, I raised my arms, drawing their attention back to me, or that’s what I’d expected to happen. People were still twisted in their seats talking to others, completely ignoring I was even standing there.

Calmly, I pivoted on my heel and walked over to Luca. “May I have your gun, please?”

“Of course, my queen,” he answered with a smirk as he placed the weapon in my hand. “Give them hell, baby girl.”

With a wink, I returned to my place and found the first person who was ignoring me. The man was sitting on one leg so he could face the person in the pew behind him. I aimed for the part of his leg that poked out into the aisle and pulled the trigger. The sound of the shot was amplified thanks to the perfect acoustics of the chapel, ensuring everyone heard it. My victim screamed, falling to the stone floor, setting off others, as blood began to pool from the bullet hole in his calf.

“Listen up,” I barked out.

Instantly, everyone froze, their attention riveted in my direction. “Everyone, sit your ass down and keep your mouths shut. I didn’t call this meeting for a social hour.”

No one hesitated to do as directed this time. Even the man I’d shot pulled himself off the floor to take his seat, grimacing in pain. Letting out an irritated sigh, I caught Thad’s eye. “Take him to see the doctor. He can have one of the others fill him in on what was discussed.”

Now that I had everyone’s attention, I decided to start again with a different approach. “Have you people forgotten what it means to be a Raffa? I stand here and announce I’m the new head of the Family, and you dare turn your back on me? We wear the color red to symbolize the madness that runs in our veins and the blood we’ve spilled. Are we no longer the family known for the unhinged violence that makes people fear our name?” I walked down the steps as I spoke, staring people down as I passed.

Some were able to hold my gaze, while most crumbled under the intensity. When I reached the end, I started back up the aisle doing the same thing to people on the other side. “What I see in this room are weak, soft people who would rather use the Raffa name to make their lives easier but doing nothing to deserve that right. You want to know why your wives, daughters, and even your sons are being snatched right off the streets?” I asked, reaching the front of the room where I faced them again.

“That wasn’t a rhetorical question,” I pointed out when the room remained silent.