FAZER LOGINLuciano's POV – London, 2020Our plane landed in London just a little after dawn. For almost an hour, I stared aimlessly at the sky outside and felt pretty relaxed. And then England appeared. Nothing about the sky was different here, but the energy certainly was. I felt a surge of anxiety in my body and kept trying to remain calm. The engines hummed softly beneath our feet as the plane made its descent. Dante was sleeping, finally resting after the doctor had reinforced his stitches before we took off. He still looked pale and unhealthy, but at least he was alive. Mariella was seated between our daughters. Lucia was still somewhere between being asleep and being awake. None of the kids understood exactly what was happening besides the fact that we had left home in the middle of the night and that Dante was hurt. And then again, besides Antonio and Elena who could barely remember who Dante was, the other two had no idea who the man was. Across the aisle sat the boys. Antonio stare
Luciano's POVIt was past midnight now, and as if the weather knew how I felt, a storm had started outside. I stood in front of the closed window in my study, watching the rain hammer against it. I was alone in the study now, watching the rain while listening to the fire crackle softly behind me. And right on my desk sat a pistol, the one I'd retrieved from under the sink earlier. Beside it lay some international passports.Dante was asleep now, in the guest room down the hall. The painkillers Mariella had given him had finally helped him get some shut-eye, but his words refused to leave me. You gotta come back, boss. Jose is in a lot of trouble.For hours, I had stood by the window watching the storm, trying to imagine a future where I ignored that sentence. And all my thoughts ended the same way, with Jose losing his life. Something I would much rather die than allow. The door opened quietly behind me, but I didn't turn around. With how gently she opened the door and with the
Luciano’s POV Three years had passed now, and it was winter. It was snowing tonight, and the house was a bit quieter today than usual.Inside the kitchen, Mariella was baking a cake and muffins in the oven, filling the house with warmth. Upstairs, Antonio and Ethan were arguing softly over a mathematics textbook, their voices drifting through the ceiling in low yet regular bursts.In the living room, Elena and Lucia had fallen asleep beside the hearth sometime after dinner, curled together beneath a knitted blanket while the fire collapsed into glowing orange embers.Mariella stood at the kitchen counter pouring olive oil into a ceramic dish, humming softly under her breath in French. Of the two of us, she was the better at picking up the language. We had been here for fifteen years now, yet I couldn't speak French to save my life. Meanwhile, she was a natural. If you heard her speak, you'd think she was born and raised in France. I sat at the oak table with a cup of black coffee be
Luciano’s POV – ParisIt was a beautiful afternoon in Paris. And even though twelve years had passed since we moved here, I couldn't stop being amazed by how beautiful and artsy the city was.Sure, it wasn't perfect. But compared to London, this place was heaven on earth. I watched the city from the window, staring for a while at the Eiffel Tower, which was visible from damn near anywhere in the city, while sipping my coffee. I closed my eyes as the wind ruffled my hair. Then I took another look at the beautiful scenery around me. Down below, I could hear and see an ice cream truck passing with the laughter of the children running after it. Who'd have thought my life would one day be this peaceful? I went downstairs and outside. And then I stood on the gravel terrace with a pair of pruning shears in my hand, looking out across the lawn.At forty-five, the silver had fully settled into my hair at the temples. The years had carved hard lines into my face, but Paris had softened the r
Luciano’s POVMan, the suitcases felt strange in my hands. Way too light compared to the kind of bags I was used to carrying. Mariella and I were packing our stuff.“Why are you smiling?” I asked, catching her staring at me. She giggled like a kid.“Is it a crime to smile at my man?” She asked, making me smirk. “Well, if you put it that way…”“Then what?” She asked, tilting her head and biting her lips as she stared flirtingly at me. I left what I was packing and walked up to her, lifting her in my arms with my torso between her legs. I cleared everything on the vanity table and sat her there, my eyes looking into hers. “Then I might have to do nasty things to you again,” I said. She smiled, bringing her index finger to her lips. My eyes gazed lustfully at her red lips and I didn't know when my body moved me. My lips pressed against hers and she grabbed me by my shirt, sliding her tongue into my mouth. For someone who was supposed to be a nun, she was really freaky. She slid her ha
Jose's POVValenti stared at Luciano carefully. “It’s not my place to oppose your decision. But you're Marcello's eldest son,” he said slowly. “The streets know your name. People are more scared of you than they were of Marcello, even in his prime. For the Mafia to operate smoothly, we need a Don whom everyone fears. And your brother…he’s barely known by anyone outside our circle. And it makes sense because he spent most of his life abroad, unlike you.”Luciano leaned slightly forward, and the room went dead silent. “The streets will fear exactly who I tell them to fear,” he said, his voice threatening even though he spoke flatly. He leaned back again. “Besides. Jose is just as dangerous as I am — the only difference being that he has a sense of humor and is way smarter.”Nobody in the room protested, and Luciano continued. “He understands this business more than everyone in this room combined, myself included. And so I've made my decision. He will take my place as Don,” he said.
Mariella's POV The hours bled into evening, and after spending my day in the library, still being under subtle surveillance, I retired to my bedroom. I stayed in the dark, not wanting to turn on the lights, until the door opened again.This time, it was Luciano.He looked different. The blazer wa
Mariella’s POVThe aftermath of the breakfast was as clear as day; everyone felt tense. I returned to my room, not being able to concentrate in the living room, but even in my room, I couldn't help but be restless. Every few minutes, I found myself standing by the window, staring out at the manicu
Mariella's POV Before I could say anything, Enzo slammed his hands against the table, making me flinch. He really did terrify me.He looked at me, then at Luciano, his eyes darting like a trapped animal."What the hell are you talking about?" Enzo flared up, his voice cracking with a sudden, viole
Mariella’s POVMorning came by in the most intrusive manner; perhaps it just felt that way since I hadn't slept. Every time I tried to close my eyes, I would remember the ambush from yesterday.I spent the early hours staring at the crucifix on the wall, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the smooth







