Chapter Two

PAST

   The tension was palpable as four mafia bosses sat facing each other in the hall, seething and trading accusations, their hands poised to grab their guns if necessary. A fragile peace had held sway for seven years, sustained by lucrative business deals and treaties. It was a peace born of a shared desire to spare their children the fear of losing loved ones, a desire spearheaded by Leonardo Moretti, the founder of this uneasy alliance. However, with Moretti's death, the group's cohesion was on the brink of collapse.

As the natural sunlight streamed through the large window, casting flashes of yellow and gold, he could see the utter disgust etched on his face, his green eyes flashing with it. But to his surprise, the look wasn't directed at him, but at his underboss, Jenoah. "How could you be so certain, Evandro?" Jacob demanded, his calm demeanour a stark contrast to the tension in the air.

His hands fisted at his sides. He knew his wife never loved him. But he never thought Lia would cheat on him. He wasn't a saint either. They were into this wedding for their families and their children. 

      "I don't trust this snake." Evandro growled, wearing a deep growl on his face, his eyes set cold on Jenoah.

"We are here to talk and clear things up." Tolya told them all, his Russian accent thick. He was a very tall and broad-shouldered man. People frightened him.

       "We need to calm fucking down." Emilio snapped, looking at everyone. "My kids' mother and my brother are gone. That fucking Franco! I'll fucking chop him up and swallow him his fucking fingers, he used to pull the trigger with." Emilio snarled, threatening, his piercing blue eyes were murderously glared at Jenoah. Franco was Jacob's underboss, but his doubtful gaze was set cold on Jenoah. 

      "He's fucking liar. He and his wife attended the after-party. He has fucking everything to do with their deaths." Evandro snarled. 

     He would have killed Evandro under different circumstances. He was in love with someone else, and he never expected loyalty from his wife. It was a wedding of compromise. "We can't jump to conclusions without evidence." He told them. 

     Jenoah slapped his hand down on the open file. "This is the fucking report of my wife. She's mentally unstable. I didn't attend any fucking party." He growled, glaring at Evandro. 

     "But we saw her perfectly fine at the fashion show." Ernesto Rossetti interjected, looking at him with his hooded eyes. 

     "Of course. I was shocked too. Out of nowhere, she started acting like a lunatic, beating my son for no fucking reason. I have seen mad people before. Then, she suddenly started crying. Her bizarre behaviour forced me to take her to the hospital." Jenoah said. 

     "Give Amelia's killer to me, Bianchi." Evandro growled, his eyes were red in fury. He must have wept over her death. 

     He also remembered his conversation with Reina a week ago. He begged her not to leave him. But Reina left, taking her daughter with her. His jaw twitched, and his eyes had flames in them. He was still unknown about the identity of her child's father. "I can't believe it when there's no evidence." He snapped. 

      Evandro shot him a fierce look. "Leonardo is no more. He was the founder of this group. No Leonardo, no group. He!" He pointed his index finger at Jenoah. "Is an enemy of mine. Anyone who will stand with him will be the enemy of the Castelli outfit." He hissed. His jaw locked, the veins in his neck swelled. 

      "We need to find who killed them!" Emilio growled at them. 

      Garrett Nino Bianchi shook his head in determination. "I won't rest until I find him. Indeed, none of us will." He told them and locked his intense grey gaze on Evandro. "I agree here with Evandro." He inhaled deeply as he drew on his feet. "No Leonardo, no group. We need to pick our sides." He told everyone. 

      Jacob observed them thoughtfully. He was an intelligent man who rarely showed anger. "We can pick sides. But let's not waste the efforts of our dear friend Leonardo. He wanted our children to breathe in a world without enemies." He told them all. 

      "I'm not taking any side." Tolya said, exhaling sharply. "Moretti and Ivankov are relatives. Rossetti, Bianchi and King are our good friends." 

      "That's not an issue. I would keep no ties with traitors and those who stood by them. And one day, I would kill everyone who was a part of this massacre." Evandro retorted fiercely.

      "Enough, Evandro. You can't jump to conclusions based on mere suspicion." Jacob said. 

      Evandro shook his head. "You'll repent the day you'll uncover the truth, my friend." He got on his feet and stormed out of the hall in frustration.

      "I still consider it my brother's group. I don't care about who is on this side or that side. I want their killers in my dungeon." Emilio snarled and drew on his feet as well.

       "I agree with Castelli." Ernesto added as he walked behind him. 

       A heavy silence fell over the room. He settled back in his seat. "What's wrong with them? They don't want to trust me." Jenoah said, sounding innocent.

      "We have a meeting." He informed Jenoah. 

      "But Nino." Jenoah began, but he cut him off. 

      "Are you going against my order, Jenoah?" He asked him simply. 

      "I wouldn't dare to, Boss." Jenoah replied and stood up. He bowed his head and made his way to the door. 

      They waited for him to leave. He caught a glimpse of his guards before the door shut. 

      "You don't care about the meeting." Jacob snorted as a soft scowl appeared on his forehead. 

      "Amelia never liked Jenoah." He muttered, leaning back in his seat. 

      "You don't trust him." Jacob asked. 

      He picked up the file resting on his thighs. He opened it and shoved it at him. "There's no doubt Chiara was at the party." He told him.

      Jacob leaned forward and glanced at the picture of them together at the party. "Did she witness the slaughter and it drove her mentally unstable?" Jacob asked. 

      "Maybe," he muttered as he observed his friend. "Jenoah is hiding something. It wouldn't be easy to track it down." He breathed in deeply. 

      "He's a cunning bastard. He is good at his job but he’s a bad husband." Jacob said as he let out a deep sigh. 

      His phone buzzed in his pocket. He retrieved it and glanced at the screen. His gaze fixed on it as he swiped on it. He drew on his feet. "I'll see you later this evening." He said, shoving his phone into his pocket. 

      "Is he looking to meet you?" Jacob asked him. 

      He nodded his head and closed the file. He picked it up. 

      "We don't want any enmity with Castelli." Tolya said in his thick Russian accent.

      "I can't promise that." Saying, he walked over to the door. 

      Zoro opened it for him. "Castelli's car is seen outside the Bianchi mansion, Boss." He informed him. 

     "I'm aware." He told him, striding out. 

     "He could be a danger. Your children are home." Zoro showed his concern as they stopped near his car. 

       "They're safe." He assured, opening the door and sliding into the back of the car. He motioned at the driver. 

      The driver bowed his head and twisted the key. 

      Leaning back, he pondered the situation. Castelli was waiting for him, demanding what belonged to him. He took his phone out of his pocket and clicked on his beloved, but it was switched off. He squeezed his eyes shut, his hand clenched around his phone. He couldn't bring himself to point his gun at Evandro Castelli. He had fallen in love once. He had lost her. He understood the pain of losing his loved one.

      "We're home, Boss." The driver told him. 

      The meeting was held near the premises of his estate. His eyes opened and they rested on Castelli's car. He rubbed his temple. He needed to face it. He exhaled sharply and climbed out of the car. 

       He had an eerie feeling that he and Castelli were about to become real enemies. That wasn't what Leonardo wanted. He should have killed Evandro for touching his wife, but he never truly regarded her as his own. 

      He took the steps and entered the hall. "Your momma loves you all." He told Niko. Armando was peacefully asleep next to him on the couch. 

      Alessio's big eyes met mine and he drew on his feet, securing his small arms around his sister. "Father, Uncle is here to take Armando." He said. 

      "I'm aware, Alessio." He said, forwarding his strides to them. "Take them inside." He told Zoro. 

       Zoro looked hesitant at first, but he took Evara from Alessio and took hold of Niko's arm. "Let's go, young master," Zoro told Alessio. 

      "But Armando, Zoro." Alessio said, looking at his sleeping brother. He was about to pick him up.

     "Go, Alessio." He told his son intensely. 

     Alessio's head dropped as he turned and followed Zoro. 

     He waited to be alone with Castelli. 

     "I'm here to take what's mine." Castelli declared as he pointed at the papers already laid out on the table. 

      His gaze swiped on the DNA test report. Ignoring it, he grabbed himself a glass of water and picked up the pitcher. "What are you talking about, Castelli?" He asked him, though he was very well aware of the fact. 

      Evandro let out a sharp breath. "I'm not talking about Amelia. Although, she was always meant to be mine." He told him, sadness shone in his eyes. 

      "Digging graves won't get us anywhere, Castelli." He told him, pouring a glass of water. He placed it in front of him, offering it to him.

      "I won't leave without my son, Bianchi. That's all I have left of her." He told him, looking down at Armando. He lifted his hand and gently caressed his cheek. 

      "I can kill you." He told him, his jaw clenched. 

      "I refuse to die until I bring my son home." Evandro said, smiling at his child. He stilled as Armando stirred under his soft touch. 

      "Let's not waste the efforts of our dead friend. You can take your son. You have to make words so we can't cross each other's path." He told him.

      Evandro met his gaze, his eyes shimmering with emotions. "I'm not planning to keep you as my enemy, Bianchi. But I assure you, I'll confront you the day when I collect all the evidence against Jenoah. Whether you believe me or not, he's the one behind all this." He told him. 

      "I'll wait for it." He told him and motioned at him. "You don't need my permission to take your son. He was never mine." He added. 

      Evandro lifted his son, flashing a gentle smile down at him and pushed himself to his feet. The first tear dropped in his eyes. He walked over to the door, holding his son to his chest and disappeared. 

      He closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, his eyes snapped open, and his hand reached for his gun. He stormed out, his face blanched as he took in the sight. That was unexpected.

      "Alessio!" His thundering voice boomed in the air.

      Alessio shuddered in fear, hearing his father's menacing tone.

      He strode forward and yanked the gun out of his hand. He glared down at his son. He never expected his son to shoot Evandro.

      "Zoro! Help Evandro." He ordered him and shot another cold look at his son. He hurried his steps forward to help him and extended his hand to take Armando. 

      His face contorted in pain and he embraced his son to his chest. "It just grazed my skin. I hope you're not behind this." Evandro told him and staggered over his car. 

     He quickened his pace and opened the door for him. "I mean what I say, Evandro." He told him, remorse shining in his eyes. His words were rules.

     Evandro chuckled, and blood oozed from his shoulder where a bullet tore his skin. "If we could make it out alive, I would believe Binachi's words." He growled and shut the door. He twisted the keys and accelerated the car. 

      "Zoro! Make certain he reaches his home safely, he gets treatment and informs his bodyguard." He ordered Zoro and turned to his son sharply 

      Alessio stood there in fury. " He took my brother! I hate him." He shouted, pointing his index finger at Castelli.

      "Alessio, you won't disobey me ever." He shouted the order at his son

      "You let him take my brother." Alessio's lower lip began to tremble. "I will kill them all. I'll even kill Russo. He can't take my sister away." He shouted with tears again.

     He crouched down and rested his large hand gently on his small shoulder. "No one is taking your sister away.” He reassured him.

      "No!" He yanked his hand away, angrily. "Rosa Aunt and Momma said they would get married, and Ara would stay with them. My sister won't marry him. She won't leave us as Armando did." He began to sob and ran back to the house. "I'll kill them all." He shouted through his sobs. 

       He let out a deep breath, and his shoulders dropped in sadness. He knew his son was stubborn like him. He didn't want the new generation to be consumed by threat. They had been thirsty for each other's blood in the past. He was certain he wouldn't let them spill each other's blood. But his son had just begun enmity with Castelli and Moretti.