A Few Months Later“You don’t have to do this,” Fernando said.Maria Victoria looked up at the house where her father lived. She knew she didn’t have to do this, which is why it had taken her a couple of months to get to this point. “I know, but I have to.”Her mother had gone to Dante for a reason. She’d made that letter with the hope of her father delivering it. She knew she didn’t have to do any of it.“It will be fine.”“Do you want me to come in?”She did but she also knew she had to do this alone. Leaning across the car, she pressed her lips against his. “I’ll be right back.”She got out of the car and took several steps toward the house. She knew Fernando would have called Dante to warn him they were coming. She hoped in that warning, Ysabella Sebastian had been told to leave, or at least to not be seen. She wanted to see her father in the hope of mending bridges, but the last person she wanted to see was his wife.Maria Victoria stood at his door and then lifted her hand to kn
My name is Leonardo Sebastian Franco, son of Fernando Giordano Franco. Only the strongest survive. I am strong. I am powerful. Now, I want to survive together with my Mafia Family.I have twins (a boy and a girl) and another girl ensued with Luna Belle Fernandez.Alessandra Franco POVRome, ItalyOf all the things on my to-do list today, getting myself kidnapped was not one of them.I count five of them. Maybe six, but I can’t be sure. Three guards watch over me today because this was supposed to be a routine cash pickup. My men are quickly incapacitated. Before I even have the chance to blink or draw the gun hidden in my jacket’s inner pocket, someone throws a bag of thickly woven black cloth over my head and disarms me.I can’t see a thing. The bag smells sour with sweat. My hands are forcefully bound behind me with what I can only assume are thick zip ties. I scream bloody murder, kicking and thrashing with all my might as someone grabs me by the arms, lifts me off the pavement, and
Alexander Mancini POVRome, ItalyThe moment I get the words out, Zandra immediately uncrosses her legs and tries to kick me in the groin. I’m prepared for it, could see the thought boiling behind those pretty blue eyes of hers. With one hand, I’m able to grab her by the knee and force her down.“Easy, princess,” I say lightly. “This doesn’t have to be hard. All you have to do is be a good little girl and—”She slams her head forward, nailing me with a perfectly placed head butt. Thankfully, the difference between our angles means she can’t put all her strength behind the move. Still, I’m forced to take a step back, growling as I check my nose. Thankfully, I’m not bleeding. A good thing, too, because I’d hate to ruin my favorite suit.“Touch me again and I’ll bite your fucking hands off!” she hisses, her plump upper lip curling into a sneer.I guess it’s true what they say—redheads are fiery. Over the past few months, I’ve had my brothers watch her from afar. I’ve only seen her throu
Alexander Mancini POVI enter my office and lock the door behind me, treading across the carpeted floor toward my desk. My workspace is nothing to write home about. A couple of fake plants, old and tacky wallpaper, and a lazy ceiling fan rotating round and round. And it’s exactly how I want it. The decor screams ‘humble company owner.’ Nobody would blink twice at me or suspect me of wrongdoing. Everything is modest and understated.I do not need flashy jewelry, overpriced sports cars, or imported Cuban cigars. What I want is to fly under the radar, to be underestimated. That’s how I’ll ensure Alexander Mancini’s success. Nobody will see us coming, and when they do— it will be too late. I retrieve the burner phone hidden in the top drawer of my desk, the device still in the packaging. It was a major pain in the ass trying to track down Leonardo Franco’s number—it’s not like a mafia leader advertises that sort of thing—but after weeks of diligent work, I managed to track down a guy who
“I think they’re an up-and-coming Mancini,” Dad answers honestly. “You haven’t overhead any names, have you?”“No, they’ve been pretty careful about that.”“I figured as much.”“What do they want from us?”“The one in charge asked me to retire.”I struggle to keep a straight face. “Seriously?”“They want me to transfer all our assets and territory to them. Once I’ve done so, they’ll return you to me.”“Please say you didn’t agree to any of it.”“Don’t worry, I’m not going to give him what he wants.” “Good,” I grumble. “So, what’s the plan?”“I need a bit more time to prepare an extraction,” Dad says. “Do you think you’re in immediate danger if I let them stew?”I lean back in my seat, glaring up at the Boss. “No. I’m the only leverage he has. Ninety percent sure he won’t follow through. I can hold out a little while longer.”Dad chuckles. “That’s my girl. I’ll come get you as soon as possible. Reinforcements are on the way. Your aunts and uncles are all here to help. This will be ove
“When asked, the witness stated she saw the Mancini Brothers Taxi Company logo on the side of the car. Rather interesting, don’t you think?”“Surely she’s mistaken. There are plenty of other taxi companies in the city. Perhaps she confused one of our vehicles with someone else.”“Perhaps,” he says noncommittally. “Would you mind if I look around?”I set my jaw. I have two options here. The first and most instinctive thing to do is tell him to fuck off. He could be lying about the witness to try and garner a reaction out of me, and he frankly has no grounds to search. I could claim harassment and be done with it, but that would make me look guiltier.My second option is to agree to his request. Dangerous, considering I have Sandra locked up in the taxi depot’s supply basement. I want the man to think I have nothing to hide, except that’s the furthest thing from the truth. If he finds her, it’s all over. There’s got to be an alternative.With a confident smile, I gesture to the door. “B
Zandra Franco POV“Come on, Ms. Franco,” the guy says as he holds the spoon up to my lips. “You have to eat something. Do you really want to starve to death?”I turn my face away with a huff. It’s been three days since I started my hunger strike. I trust these assholes as far as I can throw them. I know I’m a high-value hostage, so the chances that they’ve poisoned my food and water are slim, but I’d rather not take any risks. For all I know, they could have mixed everything up with a powerful sedative to keep me compliant.Like fucking hell.I glare at the man feeding me. There’s something strange about him. I’ve been observing them all very carefully the past few days, and I’ve noticed the other men don’t treat him with the same level of respect. They never include him in group huddles, and never bother talking to him unless he speaks first. He’s an outcast, shunned for reasons I don’t yet know.But I’m going to find out.“What’s your name?” I ask hoarsely. The back of my throat is
Alexander Mancini POVFor the love of all that is good and holy—what the hell am I doing?I never should have kissed her, let alone twice. More importantly, I shouldn’t have let Zandra Franco get under my skin. It must be her superpower or something, because the moment I was trapped in her blue-eyed gaze, I was no longer myself. Logic and common sense toppled straight out of my head and catapulted themselves out of the window.It can’t happen again.I’ve got too much on my plate right now and I can’t afford the distraction—no matter how gorgeous and delicious that distraction might be. My entire focus should be on building up the Bernardino, not on the taste of Zandra’s lips and the sound of her languid moan ringing in my ear.Fuck.I trudge up the stairs to the ground floor and march straight across the depot. Several mechanics tip their heads out of respect as I pass, but I pay them no mind. Right now, I’m too fucking steamed. I’m convinced Zandra Franco must be a witch. How else am