Donnie April Novels & Stories

Within the mafia's sphere of influence, no one was willing to cross the mafia for the sake of one small hotel. Seeing the contemptuous looks from the surrounding Capos, Paul and his staff finally realized what a colossal mistake they had made. He rushed over to me and said deferentially, "D-Donna, we were blind for not recognizing you. I beg your forgiveness! All of tonight's charges are waived. Would that be an acceptable compensation?" The once-arrogant manager now stood trembling before me, eyes filled with pleading. "Shut your mouth," I said coldly. "If the person standing before you today weren't the Donna, but an ordinary woman, she would've already been thrown out onto the streets to

Text messages, private numbers, the secretariat backup email, and encrypted communication apps—I deleted everything. Goodbye, Aido. The Derocchi family didn't need a Madre who couldn't be acknowledged. I didn't need an absent husband. And Leo didn't need a father who had to stay hidden. From this moment on, Leo and I were gone from his life for good. … At the same time, in the Don's study, Aido woke earlier than usual. He'd barely slept, too busy replaying Leo's painfully distant "Don Derocchi" and the image of me walking away with our son without looking back once.

The caption read: [The Don says only the ocean blue matches my eyes. The second was a photo of a man’s hand applying ointment to her inner thigh. The pinky ring, symbolizing the Don’s absolute power, stung my eyes. The caption read: [I bumped into something, and the Don insisted on applying the medicine himself. He’s so nervous about me.] I looked at the photos and felt no heartbreak, only a dead, ashen numbness. I had finished packing. All that was left was to deliver the documents for the transfer of the family's core power and get them signed. After that, I would have no ties to this family.

“To the new Don and Donna of our family.” The applause was scattered, polite, but heavy with tension. He placed the glass down, retook my hand, and guided me off the stage. Music filled the hall once more, breaking the silence. Strippers climbed polished poles in the corners, drawing eager eyes, while waiters weaved between tables with trays of expensive wine. Leonardo led me around the room, making introductions, shaking hands, exchanging smiles that never reached his eyes. By the time we sat at our table, my feet ached and my nerves were frayed.

He did not look up when Carlos entered so he sat down at the edge of Marco's table and said. "The girl woke up" Marco looked up from the table. So that got his attention, Carlos thought. "Apparently the girl's name is Ally Dawson and she ran away from her uncle, she was telling the truth I could tell" he said and Marco nodded, turning back to his papers "It seems he was abusive, she had bruises, I put a sleeping drug in the water I gave her so she could sleep, so when she wakes up you can talk to her." Carlos said while Marco said nothing, After a while Carlos said.

Once, at a family gathering, Marco announced in front of everyone that I was the woman he loved most, and so I would be the one and only Donna in the family. He would also introduce me to others at various social events, showing off how wonderful I was. Thinking back on all the good things he had done in the past, I calmly stood up. I didn't even have the slightest urge to read the comments. Before, when I saw posts like these, I would throw fits, demand an explanation from Marco, and make up every excuse for him.

I didn't even bother checking the caller ID before I answered. "I'm going to Castenia. You'll never find me!" I snapped. There was a beat of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by an older man's voice as he said, "Ms. Selena Romano? I'm George Luccasio, the Don of the Luccasio family. I was wondering if you'd like to meet up for a chat." "Don Luccasio, hi. I didn't tell anyone about the scandal. I know that would be a death wish, so I only sent the picture to you and no one else. Frank refuses to leave me alone, so I…"

Blood beaded and dripped down his skin. He swept the cardiac monitor off its stand—it crashed against the wall with a deafening bang. Vivienne screamed and ducked behind the sofa. "Get out!" Dante pointed at the door and roared at me. That wasn't a sound a human being makes. It was the howl of something that had shattered inside his chest. "Go find your lover!" "I don't want to see you again!" "Don't ever show your face in front of me!" I crouched down.

All that mattered was the man at my side, walking into the heart of his grief with every ounce of strength he could gather. He wasn't just here to pay respects. He was here to say goodbye. And no matter how long the walk felt, I'd be right here, every step of the way. The moment we stepped into the crowd, the whispers began. Muted glances, subtle nods. A hush rippling through the sea of umbrellas and dark coats as Dante Moretti, the Don made his presence known among grieving souls. It wasn't just surprise. It was tension, quiet and tight like a held breath.

I took long strides to the door and almost pulled it off its hinges when opening it. "What!" I growled at a shocked Trevor. "Who gave you the fucking right to bang on my fucking door you imbicile!" "I-I-I" he stuttered moving back. "Use you fucking words idiot." I left the room and closed the door behind me so I couldn't disturb Charlotte, that’s if I hadn’t already. "I'm sorry Don." he apologized bowing his head. "What is it?" I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose to calm myself. "You have a meeting in 10 minutes." he told me.