The Mafia Contract Series

ALESSANDRO

The fact Winter is in my family home is surprisingly comforting. When I first fell in love with her, this is the last place I wanted to bring her, but after everything that’s happened, it’s the only place I can be certain she’s safe. My home is everything you would expect from one that has spent centuries controlling crime. Riches steeped in history and old money that funds a new modern life.

As Angelo walks beside me, I can tell he’s deep in thought and so am I. Leaving Winter was hard because she is the only thing that occupies my thoughts and has done since she was taken. Now she’s back, I’m not certain of our future except for one thing. Hers is with me if I spend the rest of my life trying.

Angelo says in his deep voice, “Your home is impressive.”

“I suppose.”

I gaze around me dismissively because it’s a sight I’m used to, having grown up here for the best part of my life. When my father left, I stayed and was only given my freedom to attend Rockwell Academy, where I met my friends. I wonder if my grandfather regrets that decision now.

I can tell Angelo has something he wants to say because the silence is an unnatural one and so I guide him into a different room than the one we are heading for. As we walk into the living room, the heavy drapes conceal the magnificent gardens outside and the dim lamplight creates drama where it definitely isn’t needed.

I head across to the table by the window where a decanter of whiskey resides and pour us two glasses, nodding toward the couch.

“Whatever’s on your mind, say it before we meet with my grandfather.”

Angelo nods, taking the glass from my hand and facing me with a contemplative expression.

“It’s Winter.”

“I guessed as much.”

I face him with a brooding stare, and he surprises me by saying with a sigh. “I want her to stay here with you.”

“Why?” I’m surprised at that because Angelo is overly protective of his twin, and I always knew I would have a fight on my hands when he wanted to return home with her.

Sighing, he twists the tumbler of amber liquid in his hands and sighs heavily. “She needs stability. Our family home is different to the one that stood before it, and despite Jasmine’s assurances that she will look after her, I believe it’s a different sort of care she needs right now.”

“Say it and it will be arranged.”NôvelDrama.Org owns this.

His lips twist into a sardonic smile. “The type of care she needs is love, Alessandro.”

“Love.” I’m not sure I’m hearing him right, and he laughs softly. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you. Even with her memory on hold, she sees something in you that makes her happy. God knows why, but it’s obvious.”

He rolls his eyes. “I can tell she’s comfortable around you and that’s just what she needs right now. To relax and possibly open up to someone. Allow the bad memories to be crushed by new happy ones and I’m guessing you’re the man for the job.”

“The only man.” I growl and he shakes his head. “Just take care of her and keep me updated. Bring her back to us, that’s all I ask.”

For some reason, his words make me emotional because earning his acceptance of the situation means more than he will ever realize. Angelo isn’t just one of my closest friends, he’s like a brother to me. They all are and entrusting me with his precious twin is the greatest gift he could ever gift me.

“I won’t let you down.”

My voice is rough and outlined in emotion and his dark, glittering eyes fix on me with a turbulent warning.

“She’s my only blood, Alessandro. She’s all I’ve got. Bring her back.”

I nod and swallow hard because I don’t want him to see how weak this is making me. I need to be strong and powerful to cope with the possibility Winter may never recover from the trauma of the past few years. Whatever Massimo did to her has had a devastating effect and as my thoughts turn to the monster currently wounded, but not dead, I growl ominously, “We have a visit to make.”

Angelo nods and I see the darkness swirl around him like the deadliest storm about to break and as we stand, we do so with one aim in mind. To make Massimo Delauren pay for his crimes against our family.

We head to my grandfather’s den, where he is waiting to fill us in. The ever-present soldiers are positioned at every turn, watching us move past with dark curiosity. They know I am the Don’s heir and I command a certain respect, but even I understand I must earn that if I am ever to gain their loyalty.

They respect my grandfather through past actions and he has lived a long and vengeful life because he is always one step ahead of his enemies and the soldiers who serve him hold a deep love for him. He treats them well and yet is hard and cruel when it counts, and I’ve learned a lot from him over the years.

As we stop outside his den, I take a deep breath and then nod to the soldier guarding the door and as he opens it, the scent of cigar smoke and brandy reaches out and draws me into the familiar.

“Alessandro.” My grandfather’s low, deep voice calls me in, and I move to his side and embrace him as expected. I kiss him on both cheeks, as is customary and he nods his approval and gestures to one of two seats placed opposite his own. Angelo approaches and shakes his hand, and I can tell my friend has his respect as he says, “Don Sontauro, I am honored to welcome you to my home.”

“Don Majerio, I am your loyal servant and must thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing my sister home.”

My grandfather nods, a contemplative glint in his eye, and as Angelo takes the seat beside me, he hands us both a glass of his favorite poison.

“Then we drink to a strong alliance.”

We raise our glasses and, as we drain them, I wonder what he has in mind. We both owe him our souls and knowing my grandfather, he will enjoy possessing them and will waste no time in calling in the favor.

“Massimo.” My grandfather shakes his head. “The madness was distressing to watch. Portia was right to bring it to my attention.”

Thinking of my grandfather’s mistress, I’m still queasy about the whole set up and the twinkle in his eye doesn’t make me feel any better as he says with pleasure, “An enjoyable trip that was cut short. I won’t leave my return one so long.”

He laughs at the disgust on my face and whispers, “Don’t judge me because until you walk in a man’s shoes, you haven’t earned the right. Maybe one day you will tread the same path. Many of our ancestors learned the lesson and realized the importance of options.”

Like my friend beside me, I have zero intentions of that and just nod politely to bring an end to this disturbing conversation. My grandfather sighs heavily. “I am happy to welcome Winter back into the family. I am guessing she will be family, given the lengths my grandson has gone to.” He looks slyly at Angelo, probably to gauge his reaction, and my friend just nods and says firmly, “I would be honored if Winter was welcomed into such a fine family as the Majerio one.”

My grandfather puffs on his cigar and appears to be in a thoughtful mood and I say hastily, “You have something we want.”

As he blows out the smoke rings, he chuckles. “I wondered how long it would take you. I expected you to be eager to play with our new guest.”

“Where is he?”

“Under lock and key, although his accommodation is not as salubrious as the one your friend here will enjoy.”

“Can we see him?”

Angelo is as desperate as I am, and my grandfather nods.

“Of course. Allow me to accompany you.”

I stare at him in surprise because my grandfather doesn’t usually get involved in the hard stuff anymore. He prefers to let his enforcers earn their generous pay, but I’m guessing, as always, he’s testing me, ensuring I’m capable of taking the top job and making him proud.

As we follow him through the double doors that lead out onto the terrace, I take a deep breath of Sicilian air. It always calms my raging thoughts because my homeland may be turbulent and unforgiving, steeped in retribution and sinister dealings, but it’s always been a place I love with all my heart.

Sicily runs through my veins and is a possessive bitch. She owns my soul and keeps me grounded and is the woman who scripted my life plan. I belong here, I always have and yet I wanted more. I wanted it all. To be free of the shit that makes up my DNA and try to live a normal life. I was a fool. This is normal life-to me, anyway, and I see that clearly. Now Winter is by my side, I know this is our home. It felt so right bringing her here, and as soon as we stepped inside, the realization hit me hard. America may be my second love, but Sicily will always be my first, and I belong here. I always did.