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Prologue

In the world of organized crime, the US Italian Mafia held an iron grip over the global trade of drugs, guns, and other illicit enterprises, along with numerous legitimate businesses that overtook New York City.

However, nearly three decades ago, an enemy emerged—a relentless assault on La Cosa Nostra in the heart of New York City, targeting the leading families one by one. This betrayal would alter the future ofLa Cosa Nostra.

After the final attack, only seven families remained, each bound by blood, loyalty, and a criminal empire to uphold. The surviving Don, who thrived on chaos, was declaredCapo Di Tutti I Capi. Determined to unite the remaining mafia families, he drafted a power-sharing arrangement known as The Commission, with the other six made men to become Dons in their newly established territories.

Each made man was a potent symbol of a different crime family, distinguished by the scars of their sins and allegiance to the underworld. They held the weight oftheir legacies and the responsibility to seek revenge by rebuilding their empire, vowing to uphold their legacy of power, loyalty, and the unspoken code that bound them together.

Decisions were made: relocate to new cities, establish roots in unfamiliar territories, uphold the legacy, and protect the commission. Over time, the families grew stronger, their networks expanding like intricate webs across the United States.

As la famiglia expands and their successors carve their paths, the common goal remains. Dismantle anyone brave enough to challengeLa Cosa Nostrato protect their family, the throne of organized crime.

1

Liv: 10 Years old

“Liv, get your things. Now.” Mommy’s voice is serious and almost shaky. That’s what makes me move. Not her words, but the way her eyes won’t stop darting toward the front door, like she’s waiting for something bad to happen.

I don’t ask questions. I do as I’m told, grab my Little Mermaid backpack, and start stuffing things inside—Tilly, my stuffed bunny. My pink notebook. A pair of socks. My hands won’t stop shaking, and I drop my socks twice before finally getting them in. I don’t know why I feel like I have to be fast, but I do.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Someone pounds on the front door so hard that the whole house shakes.

“Leah! Open this goddamn door!”

Daddy. Why does he sound so mad? My stomach does that flippy thing when I get nervous. I look at Mommy, but she doesn’t look at me. She doesn’t even grab her coat, just mine. Then she grabs my hand before I can even put it on. “We have to go,” she says, yanking me toward our back door.

We run. I want to look back, just for a second. But I don’t.

The air outside is freezing, but I barely feel it because my heart is racing so fast. My socks get soggy from the wet pavement as we run down the street, with my backpack bouncing against my back.

Mommy’s breathing hard and pulling me so fast that I almost trip. I don’t know where we’re going. I don’t know why we’re running. But I do know that something is really, really wrong.

A car screeches to a stop in front of us. I freeze, my stomach twisting up so bad it hurts.

“Get in!” Mommy yells.

I don’t move fast enough. Strong arms scoop me up, tossing me into the backseat, with my backpack clutched in my arms. Mommy jumps in next to me and slams the door shut. The car jerks forward so fast that the tires start to make a screeching sound that hurts my ears.

“Get us out of here,” Mommy gasps, and I twist around, looking out the back window.

Daddy’s in the middle of the street watching us drive off. I see his fists clench, and his face is red and angry. He looks… scary, like a shadow-monster stretching too tall under the streetlights. I press my face to the glass, watching him get smaller and smaller until I don’t see him anymore.What if we never see him again?I don’t realize I’m crying until my cheeks feel cold.

I wake up in the backseat of the black car that picked us up. It smells like old french fries, and there are a bunch of water bottles rolling around on the floor. The car bumps a little, making them rattle. We’re still driving, and when I look out the window, the sky is super dark, but there are a ton of stars. It looks like someone threw sparkles everywhere.

Mommy’s in the front seat, leaning toward some guy I don’t know. They’re whispering, and it makes me think they’re talking about something I’m not supposed to hear. The guy has messy brown hair and a serious face, like he never laughs at jokes. He keeps glancing at me in the mirror.

I rub my eyes. “Where are we?”I ask. I reach for my backpack and pull out Tilly, hugging her tight. She always makes me feel better, ever since Mommy gaveher to me for Christmas when I was five. Her fur’s a little worn now, but I don’t care. She still smells like home.

Mommy spins around so fast, her red hair slaps her in the face. She blinks at me like she forgot I was here. “We’re safe, baby,” she says, but her voice sounds weird. She doesn’t smile. Her eyes are all puffy and red, like she’s been crying a lot, but she’s pretending she hasn’t.

The car keeps driving, and I try to stay awake, but my eyes keep closing. When I wake up, I’m in a living room, but it’s not mine. It’s small and smells weird, like the cheese Mommy puts on my spaghetti. The couch I wake up on is lumpy and itches my skin. The whole room looks like no one’s lived here in a long time. The walls are this weird, dirty color. Maybe light brown and really, really gross.

Mommy starts zipping around the room, grabbing clothes and stuffing them into a bag like we’re in some kind of race. Every tiny sound makes her jump, even the zipper on the suitcase. She keeps rubbing her eyes and messing up her hair like she’s trying to stay awake, but she looks tired, way past bedtime tired. I don’t think she’s slept at all.

I sit up, hugging my knees. “Are we gonna go home soon?”