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The weight of it all felt heavy. The duty and sense of responsibility I had felt for so many years weighed too much at times. But I was the next in line. So many before me never faltered when it was their turn. I couldn’t either. I felt my legacy, my bloodline was the only link left to those who’d shed this earth for the next realm. They died horrible deaths. Especially my aunt, my brothers, my mother… the sense of duty I felt to avenge that never left me. That’s what brought me back to Palermo, not the Castellione’s. I needed to end the five families forever and be the only Don. The only absolute ruler. It was the only way I could fathom keeping Blue safe.
I imagined, gutting this mausoleum to the studs and building something better with Blue.
My cell chirped. It was Vince. “What?” I barked.
“You’re pissing off your bride. Five hundred people are waiting for the groom to make his appearance at the engagement party.”
I snorted. “I haven’t signed the agreement. My lawyers are still looking it over.”
“It’s simple. Fuck my sister. Put a baby in her. Unite our families in flesh and blood. We take over.”
“Put a bag on your sister’s head and I’ll consider it.”
“Fuck you!”
“No, fuck you!” I snarled, throwing my phone against the room. I lost it. I wanted to blow them all up. Anything to get back to the life I had weeks ago. The life I deluded myself into believing I could actually have. In a fit of rage, I swept my hands across the bookshelves toppling everything. I didn’t want to be Roque Salvatore. I wanted to be Ralph Smith. The guy playing spin the bottle and ten minutes of tongue time in a frat house. A guy who could be whoever the fuck he wanted.
But that was a pipe dream and I knew it. The best I could hope for is settle shit with Vince and be such a cock to Julietta that she wouldn’t want me anymore. I left the ghosts lingering in the dark and called Johnny. “I’m on my way.”
“Don’t. It’s a trap.”
“This whole life is a trap.”
“What are you saying? Don’t blow it all now just because you got your first taste of heartache.”
“It’s not that.”
“Like hell, it’s not. That damn girl. She’s done nothing but fuck everything up since the night you met.”
“She has, in the best possible way. I love how she fucks up my world.”
“You’re so far gone. There’s no talking any sense into you.”
“Just get there. I need to meet this bitch and dispose of her so I can get back to Blue.”
He breathes out hard. “I’m already here and you are in for a surprise.”
“How so?”
“I’ll fuck her for you. Just make the room dark. She’ll have no idea.”
I shake my head. “Be my guest. You really fuck anything, wouldn’t you?” Johnny was an animal. But he was the best fucking friend ever and I knew no matter where life would take us, we’d always have each other’s backs.
I continued walking down memory lane literally and figuratively. The Castellione’s had a place in Palermo. It was set high on a hill and constructed the year I left. From my vantage point below, the opulent mansion was lit up. Expensive cars lined the streets.
I stood for a moment.
It felt like a huge moment. I knew once I stepped inside, my life would change forever. Either I’d be trapped in marrying some cunt or I was going to make my biggest hit tonight by detonating the trigger inside my pocket. My cousins still had connections here. When you grow up poor, you make unbreakable bonds. My cousins sent money back here not only to blood relatives. They helped out so many who in turn were willing to help us. The catering company was infiltrated with such people. The whole foundation was rigged with explosives.
Boom. I could end it all right here, right now. But curiosity got the better of me and I walked toward my new, strange destiny.
Time stopped when I opened the doors. I entered through the garden, effortlessly vaulting over an iron fence. The guards knew me by face. Hell, I was infamous.
The crowd hushed. Drinks paused halfway to their lips. The sea parted. And there she was, my bride. She was beautiful and cruel. It was in her face. In her stance. She was me. The female version of me. And suddenly I hated myself. She was exquisitely made for me. The uglier half of my ugly soul. Raven hair swung down her back. Her eyes were dark, round and large and framed by long lashes. Her breasts were full and ripe and pushed up by the bodice of her glittering gown. Her hourglass shape alone could bring a man to his knees. Hell, Johnny was already there.
She crossed the room to me, and I grinned. She would come to me, her reluctant king. I would not go to my evil queen.
She bowed low at my feet. An involuntary hiss escaped me. Her submissiveness was a carnal aphrodisiac. One I would use against her. Maybe this very night even.