Page 38 of Reign Of Triumph

After the funeral, we go back to our home. Eros had contractors come in to put our home back in order. He even offered to sell the place and start over in a new home, but I refused. This is our first house, and although tragedy has struck and it will take time for the memory of that day to fade, this is where I want to be.

People are floating around the room, all paying tribute to my mother and giving their condolences. As I scan the room, I see many faces of men and women who were a huge part of our lives when Dad was around. They became distant after my father’s death, but I attribute that to Giusto and the way he alienated my mother and me from our friends.

I hear that Livio is being buried tomorrow. Eros hasn’t said a word about it, but Felicia and Grazia have told me. Livio’s burial will be attended by only his immediate family. Marco has openly discussed his distaste for Livio’s actions and those of the men who followed him into battle, resulting in my mother’s death and those of several other men from La Famiglia. This means that no underbosses or their families will attend. I can’t say that this upsets me, because this man took my mother from me, but I do think of his family and the horror they’re facing. Once a man shows such disrespect for our capo and our ways, it throws a dark cloud across the entire family.

Eros

My wife is as strong as steel. In the wake of the tears emerged a woman of elegance and self-control. She has greeted every guest and thanked them for coming. She listens attentively to the stories about her parents, and I’ve even heard her laugh a couple of times, including when one of the underbosses told her how her father and mother got caught in the rain when Vera snuck out to meet Egidio in the garden. She was locked out of the house, and Egidio had to find a way to climb up to her bedroom window and sneak her back into her room.

God! It’s good to see her smile again. Representatives from Il Destino, Nostra Casa, Ultimo Morte are all in attendance. I know most of the major players from our allied families, and today I was introduced to Niccolo’s brother, Davide. Niccolo is Alessio’s consigliere and most trusted man. Alessio arrived with his younger sister, Mara. Davide is her bodyguard. He doesn’t seem too pleased with the role, but he doesn’t let her out of his sight.

Livio was found and punished, as were the other five men who were plotting against me. They paid with their lives, but I still wish I could bring Livio back to life and kill him all over again. There are many funerals to attend, Vera’s being the start of a very long week. For the next several days, Serafina and I will be attending the funerals of the three other men we lost. Men who did all they could to protect my wife and who now are gone.

Marco and I have already set up trusts for their families. We take care of our own. Nero, Luciano, and I have weeded through every soldier to ensure their allegiance to the family.

I see Serafina slip away onto the patio, and I follow her out.

“Gioia mia, how are you holding up?” I ask.

She turns and immediately walks into my arms. “I’m better than I thought I’d be. Mom would be pleased at how many wonderful things people have to say.” She pauses and looks into my eyes. “When she was lying there, dying, she said that she was happy to go. She said she missed Dad and wanted to be with him. I’m glad they’re together again.”

“Yeah, baby. I’m sure they’re in each other’s arms.”

“I think that Miranda is with them. Your mom and dad are taking care of me, and I believe that my parents are with Miranda.”

I’m not particularly a man who believes in that sort of thing, but I pray to God that what Serafina says is true.

Twenty-One

A Distraction

Davide

How did I get sucked into being Mara’s bodyguard? Yeah, I know, it’s an honor to be chosen to protect my capo’s sister, but I never signed up to be a babysitter. I was born into Il Destino, and as much as I fought to pull myself away, this is where I belong.

When my father was killed, I decided that I wanted no part in the family. Niccolo was the complete opposite. He threw himself into becoming the best soldier Il Destino has ever seen and climbed the ranks to become Alessio’s consigliere. Niccolo is the second most important man in the family. He’s respected and revered.

Me, on the other hand, I immersed myself in school. I studied at the finest universities and have a master’s and PhD in Computer Engineering. I’m a geek, and I love it. I’m good at what I do, but still, even with all my years of education, I’m well aware I’m not the best. There are two men who surpass me. One is Dante Viale, who studied formally, but basically taught himself. The other is a man they call Orion, from an MC, who is the master of everything on the web.

I’ve been lucky to meet with both men, and we’ve collaborated a few times on projects. I’m being groomed to take on a role like Dante Viale’s. It’s what I’m meant to do, but all soldiers must work their way up, and right now, my duty is to keep Mara Cassini safe.

Mara is a quiet, thoughtful young woman, sweet as honey. She’s loved by all. She’s the complete opposite of her twin sister, Mia, in temperament. Where Mia is outgoing and never at a loss for words, Mara is pensive and chooses her words carefully before speaking.

Mara Cassini is also a distraction. When she was a kid, she was a cute little girl with pigtails and big brown eyes, completely adorable. Now she’s a woman who is attracting too much attention from the men in this room, and I don’t like it.

Mara has grown into a beautiful woman. Her long dark hair is much like her sister’s, but it’s her eyes that stand out. They are a deep blue, almost purple, whereas Mia’s are a lighter shade of blue. Mara is at least a head shorter than me, even with her heels on, and she dresses rather conservatively for a woman her age. Mia is the fashionista who continues to drive Alessio crazy with her short dresses and tight skirts.

Mara’s a good girl in a world full of bad people, and she’s far too trusting. Even now, she doesn’t pick up on the group of men standing in a huddle with their gazes glued to her tits and ass. If Alessio were paying attention, he’d gouge their eyes out, but since he’s in deep conversation with the other capos, it’s up to me to keep the eyes off her.

“Mara, let’s go grab you something to eat,” I whisper in her ear. She turns to me, and I shift my body to shield her from the men ogling her from a distance.

“I’m not very hungry,” she replies, her voice soft and melodic like a warm summer breeze. I glance over my shoulder, and she catches my meaning. “They’re not interested in me.” She actually believes this to be true, which blows my mind. She’s too innocent for her own good.

“Don’t make my job any harder than it needs to be. You’re a distraction, and those boys are enjoying the view. I’m here to protect you, so do as I ask and let’s go into the other room.” I know I’m coming across like an asshole, and as soon as I say the words, I see the sadness in her expression. But she doesn’t fight me and walks out of the room.

I’m a dick! The problem is that Mara isn’t just a distraction to the men in this room. She’s also a huge distraction to my peace of mind.