Page 6

Old Habits.

T he shores of Falcon’s Keep are filled with dead hopes and dreams. It’s a place where the nights are endless, sucking you into the void you try so desperately to evade. When I landed on Dante’s doorstep after I almost lost my life, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know that he would be like the father I never knew I needed. But it was only a matter of time before he was taken from me too.

The boat sways on the rocky shores as the sun hides behind the thick branches of the trees, guarding the shadowy building I’ve called home for years. The years I spent learning to become a part of a family. One I was not born into. The cool metal of the railing beneath my hand vibrates as the boat docks and it becomes difficult not to look over at Nera in the passenger seat of my Camaro. This car ferry is the last one departing from the mainland, and despite Dante’s best efforts, most of the trades and relationships his father established have begun to dwindle.

“Tell Dante he’s behind on his payments. If he wants the revelry to continue, he needs to pay double.” Giuseppe works to secure the ferry to the wharf as he speaks.

Unfortunately, the wealth Dante Senior carried onto Falcon’s Keep wasn’t enough to sustain the next generation as he had hoped.

“You’ll be paid. I’ll see to it.”

I make my way to the driver’s side and slide into the seat beside Nera, who is now scowling at the phone in her hands.

“We haven’t even been here for an hour and I’m already itching to go back to the States.” She waves her phone in my face. “No reception.”

“It’s choppy out here, but you’ll get better reception inside.” I start the engine, and she sighs. Looking over at her, I notice the pink in her cheeks, her midnight hair and piercing blue-grey eyes stealing my attention for just a moment.

As soon as the bridge is down, we make our way onto the gravel, leading past the beach and onto the road that connects to her house, a term probably best reserved for residential properties in suburbia, as this is not just another house. This is a large manor, nestled between the evergreen leaves, rivers, waterfalls, and mausoleums. The lights of the manor flicker on as darkness settles into the night and Nera clutches at the hem of her dress in my peripheral.

“How is it that when you return to a place you haven’t seen in a long time, it feels as if you never left?” Her voice shakes when she speaks, and it makes me wonder what the hidden meaning behind her question is.

Driving past the large fountain in the middle, Dante steps out of the double doors of the manor, preparing to greet us. When we come to a stop, I reach over to unbuckle her seatbelt, and our eyes meet. There’s a charge in the air but I can’t be sure if she felt it too.

Dante opens her door, not giving her much else. Stepping out, I watch Nera ignore her brother and walk straight up the steps and into the manor. Dante gazes at the floor, rubbing his face and scratching at his stubble.

“Are you going to explain?” I ask, shutting the door to my Camaro and placing my hands into my pockets.

“I had to make a decision, Raf.” He doesn’t look at me when he speaks, and I know whatever he has decided must be something he felt was necessary.

“ Signore …” Stefano interrupts, speaking to Dante. “ Tua madre ti sta chiedendo. ”

Your mother is asking for you.

“Keep an eye on Nera. Until I tell you otherwise,” he says to me as he strides up the steps and into the manor. Dante is rarely ever this withheld from me. We’ve been sharing everything since his father invited me to be a part of their family, down to the women we’d fuck, but ever since he asked me to collect Nera and bring her home, he’s been reticent.

Handing the keys to Stefano, I head inside and up the grand staircase, into the wide hall. The walls are adorned with family portraits of the Della Torres dating back generations, and I avoid looking at them, the discomfort returning yet again. No matter how many years it’s been, I don’t belong here…not truly.

My attention is stolen when the door next to my room creaks open, the soft light filtering into the hallway. I stride past, peeking into the room to see Nera pacing the floor with her phone clutched in her hand.

What is she so worked up about?

I work past the urge to walk into her room and step into mine instead. The bed dips as I sit, removing my button-up and discarding it on the floor. The walls slowly begin to close in, the whispers in my mind becoming louder than ever before.

What are you still doing here?

Dante is dead.

This is not your family.

I’ve been so deep in the Della Torres’ ambition that I forgot my own, and returning to London reminded me of it. Meeting my half-brothers, watching one of them die, reminded me that all of this is temporary. Life itself is fraught, and I’d be doing myself a favour if I just accept that the longer I stay here, pretending to be a part of something, the longer I avoid my true self.

Exhausted, I lay on the bed, intrusive thoughts of Nera’s stormy-grey eyes invading my mind.

The rain patters lightly atop the roof of the church, gentle raindrops creating streams down the dark stained glass as I stand before the large cross. Dante Senior made it routine for his sons and me to pray every morning inside this very church before starting our day, and as some routines stuck, this one didn’t. It’s been some time since I’ve been in this building, and yet, nothing has changed.

Footsteps echo through the large space as I stare up at the cross, wondering if the god I used to pray to all those years ago even exists.

“Old habits.” Dante’s voice breaks through my thoughts.

“Tough to break.”

“Some, not others.” He lifts his necklace to his mouth, placing his lips on the gold cross. Although we’re the same age, he’s taller, more put together, and far more educated. He reminds me of his father in a way, and his sister in others.

“The money we gave to the Casellas left a big hole in our holdings,” he admits.

“If we couldn’t afford it, why did we give it back? We could have waited. I know they wouldn’t have missed it.”

“It’s not our way. We held onto it long enough.”

The Casella family played a large role in the set-up of Falcon’s Keep and will always remain an ally to the Della Torres.

“Did you know?” I ask, wanting to hear him say it.

“Know what?”

“That I am half Casella and half Guerra?” I question, clenching my fists at the constant reminder of the foreign, sin-filled blood that runs through my veins.

“If I did know, you think I would keep it from you?” He speaks in a low voice. “We share everything.”

“Besides the reason behind you bringing Nera back home.”

Dante tenses, my words hitting a nerve. “There is only one thing I ask of you, Raf. Keep your eyes open at this revelry.”

“Always. Do we expect trouble?” I turn to face him.

“Whether we expect it or not, it’ll be there.”

“Any leads on Enzo?”

“One, but you’re not going to like what Stefano has found.” His jaw clenches as I hang on to his words, waiting for the news.

“He’s recruiting.”

“Recruiting?”

“Sources say he’s meeting with the Lucchese family.”

“ La merda !” I exclaim, resisting the urge to unleash my temper. “If Enzo manages to get them on his side…”

“I know.” He bows his head, not wanting to admit the losses we would face if the strongest family in Italy manages to make an ally out of the Luccheses. “That’s why I need you to stay guarded at the revelry. I’m inviting them.”

“What role does Nera play in all of this?” I question, still waiting for an answer to my earlier one.

“She’ll play her part.” He slaps a hand on my shoulder, his dark blue eyes focused on mine. “You’re going to make sure of it.”