Page 1 of Heartless Union

CHAPTER 1

Rocco

Gabriella lays a single red rose on top of the gravestone.

Angelica De Luca. “Wife and mother,” it reads. It’s pathetic how that’s all it says. Just Wife and mother. As if she wasn’t anything more than that. Though, to my dad, she wasn’t. That was her purpose in life—to serve him and us kids.

My mother died a year ago to this exact day.

My siblings and I—my two brothers, Massimo and Emilio, and our baby sister, Gabriella—have made the trip out to her grave. Our father, Leonardo, isn’t here. He showed no interest in coming. In fact, he never showed any concern about her death at all.

I know the rumors. I have no way to prove them, though.

“I miss her,” Gabriella says. At twenty, she’s the youngest. And my brothers and I have sworn to protect her at all costs.

Even against our own father.

“Mom always knew how to make me laugh,” Massimo adds as he rakes a hand through his dark hair. “Man, life hasn’t been the same since she died.”

“Father’s cracked down harder than ever.” Emilio shakes his head. “Everything he’s built is starting to go downhill since Mom died. It’s like he’s lost his way in life.”

“No,” I say. “He hasn’t lost his way. He knew what he was doing. He killed her.”

Gabriella does a doubletake. “Be careful, Rocco. You don’t know that for sure. Mom died of natural causes.”

“So says the coroner’s report, but need I remind all of you”—I look at my three siblings— “Father owns this city. He could’ve easily paid the man off.”

Massimo sighs. “Either way, Mom’s dead. There’s no bringing her back. Should we really dwell on Father’s role in her death when we can’t prove it?”

I look at Massimo sharply. “We should. If he did kill her, then he needs to pay. I should be the one in charge.”

“You already practically run things,” Emilio says. “But Father still has a lot of influence. His men are loyal. If you’re going to make a move against him, you need to get them on your side first.”

“When I make a move, do I have you on my side?”

Massimo and Emilio exchange glances. “Of course,” Massimo says as Emilio nods.

“I guess I’m left out of the discussion,” Gabriella mutters. “Who cares what your sister thinks?” She sighs. “Boys.”

“Oh, come on, Gabi.” Massimo throws his arm around her shoulder. “We care what you think. It’s just …” He looks at me helplessly.

“It’s just you’re a woman in a man’s world,” I tell her. “You’re not making the decisions when it comes to business. So, your opinion doesn’t matter.”

Gabriella flinches. “Wow. Couldn’t have said it any nicer, could you have, Rocco?”

“You know your big brother,” Massimo says. “Always blunt. Says it like it is. It’s what makes him so charming.” He smiles as he swats my arm.

I hold back a snappy retort. Massimo has always been the most charming of us brothers. The playboy. The one who can make anyone melt with just a smile. Emilio and me are made of harder stuff. Colder, less emotional.

It also means I’m terrible at comforting Gabriella. Usually, our mom would have done that, but since she’s gone, that role has moved onto Massimo’s shoulders.

I stare at Massimo until his smile disappears. “Now is not the time to be making jokes. We need to formulate a plan against our father one of these days. I can’t stand him being in charge. Knowing he’s making decisions for this family and we don’t have a say.”

“I know. I’m thirty now,” Massimo says. “But Dad treats me like I’m thirteen.”

“I never thought I’d still be under my father’s thumb at thirty-three,” I add.

Emilio nods in agreement. At twenty-eight, he’s the youngest brother but still eight years older than Gabriella. She was a surprise baby. Our mom doted on her, but our dad treated her like an inconvenience. Still does. Our father only ever wanted boys.

---