Page 4 of Reign of Hope

“I’ll go,” I say. Reno is about to speak, but Dante leans in and whispers something in his ear.

“This isn’t our fight,” Reno finally says.

“The kid doesn’t stand a chance in hell alone,” I say.

“He’s not a child. He’s what, about seventeen? And he made the decision to keep bad company,” Reno responds. “At seventeen, you were already working forNostra Casaand were training to be an excellent soldier.”

“Vic didn’t get the opportunity to prove his worth. His father wasn’t a positive role model.” I look at Raffaele. “I understand your decision to separate Allegra and her brother from the family. The idea was to let them live, though, and he won’t live out the day if the Skulls get to him first.”

“Why should I care?” Raffaele asks. “Vic is proving to be troublesome, andUltimo Mortedoesn’t need a teenage boy with a chip on his shoulder.”

“Then let me take them away from Philadelphia, and you’ll never have to see them again,” I say, then turn to Reno. “With your permission, of course, Capo.”

The fact that Reno isn’t pulling out his gun to shoot me is a good sign. Being Dante’s brother-in-law has bought me good faith, and the fact that I work harder than any other soldier to prove my worth to Dante, Reno, and their other brother, Sebastian, must count for something. But even with all that, Reno doesn’t like someone speaking out of turn, and I have. Twice now!

“Are you willing to take full responsibility for Allegra and her brother? Are you ready to make a sacrifice greater than any other you’ve ever had to make?” Reno asks, his voice cold and harsh.

I should say no. This isn’t my business or my problem. Then I glance down at Allegra, who is desperately trying to text and call her brother, physically shaking, and my mouth develops a mind of its own. “Yes. Capo.”

“The sacrifice is marriage, Zano. The only way that Raffaele will let them go is if there is a union. Vic is too young and unstable, which means that Allegra will have to make the same sacrifice to save her brother,” Reno states. “What are your thoughts on this, Raffaele?”

“What do I get in return?” Raffaele asks with a chuckle.

“Certainly, getting rid of a problem is sufficient enough,” Reno barters. Their negotiations are only eating up precious time, but keeping my mouth shut is the smartest thing I can do.

“Only Vic is a problem. Allegra has stayed out of my hair, well, until today,” Raffaele responds.

“Why not do the fair thing and let all markers be cleared? After all, with all the wonderful news of babies coming, it would be a good way of putting the past in the past,” Dante suggests.

Raffaele says, “Allegra, are you willing to marry Zano to save your brother? And not only marriage, but this means you are to abide by all laws and customs ofNostra Casa.Reno will be your new capo, and do not think he is any less ruthless than I am. If I even hear that you or your brother are causing problems, I will be glad to load the gun Reno will use to get rid of both you and Vic.”

Allegra looks up at me with huge eyes. “You would do this for me and Vic?”

“We’re running out of time. You need to make a decision, although I don’t see much choice in the matter,” I say, avoiding her question. Truly, I haven’t got a clue why I’m willing to give up my freedom for some woman and a kid I haven’t even met.

In our world, men marry for prestige and power. I won’t get that, but then again, many men marry to have heirs, and I will want a kid of my own. Besides, men inNostra Casaaren’t expected to be faithful. Most have a mistress on the side, and their wives don’t seem to care. It’s not how I grew up. My father is devoted to my mother, but this is rare and unique.

“Yes. I’ll make any sacrifice to help Vic, and I swear to you, I’ll be the best wife I know how to be,” Allegra answers in a small voice.

I nod and feel relief wash over me. I push that aside and turn to Ivo, who gives his command over the phone, while the driver picks up his speed, swerving through traffic to the east side of the city.

Allegra’s hands are clenched tightly in her lap. I cover them with my own.

“You’ve both made the sacrifice to save Vic. This kid better appreciate it, or I’ll end him myself,” says Raffaele.

THREE

Prove Me Right

ZANO

As we’re pulling up to Allegra’s apartment building, I see several men who must be part ofUltimo Morte.Ivo sees them too and motions to them with his hand. There are a couple on the roof of the building next door and others sitting in their cars. Ivo leads Dante and me into an alley, where two otherUltimo Mortesoldiers are waiting for us.

Allegra is sitting in the car with Reno and Raffaele. When I told her to stay put, I could see she wanted to argue with me, but after one look at Reno and Raffaele, she made the better decision to keep silent.

“Two Skulls are trashing Allegra and Vic’s apartment. Vic is down in the basement in the storage area. There are five other Skulls, one at each exit point and the others are in the stairwell. Vic isn’t going to be able to stay hidden for long,” Ivo’s soldier tells us.

“Windows?” Ivo asks.

---