Page 9 of Reign of Hope

“But I want to get to know Allegra,” she starts.

“There’s plenty of time for that,” Dad jumps in to pacify her. “You’ll have weeks of ‘getting to know you’ time.” He escorts Mom to Dante’s SUV and helps her into the back. Mom is pouting but doesn’t argue. Elena gets in next to her, giving us a wave.

“See you at the house,” Elena says.

“Let’s get in the car,” I tell Elio as we move to his vehicle. I open the door for Allegra, while Victorio takes his place next to her.

We’re barely settled in the car when Elio starts, “How does a simple meeting to formalize a business contract turn into a marriage pact? That’s what I want to know. I’ve known you to be impetuous, but this is nuts, even for you!”

“Calm down. I wasn’t about to watch three gang members pull Allegra into a car, do who knows what to her, then deliver her to their gang leader to have him turn her into a whore for their stables,” I return angrily.

“Jesus!” Elio blows out a breath. “But marriage?”

“They had her brother holed up in the basement of their apartment building. Victorio wasn’t going to make it out of there without being caught. The Skulls were either going to leverage her brother to get to her or kill them both. Victorio messed up, but was his sister supposed to pay for it?” I ask. Not waiting for a response, I go on. “I made the decision, and as my brother, I need you to understand. I want your support. I love you to my bones, Elio, but what is done is done. I need you onboard.”

“Fuck, Zano. You goddamn know I’m always there for you. You never have to ask that…”

Victorio begins to rant. “Christ! I’m sorry. All right. I. Am. Fucking. Sorry. This is on me. Shoot me. Get rid of me. Just leave Allegra out of it. I wanted my old life back. I wanted the respect we had. Allegra was fine starting over. She worked hard to become a hairdresser and take care of Mom and me. She has her own dreams but put them aside for me. I’m the fuckup. Raffaele won’t care what you do to me. So get it done, and let Allegra go.” Victorio does his rant.

Allegra tries to placate him, but he’s hurting and feeling the consequences of his actions.

I turn in my seat and tell him, “It doesn’t work that way. You want to off yourself, be my guest, but that’s not going to help Allegra. She made a promise, and Reno and Raffaele are going to expect her to keep it. All you’re going to do is make it harder knowing her brother didn’t have the courage to make things right. Reno is giving you a shot at the fancy shit you want, but you’re going to have to earn it, along with his trust.”

“How do I make this right?” he asks, his voice trembling.

Elio says, “You’re going to work your ass off. You’re going to school, and you’ll be working with Leo. He’s tough but fair. You’ll do whatever job he asks you to do and prove toNostra Casathat you’re trustworthy, just like we did.”

“The other men are all going to hate me. The minute they find out about my father, they’ll turn their backs on me,” Victorio says.

“So what?” I counter. “We were made fun of all the time because our father was a soldier and not an underboss. We earned our spot, and no one can take that away from us. We have enough enemies on the outside to fight. If shit gets bad, come talk to me.”

“Or me,” Elio adds. “We’re in this together. Zano has brought you into our family, so you belong to us now.”

“This has all been very overwhelming. It’s going to take some getting used to,” Allegra says quietly. “One day at a time, Victorio. We have to trust someone, and Zano saved our lives.”

Overwhelming says it best. Twenty-four hours ago, I was looking forward to getting home and going out with a bunch of guys and getting laid in the process. Today, I’m heading to my parents’ place with my new fiancée. I turn back to face the traffic and run a hand over my face. How did I get here?

SIX

Family Chaos

ALLEGRA

Dante beat us home and is waiting for us in the living room with Zano’s father, Dario. I can hear people bustling throughout the house, then I see Gina at the top of the stairs.

“Oh good, you’re here,” she exclaims happily. “I’m just making sure the spare room is ready.” She hurries down the steps. “Elena is in the kitchen. Come join us, Allegra.” Gina begins to guide me away.

“I’m not sure—” I begin, looking at my brother.

“Victorio is fine with us,” Dario says with a smile. “Go and get to know Elena. I’m sure she has a million questions.” He laughs.

Zano jerks his chin up and gives me a wink. “We have business to discuss. Victorio needs to hear this.” He puts his arm around my brother’s shoulders and guides him to the sofa.

I allow myself to be led away to find Elena at the stove, stirring a huge pot. I love the smell of tomato sauce. The delicious aroma fills the air.

“That smells heavenly,” I declare, taking in another whiff. My stomach picks the worst time to grumble, but it has a right to. The last time I ate was early morning, and we’re well into the evening.

“Mom and Dad own a restaurant. People come from all over for her sauce,” Elena says proudly.

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