Page 14 of Reign of Hope

“Well, maybe you can do something with my hair. Since Marcella, I haven’t had the time or inclination to go out. I just don’t seem to have the energy,” Olivia says with a pout.

“Anytime you like. I’d be happy to come over and give it a nice cut with some highlights. I often thought a mobile hairdresser would be a great business to start. There are lots of people who, for one reason or another, can’t make it to a salon. I used to go to retirement homes once a month because the elderly have such difficulty getting out. They looked forward to me coming to them. And they have such amazing stories to tell about their lives,” I say.

“It’s a date, Allegra. I’m going to hold you to that,” Olivia replies. “I’ll get your number before you leave.” Baby Marcella stirs in her arms, her lips forming a pout that leads into a powerful cry. “She needs changing.” Before Olivia can even get up from her chair, Dante’s double appears out of nowhere, taking the baby out of Olivia’s hands.

“I got her,” Dante’s double states and carts off Marcella. Dante bursts out laughing, and the other men do their best to contain their chuckles.

“Who thought the thing that would bring Sebastian to his knees would be a baby?” Dante sputters, continuing to laugh.

“You just wait until you’re a daddy.” Olivia wags her finger at Dante. “We’ll see who laughs then.”

“Come on, even you have to see the humor in it,” he pushes, and a hint of a smirk comes over Olivia’s lips. “See!” Dante turns to me. “That was my brother, Sebastian. We’re twins. You’re not seeing double.”

I nod with a grin. “It was very nice almost meeting him,” I kid.

“Allegra, come and meet Leo and his family,” Zano calls to me. With my brother standing next to him, Zano waits for me to join him. The woman who hasn’t yet been introduced comes with me. She must be Leo’s wife. “This is Leo, his wife, Lucia, and the little monster in Leo’s arms is Joseph. This is my fiancée, Allegra, and her brother, Victorio.”

Reno, standing behind Leo, adds, “Leo will be taking you under his wing, Victorio. I suggest you get to know one another.” Anna joins her husband and links her arm through his, giving it a little squeeze. Reno looks down at his wife’s face and lets out a sigh. He then says, “Welcome to our home.”

Anna must be a miracle worker because this is the first time I’ve seen Reno’s features soften. Victorio speaks up. “Thank you for having us, Capo.” He then extends his hand to Leo. “Sir, I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m going to work very hard, I swear.”

Leo takes the extended hand. “I expect nothing less. After dinner, we’ll take a walk outside and discuss matters.”

“I’d like to get a few things out of the way beforehand,” Reno states. “Dante, Sebastian, Leo, Zano, in my study. Allegra and Victorio as well.” He kisses his wife’s cheek. “We won’t be long,” he tells her, and extricates his arm from hers before leading the way to his office. We encounter Sebastian on the way. “Give Marcella to Anna and meet us in the den.”

Reno’s office is impressive, with a dark brown leather sofa and chairs, a bar in the corner of the room, and a massive heavy oak desk that he sits behind. He nods his head, indicating for us to sit. We all comply and wait for his word. Zano reaches for my hand, holding it in his.

“Zano has asked me to grant him the opportunity to save Allegra and her brother. I’ve already explained how this affects our relationship withUltimo Morte.In order for this matter to be put to bed, Zano and Allegra will marry.” There’s a pause in which Reno stares at me, adding, “In four weeks.”

I blink but prudently say nothing.

“My mother is not going to be happy,” Zano replies, blowing out a breath.

“I don’t care. The other underbosses think this is a terrible idea, that Allegra and Victorio are not our problem, and they’d be correct. However, I recognize your attempt to save a damsel in distress, and when you could have backed out several times, you chose not to. Therefore, you have a wife. Victorio has proven to make errors in judgment. He will be staying with Leo, in the bunkhouse with the other soldiers under his command. He will go to school and work for Leo,” Reno tells us.

“I can’t see Allegra?” Victorio asks, visibly upset.

“Leo makes that decision based on your actions. You do as he says, and you can see her anytime you are off duty. You fuck up, and your time will be spent making up for your mistakes,” Reno states in a steely tone. “I’ll be checking on you, and I expect to see the kid with bad judgment turn into a man with superior decision-making skills, dedicated toNostra Casa. Do you know our mantra?”

“No, sir.”

“Nostra casa, nostra fortuna. That means that in our home, in this family, we are able to create our own fortune. My men, even my newest soldiers, are paid well and earn a good living. My eyes are always on them, looking for the finest to move up. They know this, and now, so do you. You want more, then show me. But in this room, with all these witnesses, I vow to give you every chance to prove yourself. However, turn traitor, and I will kill you. There will be no place you can hide where I won’t find you and make you pay for your sins against this family. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Capo,” Victorio replies in a shaky voice.

Reno turns to Leo. “I want weekly reports on Victorio’s progress.”

Leo merely nods.

Reno then looks to Zano. “Four weeks. The capos from the other families will be in attendance as well as several senior underbosses. The rest is up to you. Understood?”

“Yes, Capo.” Zano squeezes my hand, urging me to say something to my new capo.

“Capo, thank you. I realize that you have taken us under your wing to protect us. Victorio and I won’t let you down.”

“Allegra, I believe you. But you can only speak for yourself. Victorio is his own man. The days of you trying to be his mother are over. He needs a man to guide him. You can be his sister, but his education from this point on comes from Leo, until further notice,” Reno says. “I’ve had enough upheaval for the day. Let’s enjoy the rest of our evening.”

Reno dismisses us, and we all file out of his office. Gina and Dario are the first we encounter, and Zano breaks the news about having four weeks to plan a wedding.

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