Page 44 of Reign of Hope

“We promised to keep him out of our business for as long as we could. This isn’t only aboutLa Famiglia.Italian Mafia versus the Triad, Dad. It’s about the entire existence of our four families and, if we fail, how many others?” Nero counters.

Reno furrows his brows, looking at the phone but clearly not understanding what the hell they’re talking about, and I can imagine the other capos are doing the same.

“Someone want to fill us in?” Alessio says sarcastically. “I got half a guy’s guts spilling out, and he still won’t talk, so I’m thinking you have a secret weapon, and we’re dicking around while time is ticking by.”

Marco slams his hand down onto something, his voice raw and disturbingly eerie. “You know the price for his help.”

“We’ll never agree on this. He has every right to ask for revenge. The man raped his sister, and because she couldn’t cope, she committed suicide. We should have given him up years ago. You made a vow to a dying man to protect his son, and he didn’t deserve your protection,” Nero goes on to say. He lets out a sigh. “You’re my capo and my father. I’ll follow wherever you lead, but you know Egidio made you swear to protect his son before you knew the crime. He’s dead now, and his son is still a fuckup.”

“Reno, Raffaele, Alessio.” Marco addresses the other three capos. “I will be sending a man intoUltimo Morteterritory. Eros will be there by morning. He will get what we need out of Drake.” I can hear the trepidation in his tone.

“You want to share?” Raffaele asks.

“Not at this point. But soon,” Marco states. He must be speaking with Nero when he says, “Call him. One hour from now, if he’s willing.”

Reno clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Where do we go from here?”

“We’ll let you know what Drake has to say. Nero will accompany Eros and will meet with Raffaele as soon as possible.” Marco finishes with “I have a meeting to attend.”

“Everyone out!” Reno commands.

We all exit the office, leaving Reno with his brothers and Leo. Elio looks down at his bloody clothes, then over to me. “That suit has had it,” he says with a chuckle. “I’d change before you pick up Ally. You’ll scare the shit out of her.”

“Torture is murder on my suits,” I quip with a smirk. Elio laughs, then nudges my shoulder with his own.

“What do you think that’s all about?” he asks, jerking his head back to the room full of Viales that we just left.

“No clue, brother, but I’d like to meet this Eros guy. If he manages to get Drake to talk when Ivo and Raffaele haven’t, I’d like to learn his technique.”

“You think we’ll get to meet him?”

“Only time will tell,” I say. “Reno says we can go home for now. I’m going to go shower and change first, then pick up Ally.”

“Mind if I shower at your place before going home? Mom might be up, and I don’t want her to see me like this.”

“No problem, but I’m not washing your back,” I tease.

TWENTY-FIVE

What Comes Next?

ALLEGRA

Anna led me up to a spare bedroom hours ago. Up till then, Elena, Olivia, Anna, and I were too wired to sleep until we heard from our husbands that they were all safe. Zano was quick on the phone, simply stating that he and Elio were fine and that he would be by to pick me up when he could. I overheard Anna asking Reno if all the soldiers fromNostra Casamade it home, and based on her relieved expression, I’m thinking they did.

It was then that Elena and Olivia were accompanied back to their home, which is on the same estate property, with their bodyguards on full alert. The Viale brothers take no chances when it comes to their families.

I’m so tired, you’d think sleep would come instantly, but I end up tossing and turning. So when the door creaks open, I jackknife into a sitting position and flip on the lamp on the bedside table.

Zano comes into the room, healthy and safe. And even with weary eyes, he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I scramble off the bed and lunge toward him. He braces and catches me in his arms as I wrap myself around him, burying my face in his neck.

“You’re back,” I murmur.

He kisses my temple. “Yeah, baby. Let’s get back into bed, huh? I need to get some sleep.” He gently puts me down and undresses. I help him off with his jacket and wait for him to finish. He pulls back the covers, the mattress dipping with his weight; his hand snakes out, taking my hand and pulling me down next to him. He curls his body around mine, spooning with me.

“Love you, cuoricina,” he says quietly with a heavy, sleepy sigh.

“I love you more, amore mio,” I whisper. Within seconds, his breathing evens out, and Zano is fast asleep.

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