Page 8 of Reign of Hope

I’m sure my mouth is gaping open. Jeepers! Zano is Dante’s brother-in-law! “Oh my God! No wonder Reno allowed you to step in. I couldn’t understand why a capo would put himself out there for someone he doesn’t even know. I just don’t get why you stepped in.”

He quirks a brow and shrugs. “I don’t fucking know. I saw the fucker and what he was going to do to you, and I didn’t like it. I saw the look on your face and how you were trying to hold it together. And I thought, Christ, she’s brave but in over her head.”

“But, marriage?”

“We have to make this work. I won’t let Reno regret his decision.”

“I won’t let you down, I promise.” I’m not sure what possesses me to do what I do next. I step closer and wrap my arms around his waist, lift myself onto my toes, and kiss his jaw. “Thank you for saving my brother’s life, and mine.”

His arms come around me, holding me lightly. He rests his chin on the top of my head. “Let’s enjoy this moment. Not likely we’re going to get another quiet moment for a while.”

We stand together, wrapped up in each, until we hear Dante racing back up the steps, forcing us to break apart. Time’s up.

FIVE

Overwhelming

ZANO

Allegra and I walk down the steps of the plane to the awaiting cars, where my family impatiently waits for us. Elena is the most impatient and rushes toward us. I brace for her hug. She’s a great hugger. Before she gets to me, Dante warns her, “Mind his arm, baby.” Elena stops herself at the last minute and gently wraps her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek.

“No more out-of-town trips for you,” she chastises as she pulls back to search my face. “Are you all right?”

“It’s a graze, sis. All good, I swear,” I tell her, placing my hand over my heart. When we were kids, she’d make me promise, making the same gesture. Her face relaxes, and her attention moves to Allegra. Two redheads, Allegra and Elena, and yet both women are so uniquely different. Both are beautiful, though. Elena is more olive toned, with massive curls in her long, bright red hair. Allegra’s hair is a darker shade of red and is cut in a distinctive wavy bob that just reaches her shoulders. My sister is slender, and Allegra is even slimmer with a perfectly rounded ass that is burned in my brain, and breasts that I know will fit perfectly in my palms.

My sister stretches out her hand. “Hi, I’m Elena, Zano’s sister.”

Allegra takes her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Allegra. I’ll start by saying I’m sorry for any problems I’ve caused your family.”

Elena breaks out in a wonderful smile. “Zano made a choice, and believe me when I tell you, he doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to.” I see the corner of Allegra’s mouth curve upward. It’s the first real smile I’ve seen since this all started. It makes her even prettier.

“Elena, don’t hog her. Your mama wants to meet her.” I hear my dad’s gruff voice call out.

Allegra turns her attention over Elena’s head, her smile disappearing.

“Don’t worry, Dad’s a softie. His bark is way worse than his bite,” Elena says with a giggle. I place my hand on the small of Allegra’s back and lead her to where my parents and my brother Elio are standing next to her brother.

“Let’s get this over with,” I mumble. As I expected, my mother pulls Allegra in for a hug, catching Allegra off guard. She awkwardly hugs her back.

“Allegra, welcome. I’m sure this is all very overwhelming for you and Victorio, but we’ll do our best to smooth things over,” Mom says, patting Allegra’s cheek. Mom may not be aware that Victorio preferred to be called Vic, but even so, my mother doesn’t believe in “ruining a perfectly good name,” as she would say.

“Thank you. Mrs. uh…” Allegra trails off, then turns to look up at me. “I don’t even know your last name.”

“Ciello. Last name is Ciello,” I respond. “These are my parents, Dario and Gina.” I point to my brother, “This is my brother, Elio. Elio works closely with Dante. Sebastian is my boss Dante’s brother.”

“Two brothers working with two brothers,” Victorio mutters. “That’s cool.”

“It should have been Sebastian on this trip out to see Raffaele, but their new baby girl, Marcella, wasn’t feeling well, and Sebastian wouldn’t leave Olivia alone,” Dante adds.

“That baby girl has her father wrapped around her little finger,” Dad jokes with a hearty chuckle.

“Don’t tease!” my mother admonishes. “I seem to remember you pacing the floor for hours when Elena was sick.” Mom turns to Elena. “Your father was ridiculous. He called the doctor back to our house three times in one night.” She shakes her head, rolling her eyes at her husband.

“Speaking of doctors, we have one on the way to the house. Reno wants you checked over properly,” Elio says. His tone is not quite as welcoming, but not hostile either. Just like I thought, he’s playing the part of the protective older brother. I both appreciate it and want to belt him for it.

Allegra’s been through enough, and the sooner I tell him about it, the quicker things will settle. “Dad, will you and Mom ride back with Dante? I want a word with Elio.”

Dad immediately gets where I’m going, but Mom, not so much.

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