Page 31 of The Beast

Sicily runs through my veins and is a possessive bitch. She owns my soul and keeps me grounded and is the woman who scripted my life plan. I belong here, I always have and yet I wanted more. I wanted it all. To be free of the shit that makes up my DNA and try to live a normal life. I was a fool. This is normal life—to me, anyway, and I see that clearly. Now Winter is by my side, I know this is our home. It felt so right bringing her here, and as soon as we stepped inside, the realization hit me hard. America may be my second love, but Sicily will always be my first, and I belong here. I always did.

CHAPTER16

WINTER

Iam overawed by everything that’s happened, but this house and this woman have stunned me. It’s as if history is seeping from the walls and reaching out to pull me in. Whispers from the past accompany me along the impressive corridors as we follow silently behind a queen. The regal way she glides rather than walks tells me she’s a powerful force in this world.

Jasmine is nervous beside me, and I wonder about that. Maybe she can also sense the importance of this occasion. As we follow Nonna into a huge kitchen, I feel immediately at home in the warm and welcoming space.

A maid stands to attention, apparently shocked by the invasion and almost bows as Nonna snaps, “Maria, i miei ospiti hanno bisogno di un rinfresco. Lo prenderemo al tavolo.”

I’m not sure what she says, but the maid nods and scurries to the huge range cooker as Nonna points to the chairs set around a marble-topped table. “Excuse the informality, but sometimes a good dose of homeliness is what’s needed after a hard journey.”

“Thank you.” Jasmine sounds grateful about that, and I nod in agreement. “It’s so kind of you.”

Nonna raises her eyes. “One thing you should realize, my angel, is that I am not kind.” She laughs softly. “I am a mafia wife and kindness has no place in my world. Duty is the driving force and an acceptance of the situation, but one thing you should both learn and fast is that kindness gets you nowhere.”

I’m shocked and a little worried about that and I’m guessing Jasmine is too, because she catches my eye and smiles tentatively. Probably now isn’t the time to call Nonna out on that, so we just nod meekly and take our seats, just grateful to sit down.

Nonna sits opposite and her sharp expression makes me a little uncomfortable and then she addresses Jasmine. “You are married to a don. Does he treat you well?”

“Very well.” The slight smile on Jasmine’s face settles my heart. At least my brother loves her. It’s obvious by the sparkle in her eyes and Nonna sighs. “Young love, I had that once.”

She shakes her head. “It took a while to grow because mine was an arranged marriage and at the beginning, I fought the decision.”

This is interesting and I can sense Jasmine is as fascinated as I am as Nonna leans forward and the devilish glint in her eyes makes us both smile.

“I soon learned the power of a woman over even the strongest man, and when I wielded it, I brought him to his knees. If you like, I can educate you both, but I’m guessing you don’t need any pointers from an old and weary woman like myself.”

We make to disagree, and she laughs out loud.

“It’s fine. You don’t need my help. I already see two men who will do anything to place the happiness in your eyes. I just hope you are strong enough to deal with what happens when that light fades and they move on to the next in line.”

I’m not sure of the point of this conversation because I am already married and, according to Alessandro, my light died years ago and so I say tentatively, “Do you know my husband?”

It’s as if Voldemort is in the room because both women appear nervous and glance around them fearfully.

Jasmine reaches for my hand and Nonna sighs heavily. “Your husband is a dead man.”

“He’s dead.” I blink in disbelief, because how did I not know this?

Jasmine reaches across and squeezes my hand reassuringly as Nonna says harshly, “I understand you have lost your memory. Be prepared because when it returns, you may not like what you discover.”

She stares at me with a very hard glare. “You have been brought here to start again. My grandson is infatuated with you. He has sacrificed a great deal to set you free from your life, and you should be grateful for that.”

Jasmine says tentatively, “I don’t think now is…”

“Now is the perfect time.” Nonna peers across the table and her stone, cold stare unnerves me—a lot.

“Alessandro will be the Don of the Majerio family. It’s a title that bears great responsibility. He will need to marry well, and another man’s cast offs are not acceptable considering his position.”

“I really must…” Jasmine speaks up bravely, but Nonna holds up her hand and says harshly, “A mafia bride must be a virgin on her wedding night. The fact you’ve been married before, my dear Winter, that means you are not. So, I ask you one thing.”

“Which is?” I can guess what’s coming as she sighs and leans forward, staring deep into my eyes. “Don’t get too close. Resist him for his own sake. As I said before, choosing a mafia wife is a business decision. Nothing less. Marriage for power and a bride who will devote her entire life to continuing the line.”

“I disagree.”

Jasmine speaks up and appears angry. “I love my husband and he loves me. We are happy.”

---