Page 25 of Madness

“Good.” She answered as we ate the pasta in front of us. “My economics class is harder than I thought, but I’ve found a tutor that’s been helping.”

“A female tutor.” It wasn’t a question our father asked but a command. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her as if searching for a lie. Alessandra was not to be alone with a man. She wasn’t allowed to go anywhere without the presence of her bodyguard, Frank.

Alessandra smiled at our father, but again I noticed it didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course,papà.”

Our father’s face relaxed slightly, but I saw the intent in his eyes. If she stepped out of line, he’d kill her. No one was off limits to his wrath, not even his own daughter. She’d be punished mercilessly if she dared to embarrass him by having a boyfriend or disobeying any order. It would hurt him, but in this life, he knew he couldn’t afford weaknesses. If I was evil, it was because of him.

Or it could have come from my mother. It was hard to tell who I got my evil spirit from. That’s what happens when two soulless monsters have a child; there’s nothing good to pass on.

Leif and Alessandra’s mother had been kind, not made for this life, even though she’d be born into it. She passed on her sweet nature to Alessandra and her kindness to Leif. Though our father had done everything he could to beat it out of him. Their mother having no way to stop it. They’d had an arranged marriage to form alliances with the west coast syndicate. There was no love. Which is how I came to be.

My father liked to visit the local prostitutes. He’d taken a fondness to my mother in particular. When she realized she was pregnant, she ran. She knew he would force her to abort me. My mother didn’t save my life out of the goodness of her heart. Or motherly love. She did because she thought one day I could be her meal ticket. Her bargaining chip. She underestimated how ruthless Leonardo Vancini was.

He killed her without remorse right in front of me when I was ten years old. I felt nothing when she died. I’d been born without feelings, and seeing her gruesome murder hadn’t changed that. Afterward, my father had taken me home to live with him and his family.

My stepmother had always treated me with kindness even when she could’ve hated me for being her husband’s bastard child. Like I said, she was too good for this life. But her affection couldn’t change what I was. I was exactly what my father wanted. An emotionless, ambitious killer. The perfect Mafia son.

Soon dinner was done. My father and Leif were waiting for me in the office as I escorted Alessandra up to her room. She looked up at me as we walked down the hall. Her once twinkling eyes had lost their brightness.

“You can always talk to me, Alessandra.” I said. “I’ll keep your secrets. I’ll hurt anyone who tries to hurt you. Father included.”

I didn’t mind killing people. I enjoyed it, actually. But this was different. Alessandra was her mother’s child. She needed protection from this life.

“Some secrets are better left buried.” She whispered before walking into her room and closing the door behind her. I made a note to have Bash look into her life. Something was going on. It was my job to know what.

I walked back downstairs and entered my father’s office. The pungent smell of cigars hung in the air as smoke encircled my father’s head. I took a seat next to Leif across from my father’s desk as they finished a conversation about a weapons shipment. I waited to be addressed.

“Maddox, what have you found out?” My father asked.

“I have a meeting with one of my informants set up this week.” I flicked a piece of lint from my pants. I was ready to get out of here. I’d done my family obligation, and the longer I sat here, the more restless I became.

“Who?” I ignored my father’s question as he expected.

I worked for the family, but I knew the value of holding back my cards. Of always knowing more than the person in front of me. The second I wasn’t an asset, my father wouldn’t hesitate to kill me.

“I believe it’s time for Tristan to take his place.” Leif said, changing the subject. I heard the subtle threat in his comment. Tristan was set to take over for Constantine. The only way for that to happen would be for Constantine to die.

I shook my head. “Tristan isn’t ready.”

“If he isn’t ready, it’s your fault.” My father said. I stared back at him, unaffected by his harsh tone.

I knew there were people, like Leif, who craved their parent’s approval. I wasn’t one of them. It didn’t change what or who I was. As much as my father liked to play that he was in control of me. Ff my actions, but I saw the fear.

He knew I was a psychopath. That I was more emotionless than he was. He’d bred a demon, and there was no controlling me. I did what I wanted to do. I maintained my position in the family because I liked the power. I liked torturing and killing. The second it became boring, I’d find a new way to entertain myself.

And that’s exactly what I’d done with the little dove.

My mind wandered to Kincaid. She was entertainment. A toy. But a war was coming. I needed to break her so I could focus again. I needed to get rid of this distraction. A war would be much more fun.

“Constantine stays for now. We can’t afford a change with the Gallos’ current threats. Continue talking to our contacts. Predict their next move.” My father said, drawing my attention. “Kill any one of them who gets in our way. If they want a war, they’ll get one.”

“Yes, sir.” Leif and I said in unison before we both exited the office.

We didn’t talk again until we were outside. Bash and Elijah stood at our waiting cars.

“How’s it going with the pretty little waitress?” Leif asked.

A flame flicked inside me. Between the dinner, Alessandra, and our father’s useless accusations, I was feeling restless. I needed to find a way to release the energy. I needed to hurt someone.

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