Reign of Fate: Dark Reign, #12

Dark Reign Families

La Famiglia

Marco (Capo) & Gloria Moretti

Son: Nero

Daughter: Grazia

Nero (Future Capo) & Felicia Moretti

Children: Antonio

Nero’s Parents: Marco & Gloria Moretti

Felicia’s Parents: Mario & Teresa Bianchi

Nero’s Sibling: Grazia Moretti

Felicia’s Sibling: Emiliano Bianchi

Luciano (Consigliere) & Grazia Donatelli

Children: Ciara

Luciano’s Parents: Paolo (deceased) & Francesca Donatelli

Grazia’s Parents: Marco & Gloria Moretti

Grazia’s Sibling: Nero Moretti

Luciano’s Sibling: Cara Donatelli

Aris & Nina Lanzia

Aris’s Parents: Cosimo & Carla Lanzia

Nina’s Parents: Gino & Domenica Vassilo

Aris’s Sibling: Evangeline Lanzia

Nina’s Sibling: Ricardo Vassilo

Nostra Casa

Moreno (Capo) & Anna Viale

Children: Samuele, Simona (twins)

Reno’s Parents: Giovanni & Clara Viale (both deceased)

Anna’s Parents: Franco & Angela Corelli

Reno’s Siblings: Sebastian Viale, Dante Viale

Anna’s Sibling: Giorgio Corelli (married to Sara and they have a child Franco Jr.)

Sebastian (Consigliere) & Olivia Viale

Sebastian’s Parents: Giovanni Viale & Magdalena DeLupa (both deceased)

Olivia’s Parents: Orlando & Diane (deceased) Micelli

Sebastian’s Siblings: Reno Viale, Dante Viale

Dante (Consigliere) & Elena Viale

Dante’s Parents: Giovanni Viale & Magdalena DeLupa (both deceased)

Elena’s Parents: Dario & Gina Ciello

Dante’s Siblings: Reno Viale, Sebastian Viale

Elena’s Siblings: Elio Ciello, Zano Ciello

Leonardo (Underboss) & Lucia Conte

Children: Joseph

Leo’s Parents: Martina Conte, father unnamed

Lucia’s Parents: Giuseppe & Natalina (deceased) Ferrante

Siblings: None

Il Destino

Alessio (Capo) & Josephine Cassini

Children: Nico

Alessio’s Parents: Alfredo & Maria Cassini (deceased)

Josephine’s Parents: Germano (deceased) & Nina Cucco

Alessio’s Siblings: Mara Cassini, Mia Cassini

Josephine’s Sibling: Mona Cucco (married to Bruno Berto)

Niccolo Divotti (Consigliere) & Valentina Divotti

Niccolo’s Parents: Roberto (deceased) & Santa Divotti

Valentina’s Parents: Joe & Lilliana Fontana

Niccolo’s Siblings: Davide Divotti, Sienna Divotti

Valentina’s Siblings: Joe Jr. Fontana (deceased), Julian Fontana, and Fausto Fontana

Julian & Miliana Fontana

Julian’s Parents: Joe & Lilliana Fontana

Miliana’s Parents: Vito & Giovana Manille (deceased)

Julian’s Siblings: Joe Jr. Fontana (deceased), Valentina Fontana, and Fausto Fontana

Milana’s Siblings: None

Ultimo Morte

Raffaele (Capo) & Evangeline Di Morte

Raffaele’s Parents: Cicco & Flora Di Morte (both deceased)

Evangeline’s Parents: Cosimo & Carla Lanzia

Raffaele’s Sibling: Claudio Di Morte (deceased)

Evangeline’s Sibling: Aris Lanzia

Ivo (Consigliere) & Elisa Avante

Ivo’s Parents: Ignazio & Cinzia Avante (both deceased)

Elisa’s Parents: Luigi & Veronica Zotteri

Ivo’s Siblings: None

Elisa’s Sibling: Leno Zotteri

CONTENTS

About Reign of Fate * Dark Reign Families

Prologue * Chapter One * Chapter Two * Chapter Three * Chapter Four * Chapter Five * Chapter Six * Chapter Seven * Chapter Eight * Chapter Nine * Chapter Ten * Chapter Eleven * Chapter Twelve * Chapter Thirteen * Chapter Fourteen * Chapter Fifteen * Chapter Sixteen * Chapter Seventeen * Chapter Eighteen

Thank You to my Readers * Acknowledgments * About the Author * Other Books by A.G. Kirkham * Songs and Artists * Copyright

PROLOGUE

Keeping a Promise

IVO

The meeting with Julian was a great success, and working with Il Destino is turning out well. I thought Raffaele was losing his mind when he said he wanted to form an alliance with the other families, seeing that this war has existed since before I was born. It started back in the days of our great-grandfathers, and I don’t think anyone even knows why it started, but through the years, the hate has grown, and the interactions between our families have become increasingly violent.

When Raffaele took over, he decided to focus on building the empire that started in Italy and slowly migrated to the United States. He purposely chose Philadelphia as his home base to maintain his distance from the other families and to show his respect for their territories. When the time was right, Raffaele made his move and extended an olive branch to the other families, and here we are today.

I never thought I’d see the day when Alessio Cassini, Marco Moretti, Reno Viale, and Raffaele Di Morte would be sitting at the same table, and yet it happened, just as Raffaele vowed it would. Raffaele is my best friend and has been for the last ten years, coming up on eleven. It’s a relationship built from the only fight I ever lost in an underground fighting match. Raffaele beat me, but barely. I was having an off day and coming off a flu bug, not that I would ever tell Raffaele that, because it doesn’t matter. He’s our capo, and I am dedicated to him. A mutual respect was founded that night, and I’ve been by his side ever since. I’ve always been an Ultimo Morte soldier, just like my father. Where my father and I differ, is that I wanted to be more than a soldier. I wanted to earn a position of respect. I’ve had to prove myself over and over, but I’m fine with that because, in the end, I have Raffaele as a friend and brother, the only man I trust.

I was there when Raffaele’s own brother betrayed him. Claudio instigated a coup to kill his brother and take on the role of capo. It nearly broke Raffaele. I carried Claudio’s body from the building, and I remember the look in Raffaele’s eyes. He shut down completely for a while after that. That is until Evangeline came along. She’s the best thing to ever happen to him, and I’m happy that Raffaele finally knows the love of a good woman.

I had that once, but now she’s gone. My beautiful Maria. I miss her every day. The pain in my heart is gone, but I feel the loneliness, and when I look at the beautiful daughter we made together, I still hurt. Everyone says it’s time to find a new wife and a proper mother for Adriana, and perhaps they’re right, but to find a woman who would love my daughter as much as I do is an impossible task.

I hope to find Adriana greeting me as I come into our home, but instead find Raffaele and Evangeline. Adriana is sitting on Uncle Rafe’s lap, giggling loudly as he tickles her, and Evangeline laughs at them both.

This is a wonderful surprise, I say. All my favorite people in the same room. My daughter scrambles off Uncle Rafe’s lap and leaps into my arms. Hello, sunshine, I say and kiss my little girl’s cheek. Have you been good for Mrs. Withers today?

I’m always good, Adriana replies with a pout that doesn’t quite reach her eyes, which tells me she’s been into mischief.

Oh, really. Like the time you hid in the closet and refused to come out even though you had everyone looking for you? Or when you snuck over to Evangeline’s place without telling anyone where you were going—

The little minx covers my mouth with a tiny hand. Stop, Daddy. I’m good now, she says with conviction. God only knows how long that will last. Adriana’s a great kid, but she gets bored quickly and goes off in search of adventure. Unfortunately, Mrs. Withers is nearing sixty and can’t keep up with Adriana. She’s heading to school in September, and I’m hoping that structure and learning will wear her out before she comes home again.

I turn to Raffaele and Evangeline. I love having you guys over, but to what do I owe the pleasure?

Raffaele gives me a look that says business is going to take up part of my evening. Evangeline asked for special girl time with Adriana, and I thought we could go for a drive. Total lie! Translation: We got business to take care of and Evangeline is hanging out here so Adriana doesn’t miss you.

Is that all right with you, sunshine? I know it will be. She loves Evangeline, and when she’s over, the girls have all kinds of fun.

Sure, Daddy, but come home soon. I want you to tuck me in tonight, Adriana says. I look at Raffaele before I answer. I don’t like lying to my daughter, and if I can’t be here before her bedtime, I would rather tell her now.

Raffaele nods, and I respond, I’ll be here. Have fun with your aunt. I give her another kiss and follow Raffaele out the door. I wait until we’re on the road before I ask, Where are we going?

Guido called, Raffaele states tersely.

Shit, I groan. Guido was a great soldier who gave his all to the family, only to be caught in the line of fire in a gunfight, resulting in him being confined to a wheelchair. At the time, Guido was engaged to be married and wanted to call it off. Elisa wouldn’t hear of it. They got married, and Elisa’s been by his side every single day since.

Raffaele has made sure that Guido is well taken care of. At first, Guido held out hope that he would walk again, but as time wore on and it became apparent that this was never going to happen, he turned into a recluse. He never goes out and rarely has visitors. Even his own family is turned away at the door. He’s gotten increasingly worse with time, and his body is failing because he refuses to do any of the exercises to help himself.

The only person he cares about is Elisa, who seems to be the only one he responds to. Elisa’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Just as lovely as my Maria was. Elisa’s long dark hair cascades over her shoulders and down her back in massive curls. Her face is angelic and sweet, with bow lips, a cute nose, and rosy cheeks. But her eyes are magnificent. I’ve never seen such a color, an indigo blue, but brilliant as the stars. She’s petite and curvy with an hourglass figure, and I remember that before she married Guido, many men were competing for her hand.

I only had eyes for Maria, but I’m not blind and can see the beauty that Guido is so lucky to have by his side. Elisa is more than that, though. She’s loving and caring. When it all went down, it was Elisa who insisted on getting married. At the wedding, when it was time for the first dance for the bride and groom, she sat on her husband’s lap, and he wheeled around the dance floor. She laughed and smiled the entire time. Guido did too. I think that’s one of the few times I’ve seen him laugh since that dreaded day.

What do you think he wants? I ask. Guido’s grown continuously dark and despondent lately. This can’t be good.

I made him a promise. I must keep it, Raffaele says, never taking his eyes off the road, his hands gripping the wheel tighter.

What promise?

Raffaele glances over, then turns back to the road.

ONE

Insanity Prevails

IVO

Normally, riding in silence is a welcome treat, but all the way to Guido’s home, I feel a heaviness, like an impending doom hanging over me. Raffaele’s morose expression does nothing to ease the knot in my stomach. Raffaele’s never spoken of a promise he made to Guido, and this worries me. Raffaele is a man who keeps his word, and if this is the reaction to what must be done, this isn’t good.

We drive up to Guido’s home and go to the front door, where their housekeeper leads us to the study. Guido is sitting by the window in his wheelchair, with a blanket thrown over his legs, staring blankly out into the garden. He looks thinner and more fragile. He was once a tall, proud man with a laugh that would rumble throughout the room. Seeing him like this now is painful.

Hello, my friend, Raffaele says, alerting Guido to our arrival. He turns his head to us and manages a weak half grin.

Hello, Raffaele, he replies, then looks at me. Ivo, you look well. Even his voice has changed. It’s fainter and slower.

Hey, I respond. Guido tosses out his hand, indicating that we should take a seat on the couch nearby. He waits for us to sit and opens his mouth to speak when the door opens and Elsia comes through, stopping in her tracks when she sees Raffaele and me with her husband.

Time hasn’t changed her at all. She’s still as beautiful as always, maybe a little more mature in the way she walks and holds herself, but her sweet personality hasn’t changed.

Oh my goodness, our capo is here, she says, rushing to her husband’s side. She kisses Guido on the cheek and stands next to him. And Ivo, this is a nice surprise, she says with bubbly warmth. Her voice is soft, like a summer breeze.

Darling, perhaps some coffee for our guests, Guido says. I have a sense that he’s trying to get her out of the room for what he would like to discuss. He squeezes her hand, and she looks down at him.

Coming right up, Elisa replies. And I’ll bring your favorite biscotti too, she tells her husband.

We watch her leave, and as soon as the door clicks shut, Guido looks directly at Raffaele and says, It’s time.

Raffaele doesn’t break the stare. It would kill her. Think about what you’re saying.

"This can’t go on. Elisa has sacrificed far too much time looking after a useless man who can’t even take a walk with her. What good am I to her? To you? To Ultimo Morte?" he begins, but Raffaele interrupts him.

"Ultimo Morte and I will always be grateful for your sacrifices. You have more strength and more heart than any man I’ve ever known, next to Ivo, Raffaele tells him. He lowers his voice. She loves you. This will destroy her."

I’m in the dark, although, putting the pieces together, I’m thinking he wants to divorce his wife. This just isn’t done. I look from Raffaele to Guido, trying to make sense of what’s being said.

And I love her, Guido says with a heavy sigh. This is why it needs to be done. I’ve spoken with the doctor. He speaks with great sadness. A husband in a wheelchair is enough of a burden, but what’s to come will be like a prison sentence for both of us. My body is slowly dying, and soon, I won’t be able to eat on my own. She won’t be my wife. She’ll be my nurse. Elisa cares too deeply. She won’t leave my side unless I make her.

Raffaele narrows his eyes. The doctor said this?

Top desk drawer. Look for yourself, Guido says. Raffaele’s footsteps are heavy on the wood floor before he yanks open the drawer and pulls out a yellow manila file. He scans what’s inside, and I see his jaw tighten before he shuts his eyes and exhales a heavy breath. Guido breaks the silence. I’m doing this for her. And, selfishly, for me. That’s not how I want to live. I want to die with honor.

This back-and-forth grates on my nerves until I finally ask, What the hell are you two talking about?

Raffaele looks at Guido and Guido at me. Raffaele made me a promise, he says, "and I’m calling it in. He needs to arrange my death. I don’t care if he puts the bullet through my heart himself, but this must end. The only condition to his agreeing was that I was terminal. That day has come, and I’m not going to spend the rest