This is the start of Solana and Rylan’s book titled ‘HIM’
Twenty-two-year-old Solana Volkanov is more or less a prisoner in her own home. Decades and numerous dangerous encounters with the rival Mennetti family has made her strict, cold, calculating father limit her interactions with the outside world, most painfully with her older sister, Trisha, who stubbornly married a Mennetti against his wishes.
There is one rule she’s to obey while in the house.
Keep out of the basement.
Rylan Mennetti didn’t know how exactly he ended up as a captive to a family he’s been brought up to loathe and wish to eliminate. But when the sweet, naive Solana Volkanov stumbles upon him in the dark, dreary basement, he knows instantly that she’s his ticket to escaping the terrible fate her father has planned out for him.
They see each other in secret, falling more and more for each other, but when the veil gets lifted, and Solana realizes his true intentions, she’s in trouble.
Rylan Mennetti is gone, leaving her with a pregnancy that reminds her everyday of her stupidity.
Would he come back for her? Or were his feelings for her only a sham? Did he ever love her at all?
——————–
Solana
I look down at the cooing infant in my arms and can’t help but smile even though I’m on the verge of crying. My new nephew Griffin Mennetti smiles up at me like the happy baby he is and I wish my family could act more like him.
My older sister Trisha, better known as Trish, recently married Connor Mennetti and their baby is only a month old. We were hoping Griffin could help mend old rifts, but that hasn’t quite happened yet. My family, the Volkanov’s, and his family, the Mennetti’s, have been rivals for hundreds of years, going all the way back to Prohibition.
At this point, I’m not even sure what the feud is about. I know Trish and I are on the same page and all we want to do is bury the hatchet. But nothing is ever that easy. There’s so much history and hate which makes me wonder if it will ever be possible for our families to let go and move on.
I hope so. New blood and marriages and forgiveness will be the answer, I tell myself. Even so, I have my doubts. Our father, for example, is so set in his ways and his hatred for the Mennetti’s that it’s disconcerting. Our families declared war on each other so long ago and the rivalry hasn’t eased up.
However, ever since Nolan Mennetti was gunned down and Connor took over the family business in his father’s place, things have begun to change. He eliminated their old school enforcers and hired private security. He and his siblings have also been shutting down the various underground businesses, trying to focus on their legal, multi-billion dollar enterprises instead. You’d think less competition in that area would make my father happy, but he’s never been more on a rampage than he is now, and I know it’s because Trish defied him and fell in love with the enemy.
The enemy who loves her with a fierce loyalty and protectiveness like I’ve never seen before in my life. Connor would die for Trish and when they’re together, I can see the stars in his eyes, and the way he dotes on her and Griffin is heartwarming. If only I could be so lucky to find a man who would love me the way Connor loves my sister.
The enemy…what a joke.
My father hasn’t spoken to Trish since she married Connor and gave birth to Griffin. And that makes me incredibly sad because this little miracle made from love in my arms should bring our families closer, not separate them further.
With a soft sigh, I see Griffin has fallen asleep and Trish motions for me to hand him over.
“Be right back,” she whispers and heads down to the nursery to lay him down for his nap.
I sit back and look around the house where she and my new brother-in-law live. It’s located on the Mennetti compound around a half an hour outside of Chicago and it has everything they need. It’s also next door to Roberto, Connor’s twin brother, and the main house where their mother Maeve and younger sister Finley live. Then a little further back is where their younger brother Rylan lives in his own place.
Their home is everything I’d like to have one day. Not too big, but very cozy and welcoming, and I immediately notice all the little, personal touches my sister has added-the candles, pillows and a few framed pictures.
Trish reappears a few minutes later. “He’ll be out for a while. Do you want some tea?”
I nod, stand up and follow her into the kitchen. It’s modern and bright, and I walk over to a stool and sit down at the granite-topped island.
“So give me the full scoop,” Trish says, moving over to the stove and lighting the flame beneath the tea kettle. “And don’t hold back.”
“Oh, geez, where do I even begin?” I let out a sigh and watch my sister bustle over to the cupboard, pull out a couple of mugs and find tea bags. She looks amazing for just having given birth not too long ago. I’m sure she’ll have her old shape back in no time, but Connor keeps saying how much he loves her new curves. “I suppose I can start with Dad going on an absolute rampage when he found out about you getting married.”
“Does he know about Antonio?” she asks.
I nod. Antonio Dombruso, the man my father wanted Trish to marry, stormed over here in a jealous, angry rage, waving his gun around. During his tirade and threats, he shot at Connor and grazed his upper arm. Roberto immediately fired back and killed Antonio before he could hurt any of the other Mennetti family who had all been at the dinner. I can’t imagine how scary that must’ve been, but thank God Roberto protected my sister and unborn nephew, along with his family.
“The whole story got back to him and I honestly don’t think he was too surprised that Antonio went off the deep-end. He’s promoted another enforcer named Tony. It’s just a never ending cycle,” I say wearily.
In my opinion, Tony Maggiano is worse than Antonio ever was, but that’s because Antonio left me alone. He was far too obsessed with Trish to pay me any attention. But Tony, on the other hand, is a completely different story. I can’t help but notice the way he looks at me and it gives me the creeps. It’s not sexual in any way like Antonio had been toward Trish. Tony’s stare is cold and predatory. Calculating. The way a serial killer looks at his victim. Behind his dark eyes, there’s a brutality capable of untold horrors. And I have the very disconcerting feeling that he’d like to hurt me.
“I was hoping things would get better. Dad is going to have to accept the fact that Connor is my husband and I love him.”
I’ve noticed that Trish has stopped referring to him as papa. Matthias Volkanov, I fear, has lost his oldest daughter due to his stubbornness and refusal to move on past old hurts and beliefs.
And it’s an utter shame.
“He forbade me to see you,” I tell her softly. “Called you a bad influence.”
Trish’s brown eyes widen. “What?” With a sad nod, I watch as my feisty sister crosses her arms and narrows her eyes. “Why is he doing this? How can he be so cold? Doesn’t he want to meet his grandson?”
Not wanting to hurt her feelings or fuel her fire, I hesitate before telling her the rest. But then I spill it because she deserves to know. “He said he’s cut you from his life and that you don’t exist to him any longer.”
With a look of disbelief that quickly morphs into sadness, Trish leans back against the counter as the tea kettle whistles. “Well, then I guess that’s it.” She turns, picks up the kettle and pours the hot water into our mugs.