Anna and Sofia giggled as they rushed out of the bathroom in their powder-colored bridesmaid dresses. Every time I saw them together, I was surprised at how similar they looked when not much attention was paid. Anna’s hair was slightly darker than her cousin’s, but they had the same eyes.
Cavallaro blue.
Dante, the children and I had booked the suite right next to Ines and Pietro’s in the best hotel in Indianapolis, so the girls could spend time together. The suites were even connected by a connecting door. They had watched movies together in bed until midnight the night before, not wanting to be separated except by absolute necessity. I really wished those two lived closer together.
I kept an eye on Sofia and Anna while Ines helped her daughter Serafina prepare for the wedding. I couldn’t wait to see her in her dress. She was stunning, she looked angelic, and she would look magnificent in white.
I peeked into the bedroom to see how far away Leonas and Dante were. Leaning against the doorframe, I smiled as I watched Dante help Leonas tie his tie. Leonas looked dapper in his gray three-piece suit, pointed shoes, and carefully styled hair. The resemblance was absolutely striking and became more obvious as Leonas grew older. At only seven years old, he was already the spitting image of his father. Their personalities, on the other hand, were not so similar. Leonas could be capricious and reckless at times, although he was already good at maintaining a mask in public.
Dante looked up, noticing me. His eyes observed my dress, a tight dark green mermaid-style piece. I was wearing the emerald jewelry Dante had given me over the years.
Leonas also looked up. “Do I really have to wear this dress? The shirt is scratchy and the vest is too tight.”
Dante touched his shoulder. “We have to convey a certain image in public. Not to mention that this is the biggest social event in a while.”
“Weddings are boring,” Leonas muttered.
Anna approached me. “They’re not. You don’t know what you’re talking about. We can dance all night!”
Sofia nodded enthusiastically, intertwining her fingers with my daughter.
Leonas made a vomiting sound.
“Behave yourself today,” Dante said firmly.
Leonas nodded but gave Anna a murderous look. She smiled.
Dante touched Leonas’ head then approached me with an exasperated expression.
“No fighting in church today, do you hear me?” I said sternly, looking at Leonas and Anna.
“He always starts it,” Anna said.
“Liar.”
“I don’t care who starts it. I’ll finish it,” said Dante, in a stern tone.
Anna moved toward him and hugged his waist. “I’ll make sure Leonas behaves.”
Dante chuckled. “I’m not blind, Anna. I saw how you kicked your brother under the table during breakfast this morning.”
Anna blushed. Leonas stuck out his chin. “You see. Liar, liar, pants on fire.”
Dante shook his head with a smile. Sometimes those two were like cat and mouse, sometimes they were inseparable. Sofia pressed her palm to her mouth, stifling laughter.
“Sofia, are you ready?” called Pietro, entering our suite in a tuxedo.
I glanced at the clock. “We really should go now if we want to be at the church on time.”
I smiled at Pietro, who looked stressed and even a little nervous. “It will be a wonderful wedding. Serafina and Danilo are such a beautiful couple.”
“Yes,” he said slowly. “But it’s not easy to let go of your daughter. You’ll understand what I mean when it’s time for you to get Anna married, Dante.”
Dante’s mouth tightened as he looked at Anna, who exchanged a conspiratorial smile with Sofia. Then they both turned red. “It will be Sofia’s turn first. She’s older.”
“We’ll see,” Peter said with a laugh.
“Come now, it’s getting late,” I urged him.
Taking Leonas’ hand, I led him out of the room. Anna and Dante followed closely behind him. Together we took the ‘elevator down to the secure parking lot. Sofia and Pietro would go to Serafina’s room and come out later.
“Mom, don’t hold my hand when we are in public. I’m not a child anymore,” Leonas said softly from his seat in the back. Dante gave me an amused look as he pulled the car away from the hotel.
“You are only seven years old.”
“He thinks he’s an adult,” Anna said.
“You talk about boys with Sofia,” Leonas muttered.
“Stop spying on us!”
I shook Dante’s hand. “Feel like a little bet? I say they don’t get through the wedding ceremony without a fight.”
“I only take bets that I win.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure. That’s why we own casinos.
The bank always wins.”
“Exactly.” Dante smiled smugly.
The church was out of town because the wedding venue was a renovated barn. Serafina had wanted an outdoor wedding, and Danilo had agreed despite his family’s tradition of a more formal event in a hotel ballroom.
Many guests had already gathered in front of the church. The moment we arrived, all the attention was on us. We shook hands and greeted everyone until we finally entered the church. Danilo was already inside near the altar, squatting in front of his 11-year-old sister Emma who had been sitting in a wheelchair since she had been in a car accident a year earlier. The father of the boy she was supposed to marry, the deputy chief of Cincinnati, had called off the wedding negotiations soon after, which had led to a huge scandal and was the reason her family had not been invited to the wedding.
“Can we go to Emma’s? I want to say hello to her,” Anna whispered. I touched her cheek, overcome with emotion at her consideration. Dante and Leonas were talking to the Detroit Sub-Chief, so I signaled them to go ahead. Dante gave me a small nod of assent. I took Anna’s hand, then stopped. “Or are you too big to hold hands?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.”
I laughed and led her to the front. Danilo straightened up the moment he saw us heading toward them.
I shook his hand. He was a tall, handsome man with brown hair and eyes. Serafina with her beauty would have complemented him well. “Hello Danilo, I hope you are not too nervous?”
“I have been waiting for this day for a long time,” he said politely.
Anna hugged Emma carefully. Emma was also dressed in a bridesmaid’s dress, her brown curls arranged beautifully on her shoulders.
“You look pretty,” Emma said.
“So do you.”
Emma blushed and looked down at her legs with obvious embarrassment. My heart broke for her. In our world, girls were judged by their beauty and their ability to have children. As a disabled girl, she would be considered inferior because she was considered deficient in both areas, which was complete and utter nonsense. Yet, despite her father’s efforts, she was still not promised to anyone. I still could not believe how disgusted the Cincinnati deputy chief had reacted to the incident.
Danilo’s expression was full of protection as he looked at Emma and Anna.
I leaned toward Emma. “Your brother is a handsome boy.” She smiled shyly at me, then peered at Danilo over my head.
Straightening up, I turned back to Danilo. Anna told Emma about her visit to the Indiana State Museum.
She always insisted on going to museums when we visited a city, much to Leonas disappointment. Emma actually seemed interested.
“Your sister will miss you when you leave,” I said softly.
Danilo frowned. “I left a few months ago, but Emma will come to live with me as soon as Serafina is settled in the villa.”
“Oh,” I said surprised, then cast a glance at Danilo’s parents. His father had been battling stomach cancer for some time now. He did not look good. Too thin and pale, and much older than forty. “Why does your mother have to take care of your father and not enough time for Emma?”
Danilo said nothing, his expression was polite but made it obvious that he would not talk about his family with me.
I smiled, then glanced at my watch. “I think we should take our seats. It won’t be long now.”
Danilo gave me a quick smile, then pushed Emma toward her parents. Anna and I also took our seats in the front row . A few minutes later, Sofia, Ines and Peter joined us.
Although it was traditional for the father to walk the bride down the aisle, Samuel did. He and Serafina were very close, as could be expected of twins.
Danilo took his place in front of the altar, looking perfectly composed. T all, dark and handsome, many girls admired him. I leaned toward Anna. “He has many fans among the women.”
Anna bit her lip, her eyes twinkling. “I know.”
I didn’t have a chance to ask her what she meant because Pietro suddenly stood up, the phone pressed to his ear and an expression of utter shock on his face.
“Pietro?” asked Dante, getting up as well.
“Someone has attacked the wedding car and is trying to kidnap Serafina.”
A hush fell over the crowd, their attention shifted from Pietro to me. I grabbed Pietro’s shoulders.
“Where are they?”
“About two miles away.”
I pulled out my gun and my men followed suit. I ordered half the men to stay here and protect the women and children, while the rest of the men and I left.
Before I left, I kissed Val hard, then signaled Enzo and T to stay close to her and our children.
I ran out of the church, followed closely by Danilo and Peter. Danilo was barking orders to his men. He had learned early to carry the burden of responsibility and wore it well.
His eyes were wild with determination before he jumped into his car and led the way. Peter and I chased after him, followed by other cars. Who was behind the attack?
The Bratva? Luca?
Soon smoke rising from a black car caught my attention.
We stopped beside it. Peter and I jumped out of the car. A body lay on the ground in a pool of blood, and next to him was Samuel crouched down, holding a hand on his bleeding side.
Peter rushed toward him, not even paying attention to his surroundings. Lifting my gun, I scanned the area but spotted no one. I joined them, crouching on the ground beside them. Serafina’s bodyguard was dead. Two shots had pierced his stomach.
“What happened? Where are they?” growled Danilo.
Samuel’s gaze flashed with terror. “It’s the Camorra.
They want Fina.”
“Fuck!” Danilo growled.
Samuel staggered up, pointing to the woods.
“They ran that way. Let’s go!”
Danilo ran off and I followed him.
“Fina!” shouted Samuel. I looked over my shoulder.
Pietro was behind us, but Samuel was having difficulty keeping up because of his wound.
Serafina’s scream rang out to the right. We sped up.
Other men joined us, waving. Twigs grabbed our suits. The terrain was uneven and made it difficult to run, especially dressed as we were. Serafina’s attackers had probably dressed more sensibly for a chase.
“Serafina?” I called.
“Fina?” Pietro’s voice was shaky.
We ran for a long time, but Serafina did not call again. I wasn’t sure I hadn’t been running in circles. Getting our bearings in the woods was almost impossible.
“They’re gone,” I said softly when we stopped to catch our breath.
Peter supported Samuel who by now could barely stand , looking ashen. His shirt and pants were covered in blood.
Danilo shook his head, his white shirt clinging to his body from sweat. “Search the fucking city!” he roared to his soldiers. His men ran off, back to the street and their cars.
“Call your doctor and tell him to come to the church,” I told Danilo.
He nodded, “I’m leaving now. I know this city, every corner, every recess. I will find them.”
“Do that.” He stormed off. Peter helped Samuel back to the street, while I gave orders to the Subchief and Captains who had joined us in the chase. They were to alert our contacts in the surrounding areas, at the airports and near the Camorra border, so that they would keep their eyes open.
Samuel slumped in the back seat. I leaned over him and pulled his hand away to check the wound. “The bullet went straight through.”
Samuel grabbed my arm, leaving bloody handprints all over . “Remo and Fabiano, they attacked us. Their target was Fina.” He trembled. “Shit, Dante, what do they want with her?”
“Let’s get you to a doctor, Samuel,” I said, trying to keep calm even though my thoughts were spinning out of control. Peter sat next to his son in the back seat and I drove. Peter looked completely shaken as he pressed on Samuel’s wound. “It will be all right,” he repeated.
They both looked like they were in shock. I had argued with them before.
They kept calm even in the most dangerous situations, but this one was different. Serafina was in the hands of the Camorra, and we all knew what that meant.
I drove even faster; I needed to get back to Val, Leonas and Anna. I needed to see them with my own eyes, I needed to make sure they were safe and sound.
Danilo’s doctor was waiting for us in front of the church. Ten stoned men were guarding around the building, the rest of the guests were still inside. The moment Samuel was in good hands, I rushed into the church.
Val, Leonas and Anna sat with Ines and Sofia still in the front row. Val’s worried look struck me and I was relieved to see that my family was okay. I was not going to let anything happen to them.
Ines leapt up from the bench and rushed toward me.
She was barefoot and her makeup was smudged from crying.
I caught her as she stumbled against me, her frantic eyes meeting mine. “What is going on? Where are my children?
Where is Peter?”
I wrapped an arm around her. “Ines, Pietro is fine.
Samuel has been shot.”
Her nails dug into my arm. “Where is he? What about Fina? Dante tell me!”
Val came up behind her, but apparently she had ordered the children to stay in the front row. Everyone in the church looked at me.
“Samuel will be fine. He has been taken care of.” I paused, not knowing how to say what needed to be said. For a moment I looked at Anna, who was looking at me with wide, horrified eyes. I could not imagine what the news would do to my sister. If Remo had had Anna in his hands. My throat constricted just considering the option. “She has been captured, Ines. But we have sent men to search the city for her, and I have warned every soldier to keep an eye on her. We will find her.”
Ines stared at me, her chest heaving. She shook her head. “Who would kidnap my daughter? Why? She’s innocent!”
I feared that this was exactly why Remus had chosen her.
Fury coursed through my veins. He had gone too far and he was going to pay for it.
Ines squeezed me even tighter. “Dante, tell me who!”
Her voice was shrill, more frightened than I had ever heard it. Not even when she had found out she was going to marry Jacopo had she sounded so terrified. “The Camorra.”
Ines staggered backward, her trembling hand pressed to her mouth. She would have fallen to her knees if Val had not grabbed her with one arm. “Shhh, Ines, we will find her .”
Ines looked at me with guilt in her eyes and hurt me more than I would have ever admitted. “I need to see my son.”
“Ines-” “Take me to my son,” she whispered harshly. Sighing, I signaled one of my men to take her to Peter and Samuel.
When she was gone, Val came toward me. If everyone hadn’t been watching us, I would have clutched her to my chest, and I could tell by the look in Val’s eyes that she wanted to do the same.
“Are we safe here?” she asked in a trembling voice, her gaze settling on our children who were spying on us. The terror on their faces was something I never wanted to witness .
“I doubt the Camorra will risk another attack, not now that we are alerted,” I said with forced calm. “But we will evacuate everyone now.”
Franco Mancini came toward us, supporting himself with a stick. He was not much older than me, but cancer had marked him. In the past, this would have made me relive my grief over Carla’s suffering, and although I would never forget her and what had happened, my concern for my family and my love for them were at the forefront of my mind now.
“Danilo called to inform me that Serafina has been kidnapped by the Camorra. I guess we’ll have to postpone the wedding then.”
I gave an abrupt nod, trying not to dwell on the thought that postponing might not be enough. The Falcone family was not known to spare anyone. If we didn’t get Serafina soon….
“We need to evacuate everyone now, Franco. Tell your men to make sure everyone has enough guards to get to their hotels. If possible, they should go home immediately .”
Franco sighed. “This is the worst day in the history of the Outfit .”
He went back to his wife and daughter, and I went from man to man and gave them instructions on how to get their families to safety. As Chief, I had to show strength and remain calm, even if I didn’t feel it.
Val waited patiently with Sofia, Anna and Leonas in the front while Ta in the back and Enzo kept an eye on them with guns drawn.
When everything was arranged, I headed to my family.
Sofia and Anna clutched each other, hugging each other, looking terrified. Anna leapt to her feet and hugged me. I put my arm around her shoulders and stroked her head. “Dad, I’m so scared.”
I felt a fiery protectiveness sweep over me. “You don’t have to be.
You are all safe.”
I hoped that the strength of my resolve would be enough to prove my words correct. Leonas stood up and came toward us. He looked mostly confused, but I could tell that he was scared too, and he was just trying to hide it. He touched Anna’s shoulder. “Dad and I will protect you.”
I felt myself pervaded with pride. I pulled him against the other side and squeezed his arm. Val stood up, his arm wrapped around Sofia, who looked completely shaken. I kissed Anna and Leonas’ heads, then gently untangled myself and went to my niece. I let myself fall on the bench to be at her height.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks and her nose was red.
“Where are Fina and Sam? And Mom and Dad?”
“Your mom and dad are taking care of Samuel. He was hurt , but he will be fine.” I hesitated. How to tell an 11-year-old girl that her sister had been kidnapped by an enemy who was nothing like the worst monsters in her nightmares? Her eyes stared at me hopeful and terrified at the same time. I touched her cheek. “We are looking for Fina. Someone took her, but we’ll find her.”
Her face contorted and she covered her face with her palms and began to sob. She slumped against me, her face buried in my neck. I lifted her into my arms as I stood up. She was a tiny child, smaller than Anna. She hugged my neck tightly with her arms . “It’s okay, Sofia,” I murmured.
“Let’s go somewhere safe,” I said to Val.
Val made a brave face and wrapped her arms around Anna and Leonas.
“I’ll drive them. One of you drive a car in the front, the other in the back,” I ordered T behind and Enzo. I regretted not having more guards for my family. Once we got home, I would have to consider new options.
“I will, boss,” Enzo said, and he and T behind ran out of the church. Pulling out my gun, even though the outside was protected by my men, I walked out with Sofia on my arm and Val, Leonas and Anna behind me. The parking lot was now almost deserted, as most of the guests had already left the place. As Chief, I could not leave among the first, even if I wanted to protect my family. I headed for my bulletproof Mercedes, glad that Indianapolis was close enough to Chicago to drive, so I had my car with me. I put Sofia in the back seat, but she clung to my neck, shaking. “It’s okay, Sofia. I will protect you. Once we get back to the shelter, I will let your parents know where we are so they can join us with Samuel.”
Anna slid into the car and intertwined her fingers with Sofia’s. “I’m here.”
Sofia pulled back, pulling up with her nose. She had Ines’s eyes.
Overcome by a new wave of protection, I stroked her head again before straightening up and closing the door.
Leonas sat down next to his sister, trying to put on a brave face.
I gave him a tugged smile and he lifted his shoulders a little more .
Val took my hand the moment I got behind the wheel . She was shaking, but held her head high, trying to appear calm .
I entered the coordinates of the hut into the GPS, then gave Taft and Enzo a sign before setting off. We arrived thirty minutes later.
It was a house surrounded by high walls and a vast garden, designed to house people in need of protection, especially important visitors.
I did not relax until I was inside. Val took care of the children, leading them upstairs so they could change . The house always offered a wide range of clothes, for children, women and men, so I was sure Val would find something suitable for herself and the children.
I took off my jacket, then picked up the phone and called John. “Where are you?”
“At the hotel, getting your and our luggage.
We’ll bring them to you.”
“Good. Who else is in the hotel?”
“Most of the Sub-Chiefs and Captains have already left. They are trying to get their families to safety.”
“Can you tell someone to get Ines and Pietro’s things? I don’t want them in the hotel. They have to come to the shelter too.”
“Sure. Do you want me to stay? Or should I go back to Chicago?”
John had assumed the role of my counselor while Rocco remained locked in that cell. I had a feeling that his life might soon have value. Sighing, I let myself fall into an armchair. “I need someone to hang on in Chicago while I’m gone.”
“Then Livia and I will return today. We’ll leave your bags at the shelter.”
I hung up and called Danilo. It took a while before he answered . “Any leads?”
“They went out of town on Interstate 70, then took smaller roads. We lost their trail near Terre Haute, but I sent every available man. We have to stop them from leaving our territory.”
“They will try to take a private jet or helicopter because it is safer and faster than taking the road.”
“We can’t let them take her into their territory…” The desperation in Danilo’s voice was palpable. This should have been a day of celebration for Serafina and him, instead they experienced hell. Serafina. I could not allow myself to think about what he was going through at Remo’s hands, otherwise I would have lost all objectivity.
“The Outfit is looking for them. I will go out to join you as soon as Samuel and Pietro have arrived at the shelter.”
Taft and Enzo entered the living room and I ended my call with Danilo.
“We checked the premises and turned on the surveillance cameras. But we should add more armed guards in the surrounding streets.”
“See who is not needed for the search for Serafina.”
“I could ask my son and some of our men to come from Chicago. He is the best.”
Pride resonated in his voice, and he had every reason to feel that way. Santino was one of my best soldiers.
I nodded distractedly. “They should hurry up. We’ll stay for another couple of days at least, until things have calmed down and we’ve found Serafina.”
“Do you think we’ll get her back quickly?” asked Taft.
I stood up. “We have to. Now ask for reinforcements.”
They left and I looked out the window, trying to consider my options. Remo was a monster. Unfortunately, he was a smart monster, if rumors could be trusted. I had never met him or his brothers, only his father. The man was a narcissistic maniac who could be led to rash decisions. I hoped Remo would be the same.
Footsteps resounded. Tension ran through my body and I turned around with the gun in my hand. Val froze. He was wearing jeans and a simple T-shirt, a rare thing.
Now that he no longer had to keep up appearances for the public or our children, fear shone clearly in his eyes. I crossed the distance between us, cradling her face and kissing her. “You are safe. No matter what the price, I will protect you .”
Val swallowed, her eyes filled with tears. “I am so afraid for Serafina.”
I gave an abrupt nod of assent. “Once Peter and Samuel are here, we will go out to join the hunt for Serafina.”
“Be careful,” Val pleaded.
“I’m not worried about myself. I can handle the situation.”
Val closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to my shoulder. “How are we going to protect our children in this world? War with the Camorra and the Family…” He shuddered . “How can we all get out of this unscathed?”
I kissed the top of her head. “You and our children will, I swear.”
“You too. I need you to be safe too.”
I squeezed her tighter, saying nothing. My safety was irrelevant until my family was touched. I would have given my life if it had served to protect them.