by M. Robinson
“We will catch the motherfuckers who took your daughter. They will be shitting their pants when they realize what they’ve done. I figli delle puttane,” Sinacore snidely expressed, “The sons of bitches,” placing his hands on the table, “have underestimated your power in our world. You may have been dead for the last twenty-two years, but you’re still El Diablo. I believe they took your daughter because they thought they could. We’re going to prove to them how wrong they truly were.”
I paid close attention to everything they were discussing as I had been for the last two months. Since the night of my first kill, the relationship between my father and I had changed. I think a huge part of him was proud of me, I proved my loyalty to our family the night I saved his life. Mamà didn’t like the idea of me in this world, but my sister was still gone and at this point, all that mattered was bringing her home.
Two devils were better than one.
And as my father had just indicated, he was getting older. It was time to pass on the throne to his only son. We had yet to receive another video of Ari or a ransom note. Leading us to believe it wasn’t about money. Although, they did send a few photos. Each more disturbing than the last. After they mailed a pint of her blood last week with a letter attached in another cryptic message, my mother almost had a nervous breakdown.
We needed another plan of action. More resources, more power. El Diablo held authority in the states and Colombia but in Italy, it was a different story. When we told Mamà what I had to do, she didn’t question it. Like I said, all that mattered was bringing Adriana home.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t pleased with the fact I had to marry Sienna. Mafia Princess.
I wanted to.
I. Wanted. Her.
If my sister wasn’t kidnapped, I wouldn’t have stopped until Sienna Luciano was mine. This merely sped up the process and cut the bullshit of having to court her. I was never any good at that anyway. She knew who I was, and I didn’t have to pretend to be someone else for the sake of earning her heart or trust.
No lies.
No uncertainty.
No underestimating me.
“We all know you made a lot of enemies before you faked your death,” Luciano acknowledged. “Anyone could have taken your daughter. Especially with all the names you confessed in order to walk away. Because this happened in my home, I fear for my daughter’s safety. I know the union of our families will only offer further protection. All eyes will be on us which in itself will guarantee anyone from taking what’s ours again.”
He was right. The press alone was going to have a field day with this news, and it was only going to get worse as time went on. The exposure would make anyone think twice about fucking around with us. They’d be terrified it would lead to their demise. We were using the news to our advantage. Making our presence known granted us publicity and no one would want to mess with that.
The mafia was powerful in numbers. It was a game no one wanted to play. Not when everyone knows your name and what was attached to it.
The five families.
“The truth is, Papà. They found your biggest weakness. It wasn’t your wife or your son. It’s your little girl. A man with no family, loses his soul, right?”
He narrowed his eyes in my direction, listening carefully to each and every word that fell from my mouth.
“When we find the pieces of shit who took our own flesh and blood, I won’t stop till I drain every member of their families dry for what they’ve done. I want their blood on my hands.”
Their souls were mine.
“You remind me so much of my grandson Romeo,” Sinacore divulged, leaning back in his chair. “You’re both loose cannons and infatuated with women, but I see the way you look at Sienna. You only have eyes for her it appears. My only hope is my grandson will settle down as you are, however I won’t hold my breath. He doesn’t want just one woman to himself, he wants them all.” He shook his head.
“A similar pretty boy face, who wines and dines before he takes your life without blinking an eye. He’s a Mafia Casanova.” Raising his hand up in the air, he pinched his fingers together. “He’s going to be the end of me, that grandson.”
“I’ll keep him in mind for the future,” I vowed. “I want the worst men you have.”
Sinacore nodded. “Then Romeo is your man.”
With that, I finished my part in this meeting, speaking with conviction…
“Because this is where we eat the meat and spit out the bones.”
Chapter 16
—Sienna—
One month later
I looked like the princess everyone knew me to be.
There I stood in front of the ceiling to floor mirror, wearing my mother’s white lace wedding dress.
Her diamond engagement ring shined bright against my tan skin.
Her crystal crown held high on my head.
I was a spitting image of her, and I couldn’t have hated it more if I tried. I didn’t want her life, yet there I was with no choice but to walk in her footsteps down the aisle. Praying I wouldn’t eventually end up in a body bag like she did.
At least, she wed for love and had the opportunity to experience it. I, on the other hand, could end up dead for an arrangement of nothing but power and bloodlines.
Would I have to give him a child? A son?
The mere thought alone made me sick to my fucking stomach.
“Sienna! Did you see this?” Aurora, my maid of honor asked, rushing into the private suite of St. Andrew’s church. The same cathedral my parents were married in.
“See what?”
“You’re wedding! It’s front-page news!”
“My arranged marriage,” I corrected, grabbing the article out of her hands.
The headline read, “Alejandro Martinez, known to the world as El Diablo is alive! His son Crucifixio Martinez will be marrying Mafia Princess, Sienna Contessa Luciano today at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.”
“Ugh…” I grabbed my stomach. “I’m going to be sick.” I continued reading out loud, “In a world where you’re worth more dead than alive, El Diablo has decided to rise from his grave after almost twenty-three years to tell the public he faked his death for the family he always wanted. Oh, God, how noble of him.” I rolled my eyes. “Choosing love over organized crime. Is this about my arranged marriage or portraying this man as God instead of The Devil?”
“You have to admit it’s romantic! He gave up everything for his wife and children.”
“Aurora, open your eyes. There is nothing romantic about the crimes he’s committed in the name of mafia life.” Proceeding on, I recited, “El Diablo has decided that today of all days it would be the perfect chance to announce his return to the world. His son, who is the mirror image of his father, is marrying Lorenzo Luciano’s daughter this morning, on her eighteenth birthday. We are told their wedding will have over five hundred guests in attendance. Five hundred guests? They’re making a spectacle of my death!”
“Girl, you haven’t seen the church yet. Your father spared no expense on this ceremony. I can’t imagine what your reception is going to look like because the church is every bit of lavishness, sprinkled with gold.”
I held my stomach firmer. “I think I’m going to go throw up. I can’t do this. I can’t marry him. I don’t even like him, Aurora. I hope he gets run over by a car crossing the street to the church. I’m hoping my fiancé goes to the hospital! This can’t be happening! I can’t get married to him! I fucking hate him!”
“Shhh…you’re swearing in the house of God, Sienna.”
“I don’t give a fuck! Where is God right now? He sure as shit isn’t looking out for me!”
“Ay, Sienna!” She did the sign of the cross on her body. “You don’t mean that.”
Peering up at the ceiling, I gazed at the mosaic angels in the glass. “Why are you allowing this to happen to me? Haven’t I suffered enough? You took my mother from me!”
“Sienna, per favore,” she begge
d, “Please.”
“How many guards are outside?”
“Babe, you can’t escape. The church has a fleet of men surrounding every corner. There is no way you’d go unnoticed. You’re the centerpiece of today, everyone is waiting for you to make your first appearance. Besides, Cruz’s mom is on her way in here.”
“Cruz’s mom? What the fuck is she coming in here for?”
“Sienna, your mouth! You’re going to have to go to confession before you walk into the church.”
“Aurora, eat my as—”
“Sienna, it’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Our stares flew over to the door where a woman I didn’t know was standing. She was dressed in a silk, soft yellow gown. Her hair was pinned up with a few curls framing her petite, pretty face. It was her sultry eyes that caught my attention the most, Adriana had them. I remembered from the brief moment I saw her at my graduation party, when I was arguing with her brother.
Now it was time to meet…
Their mother.
My future mother-in-law stood a few feet away from me and all I wanted to do was run out of there like a bat out of hell. I didn’t need to meet her, know who she was, in my eyes this wasn’t a real marriage. I wanted nothing to do with her or whatever she had to say.
She’d never take my mother’s place.
Not now.
Not ever.
“Wow,” she breathed out, taking in my wedding gown.
Once again, my father spared no expense on my mother’s gown or their wedding. They had a whirlwind courtship, he proposed to her after six months of dating. El Capo was seventeen years older than her, and she didn’t know it until they went to sign the marriage certificate. Much to her surprise.
She grew up poor, very humble beginnings. When he met her through a friend, he told her it was love at first sight. Within weeks, he bought her a diamond necklace, a car, paid off her parent’s home and their debt, pretty much buying her affection. He showed her a life she didn’t know existed. Though, it wasn’t about the money, she was head-over-heels for him. He gave her everything she ever wanted, including me.
A baby girl.
She died when I was only eight-years-old which was why Papà bought me a pony a few days after her funeral. Saying it was a gift from Mamà before she passed.
“You’re stunning,” Mrs. Martinez interrupted my thoughts. “Pictures don’t do you justice, Sienna.”
“Are you trying to kiss my ass in hopes I’ll be happy about this arrangement?”
“Sienna!” Aurora chastised. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Martinez. She’s normally a very respectful girl.”
“It’s all right.” She smiled. “I understand. This wedding, or as you say, this arrangement, would be hard on anyone. Trust me, I’d feel the same way if I were in your shoes.”
“Then please help me stop it. I don’t want to marry your son. I don’t want to be a part of your family. I don’t even want to be a part of mine. I hate this life. I want no part in any of it.”
“Aurora.” She opened the door. “Do you mind giving us a few minutes alone?”
“Of course.” My best friend’s eyes met mine with judgment. “You be nice and polite. I mean it, Sienna. This isn’t her fault.”
I didn’t respond, mostly because she was right. It wasn’t her fault, but it didn’t change the fact it wasn’t mine either. I watched as Aurora backed away from me to leave, shutting the door behind her.
“Ugh!” I threw the paper on the coffee table, sitting down on the couch. Leaning forward, I placed my pounding head in between my hands.
“No one understands me. You have no idea what it’s like to grow up with no say in anything. Not in what I wear, who I talk to, where I go, what I do. He promised me, Mrs. Martinez! Papà swore I’d marry for love. He lied to me. He sold me off like I was just another business proposition. Just another commodity to bring to the table. I’m a human being. Not a trophy he can just award to the first opportunity of improving our family ties. More power. It’s all that’s ever mattered to him. I’m sick of it! It’s not fair. I want a normal life with love and happiness, where I don’t have to walk around with men guarding me.”
Tears slid down the sides of my face. I didn’t care I was ruining my makeup an artist spent three hours on, unable to rein in all of my emotions for a minute longer. The years of pent up frustration was flowing out with no remorse.
One right after the other.
“I don’t even know which guests or family are here right now. I have no idea what my color scheme is. The decorations. The cake. The food. The fucking DJ. Nothing. I know nothing. I didn’t get to choose my husband,” I openly sobbed into my hands. “I had no say. I didn’t even get to choose my home!”
I cried harder.
My body shaking.
My heart shattering.
El Capo had broken it.
Chapter 17
—Sienna—
I felt her sit down beside me, placing her hand on my back. She started rubbing it up and down in a comforting gesture.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie. I’m just so sorry…”
Hearing her say those words to me and actually feeling as if she meant them made me react in a way I never saw coming. I turned and threw my arms around her neck, needing a hug.
Comfort.
Love.
Understanding.
I had aunts, cousins, more family than I knew what to do with. Yet, this stranger made me feel a deep connection to her through the sincerity of her voice. I missed my mother. I wish she was here. She would have never let this happen.
Ever.
Before I knew what I was saying, I repeated what I felt, “I miss my mamà. I miss her so much it hurts to breathe. I wish she was here. I know if she was still alive this wouldn’t be happening. She wouldn’t have let it. I’ll never forgive my father for this, Mrs. Martinez! He’s all I have left, and I hate him so much right now. Why is he doing this to me? Why can’t I ever be more important or valuable than La Famiglia? Mamà died because of this life, and here he is willingly throwing me in it. I don’t understand, I want to understand, I’ve spent my whole life trying to.”
She held me tighter, feeling my pain. Openly sharing, “I know what it’s like to not understand your life. I didn’t grow up like you. My family was the complete opposite. I can’t tell you how many times I went from bawling my eyes out, praying to God that my mother would snap out of it. She was always sad, always crying, always in this dark place in her mind. Making promise after promise she’d be the parent I deserved. The one I needed and wanted with all my heart and soul. She suffered from depression and took pills that left her comatose half the time. And honestly, I think she preferred it that way. She didn’t have to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. She hated looking me in the eyes.”
I pulled away, and our stares connected. With a loving smile, she grabbed a Q-Tip and dipped it in makeup remover before bringing it up to my face. Carefully, wiping away the disaster my cries created. Cleaning me up and brushing my tears away.
“Why?”
“The sight of me brought her torment. I reminded her of her bad choices.”
“What happened to your mom?”
With a melancholy expression, she answered, “One night, she took too many pills, fell asleep in my arms, and never woke up.”
I jerked back, not expecting her reply. “I’m so sorry.”
“We may come from different worlds, Sienna, but I understand what you’re going through more than you could ever know.”
“What about your dad?”
“I never met him. He ran out on us before I was born. He was the love of her life. It’s why she hated looking at me so much.”
I tilted my head and sighed, feeling the sadness pouring out of her too. Giving me a reassuring smile, she placed a strand of my hair behind my ear before setting the dirty Q-tip down on the coffee table. Grabbing the loose powder next, she softly pressed it into my cheeks.
“I
always told myself I’d die, before I ever let anything happen to my kids, to my family. I was left in the hands of the man who raised me like I was his. I was wrong about him. His intentions. His abuse…”
I wanted to ask her what she meant by that, but I didn’t want to impose. She was sharing her deepest, darkest truths with me and it was enough for right now.
“After he passed away, I was thrown into the system and my life took another unexpected turn. Ballet saved my life. I was a prima ballerina. I studied at Julliard and performed on the stage of The American Ballet Theatre in New York City. I danced Swan Lake from The Big Apple to London, where I lived and breathed dance for ten years. Until my husband came to my rescue for probably the hundredth time in my life.”
“El Diablo? He saved you?”
Her composure tensed as she fixed my eyeshadow and liner.
“I can only imagine what you think about my husband. In the eyes of the world, he was a devil, in mine though, he’s been my angel. He saved me. Numerous times.”
It was funny how the world turned. To so many, her husband was portrayed one way but to her, he was another.
“He’s the reason I have a family at all. I met my half-sister through him as well. Let’s just say, my real father got around. My mother was the other woman. He had an affair.”
“What happened to him?”
“He died in a car accident with his wife at the time. My half-sister, Briggs, was in the vehicle with them. She was the only one who survived, and then Martinez raised her.”
My eyebrow lowered, confused.
“My real father was married to Alejandro’s sister.”
“His sister died too?”
