by Kate Stewart
The smell of the soap hit me, and I bit my trembling lip. Daniello saw my reaction and closed the space between us. “This pain that you feel right now, this missing of me, I have felt this every minute since the penthouse. I had no knowledge of Rocco’s plans. I stopped watching you. I was trying to break myself from you. I wanted to keep you safe. It was the only way to convince him. I did not know he would go this far.”
I pushed past him and grabbed a towel. “I don’t care.”
“You do fucking care!” Daniello turned off the water. “You are not lost, Taylor, you are angry. I understand this.” He looked down at me and gripped my face. “I am your mirror, Taylor Ellison. Look at me, I am your mirror!”
With a burning throat, I swallowed. “What the hell are you talking about?” He pressed his forehead against mine and took several breaths.
“We are the same. Get dressed.”
He walked out of the bathroom and closed the door.
Dressed and numb, I found Daniello at a large oak table on his patio. He was dressed casually in a chalky white button down shirt and slacks. The sheer beauty of him was only enhanced by the backdrop. As many times as I pictured him in Italy, it was a bleary contrast to the sight before me. His golden eyes found my green as he gestured for me to sit. I took the seat next to him.
“Are you hungry?”
I shook my head as he poured a cup of coffee for both of us, then pushed my cup toward me. I accepted it as we sat in silence.
Several times he looked my way, but I refused to meet his eyes.
“My mother was a mafia princess, and my father made sure she chose him.”
I sipped my coffee and looked past him at the rolling hills surrounding his villa.
“She took her last breath believing they met by coincidence. I think that is the word?”
I nodded.
“But it was his plan. He was a career soldier. He married her and kept her in Cairo, away from her family, with the help of the military until a few years after my brother, Matteo, and I were born. My mother was unhappy in Cairo, and by order of my grandfather, we were made to move back to Italy. My father brought us back to avoid a small war. His intentions were to use her as a way of earning a place in the Di Giovanni family. By holding her there, it was a way of sending a message.”
I furrowed my brow. “By holding his daughter hostage?”
“These were the ways of the old world. Bold moves meant much then. And my father wanted to prove himself a powerful man. Powerful enough to stand against the entire family. My mother was my grandfather’s world. His only child. And my father was not of Italian blood.”
Daniello’s eyes glittered over me. I could feel his need for forgiveness. I could feel the ache between us. Daniello felt my hesitance and closed his eyes.
“When we arrived in Italy, my father was beaten terribly in front of the whole family and almost lost his life. My mother saved him from certain death. Still, he was not accepted as a son or into the family, but he had his children. Matteo and I were accepted, and at my grandfather’s insistence, we took his last name for the protection it brought. Rocco was left with his father’s last name but was never given the same treatment.
“My father saw it as a good sign, but he grew bitter. He focused his life energy on the three of us. He brought us to Cairo often and told us when we were of age we would start our duty as soldiers. He programmed us early to believe it was the only way to truly become a man.”
Daniello sat back in his chair. “Rocco was meant to believe his father died in the army.”
“He didn’t?”
“My father killed him. I overheard him talking to one of his army brothers. My father was Rocco’s father. That is why his biological mother did not protest when he took him away from Egypt. She did not want the truth discovered. She would have been shamed, and she feared my mother’s family.”
“Rocco is your brother?”
Daniello gave me a sharp nod. “I have never told him, neither did my father. And he would never reveal that to the family. It would have ruined his plans.”
“Jesus.”
“Still, my grandfather was no fool. Upon his death, he made certain that Rocco could not have a place in the family. He was a bastard son with no Italian blood.”
“And Rocco has no idea?”
“I will never tell him. I loathe him. Inside of him is the evil that was my father.”
“And your mother?”
“She played blind, but I did not fault her. She cared for us all the same but never interfered with my father’s plans. So, when it was time, my father took us back to Cairo. Matteo and I enlisted with our Egyptian last name, Naifeh. He had three soldiers. It was his biggest accomplishment.”
Daniello’s eyes glossed over as he turned to me. “Matteo knew right away that we were in a very different army than what father had described. He warned us both. Rocco embraced it, and I stood beside my brother and witnessed the true evil of men.”
“What happened?”
“We took part in the corruption in order to survive, but Matteo was not the type of man who could be silenced. One day, Matteo refused orders. The captain slit his throat in front of me.”
I twisted my hands in my lap as Daniello’s body tensed. “When we had served our time, and my grandfather became ill, I was ordered home to take my place in the family. I had other plans.”
He looked over to me with a grief-infused face. “I freed my wife and left Italy.”
Daniello clenched his fists. “I had to change myself. It took several years to execute the man responsible for Matteo’s death and those who watched it happen. I was not ever a suspect. And even when I had finished my mission, I did not stop.”
My whole chest ached as Daniello turned to me. “I am the evil man I despise, Taylor.”
My mirror.
A world away from my life lived a man who fought his family for his own freedom and became someone else for the love of a sibling.
“Since I have returned to Italy, I have been pressed to join the family. And I have refused each time. I have always worked alone. I have no interest in it.”
“Why were you in the States with Rocco?”
Daniello stood. “The first time, I had a contract for someone who used to own The Rabbit Hole. And then I needed a reason to return.”
“A reason to ret—”
Daniello’s intense stare cut me off.
“Me?”
He leaned down and placed his hands on the side of the table, caging me in. “You. Most of my clients are not in the States. And I was growing tired of the . . . job. So I thought of a way to bring peace to my family and return to you.”
I scrubbed my hands down my face. “And?”
“I had connections with the US through my time as a soldier. I was met by a contractor who sold guns to the military. I took guns from those I killed and washed them through customs and sold them back to US soldiers.”
Everything began to click into place. “You shipped them to Charleston.”
Daniello nodded. “As long as I was giving the boss a part of the profit, I was becoming an earner, and it gave me an excuse to come to the States, to be with you. But I know now who made it impossible.”
“Rocco.”
Daniello paced. “Rocco remained home while I was away and had befriended the new boss. He has tried in every way to get into the family, but he saw this as his chance and accompanied me. I had to honor his wish because of their friendship. It was my biggest mistake.”
“He sabotaged you.”
He gave me a sharp nod. “And he told of my involvement with you.”
“I could have shot him last night,” I pointed out dryly. “I should have.”
Daniello shook his head. “He is a made man, a captain now.”
“The boss let him into the family?”
Daniello nodded. “It is still my place to take.”
Realization struck as I looked over at him. “No.”
> “I do not have a choice. I have struggled with this, but they have found my weakness, a way to force my allegiance.”
“Me.”
Daniello’s lips twitched. “You, pig head.”
I ignored his attempt at a joke and remembered his words to me the night before. He asked me if I knew what’d I done by coming to Italy, and at that moment, I knew. We were each other’s downfall.
My whole body filled with dread. “You’ll be trapped in a living hell.”
Daniello leaned in, now eye level with me. “You are worth it. Every minute, every second with you has been worth it.”
Emotion bubbled up, threatening to spill over. “There’s got to be another way.”
“There is no other way.” He pulled me from the chair. “I am a killer, Taylor. This life is not so far from the one I have been living. I fool myself that I am a better man. But that is not the truth.”
I gripped him to me and searched his eyes. “You are a better man.” He leaned in close. “I won’t let you do this.”
“You do not have a say.”
I ripped my arms away. “Tell me this isn’t real! Who is the boss? Can we not reason with him?”
“Good morning.” Donato stood to the side of the table in a manicured suit with a massive cake in his hands, his eyes drifting between us. “I apologize, Bella. Have I interrupted you?”
Daniello tensed as I turned to look up at him. Contempt, anger, and resentment twisted his beautiful features. I drew my brows together as I looked at the older man. Donato chuckled at Daniello’s visible response to his intrusion then set down the cake and winked at me. “She is one beautiful woman, Daniello.”
Daniello’s jaw ticked as he glared at his great uncle, and a shock wave hit me. I stood, mouth gaping, as I followed his eyes to Donato. “You?”
“I have already agreed to pledge myself to this family!” Daniello said as he pushed me behind him protectively.
“I am aware.” He studied me with amusement. “You, Bella, have become my greatest ally. I am in your debt.”
“No,” Daniello snapped before he looked over his shoulder at me with solemn eyes. “This is not your mistake.”
“Good morning.” Rocco walked up and looked between the three of us before he pulled some icing off of the cake with his finger, making a loud sucking noise as he cleaned it off. Delighted with my misery, he eyed me over Daniello’s shoulder. “You are pale, Taylor. Should I put you down for a nap?”
“Donato,” Daniello snapped, “if she is threatened again by this animal, I will withdraw my offer.”
Donato nodded and turned on Rocco. “This is a party, Rocco, careful of your manners. I have grown fond of Taylor Ellison.”
Rocco gave Daniello a wicked grin. “Happy to, boss. I would say this is more of a celebration, wouldn’t you, Uncle?” He turned back to Daniello and me. “I hope you brought a party dress, Taylor.”
“Do not look at her. Do not speak to her,” Daniello seethed. “She will be gone by nightfall.”
I moved from behind him and glared at them both. “I’ll be staying. Let’s break out the champagne.”
Donato laughed as Rocco stared on. “You will be gone or dead by nightfall, whore.” In a sudden move, Daniello was in front of Rocco, his hands on his throat, and then they were both on the ground. Rocco’s eyes bulged as Donato stepped over them and shrugged. “Boys will be boys.”
Rocco gasped and gripped Daniello’s hands as Donato moved toward me, oblivious to the struggle on the ground. “I meant it, Bella. I owe you. Sometimes it takes the love of a good woman to change a man. He has been gone for far too long, and you have brought him home.” Rocco twisted his body in an attempt to get away from Daniello. Donato glanced back at Daniello, who clearly had the upper hand. “He will be the greatest asset to the family. We will go far.”
I watched the men fight behind him as I spoke. “He doesn’t want this. Doesn’t that matter to you?”
Clicking his tongue, he scolded me. “Oh, Bella, did we not just agree days ago that family is everything?” He pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed it at my face. “Enough, Daniello.”
Daniello looked our way and released Rocco as he gasped on the ground, his white suit soiled.
Daniello rushed toward us in a blur. “Goddamn you, Donato! Take the gun from her face.”
“Ah, so this woman really is your weakness, Amon.” Donato’s brows furrowed as he morphed into the most dangerous of men. “Watch your mouth; I will not tolerate disrespect.”
“Daniello!” A woman’s voice broke the tension as Donato sheathed his gun and his face twisted into a smile, the same warm smile I knew to be an illusion, as he greeted the woman with Daniello’s eyes who held a baby on her hip. She looked down at a recovering Rocco, who was still gasping. “Rocco, did you get burned by Daniello again?” She laughed as she looked over to her brother, whose face was deadly. “I see you are in the same mood you’ve been in for years, dear brother.”
Tula.
Her eyes found me next. “Ah, this must be the mystery American.” She moved toward me with kind eyes and extended her hand. “Tula. I’m this giant ass’s sister.”
I extended a shaky hand her way. She took it and scowled at the men around her. “Why is she upset? Who is responsible?” She shook her head and bounced the baby, who was so perfect she looked like a living doll. “Just ignore them.” Her accent was thick, but her English was perfect. She seemed to read my thoughts as well as her brother could. “I was born in Italy. And I hate to say it, but I think Italians have a better temperament than Egyptian men. I’ve lived through it to tell the story.”
Her eyes reassured me in a way her casual conversation couldn’t. I knew she was trying to tame the fire. I felt consolation in her soft eyes before she surveyed the giant icing covered masterpiece on the table. “Donato, what a beautiful cake. Thank you.”
Donato took a step toward Tula and eyed the baby on her hip. “My pleasure. Let me have her.”
He took the baby and sat with her in one of the chairs next to the table as Rocco stood and brushed his pants off before he shot a glare in my direction. Just like Laz, he was highly delusional and seemed to blame his issues on me. I was over it.
I took a step toward him. “This isn’t over.”
“Yes, it is.” He turned to Tula with a smile. “Let me get changed and I will be back for the party.” He nodded in Donato’s direction before he made his way down a path past the olive trees. Daniello watched his retreat before he turned to me. His eyes said it all. This was his life. This was his fate. This was everything he didn’t want, and it was because of our relationship he would continue to live in his personal hell. He had risked just as much as I had to be with me. We were mirrored, but he had ended my nightmare with his sacrifice. I heard the tires of several cars arriving in the distance, and minutes later, several men in white aprons began to drop off food. Daniello and I desperately scanned each other as Tula chatted with Donato.
“Where is your Capo, Tula?
“He will be along with the rest of the children shortly.”
“Ah,” Donato said. “You left him with eight children?”
“He is the one who made it this way.” Donato chuckled as if he hadn’t a single care in the world.
Daniello moved to stand next to him. “A word, Uncle.”
“After the party,” he dismissed as he continued to bounce the baby in his lap. His eyes found mine. “I am sure there is something more suitable for you to wear, Taylor.”
“Not at my daughter’s party, Donato, do you hear me?!” Tula spouted off before she turned to her brother. “Daniello, take Taylor to change,” she demanded as she nodded toward the door. The Italian began to spill between the two of them before we were a step away. It was an argument, of that I had no doubt. Tula towered over Donato as she rapidly berated him while he smiled on at the child on his lap. Something she said struck a nerve with Donato, and I could see the opposition in him begin just befor
e Daniello pulled me into the house.
Inside, I sat on the edge of his bed, my mind racing. I gathered my clothes and picked out a sundress and grabbed the makeup I’d purchased from the shops on my day in the town. I hadn’t a single lifeline left, and I was unsure of what was about to happen. But I gathered myself into the dress and applied makeup, simply going through the motions.
Rocco had assured me I would not leave Italy alive. And even if I managed to escape the country without a scratch, it would still be the truth.
“You are so very beautiful.”
My heart sank as Daniello watched me from the door of the bathroom. I leaned over the vanity mirror as I camouflaged my face to keep up the lie.
Inside, I was dying.
“So are you.”
I lined my lips as he watched me closely. He moved toward me, but I cut him off with my words. “Please, I’m hanging on by a thread. If you touch me right now, I won’t survive it, Daniello. I won’t.” I let a single tear fall and saw his eyes close before he walked out of the door.
Surrounded by Daniello’s family, I sipped the proffered wine and finally gave into my hunger. Tula sat next to me, her beautiful eyes lit with sincerity as she complimented me. “You are beautiful, Taylor. I can see why my brother is so captured by you.” Her husband, Capo, sat next to her with one of their children in his lap. I’d recognized his face the minute he sat down at the table. He was one of the men Daniello had with him the night at the club. The other man must have been the one to take Laz’s bullet in the elevator. As if Capo sensed my stare, he looked my way with a short nod of acknowledgment.
He was the silent brooding type, much like Daniello.
“Thank you, I’ve heard good things about you as well, Tula.” I braved a glance at the end of the table, where Donato sat with Tula’s little girl planted in his lap. She opened another doll and held it up proudly for the table to see. I’d been greeted endlessly by the family with hugs and dual kisses. I was dizzied by the affection and at the same time mystified by the undercurrent of danger that went with the false atmosphere that seemed so genuine.
Italian mafia.
And that wasn’t even the extent of it.
