By Luigi Salvatore

After that awkward moment, no other woman muttered anything about me in a way that I could hear, and Guido never spoke of it again. The truth was that everyone knew that marriage was something I ran away from like the devil from the cross. It wasn't always like this, after all, I did once truly love, but my heart was broken when Nina, one of the daughters of a member of the famiglia¸ left me on the night of our engagement. Everything was already completely settled for our wedding, we had our engagement party thrown for about 100 guests, everyone was drinking and rejoicing at the news of the marriage of the heir to the northern territory. That night when I showed her my engagement present, Nina was lost in my arms a few minutes before the engagement ring was offered to her, but when the time came to receive it, my fiancée who had said she needed to go to the bathroom, never returned, instead she sent a measly letter through one of the waiters at our party. As I opened the letter and read everything that had been written in Nina's perfect handwriting, I was only certain of one thing... I was a jilted fiancé with a ring on my hand and a heart in pieces.

It seemed that Nina had run away with one of the guests who was there only to take her away without my even suspecting the whole betrayal. Her father even wanted to go after her by promising to bring her back to me dragged by her hair so that she would honor our commitment, but I didn't allow it. As difficult and painful as it was, in that instant I no longer wanted her in my life, even though my heart screamed to the contrary. Since then, no one has ever heard of Nina's whereabouts, not even her family has heard from her. And me? well, I concluded that love is for fools and so I would never again give myself to any woman for more than one night of pleasure and satisfaction.

Hours later

“Have I told you how much I hate these nosy people here?” Giovanna said affected, as she approached us together with my brothers and uncle. “I would bet a kidney that most of them don't even feel for my aunt and uncle's death. They're actually a bunch of snakes trying to attract your attention, Luigi.”

My cousin, who was always a suspicious woman, didn't hide the dislike she felt for the members of the famiglia. Just like me, Giovanna was not the type of woman who was easy to deal with. To win her trust I had to face a war at the very least. I just couldn't understand why, even if she proved to be capable of giving her blood for a Salvatore, Guido had never won her over, considering that the two lived on a war footing.

“You can't let yourself be shaken now, Luigi.” Uncle Dario called my attention to him, completely ignoring the grumblings of his adopted daughter. “You can tell from miles away that you're vulnerable, but that can't happen. Who can assure you that we're not being watched by the murderer?” Despite his harsh manner, I knew I couldn't ignore my uncle's advice. “We don't know who did this, but if there is one thing I have learned from my brother, it is to understand the signs.”

“What does this mean, Dad?”

My cousin Giovanna asked her father. Her expression made it clear that she was already looking for an answer to her war plans. If there was one thing Giovanna was good at, it was manipulation.

“It means, my child. That the Salvatore family must be ready for a new war.”

“With a shadow? How can we fight against someone we don't know?” Edward couldn't hide the impatience and anger he felt.

“Remember what our father used to say, Eduardo. In a puzzle, all the pieces fit together, even if one of them is hidden. We have to start looking for the least likely place.”

When the subject was missions, Paolo put aside his mocking characteristic and always became the more restrained twin. Which I was grateful for, because Eduardo's impulsive side always put us on the alert to deal with possible problems.

“Mr. Salvatore...”

We all turned to face the owner of that hoarse and visibly tired voice.

“Guiseppe Santinelle!”

I greeted back the old man Santinelle who was standing next to his wife, Dante, his eldest son, and a blond woman as beautiful as she was visibly unpalatable.

“Despite our differences, I could not fail to honor his parents. Your father was a great man, gave me a lot of trouble, it is true, but still a great man.”

The older man's voice made me break eye contact with the woman next to Dante. I shook the man's hand even though I could see the tension in my brothers and Guido, as if they were ready to draw weapons at any moment. Despite the truce established by my father and Giuseppe, trust was something I don't know if it would ever be able to be shared between the Salvatore and Santinelle.

The command of the Italian Mafia a few years ago, after direct conflicts between the ancestors of our families, ended after many agreements until they finally reached a solution; dividing themselves into a single organization (la famiglia), but with commands in two territories, the north and the south, that is, the north being a territory belonging to my family, and the south belonging to the Santinelle family. This way the Italian Mafia would remain one of the most feared in the world, without there being a war between us.

“Thank you, Guiseppe. My father is gone, but I remain here to continue his legacy.” I looked him in the face without fear.

“I have no doubt of that.” The man tapped his son, who was taller than he was, on the shoulder. “This is what we raise our children for. As you know, this is my son Dante.” I greeted the younger man, who seemed cordial, yet attentive to my brothers. “And this is Antonella, my youngest daughter.”

Personally I had never seen the Santinelle daughter before, but from the woman's fame, I could have sworn she was there under obligation. However, breaking my own rule of never being nice to any woman, I took her hand and kissed it gently in a greeting like a true knight my father taught me to be. The woman in turn rolled her eyes, visibly bored.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Santinelle. Although these are the circumstances.”

The soft skin of the blonde's hand somehow made me shiver. Her perfume was like a real disturbance to my judgment, so I quickly tried to fasten myself to the woman who had the most luminous truthful eyes that ever crossed mine.

“I am sorry for your loss.” The husky, velvety voice was far from delicate. Then the woman looked at her mother. “Mamma, I'll wait for you in the car. Excuse me!”

The blonde left without even waiting for an answer, and when she passed me she seemed to make a point of bumping into my shoulder, making it clear that she didn't sympathize with me at all, which caused Giovanna and my idiot brothers to curl their lips in arrested laughter.

Ignoring the young Santinelle's unexpected defiance, I turned to the older one

“I appreciate your solidarity for coming.” I said putting it without letting any reaction show. “Now if you will allow me, I must leave you now. I have a hunt to do.”

I turned my back on the Santinelle family expecting to be followed by my own, but before I could take another step forward, Guiseppe's voice again made me stop, but this time I didn't face him.

“You no longer have any allies. Out of wounded pride and too much ego, although he was an active member of the famiglia, your father was wrong when he decided to conduct the family business alone. But you? You are young, intelligent. You know better than to underestimate an enemy, don't you? I advise you not to face your enemies alone, Luigi. You are the heir to your father's place in our organization. Whoever this insolent man is who dares to try against the life of an Italian, he is one step ahead of you, and you need help.”

“Well, then I have to surprise him, don't I? A game is not won before the final move, Mr. Giuseppe.”

“Certainly! But I'm afraid we are all worried about the fate of our business. Now that the mourning is over, we would like you to accept the invitation to join us tonight at a meeting. The whole board will be present, and not only do we need to understand a few things, but we also need to make your entry as Enzo's heir effective.”

I knew that the family council would not let many more days go by than that. No matter what, it was time for me to effectively become Enzo's heir. Those were the rules, and I had to follow them.

“All right! You can count on my presence.” I finally said coolly.

I left without looking back, and as much as I hated to accept it, old Guiseppe was right... I was on my own fighting against the dark, but it didn't matter, whoever was behind this, I would find out and I would take his head off with the best of my blades. That would be it, or my name wasn't Luigi Salvatore.

By Luigi Salvatore

"It was written... Lines of past and present, one day would cross. Just as in the past they silenced my blood, I will personally volunteer to not let a single Salvatore live to tell the tale, but first we will play."

I looked at the paper that, on the day of my parents' funeral, had been sent in a black envelope accompanied by a wreath of red flowers. The note was too embarrassing for my mind to comprehend its meaning.

“Are you ready?” My uncle asked for the thousandth time before we got out of the car.

“I said I am.” I answer coolly.

“Luigi, you are not exactly the easiest person to deal with. Our fear is that at any moment you will pull out your gun and point it at the forehead of one of these wretches.” Guido could not hide his concern for my impulsiveness. “There will be three of us against about ten of them.”

“Now, don't be lazy and let's get on with it. I've been in front of them before, and if you must know, they didn't impress me. They are nothing but old men playing at running the Wild West, when in fact they send their sons to do all the heavy lifting. Besides, what can they do against me?”

Hours later

“This family has been causing us problems for years.” One of the old men spoke with authority. “It is clear that this boy is not ready to continue the family business. For him to take the position of northern capo is an insult to our organization.”

“He is the heir.” rebutted Giuseppe.

“But he's not ready. He is in a personal conflict that could lead to death.” rebutted the other, leaving me bored.

I knew that the anger that man felt for me was burning in his soul, but I didn't care about that, for me he was just a father with a bruised ego for having seen his daughter dismissed by me years ago. Yes, I remembered well the day I said no to his proposal when he offered me the hand of one of his daughters in marriage.

Among those present, only the Santinelle and Fredo, Nina's father, were in fact known to me. The others I knew were bankers, businessmen and politicians who hid from society who they really were and what they did in the dead of night.

“The Salvatore problems haven't reached us yet. We have rules, and he is a legitimate heir to take his father's place among us. I see no reason why we can't stick to our rules.” It was the youngest Santinelle's turn to give his opinion.

“If it's about rules, then we have a problem.” The remark of one of the counselors caught my attention, making me curious to hear it. “He is past the age of marriage, and one of our rules says that the capo must guarantee the organization an heir to take his place. How can a man assume such a position without at least being committed to a family?”

For the first time in front of them I shuddered. Mentioning marriage was the least I expected them to do, but I knew that it was a legitimate rule, after all that was the reason my father had accepted the arranged marriage to my mother. It was part of an agreement with the Russian mafia, and of course, by marrying he could take over the business without meeting any resistance since by then my grandfather was dying of an incurable disease.

Trying to gain time to think and escape the problem, I let out a debauched laugh, which drew all eyes in my direction. Everyone seemed indignant at my posture.

“What's so funny, young man?” questioned the same woman who had mentioned the wedding.

“Do you think the Salvatores need you for anything?” I don't know if you remember, but those who owe us something are many of the ladies and gentlemen here present. I know every favor my father did for you. Favors that until today have not been repaid.

I saw some of them exchanging apprehensive glances.

“Are you threatening us?” A man I recognized as the head of the city's public security spoke as if he had any autonomy to point at me. “You see, gentlemen? This boy thinks he is superior to the famiglia. It's not enough that he's causing us problems, he clearly doesn't respect our rules.”

“What amazes me the most, Mr. Alessandro? That you talk about respect. With the position you hold in this organization I suppose you shouldn't be pointed out as a scoundrel who mistreats his own wife.” I challenged the man without blinking.

“You are an insolent brat.” The man flattened the table.

“AND YOU'RE AN OLD MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN MAKE ME AFRAID.” I imitated his gesture and also spread the table so that I was completely facing him. “I AM A SALVATORE, I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU, OR RATHER, OF ANY OF YOU.”

“Well, you should be, my dear boy. Your father was as insolent as you are, and look what happened to him. He became barbecue for ants.”

Feeling the blood boiling in my veins, I drew my gun pointing directly at the man's forehead, who by the way did the same as me with the same agility. Irony of fate or not, exactly what my uncle and Guido had predicted happened, the three of us were under the crosshairs of at least eight heavily armed men.

However, in the middle of all that tension it was the initiative of one person that caught my attention...

“Put down your gun Alessandro, you wouldn't be crazy to hit one of mine.” Dante, who was now beside me, pointed his gun at the same man as me. With the attitude of the younger Santinelle, some of the other members didn't hesitate to lower their weapons, but Alessandro remained facing us. “I WON'T SEND YOU AGAIN, YOU BASTARD.” I heard the sound of Dante's gun going off. “Put the gun down or I'll blow your brains all over this room.”

I didn't understand what the crazy man was doing, but being a Santinelle, I knew it would get me into trouble in the future. Giuseppe had also risen from his chair at the head of the table, but unlike his son he didn't draw his gun, he was just studying everyone attentively.

“Don't be a fool, boy. Do you really want to buy this fight?” Alessandro asked Dante, but his eyes were locked on mine. “Why would I do that?”

“As I said... Luigi is one of mine.”

“What do you mean, Dante boy?” Fredo wanted to know what I was also curious about.

“Luigi will soon marry my sister Antonella. We were just letting this mourning period pass to expose the event to everyone.”

What the hell was that brat doing?

For a moment I looked away from Alessandro, not even caring if I would be shot. Fuck me! Now I wanted to kill Dante. What was that boy doing?

A buzz had settled in the room, and I saw when Giuseppe sat back in his chair looking puzzled by what his son had said.

“You have to be lying.” Alessandro's cold voice was again present, drawing all attention to himself. “We have never seen or heard of any such approach. Commendable of you, Dante, in fact, I don't know why you are doing this, but I must remind you that lying to members of the organization is considered an act of treason. And we all know what happens to traitors, don't we?”

I saw Dante practically silently begging me to confirm his story, which I certainly did not wish to do.

“He's not lying, you worm. Soon I'll be engaged to Antonella.”

I said with conviction without leaving myself time to think about the shit I was doing, but I couldn't let anything happen to that idiot because somehow he tried to defend me. This time it was my uncle and Guido who were surprised.

“And why didn't we know about this?” One of the counselors present couldn't hide her curiosity on the subject.

“Don't be insensitive, gentlemen. With everything that's been happening in the family, do you really think we'd have a head for celebration right now? Sit down and put away your weapons, there's no reason to get worked up here.”

“Since when, Capo Giuseppe?” The woman asked again. “The rivalry between you is...”

“It's no secret to anyone here that years ago, Enzo and I had established a truce between our families, after all, whether you like it or not, we are the most powerful in this place. Our parents' rivalry is in the past, we have no reason to live at war.”

“But you didn't tell me anything about it when I went to tell you about your daughter's hand to my boy.” Alessandro seemed to control his anger, but the truth is that he was truly offended.

“My sister didn't like your son, period. She is in love with Luigi and he is the one she is going to marry.”

So that was it. Dante used me to get his sister out of a marriage with that wretch's son. Damn him! Although I was enjoying the idea of seeing Alessandro humiliated in front of everyone. Thinking about it made me smile broadly as I stared into the eyes of the wretch.

By Antonella Santinelle

“Ouch... Ouch... Stop it Antonella.”

My brother grumbled through tears, like a broody chicken, but I enjoyed every hair I pulled out of his chest using only tweezers. Who did that bastard think he was, to hang me like that?

“Aren't you clever? Then find a way to get out of my hands, because if it's up to me you're not leaving this room until I pull the last hair out of even your..."

“WHAT?” He didn't even let me finish my sentence. “HELP ME...”

I was amused to see Dante's cold sweat dripping down his face, after all, he and I knew he would never get out of there, his hands and legs were tied to the bed, I had tied him up myself while he slept.

“Why the hell did you get me into such trouble, Dante Santinelle?”

“What's going on here?” My mother opened the bedroom door in terror, but when she saw the scene, I wasn't sure whether she was holding back her laughter or trying hard to look shocked.

“By God, mamma. Antonella wants to kill me with this thing she calls a female accessory.”

Mamma sighed, but before she could intervene in the situation, daddy came up behind his wife.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Your daughter has learned foolproof techniques for torturing a thirty-three year old grown man.”

Daddy shifted his gaze from my hands to Dante's face.

“By God... I can't believe you're crying like a little woman over this, Dante. Shame on you!”

“Why don't you try being in my shoes, then?” You have to be really terrified for Dante to defy our father like that. “Con questa cosa hurts more than a blade cutting into his flesh, Papa.”

Papa rolled his eyes, visibly displeased with the desperation of the man son he was so proud of.

“Antonella, put down that highly dangerous weapon, and untie your brother. You have half an hour to meet us downstairs. We need to talk before our guests arrive.”

I knew who these guests were and remembering this only fueled my anger toward Dante even more, but I also knew that it wouldn't be smart to question my father, at least not at that moment.

“Si, daddy.”

Shortly after

“I told you I'm not marrying any unhappy man.” I shouted as I paced back and forth.

“Now, don't be spoiled. I did this not only to save your future, but also to avoid losing you. Besides, I knew that Luigi could come out of that place hurt if someone didn't help him. I just put the good and the bad together.”

Dante's explanation made me shudder even more with anger.

“Fuck me! And what Cazzo are you talking about? My future has never been threatened, dammit.”

Dantes took a deep breath, and soon I saw his expression turn sad. Just like me, our parents were also waiting for an answer from my brother.

“After Alessandro became obsessed with the idea of asking Babbo for his son's permission to court you, I overheard you talking on the phone with cousin Rita. I know that you were prepared to run away if our father allowed the boy's visits.” This time it was my turn to be scared.

“Oh, holy God.” Mom covered her mouth with her hands, unable to hide her horror.

“I also know why. You have too free a soul to allow yourself to follow mafia traditions or impositions.”

“Did you intend to run away?”

Of all the things Dante had said, that part seemed to be the only one that had remained engraved in the memory of my father, who by now seemed enraged, but fuck it! I did intend to run away, in case he decided that it would be a great idea to imprison me to a man in exchange for business. Please, who in the 21st century accepts to be a bargaining chip? By the way, who nowadays marries without love? That completely outdated tradition was one of the many things that annoyed me about the mafia world I was born into.

“Yes, I did! In fact, it's not a completely out of the question idea if you take this marriage thing further.” I told my father without fearing his reaction. “We don't live in Grandpa's time and I won't allow myself to be treated as a bargaining chip, Dad.”

I stared him in the face as he stared at me. His hard expression gave me chills, but I didn't let him see it. If there was one thing I had learned in that criminal world, it was that our adversary took advantage of our weaknesses, so we needed to be impassive at all times to gain time to study the possibilities of the situation around us.

Hours later

“Forgive me sister, but at the time I just thought how much I didn't want to lose you.” I could feel the sincerity in Dante's words. “It may sound selfish, but in that instant I saw a solution to continue having your presence in our lives.”

“You men tend to think with your heads down, so only shit comes out as thoughts.”

“Antonella, mind your manners.” My mother scolded, but I shrugged, but at that moment a female voice sounded in the room.

“Wow, we've come at a great time. I must say that I already love her. Marriage approved!” Cazzo, another crazy woman to annoy me. “Giovanna Salvatore, your future sister-in-law, after all, I am like Luigi's legitimate sister.”

I looked at the blue-eyed girl who was visibly excited. Beside her were two twins just as excited, but it was the dark-haired man with black hair and an unreadable face who caught my attention. Just like on the day of the mass, at this moment he showed no emotion, but seemed to study me thoroughly, which bothered me immediately. Who does he think he is?

“Antonella Santinelle.” I shook the hand that Giovanna had extended to me. “But I am sorry to disappoint you by saying that I have no fiancé, so I have no sister-in-law or brothers-in-law either.”

I saw the man next to Giovanna narrow his eyes. ÔThe petulant cur... Handsome, I admit, but what he had of beauty he also had of petulance.

“Don't worry, Miss Santinelle.” The man's hoarse voice surprised me. He took a step forward, standing a few inches away from where I was standing. “As you can see, I am as excited to take you as my wife as you are. By the way...” Without letting me think, just as he did in the church, the man took my hand and boldly brought it to his thick lips. “It's a pleasure to see you again.”

It was my turn to narrow my eyes; I knew he was teasing me. Probably Luigi was one of those who thought he was the indispensable hunk, but guess what, I cared little for the title of capo do Norte that now belonged to him.

We stood there staring at each other, he with that look of superiority that irritated me so much, and I probably couldn't hide the murderous look I had. The atmosphere was heavy between the two of us, but some were clearly enjoying the situation. While an excited Giovanna clapped her hands, one of the twins next to her looked as euphoric as if he were facing a soccer match of his favorite team.

“This should be interesting.” The mustachioed twin said with an evil laugh at the corner of his mouth.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll retire.”

I watched Antonella walk away like a whimsical child. Being followed by his mother and Giovanna, I did not know well what they talked about, but by the euphoria, I had no doubt that it would be about the preparations for the wedding, which obviously was not leaving my bride any little happy, but still I was finding it very funny your way as a troublemaker girl.

“Well, now let’s talk about something that interests me.” Capo Giuseppe settled back into his brown leather armchair.

“And what would it be?” I wanted to know curious.

“Apparently for a considerable time we will be seen as a family, that is, we cannot behave like rivals in search of territories and goods.”

“I thought that had been settled for years.”

“But the agreement I made with his father was that each one should command his own side.”

“Which will not change.” Matteo stepped up.

“Need to change, kid. Or at least that’s what we need to make them believe has changed. In our world, which family isolates itself from each other?” I understood exactly what he said, after all, distancing in business would cause strangeness to other members. “I’m not proposing to run each other’s businesses, Luigi. In the meantime, why act alone if together we can be stronger? My father and his grandfather hated each other, but me and Enzo...” Giuseppe seemed nostalgic.

“You and my father?” I encouraged the elder to continue

“Well, what I mean is that now the times are different and apparently Santinelle and Salvatore are now one. There will be no south or north side, we will be just Italy.”

“My father is right.” Dante was serious as few times I saw him so. “If we are targets, to hit us you will also be targets, or vice versa. Which also means that we want to help you stop the attacks you’ve been suffering.”

“If you as children allow us, of course, we will investigate the death of your parents.”

“In exchange for what?” Paolo seemed annoyed.

“Who assures us that we can trust you?” It was Matteo’s turn to confront the two Santinelle.

“My daughter will be living with you. Become a Salvatore! Fighting to ensure her life intact seems little?” The elder responded by facing the twins. “I don’t want anything from you, but my son took us to take this fight to us when he offered Antonella’s hand to the heir, so I can’t back down now. Not when she’ll say yes to her sister.”

“Trusting us seems to be the only way out for you, who over the past few months seem to be collecting enemies like you’ve never collected before.” Dante confronted Matteo about it.

When my grandfather died, Dad decided to undo all the alliances that the Salvatore had, it was his decision to choose what he did from that moment when power was in his hands and he did it taking into account what he thought the moment required. Now it was my turn to do the same, and given the circumstances that we were going through, one thing I had no doubt... Fighting alone against someone I didn’t even know was suicide.

“We will be one.” I reached out to Giuseppe who let a satisfied smile appear on his lips.

“Like a real family, Luigi.” The man firmly shook my hand. “Finally the Italian mafia will be truly unified as it should have always been.”

When in life could I imagine that by choice of mine, my family would be united the family of my grandfathers' worst enemy? Probably their bones would be turning in the grave right now, but what could I do? Yes, I could turn to my Aunt Kenya, who now ran what was left of the Russian mafia, but if when she lived, not even my mother trusted her family, why would I? Something in my heart said that it was with the Santinelles that I should be.