Episode 1

I tilted my head back and exhaled the thick smoke through my mouth before taking a second drag on my cigarette.

I watched with narrowed eyes the table made up of the Mafia's directory. Eleven men from influential and important families, who were part of the highest echelon. There were twelve, before Gilliam killed Mattia years ago. They were old fools who thought they could give orders, but would piss their pants if Gilliam stared them down for more than two seconds.

Most meetings were about business and resolving outstanding issues, like that bastard Balbino, the 'Ndrangheta Capo, and his constant incursions into our territory.

But not today.

Today was different. The old bastards were not happy with Gilliam's administration and worked up the courage to speak up in person, instead of whispering behind my brother's back like they had been.

"We are dissatisfied, Gilliam. You married a woman who didn't belong to the Mafia," argued Youssef.

"And because of your decision, you missed the chance to increase your power, to make important allies. As the leader of an organization, it is unacceptable that you think with your lower head instead of your upper head."

The adrenaline of what was about to happen rushed through my veins, leaving me excited with the ecstasy that only a kill made me feel. I loved getting dirty with the blood of our enemies. It was something that did me good, like a necessity.

But I also loved getting dirty with blood from idiots like Youssef.

Gilliam leaned forward, resting his chin on his fist as he stared at each of the men with absolute coldness.

"And what would you advise me to do? I've been married to Elisa for years, and a divorce is out of the question, whether you're happy or not."

He shrugged and smiled pointedly.

"My son will sit in this chair in a few years, and if I know you're planning anything against my heir or my wife, I will eliminate each of you before I end your families and decimate your existence from the face of the earth."

I might feel guilty about what was happening, but guilt wasn't part of my repertoire.

We lived in peace and harmony with the other mafias, so to speak, until I killed Smith. Balbino, the 'Ndrangheta Capo, like a damn curse, unleashed hell on earth, wanting revenge for the man's murder. Since then, the bastard had been playing with us: he would blow up one of our clubs, which we would retaliate against, and he would disappear with one of our shipments, so we would do the same with some of his.

It turns out this fucking game had been going on for years, accumulating untold damage and a fucking headache. So there was discontent among the families with Gilliam. They believed that if he had married a woman of important blood, things would have calmed down with Balbino.

Francesco snorted.

"Nobody expects you to leave your wife. We accept that you chose to marry a woman outside the Mafia, just as we accept the fact that you have an heir."

They accepted, but they didn't swallow, I mused.

Elisa was not loved by the families, however she was respected within the social circle. Most of the women hated her and couldn't voice their opinions, as they were raised to be the perfect wife, the girl who would catch the Capo's eye. Then Elisa showed up, blowing up all those plans. She was envied and hated, but most of all, respected. If there was one thing she knew how to do, it was put fear in people.

Gilliam chuckled in disbelief.

"Really? Then what's the reason for this meeting, Francesco?"

"Our whores are dying and our clubs are being blown up, Gilliam. It's time to retaliate against Balbino's attacks, we can no longer be at a loss," Youssef declared.

The other men murmured in agreement with the idiot.

"We've been silent for months. It's time to change things, to show Balbino our strength and then end this standoff once and for all, by intimidating him or attacking him," concluded Francesco.

I ran my eyes to Nery, expressing a silent question through them. My younger brother was sitting across the table from me, facing everyone, his forehead furrowed, as confused as I felt.

Stefano was standing behind Gilliam, watching everyone with a clinical eye. It was unlikely anyone in the room would attempt on the Capo's life, but we were on edge and I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

"I still don't understand what the point is," Gilliam muttered, losing his patience and making it clear to everyone.

The men fell silent and looked at each other, as if deciding who would be the bravest to express the plans they had made before entering the meeting.

I picked up the whiskey glass from the table and took a few sips, waiting anxiously to hear the brilliant plan they came up with.

"The point is, since you married a woman outside the Mafia, we want you to marry one of your brothers to one of our daughters. That way, we will strengthen our alliance," said Federico.

I spat all the liquid on the table, receiving a low, threatening growl from Nery as I hit him on the arm with the jet of drink and saliva.

"Excuse me?" I asked, arching my eyebrows.

"It's a dishonor to us that we don't have any of our daughters married to any Muccino. They are decent young ladies, of good blood and from important families. They were raised and educated to serve, to be good wives and great providers of heirs," contextualized Youssef.

It was obvious that the bastard would think of that, he had a daughter who was about to get married. Angela must have been about twenty years old. Very convenient that Youssef had waited all this time to offer such a peace agreement within the Mafia.

Gilliam drummed his fingers on the long mahogany table and wrinkled his nose slightly.

"You want me to force one of my brothers to marry Angela?" he questioned sarcastically.

Youssef made a dismissive hand gesture.

"Not Angela, but any woman of your choice, although I do have preferences about my daughter being the chosen one," he stated.

"Most of us have girls of marriageable age, and, as I said, they are all decent girls who were raised to serve you. Besides, we are sure they will pass the chastity test."

"Let me get this straight. You come here to spew this bullshit and want to force us to marry some of your puritanical daughters?" I laughed, shaking my head.

"What an inconvenience, Youssef, but I'd love to kill you. It will be a huge pleasure."

I was already out of patience with these impertinent old men. Gilliam had killed Mattia, so it was only fair that I could get my hands dirty by exterminating anyone else.

Youssef grunted.

He hated me, it was a fact, but he wasn't brave enough to challenge me. After all, being the fucking psychopath of the Mafia had its advantages. I liked to boast about the blood of enemies, dirty my clothes and stain my skin. And it left people as disgusted as it did afraid.

"It's not me who's imposing, but the entire council of Caporegimes. We are unhappy with current events and want to join forces and unify the Mafia, strengthening our alliances."

What a load of crap. We entered the Mafia sworn by blood and would only leave it dead. There was no other way, no other path for men like us.

"If I remember correctly, Youssef, death is the punishment for those who betray the family," commented Nery, speaking for the first time since the meeting began.

"Nobody here talked about treason, Dominique. We are talking about rescuing our alliances and sending a response to Balbino. He gains strength and space in our territory with each passing day. We need to react," Federico countered.

Gilliam sighed and rubbed his fingertips against his temples.

"And you think marrying one of my brothers to one of your daughters will be the solution?" he objected.

They were silent, looking at each other and pondering.

"Not completely, but it's already an answer for Balbino," said Francesco finally.

Nery raised an eyebrow at me and ran his eyes to Gilliam, silently pointing to our brother. I turned my head towards him and realized that he was too thoughtful for someone who should find the idea absurd.

I swallowed.

This didn't sound good at all.

"As I recall, Youssef, death is the punishment for those who betray the family," commented Nery, speaking for the first time since the meeting began.

Gilliam was married, so he couldn't take on another commitment, nor would he even want to. Nery had his love affair with the girl outside the Mafia and, although he wouldn't admit it, he was in love with her. He wouldn't accept getting married at all.

Three Venturelli. Two were out of the question.

I took a breath and pulled the knot of my tie down.

It was up to me to make the commitment, the psychopathic bastard who busied himself torturing people. I liked sex and loved fucking women, but my interest in blood was relatively greater.

Holy shit!

What if I lied about being in love with someone? Gilliam could be an insane bastard, but he was still my brother and would take my feelings into consideration.

"Stefano?" he inquired, drumming his fingers on the table in a steady, irritating rhythm.

Stefano leaned over in Gilliam's chair, gripping the top of the backrest, and pursed his lips in a grimace.

As Gilliam's consigliere, he would have the final say on the situation, and whatever was said by him would be considered by my brother above all else. I shot Stefano a look, silently pleading with him not to do what I imagined he would do, but the bastard just ignored me.

"I think it would be a good solution. Balbino would see this as a challenge and would consider his next steps before unleashing attacks on our territory without thinking.

The men around the table murmured in agreement, reaffirming and voicing their plans and thoughts.

"And it would reinforce our alliances, as we would have a member in the Venturelli family, following Mafia standards," Youssef reiterated.

I would cut out the old creep's tongue and make him swallow it while he drank his own blood to help with digestion. A complete and proper meal for the idiot who wanted to see me married no matter what.

"All of you have daughters of marriageable age?" Gilliam asked, and I widened my eyes so wide I thought they would pop out of their sockets.

He couldn't be seriously considering this absurd idea, could he?

"Almost all of us. We can offer a dinner for your brothers to meet the suitors and choose one to marry," spoke up Francesco, the only one of the bastards who didn't have a daughter to offer.

He and his late wife conceived only Stefano, before she succumbed to death. The bastard was a terrible father and was only alive because of the weight his last name carried, otherwise he would have been long dead by his own son's hand.

"My brother," Gilliam corrected. "Only one will marry a Mafia daughter."

They were exasperated, disagreeing with my brother's response, but not brave enough to challenge him.

"Well... then which one of them will enter into the agreement?" Youssef inquired.

"My daughter is a beautiful, promising, and educated young woman. She was raised to serve her husband, as well as being strong to conceive countless male heirs. And I am sure she will pass the chastity test."

I reached out, pulled the bottle of whiskey over, and tipped it into my mouth straight from the neck. I knew very well which brother would be offered to the deal and, as a son of the Mafia, I couldn't even contest or run away from my commitments.

"Our daughters have the same qualities, Youssef. Stop bragging so much," Federico hissed.

"And besides, we know that Andrea is physically more attractive than Angela."

Youssef laughed.

"Was it because of all that beauty that she slept with the bodyguard?" he mocked, raising his lips in a sly smile.

Federico jumped out of his chair, ready to draw his gun and point it at Youssef, but was held in place by the men beside him.

"How dare you offend my daughter's honor?" he growled, spitting saliva.

Youssef threw his arms up in surrender.

"I was just expressing the rumors that are being heard, my friend, but don't worry, if the Venturelli chooses Andrea, she will go through the chastity test and we will have our answer."

If they kept bragging about which daughter was the purest, most virginal and innocent, I would bang my head against the wall. Virginity was mandatory for a Mafia bride, the chastity test served to prove just that. On the wedding night, the couple would have sex on white sheets, and the next day, the husband would have to take the proof to one of the council meetings, proving the marriage bond and their contemplation.

Francesco snorted.

"Tell us, Gilliam: which one of your brothers is going to be committed to the family?"

I downed a few more gulps of the amber liquid. The whiskey went down my throat burning.

Gilliam turned his head towards me and raised his lips in a smile.

"Dominique," he stated.

I knew the shit would fall on me, but still, I couldn't help but spit all the whiskey out at Nery, who pulled his chair back, making it screech against the floor, and grumbled in hatred.

"Damn it, fuck! Get a hold of yourself!" he snapped, wiping himself with his hand as he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"And why the hell do I have to get married?" I countered, ignoring Nery.

"Because you're the one who unleashed this hell on us, so it's only fair that you take responsibility for it," my brother retorted.

I looked at Stefano, pleading silently, but he just shook his head.

"I agree with Gilliam. The marriage will piss Balbino off." He smiled coldly.

"And that's what we want."

"Are you sure? I believe Nery is more responsible to take on such a commitment..." Youssef stammered.

A spark of happiness at the situation filled my chest with the bastard's reaction. Maybe I'd even choose his daughter, just to torment him for the rest of his days.

"It's not up for discussion. You wanted a marriage with a Venturelli, so Dominique Venturelli will take on the commitment."

Youssef swallowed hard as he agreed.

Yes, I would choose his daughter and make his last days a living hell.

"And to which of the daughters do you intend to marry him?" asked Francesco, uninterested.

Gilliam ran his eyes from one to the other, as they held their breath, locking the air inside their inflated lungs, and awaited the absolute answer from the boss.

The idiots were hopeful, wanting to intertwine their last name with ours, expand the empire and reiterate their importance in the world of crime. They didn't give a damn about the daughters they would deliver into a forced marriage, they only thought about the status the commitment would bring.

I wasn't happy with this arrangement, or satisfied with Gilliam's choice, but I wasn't entirely uncomfortable either. I fucked the club whores on a regular basis and didn't know what it was like to be in love or love someone. I had never been through that catastrophic experience.

My business was the Mafia and my pleasure was killing our enemies. Having a wife at home wouldn't change my routine or my way of thinking. I would have to teach her how to fuck and protect her with my life; I would never love her or promise her that, but she would be respected - depending on Gilliam's choice, far more than she had ever been respected by her father.

I would give money, perks, and a comfortable life by my side. Considering the organization we belonged to, it would be far more than many women in our world have ever had in their lives.

Gilliam's eyes settled on the front and he smiled coldly.

"Enrico Romano, how old is your daughter?" he muttered. I choked on my own saliva and sat back in my chair. Damn, Gilliam was a sadistic and strategic bastard!

Enrico Romano was from one of the most influential families in the Mafia, one of our Caporegimes. He was a calculating, analytical, and very intelligent old man who had a daughter. I wouldn't know how old the girl was, since he made a point of keeping her out of anything Mafia related.

"My daughter is not part of the deal. I didn't agree to the marriage, so pick the daughter of one of these scoundrels," he hissed, not losing his composure.

The man's wife had died during the girl's delivery, and since the event, Enrico had closed himself off in his bubble. What was known about him until then was that he loved the girl above all else and did everything to protect her from the world we lived in.

She didn't attend balls or engagements, but she did attend women's events. She was always at teas and charity events, and was known to the other Mafia daughters, however, other than that, she was a complete stranger, whose features I didn't even remember.

"I'll be the judge of whether your daughter will enter into the deal, Enrico, so answer my question," Gilliam hissed through gritted teeth.

Of all the men at the table, Enrico was the only one who didn't want to unite his daughter with one of the Venturelli in any way. He was also the most trusted of the entire council. Gilliam had made the offer that no one expected: at the same time that he gave in to the men's whims, he found a solution to stop their plans, following a line of reasoning they didn't imagine.

Enrico's jaw muscle tightened. He kept his eyes narrowed at Gilliam, sparking hatred everywhere.

"Carmen is twenty-four years old," he announced.

"There is no need to intertwine the agreement between Dominique and Carmen when we have so many daughters to offer," objected Youssef, shooting a sideways glance at Enrico.

"The girl wasn't exactly raised in the traditions of the Mafia, so we don't know what kind of wife she'll make."

Enrico did not give in to the man's provocation.

"Be satisfied to offer your own daughter, for mine is not in question."

Gilliam chuckled and cocked his head to the side.

"Still, however, it is I who will choose the wife," he retorted.

"Think carefully, Gilliam. The girl will represent an important agreement between families..." Federico pondered.

"And it is precisely for this reason that I am choosing Miss Moris as my brother's bride," Gilliam announced.

Enrico rose from his chair and spread his hands on the mahogany table.

"Please, Gilliam. She is my only daughter, my companion. Do not take her from me," he begged, letting his greatest weakness show in front of everyone.

"I'm not taking her from you, Enrico, quite the contrary. We are entering into an important contract for the families. Carmen is young and, as you well said, the sole heir to the Moris house."

I pursed my lips, thoughtful.

Enrico Moris was one of the richest men in the Mafia, and marrying his only heir would be a good move. Gilliam was brilliant. They tried to control him, but he was much smarter than all of them. Unfortunately for me, I wouldn't be able to marry Youssef's daughter and torment him for the rest of his life, however, it would be much easier to have no contact with the man. I might lose control and end up killing my own father-in-law.

"Gilliam..." Enrico breathed. My brother waved his hand.

"It's decided. If it's a marriage to a Venturelli they want, then they will get one. Dominique will marry Carmen Moris." He looked at me, his serious face making any argument impossible.

"They will do so in the name of the Mafia," he announced, sealing his word once and for all.

There was nothing I could do. I was born of the Mafia and would die for it. Gilliam, my Capo, above brotherhood and any kinship, was imposing his will and authority over me. All I had to do was obey.

I nodded.

"What about the other options? Could you at least let your brother meet the girls and choose?" objected Federico.

Gilliam shot me an uncompromising look, one that said he was giving the orders and I was to obey. I kept still, for there was something about my brother that they didn't know, something that only I, Nery and Stefano could recognize. And I could see it now: he had plans, and even if they involved me, I shouldn't interfere.

He chuckled, looking away to the others.

"Gentlemen, let's be honest. Do you really think Dominique cares about meeting your daughters? Like every man who has married out of obligation in this Mafia, he is doing only what is necessary to protect the family."

I let out a silent exhale.

"I have no interest in meeting your daughters, much less participating in an auction," I expressed.

"If my Capo thinks I should marry Miss Moris, then I will."

The event would be catastrophic, both for me and the girls. They would be induced and molded to please me, nothing would be true, and I would only know what they were instructed to show me. Therefore, I would a thousand times rather marry a stranger, someone who wouldn't hide her true face from me to get a ring on her finger and thus I would avoid getting any surprises after marriage.

Youssef snorted.

"If that's your final decision, fine." He ran his eyes to Stefano.

"We'll still have Nery for another deal in the future."

My little brother laughed.

"That's not going to happen, Youssef. Be content with your accomplishment today."

If Nery ever did get married, it would be to the girl outside the Mafia. He would never agree to enter into a loveless marriage agreement, even if it went against everything we were taught, after all, the Mafia should always come first, above everything and everyone. And Gilliam knew our little brother well, just as he knew that he would most likely have to declare him a traitor if he didn't do his bidding, and so he would never involve Nery in one of these agreements.

Enrico straightened his suit lapels and took a step back.

"I need to notify my daughter about the agreement," he said, no emotion in his voice.

"She will comply with what is imposed on her, as a daughter of the Mafia, but I will not accept her being mistreated by anyone, not even the Capo's brother."

I spread my hand over my chest and stuck my tongue out, feeling immensely offended.

"Have I ever mistreated a woman, by any chance?" I hissed through gritted teeth.

Enrico shrugged.

"We all know what your reputation is in the Mafia, Dominique. Don't blame me for wanting to protect my only daughter. I'm not marrying her to you out of goodwill, I'm just following my Capo's orders."

"And we're grateful for that, Enrico," Gilliam interjected.

"Carmen will be respected, just as Elisa is. We are men, not animals."

Enrico nodded and sighed at the same time.

"I will talk to my daughter and leave it up to her whether or not she wants to participate in the organization of the wedding."

Youssef grunted.

"Leave it? Your daughter needs to submit to your orders, Enrico, just like any other Mafia woman. Stop pampering the girl or Dominique will soon have to teach her what to do when the man of the house gives orders," he spat, laughing and causing the others to laugh as well.

The muscles in Enrico's back tightened under his expensive suit. He was about to explode and pull out his gun and shoot Youssef right in the face. Carmen was a no-go zone for any man, including me, the groom.

"Go, Enrico. Talk to Carmen and we'll start the wedding preparations soon. If she doesn't want to participate, I'll ask Elisa to do it," Gilliam warned.

Enrico spun on his heels and left the room, not bothering to answer the Capo.

I was hoping Carmen would be beautiful and a pleasant companion. We would share the same roof, a few hours and children, the least that could be expected from a couple forced to marry would be a good coexistence.

I pulled my hair back and gasped.

Damn, I was really getting married! And I was doing it with a girl I didn't even remember existing.

If I knew killing Smith would bring so many problems, I would have left the man alive. Maybe without a finger or two, or even a hand. He wouldn't have needed both to live.

I raised my eyes to Nery and let out a low growl as I saw the contours of amusement on his face.

"Just shut the fuck up," I muttered.

He threw his arms up.

"I didn't even say anything."

There was no need to verbalize what he was thinking, for it was clear in his features. I was being punished for my actions, for getting us all involved in this mess.

I wanted blood.

I needed to get my hands dirty to appease the rage I was feeling. When I found the next 'Ndrangheta man on our territory, I would dismember the bastard in unimaginable ways until my rage ceased and my demons were calmed.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***