The Deal: The Mafia Proposal, #1

Chapter 1

Eight years ago

MOM, WHY DO we have to hide? I asked. Her big brown eyes full of worry turned toward me, and a smile spread across her lips.

It’s okay, honey. Don’t be afraid. Everything’s going to be fine. She plastered a soft kiss on my forehead, then gently traced her fingers through my long dark brown hair.

Two days ago, my parents had whisked my brothers, my sister, and me away from our home and taken us to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. My dad’s most trusted guards were posted outside, and they were armed to the teeth. But even though my mom kept saying I shouldn’t worry, I could tell something was terribly wrong.

I looked up at my brothers, who were gathered around a big table in the corner of the room. They were talking in hushed voices with my dad and he was pointing at something on the map. My dad’s right-hand man, Hugo, stood close to my father, his wide shoulders tense, his hand constantly hovering over his holstered gun. I’d never seen Hugo with his brows drawn together with worry before.

They won’t win this war, my dad said, his blue eyes—the same color as mine—flashing with determination. I assumed they were the Ezzatis, our family’s biggest rival.

Arianna, my mom softly called my name, but I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the table. What had we done to the Ezzatis that they hated us so much? Why was my dad talking about war? And why did no one ever want to explain to me what was going on?

Shots rang out outside, and a gasp escaped my throat. My sister’s face paled, and my mom only hugged me tighter. My dad and Hugo looked at each other, and my dad nodded. Hugo pulled out his gun and headed outside.

Keep your heads down, my dad said with an unfamiliar desperation in his eyes as he turned toward my mom, my sister, and me. My mom motioned for my sister to come closer, then pulled us toward the wall. The three of us huddled together on the floor while my dad and my brothers were getting their guns.

How did they find us? You said we’d be safe here! my sister whispered in a trembling voice.

It might not be them, my mom said, but I didn’t think anyone actually believed that. Only the Ezzatis were brave enough to come after my family. No one else would dare, or at least that was what I’d overheard my brother say once. The window not far from us exploded into pieces, and I buried my face in my mom’s curly brown hair. My sister burst into tears.

I heard footsteps and more shots, but I couldn’t see anything, so I just held onto my mom, her warm embrace like a safe blanket that could protect me from anyone who wanted to do me harm. Seconds trickled by. Things fell over and thudded to the ground. Guns fired over and over again.

And then everything went quiet. So quiet that I shut my eyes and was too afraid to even breathe. My mom’s body went rigid, and a scream made me open my eyes. My sister was sobbing as she hugged herself. Since my mom’s grip on me eased a little, I turned my head toward the rest of the room, and wished I hadn’t.

Unfamiliar, angry-looking men with weapons were everywhere, and at their feet, I spotted one of my brothers in a pool of blood. He wasn’t moving. My heart thudded as if it were going to burst out of my chest, but I didn’t cry. I couldn’t.

My dad was on his knees, and a bulky, bald man was pointing a gun at the back of his head. My brothers were kneeling, their clothes torn and bloody, and weapons were aimed at their heads.

Get them, the bald man yelled, and his men rushed toward my mom, my sister, and me. My mom screeched, trying to shield my sister and me with her body, but the men were stronger than she was. One of them grabbed me roughly by the arm and hauled me to my feet, then jabbed the barrel of his gun into the back of my head. My chest kept rising and falling, but I wasn’t sure if I was still breathing... still existing... or if this was just a very vivid nightmare.

My sister was dragged to the side, and another man backhanded my mom as she clawed at him. She fell to the floor and didn’t get back up because the man pressed his big boot on her head.

Ah. The Montis on their knees, the bald man said with a wide grin. Right where they belong. He laughed, and his men joined in.

Desmond, please, my dad said. My children... They’re innocent. This is between us. Do with me whatever you want, but please spare my children.

Desmond pretended to wipe off the tears that weren’t there. How touching, but you’re wrong. Your children aren’t innocent. They’re Monti. That makes them guilty. But enough about that. I came here to cut off the head of the snake, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

A dark-haired man stepped forward, offering a machete to Desmond, whose hazel eyes sparkled. My brothers struggled, but it was useless. I didn’t know what had happened to our guards outside, but I assumed they were dead.

Desmond took the machete and lifted it up so its blade glistened in the light. But first, you’ll watch your heirs die. How do you like that? He smirked at my dad, who tried to get to his feet and lunge at Desmond, but two men were holding him down.

No! my dad yelled, and my mom let out a muffled groan. Please. Have mercy!

Hmm. Desmond lowered the machete and rubbed his chin. Mercy? I don’t remember your men ever showing mercy toward mine, but okay. He shrugged. How about this? One of your sons gets a quick death. A bullet to the head. You pick which one of your boys it’s gonna be. Who’s your favorite?

No. My dad gritted his teeth.

No? My, my. Desmond made his way across the room toward my mom, who was still lying on the floor. He pointed the machete toward her. Alright, Genaro. Choose now or I’ll cut off one of your wife’s fingers.

You sick son of a bitch! my oldest brother yelled, thrashing against his captors.

Well, that’s very rude. I won’t permit anyone to disrespect me. Desmond handed the machete to the closest of his men and headed toward my brother. Get him up.

My brother was forced to his feet. Desmond advanced toward him and punched him in the face so hard that blood burst from my brother’s nose. Desmond’s men had a strong grip on him and didn’t let him fall down or turn away as Desmond pummeled him.

The meaty thud of each punch made my stomach flip, but Desmond didn’t stop. I was vaguely aware of my parents crying, screaming, and begging, but nothing could block out the sickening crunch of broken bones. There was blood everywhere—on Desmond’s hands, on the floor...

My brother’s face was a bloody mess when his body went limp, and Desmond stepped back, wiping sweat off his forehead. An insane laugh escaped Desmond’s throat as his men lowered my brother’s body to the floor.

One more down, two to go. Desmond grinned, and I must have made a step forward, because the arm around me became like steel that barely let me breathe. Genaro, let’s get back to you. Have you decided yet? I think I gave you enough time.

My dad’s face was blank, but his eyes were overcome with emotion. You’re going to kill us all anyway. Just be done with it.

You think you’re smart, don’t you? You think pretending you don’t care will make me change my mind. Desmond tilted his head. Well, it worked. He strode across the room, snatched the machete, and ordered the men who were holding my mom to step back. But I don’t think this is what you wanted.

Before my mom could get up or do anything, he kicked her in the stomach, then sliced across her throat with the machete. My eyes were blurry with tears, and all I could see was blood spreading under my mom’s body. She choked and spluttered, trying to lift her arm, but then she went still, her empty eyes staring across the room at my dad. I’d rarely seen my father cry, but tears were streaming freely down his face now.

Desmond stepped back to avoid the pool of blood and took a deep breath. I’m getting bored of this. He looked around the room, then pulled out a gun and fired at my brothers until he was out of bullets. The grip of the man who was holding me was the only thing keeping me up. I stared at the floor so I wouldn’t see my brothers choke on their own blood.

Oops, Desmond said. My aim was a little off. I hit all the wrong places, so this will take a bit longer than... Ah, never mind. I heard him toss the gun to the floor as he passed very close to me. I shuddered, but his focus didn’t seem to be on me, because my sister whimpered.

I beg you. My daughters are not a threat to you, my dad said, his voice cracking.

This one’s pretty, but too old, Desmond said. Such a shame.

My father’s shout and the gurgling sound close to me that followed brought a wave of nausea to my stomach. My sister. She was gone too.

When Desmond’s feet stopped next to me, I looked up straight into my dad’s wide eyes that were now red from tears.

This one, on the other hand, Desmond said, and his finger brushed my cheek, making me flinch. I have big plans for her. What do you think, Genaro? He glanced at my dad. I can train her to become the perfect wife. She’ll bear me plenty of children.

My dad bared his teeth, and tried once again to free himself and get up, but it was futile. I was too numb to even react to what Desmond was saying. My mind couldn’t comprehend any of it. I just wanted to be with my family again.

You like that idea, don’t you? Our families will be joined forever, and the Monti name will disappear. When I’m done with her, your daughter won’t even remember you. Desmond started toward my dad. But enough talk. It’s your turn to say goodbye to this world. All he had to do was nod, and the men next to my dad took their aim and fired. Someone was wailing, and it was the most terrible sound I’d ever heard—so full of pain, sadness, and anguish. It took me a moment to realize that sound was coming from me.

Shut up! Desmond turned toward me, annoyance flashing across his face. Take her away, he said to the man holding me.

The man had to lift me into his arms because I was in no condition to walk. As he carried me to the door, the grisly scene around me seared itself into my brain. I had no idea where he was taking me, but I didn’t want to go anywhere. I wanted to stay with my family where I belonged, so I curled my fingers into fists and banged on his shoulders.

It did me no good, since he was much stronger than I was. But when we neared one of the black vans parked outside, someone jumped out from the shadows. It was too dark for me to see what was going on, but at first, I was falling, and then strong hands grabbed me.

Arianna, it’s okay, Hugo whispered into my ear, and then he broke into a run with me in his arms. You’re going to be fine.

I want my mom and dad, I choked out. Please.

Shh. Don’t cry. We have to get out of here.

I pressed my face against his chest and cried harder. After what seemed like an eternity, Hugo set me down on my feet and placed his hands on my shoulders.

Arianna, look at me, he said, and I met his gaze. There was blood on the side of his head. You’re the last Monti, and as long as you’re still breathing, the Ezzatis won’t win.

I don’t want to... I don’t... How did he expect me to live without my family? I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t.

Your family needs you to stay strong. One day you’ll avenge their deaths.

A word formed in my mind and invaded my whole being.

Revenge.

Chapter 2

Now

WHAT DOES IT feel like to see your sons die one by one? I hissed into Desmond’s ear as I painfully gripped his hair. On the wall in front of us, a live feed was playing.

Eight years. I’d been waiting for this moment for eight fucking years. Since the night that Desmond had taken everything from me, all I could focus on was getting revenge. Capturing Desmond hadn’t been easy, but as soon as he’d been brought to me, I’d ordered for him to be taken to a room with a single chair—to which he was now tied—and I’d given my men cameras that they could attach to their jackets as they stormed one of Desmond’s houses, where his sons were holed up.

Desmond’s eldest had fallen first, and now we had only two more to go. Well, at least in this house. I knew where the rest of Desmond’s family was too, but I hadn’t revealed that piece of info to him yet. No. I wanted to see his reaction. I wanted to see him suffer the way I’d suffered. The only problem was, Desmond was smiling at me.

You may think you’ve won, he said slowly, but nothing you do will get you your family back.

I gritted my teeth and backhanded him so hard across the face that he almost fell off the chair. Was he playing tough, since he knew I was going to kill every single member of his family anyway? Maybe he just didn’t want to give me the satisfaction, or maybe he truly didn’t care at all. As I stared into his cold eyes, I realized this man didn’t feel anything for anyone—other than himself. He was proud of his sons, but their loss didn’t seem to affect him much.

Desmond was looking at the screen, and we watched another one of his sons try to fight off my men, but he was alone, and there were five of mine, so they easily subdued him and sliced his throat.

I’m so proud of my boys. Strong to the end, he said, a smile still lingering on his lips. I ran my hand over my face. Was there even a way to unnerve this psychopath? He intended to die with a smile on his face, and I couldn’t let that happen.

Proud? Why would you be proud that you failed to protect yourself and that your men weren’t enough to stop me? I started pacing up and down the room.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You bested me and mine, and I congratulate you on that. But my family will die fighting. That’s an honorable death, if you ask me. Not like your father, who begged and cried on his knees.

It took all of my willpower to stay calm as I clenched my fists. He was saying exactly what he knew would piss me off. Unbelievable. I was letting him get to me, and I had no idea what to do about it.

Eight fucking years.

If Hugo hadn’t died after raising me into the person I was today, I’d ask him for advice. He’d know exactly what to do. But he wasn’t here, and his son, Brent—my second-in-command—was out there fighting the Ezzatis’ men.

I glanced at the screen. Desmond had just lost another son, but as I watched the blood pool underneath him, I had to look away. Taking a deep breath, I tried not to let my mind go back to that cabin where my family had been brutally murdered. It had taken me months until I could stand to see blood again, but Hugo had insisted that I should get strong for this moment, so why did this feel as if I was epically failing at everything?

I’m going for your wife and the rest of your children next, I said, but all Desmond did was lift his chin and stare at me. He probably didn’t even care about his second wife. She’d been given to him by another