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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Cora Reilly
Read between
February 12 - February 14, 2023
“Life doesn’t work like that. Bad things are not fate, or punishment of an almighty power. Sometimes bad things just happen.”
Would our children harbor the same darkness? And even if they did, what would it matter? I’d love them regardless, like I loved Nino.
I kissed Nino softly. “I’m always here. If you need me, I’ll help you.”
“Don’t. Let me handle this.”
They all wore different masks, Nino his lack of emotions. Remo his anger, and Savio his arrogance. I wasn’t quite sure about Adamo’s mask yet, but he was wearing one too, I was sure of
“I doubt you’ve come to offer your help. You are loyal to the Falcones,” she said at last, sounding almost accusing. “I am. They are my family.”
I couldn’t get over the fact that Savio had compared me to a little sister. It made me emotional and I really didn’t want to cry. It would only freak him out. “If anything, I’d be the older sister. You’re younger than me.”
“And with you as a mother, it’ll drown in love and sweets, that’s for sure.”
“I love you exactly as you are. And maybe you are a monster, but you are my monster.”
“I’m glad you’re part of our family. You never judge me when I talk to you.”
The way he looked at me, I finally gathered my courage. “I was thinking … maybe I can stop taking the pill in the new year.” Realization settled on Nino’s face. “You want to get pregnant?” “Yes. I always wanted to be a mother. I know we’ve been married for only eight months but it can take a while so…” I suddenly worried about having brought it up. Things with Remo still were difficult after all. Nino’s face was frozen with surprise. Then he kissed my mouth. “If that’s what you want, then we’ll try for a baby.” “Really?”
“She asked me to train with her, had me chase her through the house.” Kiara was getting more confident. It was reassuring to know that she was really taking her fight training seriously. “I assume it’s because she wants to be able to defend future children.” Remo narrowed his eyes and leaned back against the mesh. “So, is she pregnant?” “Not yet. She’ll stop taking the pill in January.” “She told me she wants kids.” My eyebrows rose. “She talked to you?” He shrugged. “I got the feeling she was worried if I’d be okay with kids in the mansion.”
I began to outline Kiara’s name on my wrist over the scars and amidst the flames, then added a few music notes before I started filling each letter with ink.
<3
“I composed music pieces for each of you. They aren’t perfect yet, and they might develop over time, but I think they’re not bad considering the limited time I had,” I said quickly.
“This is for you, Remo.” I started playing the tumultuous melody, focusing solely on the keys and my fingers, not daring to look up for anyone’s reaction. When I finally risked a peek, Remo’s arms were crossed and with an unreadable expression he leaned against the piano.
I felt my cheeks heat and shrugged then cleared my throat before I looked at Fabiano and Leona. “For the two of you I created one melody.” Surprise crossed their faces. “You created something for us as well?” Leona asked. “You belong to this family,” I said, then played the last melody.
;(
When I finally turned to the rest of our family and caught a dark gleam in Remo’s eyes, a hint of worry flickered in my belly. I gave him a smile, which caused him to give me his own twisted version in return.
“Maybe she changed. Maybe they could heal whatever was wrong with her?”
Savio, Remo and I were in our airplane on our way to save Adamo who’d been captured by the Outfit.
“Dante, I’ll give you what you really want. Tomorrow morning I’ll be in Minneapolis and exchange myself for Adamo.”
“What about Remo?” Fabiano rasped, and my throat became tight. “He handed himself over as he’d intended.” “Fuck, fuck!” Fabiano exhaled. “Fuck.” “We’re going back and staying in Kansas for the time being, trying to figure something out.” “Let me join you. Let me help. We need to save Remo.” “You need to protect Kiara. Savio and I’ll try to figure something out with the Underboss of Kansas.”
I bent forward and cried out, “They need to save him. Nino can’t be without Remo … they belong together.” Fabiano put a gentle hand on my back. “We all need Remo.”
The Outfit had Remo. Their enemy, the man who kidnapped and dishonored another man’s fiancé, Dante’s niece.
“Is he dead?” Savio pressed his palms against his temples, his eyes reflecting the same fear I thought myself incapable of. “Not yet,” she said tightly.
Savio inhaled sharply beside me. “Holy fuck. They are Remo’s.” Remo was a father. I was an uncle. Two new Falcones. Kiara would be ecstatic to have them in the mansion.
;(
Remo never considered having kids, but he’d protect them with all he had, from this day on until his death. I knelt down beside him again, feeling his pulse, needing the reassurance that his heart was still beating. I wouldn’t let him die.
“Remo won’t die. He just won’t.” I closed the door, then leaned against it and closed my eyes, allowing tears to fall.
Tears sprang into my eyes and I smiled. “Nino and Savio got him.” “Alive?” Adamo whispered, taking a step back, beginning to shake. “Yes. Serafina saved him. He’ll be here soon.” Adamo and I stared at each other and then I just threw my arms around him. He winced, but before I could pull back, he hugged me even tighter, so tightly it must have hurt him.
Serafina stood in the gaming room with two babies on her arms, twins and without a doubt Remo’s kids.
I blinked rapidly, trying to stop the tears, but I felt like a ten ton weight had been lifted off my shoulders. “Oh, come on, no crying,” Savio said with a grimace. Leona rolled her eyes at him, then took my hand. “You okay?” “I’m just happy.”
Nino pressed a kiss to my forehead. “And I need you close. The problem with having emotions is that you realize how much you can lose.” “You won’t lose me or Remo, or anyone else.”
Nino and I both fell asleep on the sofa in Remo’s room,
Savio bent over Greta. “Hey doll-face…” Before I could warn him, Greta’s face scrunched up and she began to cry, those chubby cheeks turning red. Savio jerked upright, raising his hands. “Come on, doll-face, girls never cry when they see me.”
“You’ll be the best mother,” Nino murmured.
Remo’s mouth twisted. “Are you worried about me?” “Remo. Lie down, please.” “Because you said please,” he said,
“You must have been really worried if you put meat on my sandwich,” he said, then took a bite and nodded appreciatively. “Nino would have been fine without me, eventually, you know? He’s got you. He wouldn’t have broken down.” I shook my head and sank down on the edge of the bed. “That’s not the only reason why I was worried. Like I said, we are family, and I would have missed you.” Remo took another bite. “I hope you’re not getting more emotional once you’re pregnant.” I tensed briefly then relaxed. Remo sighed. “This emotional talk isn’t my thing, Kiara.” “I know. I’ll deal with your
...more
Leona stared down at the bracelet adorning her wrist. “What if he realized that he wants an Italian woman? Fabiano is traditional in many aspects, so maybe he decided I wasn’t fit to become his wife, a Scuderi.”
Leona stared off into the distance, then smiled. “What about a bridal shower? A hen party where we, for once, get ridiculously drunk and have fun.”
Leona and I loved spending time together, and I had a feeling that soon Serafina would be an important part of our close-knit group.
“Is Remo jealous?” I asked curiously. Serafina shrugged. “He said he’d kill anyone who touched me, so I suppose he is.” Leona rolled her eyes. “Mafia men are so possessive.” “They are,” I agreed.
Sjjsjsjsjs
“What the hell is that thing you’re wearing?” Savio asked me. “It’s a dress,” I said, flushing. “I know what dresses look like and that’s not it. That’s the lovechild of a tanktop and a bandana,” Savio said.
I nodded, sipping my drink, taking in everything. Savio, Adamo, Diego and Mick were at the other end of the bar, pretending to be on a boy’s night out, and maybe to strangers it looked convincing, but I saw the concentration and vigilance on their faces.
We’d been trying for so long to get her pregnant, without success.
“I still can’t believe he asked me to marry him,” Leona whispered, beaming at the diamond ring on her finger. “The wedding seemed to motivate him,” Serafina said with a smile.
She shook her head. “We had sex on Savio’s flamingo.”
“I know. Remo told me, and I heard them through the open window.” My eyes widened. “You knew they were listening and you didn’t stop?”
I glanced up. “Maybe you should.” “No, that’s the perk of being Capo,” he said then smiled dangerously. “Serafina mentioned she finally told you about us listening in.” “Remo,” Serafina hissed, then groaned and touched her head. “I told you not to mention it. I shouldn’t have.” My cheeks heated and I grimaced. “Don’t talk about it.” Remo leaned forward. “Next time I’ll give you a signal so you know what’s going on.” I raised a warning finger. “Don’t you dare. Keep your nose out of my bedroom.”
“Adamo?” “Yeah?” he croaked. “What’s wrong? You can tell me, you know you can trust me.” He nodded toward the burn scars on his forearm. It was the first I’d seen him with short sleeves in a while and my stomach tightened when I saw the many small cigarette burns that hadn’t been there before. “I can’t forget it. I dream about it every single night. About the helplessness, the agony, and worst the unrestrained hatred in their eyes. They wanted to destroy me in the most brutal way possible only because I was a Falcone.”
“What do you mean?” “I want revenge.
“I’m not kind,” he repeated, his fingers tightening further. “You’re hurting me.” Adamo’s gaze darted to his hands
