“Carnal King. Carnal King!”

  “Do they always chant like that? And you’re going to have to explain exactly what that means,” Francesca laughed, her eyes lighting up as she held onto my arm. “And that’s your costar? Jesus, she looks like some fairy princess. I already want to rake out her eyes with a jagged knife.”

  I waved to the crowd, striking yet another damn pose for the photographers. This would be the last appearance as Kelan Rock I made, but at least the lovely lady on my arm was getting the red-carpet treatment. I had several men positioned in the crowd, all for protection. Their instructions? Save her life first.

  I kept my eyes scanning the crowd even as I pretended that there was no place I’d rather be. “Don’t worry, my darling. You’re going to be the only princess in my life. As long as you obey.” I laughed, making certain everyone in the crowd noticed the passionate kiss I gave the woman I so adored. I could feel another group of headlines that would reach all the way to California. What the hell? This was only show business.

  “Kelan. Are there plans on doing another project?”

  “Kelan, is this your last movie?”

  “Kelan, what are your future plans? Taking over the family business?”

  The questions came fast and furious and I purposely ignored most of them. My mind was on something else entirely. As we rounded the corner, making our way to the stairs, there was movement out of the corner of my eye. In a flash, I shoved Francesca toward the building, reaching for my weapon. Several of my capos came running.

  “Take her. Now!”

  The crowd went wild, anticipating this was nothing more than a classic movie stunt. I gave her a reassuring smile as Vincenzo flanked my side, moving in front of me in a protection mode.

  As I was quickly shuffled into the building, I noticed Dominick, his hand on the lapels of an older man. I was shoved into a room, one that had been on standby in case something had occurred. I was fuming, viciously angry. I’d been stupid enough to let my guard down.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “You know how to crash a party, buddy,” Vincenzo said, laughing. “Might be nothing but an overzealous fan.”

  “Moonlighting? You called Dominick?” I’d heard Vincenzo was hungry to work for my organization. I didn’t know he was prepared to die for me.

  “Dominick insisted on being here. You have friends in all the right places. Besides, just doing my job, boss.” He gave me a look, his eyebrow lifting before motioning to a few of the men. “Just stay here. I’ll find out what’s going on. Don’t worry about Francesca. I’ll protect her with my life if necessary.”

  I honestly believed him and I knew that nothing would happen to her. I stood pacing, angry with myself for even coming to the premiere. I’d placed myself and Francesca on center stage when there were more important aspects of family business to deal with. Call it a hunch that I’d decided to take. A bad gamble.

  Less than a minute later, the door was opened.

  I held the gun in my hand, fingering the barrel as the man in the crowd was paraded in, Dominick’s expression almost giddy.

  “Dante Massimo. I thought you were dead.” I glared at him, finally chuckling under my breath.

  He appeared frail, his eyes sunken. “The reports were greatly exaggerated.” His voice was gravelly, no doubt from years of smoking cigars.

  “The truth is, you wanted your son to believe you were dead.”

  “Yes. Very astute.” He slowly glanced toward Dominick. “I see you have friends, much like you father always had. A sad time in the world when mafia families choose to work together. I prefer the old ways.”

  “You attempted to kill my father more than once.” I kept my words clipped, curious to see how far this would go.

  “I had my reasons, but you already know that. Don’t you, my grandson?”

  I bristled, catching Dominick’s eye. I hadn’t planned on telling anyone. “I might be of your blood, Dante, but I am not your family. Now, what do you want from me? You were there at the resort, watching me. Weren’t you?”

  “I wanted to learn everything about you. I did attempt to kill you years ago. It’s something I regret. You are my blood, my only next of kin. I learned about you, including the fact you have honor.” Dante sighed. “A virtue I only wish I would have learned, but as I’ve mentioned, I grew up in a different time.”

  “I’ll ask you again. What the hell do you want from me?”

  “I am dying, Michael. The very expensive team of doctors say I have less than a month. I’m simply here to give you a wedding gift. Nothing more.”

  I wanted to spit in his face. My instinct grabbed at my mind, telling me to accept whatever bullshit he had to give me. “Fine. I’ll accept then you will leave unharmed, but you never contact either myself or my fiancée again or you will die.”

  He smiled, coughing several times. I couldn’t help but think about John Paul, only this man actually deserved to die. His hand shook as he attempted to reach into his pocket.

  Every other man in the room pointed their weapon in his direction.

  Dante held up his other hand, moving slowly. The envelope he removed was thick and I simply grabbed it out of his hand, refusing to open it.

  “You’ve done what you came here to do. Now leave,” I instructed.

  Nodding, he gave me one last longing look, much like a grandfather would give before walking past the soldiers. “You have your mother’s eyes.”

  I held my tongue, keeping a straight face until he was escorted out.

  Dominick shook his head as he approached. “Grandfather, eh?”

  “Long story.”

  He chuckled. “They always are. Go to your lady. I’ll make certain he follows instructions.”

  “I owe you one, for the house too.”

  “Don’t worry. I know where you live.”

  I had to admit, having friends held more meaning than ever before.

  * * *

  “Where are we going?” Francesca asked, still uneasy from the experience at the premiere.

  “To put the secrets to bed,” I answered. I hadn’t planned on bothering to open the envelope from Dante. I quite frankly didn’t care what he had to say. Still, I felt I had to fulfill the wish of a dying man, and in doing so, my world changed once again. The information inside was both heartbreaking and soothing in an odd dichotomy.

  The fact he’d left me his entire estate and all his fortune in his will was something I’d come to terms with much later. Blood money. How many times had I heard the expression? I was also the heir apparent with regard to the Massimo mafia family. When that was combined with my father’s empire we would rule millions of dollars in drug trafficking and other investments, some very legitimate. A decision would have to be made at some point after the man’s actual death.

  I had to give Dante some credit. He’d risked his entire reputation to right certain wrongs. That would never erase the pain, but I did hope would provide some sense of peace.

  She twisted her head to look at me the moment we passed the sign at the entrance. “What?”

  I had a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, hoping I’d made the right choice. As we pulled into the parking lot, I could already see an entourage waiting outside, including Antonio surrounded by several of his soldiers.

  “What the hell is he doing here?” she asked, hissing under her breath. “What are you doing, Michael? I don’t like this.”

  “Trust me.” I parked the car, turning off the engine before speaking. “Your father had a specific reason for doing what he did, and I do believe in a sense he was trying to protect you. I found out some additional information. Dante had held over his head certain information and he was forced to play by Dante’s rules for several years.”

  “Whatever. I don’t care.”

  I unclipped the seatbelt and pulled her hand against my lips, kissing her knuckles gently. “You’re just going to have to trust me. Can you do that?”

  Francesca softened, her eyes darting back and forth across mine. “I trust you with my life.”

  “Good. Come with me.” I nodded to her father, who also had no idea why he’d been summoned then gathered her from the car. She refused to acknowledge him as I led her into the facility. I’d arranged everything that I could, including private time. The rest was up to Francesca.

  “Mr. Cappalini. We have everything ready,” the girl at the desk said as she pointed toward another door.

  “Thank you.” I had difficulty even uttering the two words. I took Francesca’s hand into mine, our fingers entwining as we were led down a series of hallways to another exterior door.

  As we were led outside into the sun, I was given a sense of peace. Dante had done everything to repair the damage done by Franco, even though he’d blackmailed Antonio. Perhaps he’d been embarrassed at the atrocities of his own son, but I would never know.

  “What is this?” she whispered, her grip becoming tighter.

  “Why did you bring me here?” Antonio asked.

  The receptionist smiled as we walked to a stone patio, a lovely place with flowers and trees, a beautiful fountain, and the sound of birds chirping from every direction.

  “Because you both need to heal,” I struggled to say.

  “I don’t understand,” Francesca muttered then noticed the lovely young woman sitting by herself, rocking silently. She pressed the back of her hand across her mouth, stifling an anguished sob.

  The nurse nodded in the girl’s direction. “Sasha has made great progress since being with us, her body healing from the majority of injuries. She still isn’t speaking but the doctors assured us that in time, she’ll finally unlock herself from the nightmare she’s in. Having family with her will help tremendously. I’ll leave you alone.”

  I could see the same expression on father and daughter’s face as the news sank in. Sasha was alive. She’d been beaten severely by Franco, losing her capability to speak and walk, left for dead until one of Franco’s men called Dante. He’d found the perfect facility, providing the best medical and psychological care there was for the money. Slowly over the years, she was regaining cognitive function.

  “Dante gave us a gift, releasing your sister and the blackmail he’s held over your father for all these years,” I whispered in her ear, letting go of her hand. The reasoning behind the blackmail wasn’t something even I could understand. Dante had a sense of honor regarding his only son, a regret that would follow him to the grave.

  Francesca looked me directly in the eyes, mouthing words of love before walking first toward her father. As she rose onto her tiptoes, kissing her father on the cheek, tears formed in my eyes.

  My own father had spoken of honor many times during the years, something I’d never wanted to listen to. I’d been too blinded by hatred, allowing my emotions to rule in a manner that had nothing to do with the truth.

  Was I an honorable man, one who could give Francesca what she needed? Perhaps so. At least I would die trying. I’d yet to tell her that she was a very wealthy woman and no matter how she chose to spend her money, I would support her.

  My dear beautiful princess.

  My wife.

  The love of my life.

  As she ran to her sister, tears streaming down her face, I realized that the devil was still inside, but he would never steal my soul. I would learn to be a good man.

  One way or the other.

  The End

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