The Mafia Contract Series

WINTER

Breakfast was as awkward as fuck because the atmosphere was so tense, I could cut it with a swipe of my finger. Alessandro is brooding about something and won’t even meet my eye or anyone’s for that matter and apparently Angelo notices too, given the concern he throws in his direction.

Nonna is thoughtful and his grandfather silent and it’s so wrong on every level and I’m grateful when it’s over and Angelo says firmly, “Thank you for your hospitality, Don Majerio. Mrs. Majerio. If I may excuse Winter, I would like to spend some time with my sister.”

I am so grateful for the excuse to leave and smiling my thanks, I follow my brother and Jasmine out of the room into the amazing, landscaped gardens.

Jasmine exhales sharply. “Whoa, that was tense. I wonder what happened?”

Angelo shakes his head. “God help Alessandro. He’s delivered them his soul and I pity him that.”

“What do you mean?” I’m curious and I don’t miss the sharp stare Jasmine directs at him, causing him to sigh heavily.

“There’s something you should know about Alessandro, Winter.”

“Will I like it?” I’m concerned about that, and he shrugs. “That depends on how you feel about him.”

“He’s my friend.”

Jasmine rubs my arm and whispers, “Is that what you feel in your heart?”

We carry on walking toward the huge sparkling lake, and I consider my feelings toward the brooding beast who lay beside me so tenderly last night.

“I don’t know.” I falter and wonder if I should say anything and, thinking better of it, I sigh instead.

“I should return home with you. Wherever that may be.”

Angelo looks worried and a silent signal passes between them, causing me to say irritably, “Stop with the looks. What don’t I know other than every fucking minute of my life until this point? Help me for God’s sake, because I need you to fill in the gaps for me.”

Jasmine whispers, “Tell her, Angelo, it’s only fair.”

Now I’m scared and he rolls his eyes and says irritably, “Ok, but things may have changed.”

“What things?”

I am so confused and hating every minute of this, and Angelo takes my hand and pulls me down beside him on the grass, placing his arm around my shoulders and for some reason something stirs in my mind.

For a second he says nothing, and I give into the sensation we have done this before. Several times before and a faint memory of an orchard comes back to me of the perfect scene that is shattered by a piercing scream. I don’t hear him speak because I am a child again. He is beside me and I am cold. So very cold, despite the warm sunshine stroking our souls with light fingers.

“Angelo.” I whisper, and he stares at me with concern. “What?”

“I remember.”

He turns to face me with an urgent stare and says quickly, “What do you remember?”

“We’ve done this before. It was always our thing.”

“Yes, that’s true. What else?”

“I feel so desperate. Somebody is screaming. It’s death, isn’t it?”

Jasmine stares in shock as Angelo snarls. “It was the day our father murdered our mother.”

I nod, tears running down my face as I cast my mind back on the small child who learned the horror of what happens when a mafia wife reaches her use by date.

Jasmine whispers, “I’m so sorry, Winter.”

I gaze up and smile as if it’s of no consequence.

“I’m fine. Trust that the first memory to return is a bad one. Are there any good ones to follow, or should I stop trying now?”

I try to make light of the situation but I’m shaking inside, and Angelo says with a sigh. “There is one important memory I believe you need help with.”

“Go on.”

He resumes the position and this time I snuggle against him, loving how familiar this is. I have a memory and the sweetest part of all is that it’s reminded me how much I love my twin.

“When Alessandro left Rockwell Academy, he didn’t return here.”

“Where did he go?”

“Hollywood. His grandfather agreed to help him on the condition that when he died, Alessandro would return to Sicily and take his place.”

“What happened to change that?”

I’m curious and Angelo says gently. “He fell in love.”

“He did.”

“Yes. He fell in love with you, Winter, and when you were taken, it affected him in a way none of us saw coming.”

I fall silent because he told me as much himself and Angelo says with sadness, “He couldn’t let it rest. He was tortured picturing you with another. He threw himself into his work and was very successful. We had a plan to align ourselves with powerful families, to overthrow Massimo and bring you back to us. The best way to assure their loyalty was through marriage.”

“You did what?” I’m stunned, and Jasmine nods beside me. “It’s how I met your brother. He came to my father and agreed to marry me for his loyalty.”

“No way.” I stare at her in horror, and she laughs, throwing Angelo a loving gaze that settles my heart. “We fell in love, so without the plan, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now.”

Angelo nods. “Things worked out for us, and Flynn was no exception.”

“Flynn?”

Angelo nods. “He also played his part along with Ivan, but it was Alessandro who made the biggest sacrifice.”

“What did he do?” I’m almost afraid to ask and Angelo says with a hint of bitterness in his voice, “He agreed to give up Hollywood and take up his position by his grandfather’s side. Return to the family business on the condition his grandfather helped to set you free. You see, Don Majerio is the most respected mafia don in the world right now and his help would bring the other families into line. Massimo was the most feared and nobody would willingly go against him, so Alessandro started a mafia war just to bring you back to us.”

“He did that for me?”

The tears spill when I see the enormity of what’s been going on and it’s almost too much to comprehend. Then Angelo says coolly, “You can’t turn your back on him, Winter. Despite what you consider is right, your place is by his side. He offered to marry you at Rockwell Academy, so our father couldn’t use you for his own advantage. He fell in love with you and if you leave with us, you are condemning him to his own prison in your place.”

Angelo’s words are harsh but find their mark and I contemplate what he’s asking.

“So, you think I should stay and fight for us to be together?”

Angelo makes to speak, and I’m surprised when Jasmine interrupts him.

“It’s not what we think, honey.”

I smile at the fierce glare she directs at her husband.

“Ask yourself how you’d feel if you left him here? Would it matter to you? Can you imagine a life without him?”

“It’s too early to tell.” Angelo says angrily and I reply slowly, “It’s not.”

They stare at me in surprise, and I shrug. “I know in my heart I loved him once. It’s so familiar whenever he is close. I’m safe with him and it’s as if my life is complete with him, save for one nagging sensation that just won’t go away.”

“What?” Angelo says quickly and I shake my head. “I don’t remember. It’s as if something is missing and I shouldn’t be here. Could it be my husband? Maybe it seems wrong because I am still married to him.”

Angelo looks as if he is auditioning for Satan’s job as he growls, “That man has no hold over you. He almost destroyed you, Winter, and now you are free. If you think something is holding you back, it’s because he fucked with your mind. Let go of the past and accept it’s better you remember nothing. You may sleep better at night. You have a new path to tread and this time the shoe is on the other foot because where Alessandro did whatever it took to set you free. It’s your turn now. I’m not pretending this will be easy but understand one thing. My sister was fearless, strong and brave. She would never back away from helping another and if I know my friend, that is exactly why he fell in love with you.”

As we sit looking across the lake, Angelo’s words hit a nerve. I can tell he’s speaking the truth and somewhere deep inside, I also realize I’m not going anywhere.