Page 3 of Reign of Fate

“There’s not a person on earth who wouldn’t love that woman.” Guido points to the door. “She’ll win Adriana over on their very first meeting.”

I’m sure that would be true. Adriana is loveable, and Elisa is as sweet as they come.

“Would you really deny a dying man?” Guido asks.

Thankfully, the door opens, and Elisa comes through with a tray, trailed by the wonderful aroma of espresso. “Your coffee, gentlemen,” she says. I take another look at her. Even in jeans and a sweater, she’s as lovely as they come. “How is that sweet little girl of yours?” Elisa asks with a sparkle in her eyes.

“Adriana’s great. A handful at times, though.”

“It’s good to be curious. Kids need to explore and learn by doing. Soon, she’ll be into the nails and makeup.” She laughs, and I see what Guido means about her having a pure heart. “Can I get you anything else?” She turns to her husband.

“That’s all for now, cara,” Guido quietly replies. Elisa slips out of the room to leave us once again. My focus stays glued to the door. “I’m begging you, Ivo. Elisa needs a man like you,” Guido pleads, and I can see the wetness in his eyes.

I turn to Raffaele and wait for him to speak. “I made the promise.” He pauses. “You did not, and I will not force this upon you.” He turns to Guido. “I’ll keep my word, but we’ll do this my way.”

Guido reaches over and grabs my wrist. His bony hand tells me that he won’t be with us much longer. “Please!” he begs, “I can’t leave her without knowing she’ll be safe.”

“This is insane!” I grunt.

“Please!” he repeats, squeezing my wrist harder.

I blow out a heavy breath. “Yes. Fine, yes. I’ll take care of her.”

“You’ll marry her,” Guido insists. “Say it.”

“I’ll marry Elisa, but only after six months and after giving her a chance to grieve.”

The relief clearly shows on his face as he sits back in his chair. “Thank you.”

Raffaele comes back to sit down. “Insanity prevails,” he murmurs under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear.

TWO

Peace by Death

IVO

Three months later…

Every month for the last two months, I arrive at Elisa’s home with money in hand, and this time is no different, except this time, I’ve brought Adriana with me. When I asked Adriana if she wanted to come and visit a friend who is going through a rough time and needs to be cheered up, she immediately said yes. She ran to her room to grab her favorite stuffy, Penelope Bunny, to share with Elisa in hopes it would make her feel better. I have the best kid in the world, but Adriana needs to like Elisa for me to be able to keep my word to Guido. Guido had money tucked away, but Raffaele insisted that Elisa should keep that money aside for personal use, and thatUltimo Mortewould take care of the bills, giving me the perfect excuse to see her each month.

Guido’s death came as a shock, and, as expected, she fell apart. Raffaele promised to arrange his death so that he could leave this world on his terms. Raffaele has to live with his decision, and it’s shaken him to his core, but under the same circumstances, I think I’d want to go out the way I choose too.

Raffaele arranged to take Guido out with a bunch of the other underbosses, and Guido played the part well, refusing to go at first, but eventually, he caved, all the while knowing the plan. Delighted that her husband was finally going on an outing to meet with friends, Elisa kissed him goodbye on the cheek.

Guido decided how he wanted to die, and after most of the men were gone, the doctor came in and gave him an injection that would take him out of this world peacefully, and our friend slowly left us and his beloved wife behind. The situation was taking a toll on Raffaele, but the job wasn’t done. Guido didn’t want anyone to know his plan and wanted his death to look like we were attacked by the enemy. He would look like a hero, not a man who’d given up.

Raffaele pointed his gun, and for the first time, I saw him hesitate. It didn’t matter that Guido was already dead. He was still one of our own. I pulled out my own gun to do it for him, but Raffaele waved me off.

“I made the promise. You have another to keep,” he said, then turned and pulled the trigger. That night, my life changed, and I felt a fear that I’d never felt before. Taking on a wife when I swore I’d never replace my Maria was affecting me more deeply than I thought it would.

I was there when Raffaele broke the news of her husband’s death. We took Evangeline with us, and we heard Elisa cry while Evangeline held her all night long. We assisted with the funeral arrangements. At the service, all the prominent underbosses were present with their wives and families. Flowers filled the funeral home and the grave site. Guido must have spoken with Elisa about what to do if he died, because she made sure to follow his instructions to the letter, beginning with the closed casket. She placed a photo of Guido in his prime on an easel next to the casket and stood like a pillar of strength as hordes of people walked through to pay their respects.

What hurt the most was watching her stand beside Guido’s grave as they lowered him into the ground. Guido’s parents, next to Elisa, huddled together, and her family waited on the other side, but Elisa looked lost and alone. There was no solace, even with her family in attendance. She looked small and vulnerable as tears streamed down her face.

“Daddy, why is Elisa so sad?” Adriana asked.

“Her husband died and went to heaven, baby,” I said quietly.

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