Bound By Love (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles 6)

“Aria, I know you think you can still appeal to his heart, but trust me when I say that as Enforcer of the Camorra, he can’t allow himself a soft heart.”

She gave me a strange smile. “I am surrounded by men like him. They are my family. I am married to one.”

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

“Or are you saying that Fabiano has done worse than you?”

I wasn’t sure what Fabiano had or hadn’t done, but I had committed pretty much any crime imaginable. There was only one difference between the Famiglia and the Camorra, and it was the one crime I wasn’t guilty of.

“They don’t spare women, Aria.”

She swallowed audibly. “I know. But I have to believe that there is good in him.” She touched my chest where my Famiglia tattoo was. “I got through to you. Perhaps I can get through to him.”

If anyone could do it, then it was Aria. She had won my heart after all.

It had begun snowing when we got out of the car. I drew my Beretta, listening for suspicious noises, but it was quiet except for the sound of traffic in the distance.

Aria shivered. “Don’t kill him. Please.”

I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t something I could promise. If he made a wrong move, I’d end him before he could harm Aria.

“Don’t mention Marcella or Amo,” I warned.

She scowled. “Luca, I love my brother, but I would walk through fire for my children and you. I would never risk their safety. We’ve fought so hard to keep them a secret from our enemies. I won’t put that on the line for Fabiano or anyone.”

I wasn’t sure how much longer we could keep them a secret. They were growing older. We’d pulled back from the public for them, and I had threatened a few journalists who thought they could write something about us. Nothing had gone public. Dante had done the same and without Orazio as a spy, I didn’t know anything about his children.

I gave Aria a nod and signaled her to walk ahead. I raised my gun but stayed back. I spotted Fabiano as we turned the corner. He was leaning against the wall, looking fucking relaxed.

His eyes zeroed in on Aria but he didn’t notice me. I aimed at his head.

“Hello, Fabi,” Aria greeted him and showed him his letter. “You said you wanted to talk to me alone because you needed my help?”

He stepped closer with a look on his face that I didn’t like one fucking bit. Aria let him come much closer than we’d agreed on. The hand with his gun still hung limply at his side though.

His eyes turned to me and he smirked as he spotted me.

“Finally being sensible, Aria,” he said, and there was a flicker of something on his face I couldn’t place.

“I know a thing or two about mob life.” She tilted her head up at him. “Aren’t you worried for your life?”

“Why would I be?”

He looked like a man who had faced death on many occasions and who didn’t fear it. He had nothing to lose, and it made him a dangerous enemy.

Aria unfastened the bracelet and held it out to him. “It was Mother’s. She gave it to me shortly before her death. I want you to have it.”

“Why?” he muttered, glaring down at the bracelet, then up at Aria.

“Because I want you to remember.”

“The family that abandoned me?”

“No, the boy you used to be and the man you can still become.”

Aria was too good for this world even after years as my wife.

“Who says I want to remember?” He leaned down to Aria, his face too close to hers, and I released the safety on my Beretta.

Fabiano straightened. “You want me to be a better man. Why don’t you start with the man who’s pointing a gun at my head?”

Aria pushed the bracelet against his chest and he took it.

“Perhaps one day you’ll find someone who will love you despite what you’ve become, and she will make you want to be better.” She finally stepped away. “Goodbye, Fabiano. Luca wants you to know that next time you come to New York, you will pay with your life.”

I didn’t lower my gun as Aria headed toward me, but Fabiano made no move to follow. He was staring down at the bracelet. He reminded me of myself when I was younger, before Aria. Without her, I’d be a different man today. Perhaps I’d have become like my father.

Aria arrived at my side and I wrapped an arm around her before I led her away. I considered sending someone out to kill Fabiano but decided against it. War with the Camorra was the last thing I needed at the moment.Aria was silent during the drive home, and she still hadn’t said anything when we stepped into our penthouse in the early morning. I gave her the time she needed to face reality. When we finally settled in bed, Aria stretched out on her back, and me on my side facing her, I broke the silence. “Will you be okay? Don’t blame yourself. Fabiano made his choices, not you.”