24. Initiation
24
INITIATION
GIOVANNA
After Tyler dropped me off at my apartment last night, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. All I wanted was to be wrapped in his arms forever, but Luca was still staying with me, and Nadia would be arriving soon for our training session.
Pressing my palms into the sofa, I pushed it against the window, along with a few other pieces. Now, she and I would have the entire open space for choreographing the perfect fight for attendees.
“Looks good, sis.”
I snapped my gaze up to the balcony overlooking the downstairs. Luca was shirtless, his dark blue jeans hanging off his hips. His hands rested on the glass railing as he peered down with a grin. His hair was tousled as if he’d just woken up and his face looked a little better now that all the blood was cleaned off.
“No,” I spat, carrying a tall, gold floor lamp to the corner.
“What do you mean, no ?” he scoffed.
“You better keep your ass upstairs,” I fisted my hands on my hips, “because I’m not dealing with this shit today. She and I have limited time to make sure we can sell this fight.”
“She doesn’t know I’m here,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Does she?”
I shook my head while rolling up one of the area rugs.
“I really want some coffee,” he complained.
“Luca!” I huffed. “Stay! Upstairs!”
RING! RING!
I skipped over to the kitchen wall, pressing the button. “Nadia?”
“It’s me.”
“Come on up.” I strode back over to the living room, lifting my gaze. “Go.”
Rolling his eyes, he let go of the railing and disappeared down the opposite hallway from my bedroom toward his. A part of me felt bad for both of them, but we needed zero distractions, and my brother was a huge, walking distraction everywhere. If he was in public, people would bother him. In a room? People watched him or needed to talk to him.
A few moments later, I pulled the door open so she wouldn’t have to ring the doorbell. “Hey,” I said, glancing back over my shoulder to make sure he hadn’t snuck downstairs. I wouldn’t have put it past him.
“Hi,” she said as she entered.
I let the door shut behind me as she surveyed the open space. “Why were you at Euphoria last night?” I blurted out, unable to hold back my question any longer. “We’re not supposed to be seen together.”
“You saw me,” she responded.
“Of course I did,” I replied, a bit exasperated. “Why were you there?”
“Boredom.” With a slight smile, she shrugged. “Curiosity, perhaps?”
“About what?”
She wandered the main floor, taking in every detail as she spoke over her shoulder. “Damnnn, Mr. Knight must pay well.”
I leaned against the island bar separating the kitchen and living room, crossing my arms over my chest. “My father left me some things.” I didn’t want to delve into the details. Even though I sympathized with her for Luca’s actions, I was still wary, and she still hadn’t explained why she showed up at Euphoria. “Talk,” I demanded. “Why were you there?”
She spun around to face me. “I enjoy dancing too and thought it might be something I wanted to try, so I asked my handler to take me. I don’t know anyone in town and wanted to get out.”
“Ah,” I breathed a sigh of relief, muttering, “your handler.”
“Yep.” She rolled her eyes. “The Rovati’s insisted, and Carmine had to return to New York until the night before the fight, so he left Luca Rovati’s son, Julian, with me.”
“So, you weren’t spying on me,” I confirmed.
“Why would I do that?” She tossed her hair behind her and twisted it into a messy bun on top of her head before standing up straight again. “You’re still suspicious of me,” she chuckled.
“I’m suspicious of everyone right now,” I admitted as I walked toward the center of the living room, with her following closely behind. “There’s a lot going on.” I raised my fists in preparation for her to strike.
“What about your gym?” she asked.
“There’s more room down here,” I replied, not wanting to hint that my brother was just upstairs and the reason we weren’t up there.
“Shouldn’t we put on gloves?” she asked, curling her own fingers into a fist and lifting them.
Wrinkling my nose, I shook my head. “Not planning to hit you again until the fight.”
“Okay,” she replied as we circled, keeping our eyes locked on one another. “Do you want to talk about what’s bothering you?”
“No,” I spat a little too harshly.
“Suit yourself.” She sighed.
“I’m going to jab three times left, then uppercut right after we circle twice. Can you remember that?” I asked.
“Ye–” She dodged my punches. “I’m going right, left, leg sweep.”
I jumped out of the way, but she caught my leg, and I fell to the floor, cracking my head on the hardwood.
“Oh shit!” She gasped, reaching her hand out. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I grabbed her hand, pulling myself to my feet. “My head’s not with it today.”
“Well,” she respired, “we both know it needs to be, so whatever’s bothering you, take it out on me it’s fine.”
“I’m good,” I replied, though I couldn’t get last night out of my head. The engagement, Tyler taking over. All of it. Closing my eyes, I inhaled a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.
“Luca?” she whispered breathlessly, and I opened my eyes to see her staring at the staircase.
“Oh... my...” she turned to me, then quickly looked back at him as he descended the last step.
“Shit.” I groaned.
“Hey, Nadia.”
“What happened to you?!” she shrieked, running to him, stopping in front of him.
He gently pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I got into a fight.”
“A fight?!”
He turned his gaze toward me. “I couldn’t stand not being able to talk to her. Can we have a minute?”
Just then, I heard the sound of my front door opening, and Tyler walked into the apartment carrying bags from a local bakery. Huffing at my brother, I glided over to Tyler and greeted him with a kiss.
“Hey there, princess,” he said.
“Hi,” I replied. “I didn’t expect you.”
“Well,” he laughed, placing the bags on the kitchen island. “I have a key and wanted to see you.”
“Uh oh,” I said, folding my arms over my stomach. “I don’t like that look.”
He held onto my hips and kissed my forehead. “There’s a lot going on today.”
“Like what?”
“My ceremony, for one. You have to be there for that, but it’s not until later this evening.” He looked past me at the living room. “Looks like he didn’t stay upstairs.”
I rolled my eyes and looked back at him. “Of course not, because he never listens to anything.”
“Well,” he looped a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Ian and Jen invited us over for pizza and swimming before they have to shut the pool down for the season. And after everything that’s been going on, we’re taking tonight off. I asked Ian and Luke to be present for the ceremony. Angelo and Frankie have agreed to have it at Ian’s brother’s bar.”
“Is there a back room or anything?” I asked.
“No,” he shook his head, “he’s shutting the bar down for the night for inventory .”
I nodded.
“Anyway,” he said, lifting his chin at the bags of food. “Brought you guys some stuff. I have to go meet up with Ian, but I’ll be back to get you and Luca around four.”
“Thank you.” I stood on my toes, pressing my lips to his.
“Mmhm,” he said, placing his lips next to my ear, “you can thank me properly later.” Sliding a finger up my slit, he kissed my neck. “Have fun training. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After stepping over to greet and say goodbye to both Luca and Nadia, Tyler left, and the three of us meandered to the kitchen, getting coffee and eating the pastries and bagels he’d delivered. They sat on barstools, side by side, and chatted with me as if nothing had happened between them. I wanted to ask, but if they weren’t willing to bring it up, I wasn’t pushing it.
When we were finished and allowed our food to settle for a few minutes, he disappeared back upstairs, and she and I continued our training. We messed up a few times, but once we had the choreography down, we decided to come up with a couple of backup plans in case our bluff was called, or we needed to switch it up in the middle. We’d come up with several code words to say in the ring should one of us need to make a change or get seriously hurt.
She left around 3:00 p.m. and Luca and I gathered our belongings just before Tyler and the kids arrived to get us. Cars lined the enormous driveway of their Brookline mansion when we pulled in. Tyler found a parking place next to Luke and Jade’s Escalade and when we got to the front door, he opened it, allowing me through first but the kids were excited and pushed by, shouting their cousins’ names.
He and Luca set our bags on the floor in the foyer by the wall and rounded the corner through the house until we came to the den. All the kids zoomed by again in their swimsuits, into the kitchen and out the back door. We followed them outside to see everyone, including Jade’s brother and his family.
After exchanging greetings with everyone, Tyler took my hand in his, calling back over his shoulder, “We’ll be back in a bit. Jen, watch the kids, cool?”
“We got our eyes on them,” she responded.
Watching him with a creased brow as he led me back through the house and out the front door, I asked, “Where are we going?”
“I want to talk to you in private in the front.”
He guided me over to an enormous tree on the side of the front yard, near the brick wall. “I planted this tree with my father thirty years ago. Today is the anniversary of that day.” His eyes trailed up to the top and back down to me.
“It’s really pretty, what kind is it?”
“I have no clue,” he laughed, then brought his gaze to mine, “but the leaves always change bright red at the beginning of fall, and I always loved it.” He turned toward the house, pointing up at the window on the upper far left. “That’s Dylan’s room now but it used to be mine. Every day, I’d look outside to see if the tree was growing at all. It was about four years old when we planted it, I think.”
“That’s really cute.” I smiled. “Looks like it grew just fine.” I twisted back toward the tree.
“Yeah. I’m glad Ian saved this house from going to another family. This place will always be special.” He slipped his hand in his black track pants pocket, taking out a bright-pink leather ring box, and I grinned wide. He opened it, flashing a huge pink radiant diamond with white pear-shaped halo diamonds around it.
I gasped, “Ty.”
“I promised you I was getting you a ring,” he said, taking it out and placing the box in his pocket. Before I could protest about the expensive present, he continued, “I know we’re technically already engaged, but I want to do this right. I pushed my feelings back for you but I’m certain now they never left.” He lowered himself to his knee. “I spoke to Frankie this morning, and he told me I’m to never bow to anyone after tonight, but understand I’ll only ever bow to you.” He smiled up at me. “Life gave us a second chance, and I’m not fucking it up again. I’m utterly obsessed with everything about you, and I love you more than anything I can ever put into words. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I beamed as he slid the ring on and stood, pressing his lips to mine.
When I reluctantly peeled myself away, I looked over at the house to see Amber, Jenna, and Jade with their noses pressed against the bay window in the living room staring out at us. They were cheering, and I could faintly hear their celebration through the glass.
“Um,” I giggled, lifting my chin at them, “she’s not watching the kids.”
“Damnit,” he sighed, taking my hand in his and leading us back to the house.
The minute we stepped inside, we were bombarded with congratulations and Jenna explained that the kids were being watched by the guys out back. The girls examined my ring, oohing and ahhing at it, before we joined everyone else in the back.
I stripped down to my bright orange bikini and joined Tyler and the kids in the pool. Maddie swam over instantly, giving me a hug before climbing on her dad’s shoulders and playing chicken with Jackson. It was really the first time I felt like I was living a normal life with family and true, close friends. Even growing up, my life wasn’t anything like the scene before me. Dangerous men acting like normal husbands and fathers at home, was the life I’d dreamed about.
But just like all good things, the evening came to an end after dinner when it was time for Tyler’s ceremony. Nico and Ice Man followed in Nico’s Jeep while Luke drove Ian, Luca, Tyler, and I in his Escalade to The Green Knight in South Boston. The pub was normally buzzing with activity, but there was no life tonight.
The curtains were pulled over the large windows. The black exterior appeared darker tonight as the lights were all turned off. Only little glimmers peeked through the top of the curtains. A sign hung on the door:
CLOSED FOR INVENTORY
With a smooth, graceful motion, Ian stepped ahead of us and opened the heavy oak door. I could feel the weight of Frankie’s and Angelo’s eyes on us as we entered, their presence looming over the room. The solid thud of the door closing reverberated through the silence as Ian locked us inside.
My father’s five trusted capos stood stoically beside a large, polished table that dominated the center of the room. My other brothers stood along the wall, their eyes fixed intently on me. Luca joined them. I approached Angelo and Frankie with a sense of excitement and nervousness coiling in my stomach. I embraced them both before pivoting to face Tyler, my heart racing.
He gripped my hips. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
Standing on my toes, I pressed my lips to his before pulling away. “Positive as long as you’re okay with it?”
He nodded once, giving my right side a squeeze before stepping in front of Angelo and Frankie. “I’m ready.”
I took a step to the side, examining the table. It was littered with a binder full of papers, a white linen napkin with a dagger laying in the center of it, and a white flickering candle. Taking a deep breath, I glanced at Ian and Luke, who positioned themselves on each side of me.
“Gun,” Angelo said, holding out his hand.
Tyler reached behind him, taking his gun out and laying it in Angelo’s palm.
Angelo put it on the table next to the dagger, then twisted back to him. “Since Giovanna hasn’t officially taken over and you’re not a part of our family yet, this ceremony’s going to be a little different. You have to join.”
Tyler nodded. “I understand.”
Frankie glanced at me. “You understand you’re giving up your rightful place tonight, and you’re fully okay with doing so?”
“I am,” I replied. “He’s perfect for the job.”
“I hope to God you’re right,” Frankie said, turning back to Tyler. “Do you swear to live by the gun and knife in front of you, protect this family, putting our best interests first?”
“Yes,” Tyler replied.
Frankie picked up the dagger, taking Tyler’s hand in his, facing his palm up. “Do you understand if you betray this family, you’ll burn in hell?”
“I do.”
Frankie recited five more of the laws my father had written specifically for our family when he wanted to break away from traditional ceremonies, but one thing remained the same. He took the dagger in his hand, its sharp edge glinting in the dimly lit room. Taking Tyler’s index finger, he pricked it before handing him a photo of a saint, though I couldn’t tell which one from where I was standing.
As Frankie held Tyler’s hand in the air, three drops of blood fell to the photo before he carefully lit it on fire. “Let it burn, and don’t drop it,” he instructed sternly.
Tyler met Frankie’s gaze, his expression resolute as he allowed the paper to burn in his hands, never flinching at the heat. Once the flames were close to his fingers, he rotated the photo before finally extinguishing them by clasping his hands over the ashes.
Frankie handed him his gun, then finished the ceremony. Tyler was officially the boss of the Aggio Crime Family and would soon be the most feared man among the families once word got out, especially considering he had many allies and was tied to the Knight family here.
One by one, each of the men lined up to shake his hand and give him a kiss on the cheek; a show of respect and loyalty that he may not have initially welcomed but ultimately accepted as tradition. As the last man stepped back into line, Tyler glanced at me with a small grin before turning his attention to my three brothers. The torch had been passed, and we were under his leadership.
“Now that that’s finished,” Tyler said, “I believe we need to talk. Carmine, you’re no longer needed to attend the fight as acting boss. I’m not going to hide my new position.”
“We’d still like to attend,” Carmine replied.
“And you should.” He shifted his attention to Luca. “Now tell me what you were talking about, regarding behind the scenes .”
Luca sighed. “My father had seven men locked up below the barn at the back of the property. He killed them, put them in freezers, and had me mailing their body parts piece by piece to their families.”
“And how many body parts are left at this point?” Tyler asked with a stoic gaze.
“Like half?” Luca snorted. “I have no fucking idea.”
“What were their crimes?” he countered.
“They tried to extort us.”
“Well,” Tyler arched a brow, bringing his hand to his chin, “Let’s see to it that the families get the rest of them soon. Bodies are evidence, and I don’t want evidence sitting on the property any longer.”
Luca dipped his head, and I grinned proudly. Tyler slapped his hand over his pocket, then pulled out his phone. Placing it to his ear, he answered.
Hello?
Yeah, but I’m kind of busy. Whatcha got for me?
He darted his eyes around the room before his gaze settled on Ian’s with anger painted on his face.
Okay.
I’m willing to meet with them, but my brother-in-law’s not going to like it.
He stared straight ahead while Ian grew tenser beside me. I could feel the anger radiating from him.
Got it, Tyler continued. Bye.
“That was my former assistant. I still have her do some things for me sometimes.” He slid his phone back into his pocket, then folded his arms. “We’ve got a big problem, Ian.”
“What?” he gritted his teeth.
Tyler turned to Luca. “Apparently, the Mussolini family didn’t do that to you or T-Bone you.”
“Who did?” Luca and Ian asked at the same time.
“The Russians copycat crimed it and hired some Italians to join the Aggio men so we’d turn on the Mussolini’s since they knew we had problems with them.” He spun to Ian. “A few of the Mussolini’s want to meet with us tonight.”
My eyes widened.
“No,” Ian replied. “It’s a trap.”
Tyler lifted a hand. “You can do what you want, but I’m meeting with them.”