The Capo and His Queen (PTMM #2)

Chapter 1

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" Dantae screamed as he came barreling down the stairs, with Michel hot on his heels.

Dantae burst into the living room, but he came to an abrupt stop when he spotted his father standing there with his arms crossed, a stern expression etched across his face. Before he could react, Michel, who was still running full speed crashed into his back.

"Ugh." Michel grunted as he stumbled back.

The moment he noticed his father's intimidating presence, he immediately straightened, lowering his gaze.

Adriano looked down at his two sons, his expression unimpressed. "Why are you two running through the house screaming?"

Neither boy answered right away. Adriano raised an eyebrow, his voice becoming more commanding. "I asked you a question."

"Dantae won't stop bothering me when I'm trying to focus on my training," Michel explained, shooting his brother a frustrated glare.

Standing a few feet behind Adriano, Matteo tried to hold back his laughter but failed, letting out a quiet snicker at the sight of the two boys arguing yet again.

Adriano sighed and crouched down, bringing himself to their level. Despite his reputation, his patience with his children was always different.

"Dantae," he said, looking at his youngest son. "Why don't you go see if Mommy needs any help and give Michel some space while he trains?"

Dantae opened his mouth as if he wanted to argue, but one look from his father made him think better of it. He nodded and quickly ran off.

Adriano turned his attention back to Michel, reaching out to ruffle his son's hair before giving him a gentle push toward the door.

"Now get back to training," he said. "And try not to let your little brother get under your skin."

Michel sighed but nodded, heading back toward the training grounds.

Once his sons were gone, Adriano stood and shook his head, turning toward Matteo, who held out his glass of scotch.

"You're the one who insisted on having nine kids," Matteo reminded him with a laugh. Adriano accepted the drink, a fond smile tugging at his lips.

"I don't regret a single one of them," he replied before taking a sip. "Even when they test my patience."

Matteo chuckled.

Adriano glanced back toward the stairs, where the sound of his children echoed through the house. Despite the chaos, there was something comforting about it.

"Now," he said, turning back to Matteo, "what did Moe say?"

~***~

The entire top floor of the estate belonged to Adriano and Gia, along with their children. The second floor was home to Matteo and Giovanni and their families, giving each household their own space while still keeping everyone under one roof.

On the first floor, Gia was currently fighting a battle she had faced nearly every night.Trying to get her baby girl, Callie, into the bathtub.

"Callie, you have to get in the tub, baby girl," Gia pleaded, reaching out to grab the little girl. But Callie had other plans.

The naked toddler squealed with laughter as she ran circles around the room, dodging her mother's attempts to catch her.

"No, Mommy," Callie said stubbornly, planting her feet for a moment with a look of pure defiance.

Gia placed her hands on her hips, trying her best to keep her patience. "Callie, I'm not going to ask you again."

Callie absolutely hated bath time. Every single day, it was the same battle, and every single day, her daughter somehow managed to make it more difficult.

Before Gia could catch her, Callie took off again, giggling as she ran out of the room and into the hallway. Gia let out a long sigh before following after her.

"I think you lost something," Adriano said with an amused smirk.

Gia stopped in her tracks. Standing in the hallway was her husband, holding their little escape artist upside down over his shoulder. Callie's laughter filled the hall as she squirmed and kicked, completely caught.

Gia couldn't help but smile as she walked over and took Callie from him.

"No!" Callie protested immediately, trying to wiggle her way out of her mother's arms.

"Callie," Adriano said, his voice firm but calm. "You need to take a bath. Listen to your mother."

The moment she heard her father's tone, Callie stopped fighting. She let out a dramatic sigh, accepting her fate. "Okay," she mumbled.

Gia hid her smile.

Adriano was feared by everyone outside their home. His name alone carried enough weight to make people think twice. But inside these walls, he was simply their children's father.

Still, even his kids knew better than to push him too far. No one wanted to test their father's patience.

Gia was respected and loved just as much, but she was the softer parent, the nurturing mother who gave endless love and comfort. However, when Gia was truly angry, everyone in the house knew to stay out of her way.

Adriano watched as Gia carried Callie back toward the bathroom, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Gia paused long enough to lean in and kiss him softly before walking away to finish the impossible task of giving their daughter a bath.

Adriano shook his head, amused.

Nine children, and somehow bath time was still one of his greatest challenges.

Adriano with a small smile still on his face. Moments like these were the ones he cherished most. The chaos, the laughter, the family he had built.

But the moment he turned away, his expression hardened. There were things happening in Italy.

The Basilio family council was based there, and Adriano had already received word from his informants that something was shifting. Matteo had been the first to hear the whispers, but no one knew exactly what was happening yet.

That was the problem, not knowing. And Adriano hated being unprepared.

He made his way down the hallway and stopped in front of his eldest son's door before knocking.

A few seconds later, the door opened. A.J. stood there wearing gym shorts and a fitted T-shirt, his hair slightly damp from training.

"Training?" Adriano asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked his son over.

"Yeah. For a couple of hours," A.J. replied before rolling his eyes. "Then I have fucking homework to do."

Adriano fought back a smile at his son's frustration.

Even after everything they had been born into, Adriano and Gianna made sure their children experienced a childhood different from their own. They allowed their kids to go to school.

Something Gianna never had the chance to do growing up under the Russians. Of course, they were never truly alone. Their children always had protection nearby. Guards followed them, watched over them, and blended into the background wherever they went.

Adriano knew having armed guards openly surrounding his children would draw attention, especially when his public image was that of a successful businessman rather than the most feared man in the criminal world.

That was why he had purchased one of the top high-tech security companies in the country.

To the outside world, Adriano Basilio was simply a billionaire who wanted to keep his family safe.

And that wasn't entirely a lie. He did want his family safe, but the world didn't know the full truth.

They didn't know that Adriano had wealth far beyond what was reported. They didn't know he was the Capo di Capi, the Boss of all Mafia Bosses. And they definitely didn't know how many enemies came with that title.

At school, teachers and students saw his children's security as nothing more than a billionaire father taking precautions.

They had no idea those precautions were necessary.

Adriano looked back at his son. "I need to talk to you about some business later," he said.

A.J.'s expression shifted slightly, instantly recognizing the seriousness in his father's voice. "Okay," he replied with a nod.

Without another word, A.J. walked down the hallway toward the stairs that led to the training grounds.

Adriano watched him go. His son was so much like him it was almost unsettling. The same temper. The same stubbornness. The same need to be in control.

Even physically, the resemblance was undeniable. The same piercing blue eyes. The same sharp jawline. The same commanding presence.

Sometimes that similarity caused them to clash. Two dominant personalities fighting for control. But deep down, Adriano knew something important.

Those traits were exactly what would make A.J. a powerful leader one day.

Because whether he liked it or not...

His son was being prepared to inherit the Basilio empire.

"Daddy!" A small voice called out, and before Adriano could react, a little girl came running toward him and jumped straight into his arms.

"Caterina!" Adriano exclaimed, his entire expression changing as he caught her.

The cold, intimidating man the world feared disappeared instantly. To his daughter, he was simply Daddy.

Usually, Adriano was consumed by work. Most days, he didn't get to see his children until the evening, when the business side of his life finally allowed him to return home.

But today was different. He had taken time away to spend with his family.

His children knew the truth about their world. They knew about the Mafia, and they knew about the many men who surrounded their home at all times.

But the younger ones didn't fully understand what it meant yet. And honestly, Adriano preferred it that way. They deserved to have their innocence for as long as possible.

"Uncle Luca said he would play tea party with me," Caterina announced happily. Adriano glanced over her shoulder and immediately noticed Luca standing behind her.

The man's expression looked like he had just been sentenced to a lifetime of torture.

When Caterina wasn't looking, Luca silently mouthed two words. "Fucking help me."

Adriano stared at him for a moment before a smirk slowly formed. "No."

Luca's eyes widened in betrayal. Before he could argue, Caterina slipped out of Adriano's arms and grabbed Luca's hands.

"Come on, Uncle Luca!" She began dragging him toward the room.

Adriano followed with his eyes and noticed Stefano was already inside, most likely another unwilling participant in the tea party.