Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
Present Day
Joseph
Despite the public appearance of respectable businessmen, businesswomen, and entrepreneurs, the flip side of the Caponelli corporation was tainted with blood, sweat, and fear. A few years ago, on paper, ninety-five percent of the family’s assets were legal. Since then, the number had slid more into the illegal column. Obligations to other mafia families, a bad economy, and a few bad decisions had made it impossible to say no to the dark side. Family was family, even if undesirable.
It was a business of his mother, Madison’s which had caused this impromptu flight to Italy. In fact, both his parents were already there. Their private plane’s passenger list was filled with high-octane testosterone, courtesy of Joseph Caponelli’s friend, Dante DeMarco, and a few of his cousins. The group was on its way to a Milan fashion show. A fucking fashion show! Joseph flexed his fists and shook his head. The gesture accelerated the pounding in his head. Fucking hangover.
A flight attendant placed a slender hand on his arm, her well-manicured fingertips red and shiny. “Can I get you anything?” In gold letters, the bronze name tag on her ample chest introduced her as Tiffany. Based on the young woman’s flushed cheeks, her offer was for more than a warm towel. Joining the mile high club was checked off his list a long time ago. He’d neither the time, nor the interest in pursuing any of her suggestions.
“Espresso, please.” Exhaling loudly, he sunk into the plush leather seat and stretched his long legs.
In this life you learned early nothing was seldom, if ever, given for free. All women had an agenda. It had nothing to do with his dark brown eyes that could make a nun blush, or his rakish good looks. It was money and power. As the eldest son of Roman and Madison Caponelli, he had a shitload of each.
Sure, he’d never turned down an offer of sex when he was a younger but an easy lay was tedious and boring. Now, he lived for the challenge of the hunt, the pursuit, the win. In all aspects of his life.
Glancing out the window at the Italian landscape below, he tuned out the bullshit and laughter coming from the back of the plane.
They’d stopped in London to pick up Dante. In return, Dante was currently keeping Joseph’s youngest brother, Salvatore, entertained. His boss’s son, Anthony Brunetti, was also on board as well as their cleaner’s son, Gabriel Scarlatti.
Joseph turned his chair to face the group. Gabriel was as strange as his father, Dominic. Gabriel’s sister, Daniela, was a piece of work as well. When you’re from a family of killers, crime bosses, and men who made bodies disappear, it was hard not to end up a psycho. He was proof. The rage sometimes running through his veins was often unexpected and sometimes uncontrollable. It took using mediation and deep breathing to calm the madness. The sedatives he took only occasionally and in private, but currenting he was counting to ten and holding it before exhaling.
“Here you go.” The rich scent of espresso stimulated his taste buds as the small cup was set on a silver tray in front of him disturbing his concentration. “If there is anything . . .” she started.
A wave of his hand dismissed her back to the galley. Fuck, he was tired, cranky, and ready to kill someone. At least they’d have a day to get caught up on sleep before work began tomorrow night.
“What crawled up your ass?” Dante settled onto the seat across from him. With a nod to a crew member, he received a cup of brew.
“Just tired.” Joseph ran his fingers through his thick black hair. It was well past needing a trim.
“You’re twenty-five. Stop acting like you’re fifty.”
“I won’t make it that long.” Joseph took a long sip. The jolt of much needed caffeine raced through his veins.
“I know what you mean. Our families have all the money in the world and yet we still live, and die, in the underworld trying to gain more.”
Joseph had become friends with Dante while at college in Italy. The Caponelli’s went to great lengths to hide their illegitimate businesses, while the DeMarco’s flaunted theirs. Needless to say, his father, Roman, would not be happy with their extra passenger. But fuck it. His parents spoiled him and his siblings rotten. Roman’d be angry and swear a lot, but in the end, his dad would look the other way.
All members of the Caponelli family were loved and taken care of from the second they were born, but it didn’t mean they didn’t have to work. Everyone was brought up to not to take things for granted and to excel in something, non-mob related. It was the reason for the fashion show.
From running a bridal store, to promoting tourism and local businesses in their hometown of Lake Genoa, to managing one of their many wineries, his mother had held many jobs throughout her life, even though she’d never needed to work after marrying his father. Madison was the queen of the Caponelli dynasty. The moment his father first laid eyes on her he been lost. She was the woman for him. They ruled their kingdom side by side. Even though she’d designed couture and wedding gowns for friends, the one dream Madison had given up by marrying his father was being a fashion designer.
That was until a few years ago when a celebrity appeared at the Cannes film festival wearing one of Maddie’s gowns. The rest was history. His mother soon added design house owner to her professional resume.
“I heard some of your family will be modeling. I expect an introduction.” Dante leaned back and put his legs up on the seat opposite him. “What about that gorgeous cousin of yours?” He snapped his fingers. “What’s her name again? Ellenor, Angela, no wait, Angelina.”
Joseph slammed his fist on the table. A spoon hit the floor, China rattled, and a few brown drops of liquid littered the white tablecloth. Dante snickered. The bastard.
“Sorry, I forgot you had an affection for that dark angel but you have to admit an alliance between the DeMarcos and the Capponellis would be advantageous to us both, especially me.”
“If I didn’t know you were joking, you’d be hanging out the door of this plane with a rope around your neck.” Joseph inhaled, counted to ten, and exhaled slowly. “Angelina is not my cousin. Not by blood anyway.” Madison and Angelina’s mother were indeed sisters but Joseph was adopted.
He’d not seen Angelina in years. Not since he confessed his love and walked out of her life for good. The thought of seeing her again added to his agitation. Ever since he heard she’d be modeling for Madison, Joseph had both dreaded, and eagerly awaited gazing into her bewitching hazel eyes again. For years he’d ghosted her, but then temptation kicked in and he’d kept an eye on her. What good was it to work for the best security company in the world if you couldn’t spy on the woman you wanted to see if she was okay. Yet, it opened a dangerous game of chess where he moved all the pieces.
Who was he kidding? The last thing he needed was to see or hear about her dating. She’d blossomed into a gorgeous young woman any man would die to be with. He tried to ignore the urge to act but if he couldn’t have her, no one would. Unaware to her, every one of those unlucky souls she’d gone on dates with later succumbed to a slow and miserable death.
“You and I both know you have feelings for the woman.” Dante’s taunt returned his thoughts to the present. “I don’t know about your past together because you’ve never told me the truth, but if you’re ever going to move on, and find someone else, you need to resolve whatever hang up you have with this chick.”
Joseph sighed and returned his gaze to the lights below. As they started their descent toward Pisa, the nearest airport, Florence was on full display. As much as he hated to admit it, he was glad Dante was with him.
“This is why you’re my friend, Dante.” He faced him. “You’re the only one brave enough to tell me the truth.”
“And I always will.” Dante rose, patting him on the shoulder, and strolled to the back of the plane. Based on the increased volume, the others were obviously drunk. Joseph took a final sip of what hadn’t spilled out of the cup and glanced at his phone. A text confirmed a fleet of vehicles waited for them near the tarmac.
Angelina’s beautiful face flashed before his eyes and a knot formed in his gut. Why was he messing with her life if he had no intentions of being with her in the end? It was selfish and cruel but the thought of her with someone else was enough to cause the coffee in his stomach to turn and the rage in his black heart stir to life.
As soon as they landed, everyone was ushered into black SUVs and driven to the Caponelli estate. Dante also had a home nearby, but he tagged along anyway. A smirk on his face, Dante seemed to enjoy being a part of the Caponelli family and drama.
It didn’t take long to arrive at their destination. Lights glowed from every window at the compound. Except for his brother, Massimo, the rest of his family were already there. Although Salvatore was with them, they rarely traveled on the same plane in case of an accident or attack. They had residences all over the world, but this, and the one in Genoa, was his favorite. The homes even looked similar, an Italian-style villa overlooking a lake with Mediterranean tile accents throughout with rich, dark wood and burgundy, green, and gold colors. It was cozy and warm with fireplaces and indoor and outdoor water features.
Tensions eased when they stopped out front. Home at last. Looping his bag over his shoulder, Joseph got out of the vehicle and entered the home first. His cousins, slowed down by alcohol and lack of sleep, staggered in behind him. Salvatore banged his shoulder against the doorway and cursed.
“Joseph. Dante. Join me in the study.” His father’s command echoed down a hallway.
“Yes, sir.” Joseph glanced at Dante and shrugged. Something was up. That he’d asked Dante to accompany him was not lost on him either. They tossed their bags on a nearby couch and headed to the room.
Roman stood by the bar nursing a brandy in his right hand. The overhead chandelier highlighted the few silver strands in the man’s hair. It only added to his distinguished good looks. He’d ruled the mob world with an iron fist for many years. At the insistence of his wife, Roman had eased himself away from the more dangerous fields of their rule, but he still dealt out punishment when needed. Roman was not a man to underestimate.
“What’s wrong?” Joseph opened the fridge under the bar, grabbed two bottles of water, and tossed one to Dante.
“The only person I bend to is your mother.” Roman nodded for them to take seats.
“Don’t we all.” Joseph smiled as he lowered himself onto the soft leather couch.
“That’s the only reason this fashion show is taking place.” Roman paced. His posture stiff.
Dante and Joseph exchanged looks.
“What’s going on?” Dante settled onto a bar stool and rested an elbow on the counter.
“In recent months, several local women have disappeared. Way too many to be anything besides a serial killer or sex trafficker. My guess is the latter.”
“Fuck. I hate those bastards. Anyone who trafficks needs to be tortured for weeks and then tossed to the sharks.” Joseph straightened his spine. Thoughts of dealing out their punishment improved his mood for the first time in days.
“I agree. What can I, and my family, do to help?” His green eyes wide, Dante perked up also.
“I was hoping you’d offer. For one thing, ask around, make some calls. What’s the word on the streets? I want names. The guards said the rest of the passengers were too intoxicated to be any good to me tonight, but tomorrow we’re going over the details of the event. We only have a few of our women here but I want eyes on each one at all times. We have security up the ass, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s not enough for professionals.”
“You seriously think someone might try something?” Joseph rubbed the back of his hand across his short beard as a chill rose on the back of his neck. “What about Angelina? Is she aware of anything going on here?”
“Not that we know off. Arlo arrives in the morning. He wants her to return home as a precaution.” As her father, Arlo was not a force to be reckoned with, but he doubted his daughter would leave willingly.
“She’s not going to agree.” Joseph scoffed. She rarely came home anymore after attending school in Italy for years.
Roman folded his arms over his chest. “Angelina won’t have a choice.”
“How many of your immediate family are here?” Dante took out his phone and appeared to send message while he talked.
“My wife, daughter, my son, Gabriel, Angelina, and her parents, everyone on the plane and, of course, myself and Joseph.”
It didn’t escape him how Roman hadn’t said sons. Joseph pushed past the hurt and locked eyes with his friend.
“Employees, staff?” Dante asked.
“I’ll get you a list and photos of everyone. Security already has the details.” Roman strolled around the room like a commanding officer.
“I have a feeling you’re interested in more than helping keep an eye on everyone.” Joseph raised his chin toward Dante. Right now, everyone annoyed him, including his best friend.
“No disrespect, but I’ve seen your mother and sister. Chances are the rest of ladies in your family, not to mention the models, are just as attractive.” His friend turned to address Roman. “If someone is trafficking, these ladies are exactly what they’re looking for. Also, my father’s been bugging me to get married. Carry on the line so to speak. We could unite our families and make the bond even stronger. I’m keeping my options open.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I’ve had my doubts about you in the past. If you can prove yourself a worthy asset, we’ll talk. My daughter is too young, but Jasper has several. Not to mention, I love seeing him get all bent out of shape whenever his girls bring a young man home.” Laugh lines appeared around Roman’s mouth as he smiled.
Joseph darted his eyes toward his father. Was he kidding? His sister was of age, but Roman was not about to give his precious daughter to anyone. Jasper had been the ultimate man whore in is younger years. The fact the man now had four daughters seemed like poetic justice and the ultimate joke to everyone else.
“Are both of Arlo’s daughters in the show?” Dante tucked his phone in his pocket.
“Erica will be arriving tomorrow with him. Sorry I forgot to mention her.” Roman loosened his tie. It was like him to forget details.
Joseph raised an eyebrow. “She’s modeling also?”
“No, but she refused to be left home and not see her sister graduate.”
“That’s right. Angelina’s graduating again.” Dante mocked her various attempts at a career but neither took the bait. “A design school degree to add to her many accomplishments. Good for her.” Dante tapped his water bottle on the counter. “I remember a design house shipping drugs in their garment bags.”
“And that is why I only have people I trust working in the warehouses here. Nothing illegal will ever touch my wife.” Roman downed the rest of his drink and slammed the glass on the counter.
Dante raised his hands in surrender. “I meant no disrespect. Only stating that it has happened.”
“None taken, but it is a concern. If these bastards cause any issues for my wife, or take one of our women, I will skin everyone involved alive.”
There was no doubt in Joseph’s mind his father would do what he said, and he’d gladly help.
“That’s not going to happen.” Joseph placed his hands on his hips. “At least one pair of eyes will be on our women at all times, whether they like it or not.”
“We’ll meet tomorrow morning to go over the particulars. There’s a dress rehearsal tomorrow night, and the show will start at seven the following night. I’m not worried too much about the event itself, but the party afterwards will host a larger crowd including press. Not to mention the logistics of getting everyone to and from the venue.”
Joseph clenched his fists and took a deep breath. “It’ll be fine. No one will dare mess with us.”
“Our reputation is not taken lightly. If anyone even tries to cause any problems, they will be dealt with.” The Caponelli’s were well known in the area, and the DeMarcos would issue a warning as well. “This is bad for tourism and both our businesses, not to mention what’s happening to these poor women. Your family, and ours, have never participated in such vile activities.” Joseph addressed both men.
Dante stood. “We’ll find out what’s happened to them and who’s behind it.” If there was anything they couldn’t stomach, it was the abuse of women.
“We can’t interfere if it’s in another’s territory.” Roman reminded them. “But if another family is involved here or the minute, they touch anyone of ours. . .” He tightened his fist.
“Then we kill them all.” Joseph finished for him.