Chapter 1.
Natalia Russo felt the warmth of the sun on her face as she walked down the stairs of the courtroom.
"Talia! Congratulations!" "Look here, Natalia!"
"How does your father feel about you winning another case for him?!"
"Miss Russo congratulations! You defended your father again!" "How does victory feel, Miss Russo?!"
She sighed, running a hand through her wavy hair as she peered at the press through her sun shades.
This was arguably the worst part of her day. Smiling as she fed the press information. They were like hungry dogs struggling for scraps of meat.
"Thank you, I am honored to represent the Russo Family," Natalia pressed her palms together in a soft clap as she gave them an award-winning smile. "Remember justice always prevails in the end,"
"Let's go,"
Relief filled her as her bodyguard Matteo De Luca held her arm, shielding her from the crowd. He gently pulled her through, opened the back car door, and shut it after she got in.
"That was shit," She muttered under her breath. Taking off her shades as she breathed deeply for the first time since the trial.
The orange air freshener washed over her senses.
Justice always prevails.
The statement itself was laughable. She won yet another case, her fifth one this year. And for each one, her father was in the wrong.
"You'll feel better soon, you just did your duty," Matteo sighed from the front seat as he ignited the car engine and began to drive.
He was right, she told herself. As a Russo, Loyalty to the cartel prevailed over justice and any moral compass she might possess.
Natalia jerked, startled as the loud ringing of her phone filled the car.
"You sure you're good?" Matteo's concern warmed her belly.
She pulled her phone from her purse, the caller ID making her smile softly. "Of course,"
It was her father. Mafia Lord, Alessandro Russo. He always called after each case.
"Papa," Her eyes shone softly as her father's face filled the screen.
At 59, his hair was peppered gray with a face that might have been handsome once.
"My pride," His boisterous voice filled the car. "I told them all you would win and I was right!"
Natalia rolled her eyes but a small smile played on her lips. "Who is this them you speak of? Hmm? Aren't you supposed to be at La Fortuna? I thought the meeting would be held at the Casino,"
Her father moved the phone back from his face so she could see his surroundings. "Yes yes. The meeting is about to start but I made them wait. Talking to my daughter is more important. The them is everyone at La Fortuna!" He chuckled. "My daughter is worth more than 10 sons! The future of La Familia de Russo!"
"Papa," Natalia tsked chiding him softly. "Don't speak that way. Marco is still your first son,"
"Hmm," Her father's moustache twitched. "He's cruel to you. I'll never understand why you defend him. In any case, You'll be the one running my cartel one day. Not him,"
"Papa," Natalia sighed. "You know–"
"Don't worry," Alessandro cut her off.
Natalia noticed the way his eyes shifted, like he was distracted and she frowned. "What was going on?
"Let's talk later mi amor. I have something important to tell you. Have dinner with your old man?"
Natalia chuckled softly. "Only you would dare call Mafia Lord Russo, an old man. Yes, papa, I will—"
She was still speaking when a loud explosion startled her, making her drop her phone.
The car lurched as Matteo pressed hard on the break and Natalia hit her head against the car window.
"Talia?" Matteo turned around immediately. All formality gone as his eyes widened in worry. "Hey? You okay?"
"Yes yes," she whispered. Her voice suddenly shaky with disbelief as her heart pounded in shock. "The explosion. I– It came from the phone,"
"Fuck!" Matteo swore softly.
Goosebumps rose along her arms as Natalia picked up her phone with trembling hands and began dialing her father again.
"Matteo. The casino. Now, Please,"
She didn't need to ask him because he had already swerved dangerously, speeding as fast as he could as they wound through the streets of Empire City.
"Fuck! Fuck!!" Matteo's frustration as he hit the steering wheel made everything seem too real.
Natalia couldn't breathe properly. Her father's phone wasn't ringing.
This Caller Is Unavailable.
"I'm sure he's fine. His men got him out," Her mutters did nothing to reassure her but she said them anyway.
Her father was fine. He had to be.
Matteo didn't seem to share her sentiments. He was going as fast as he could, the car swerving dangerously as Natalia flung out a hand to grip her seat.
Her hands shook, the tangy taste of blood filling her mouth. She realized she had bitten her tongue.
"Marco," Her brother's name left her lips like a prayer and she quickly dialed his number with shaky hands.
Marco might hate her and have a strained relationship with Papa but the man was still his father.
Surely he would—
"Yes?" Marco's clipped voice filled the car.
"M Marco! Help please. Papa—"
"He's gone," Marco's cold voice made Natalia freeze.
"No!" The word left Natalia's lips with force as she shaked her head in disbelief.
"No?" Marco laughed cruelly. "The Casino was bombed. Alessandro's reign is over.And no matter the pesky lies he filled your head with, I'm Mafia Lord of the Cartel now,"
"Marco," She could barely register his words as the car seemed to spin around her.
"It's DON to you now. Tiime to celebrate my reign,"
Natalia vaguely registered her phone dropping from her hands as the car pulled to an abrupt stop and Matteo rushed out.
A BOMB
Fear clouded her senses.
Her hands found the car handle and without thinking, she rushed out.
Dry heat and smoke hit her immediately.
Already a large crowd had formed outside the Casino as paramedics, fire fighters and tons of police cars littered the space. The noise from the sirens was deafening.
Her legs moved of their own accord.
"Talia! Wait!" She could hear Matteo calling out to her but she didn't slow down.
Her throat began to clog up with the smell of smoke, the angry black wave blocking out a part of the sky as ash floated down and fell all about her white suit.
La Fortuna. The Casino her father had loved to spend most of his time was in ruins. Most of it gone and her father gone along with it.
"Talia!" Matteo continued to call out to her.
Several police members tried to stop her but they all knew her. All recognized her as the only daughter of the Mafia Lord.
Her father's absence didn't stop the fear and with one straight look from her, they parted. She cut the yellow crime scene cord and rushed head-first into the still smoky ruins.
Her father was still alive. He had to be.
"Talia!" Matteo coughed as she finally caught up with her.
Her fingers were burning, her hands grey as she pulled apart debris and stone. Crawling around to the back of the Casino.
In the video call, her father looked to be at the back.
"Talia stop. He's gone," Matteo's arms came around her but she pushed him away.
She realized with a start, that her cheeks were wet. She never cried.
Matteo's arms came around her again. They were alone. Everyone stayed a good distance away, too scared to anger a Russo.
"Talia," She could feel his body tremble with the force of his emotions. The black eagle tattoo on his wrist that had always brought her comfort, doing nothing as she stared blankly at the ruins.
She was going to break apart. Shatter completely and then they both heard it.
A weak moan from under one of the boulders.
Matteo stiffened for a second before they both rushed, digging the black ruins with their fingers then she saw a hand.
It twitched and the ring finger held a dusty gold signet ring, the crest, one she could draw in her dream.
Alessandro Russo was alive.