Men of Mayhem (55 page)

“You are going to be fine,” she reassures me, nodding her head in encouragement. This newest development is another life-changing event in the past sixty days I have to face.

“No, I’m not.”

About the Author

Amy Rachiele is a widowed military spouse who spent many years volunteering and on staff for the Army National Guard and Department of Veteran Affairs with family support, family readiness, as well as, families of the Fallen. Amy devoted 10 years to teaching at-risk students in the Providence School System. She holds a Master's degree from Rhode Island College in English and Secondary Education. Besides writing, she is a reader, tea-er, shifter-lovin’, Sci-fi junkie, who enjoys scrapbooking, sewing, and traveling. Amy lives in Massachusetts with her son.

Follow Alex and Meryl’s Story in:

Mobster’s Fate.

Website:

www.amyrachiele.com

A Calabrian Mafia Novella

1992, Reggio di Calabria, Italy

Fabrizio

I was born and bred to be mafioso. My upbringing and the way I live and conduct my life has had numerous ramifications. There are certain things I’ve done which will forever be embedded in my mind. Never erased. There’s nothing dignified or sublime about what I’ve done. The pain I’ve inflicted and suffered creates havoc on me daily. An abominable and unimaginable pain, which fucks with my head.

There is, however, one thing which has been my saviour—my
famiglia
. Without my family, I would be nothing. I’ve been saved and redeemed. Internally I was empty and full of nothing but anger and racked with so much animosity I never thought I’d be able to climb out of the bottomless pit I lived in. Life can be cruel and full of hatred. There’s no love in the world without family. Family is love. The world outside my family is evil.

So here I sit in my glorious home in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, watching my children playing together in my backyard and praying their adolescent years will be carefree and harmonious, unlike mine. I’m filled with so many emotions as I reflect on my journey through my own life so far. The good, the bad, and yes, the ugly. I cast my mind back to the day my mobster father, Don Enrico Candetti, announced how my life was all mapped out for me. Even choosing my wife. Being twenty-five, young, and naïve, I took it for granted and readily accepted the fact I was being sanctioned to lead a mobster life. I became one of the most infamous and influential Calabrese mafiosos in Italy.

I am Fabrizio Candetti, married to Allegra Candetti. Through almost a lifetime together we have endured the true meaning of hate, sacrifice, and most importantly, love. The day I met her changed my life and my destructive path.

This is our story.

Allegra

As the daughter of Gio Firone, a Sicilian gangster, I had heard all about the Candetti family. Although I’d never formally met Fabrizio Candetti, the son of the notorious mobster Don Enrico, I had seen him. The first time I saw him was the summer I turned eighteen, at a nightclub celebrating with my friends. From the first moment I laid on eyes on him, I was enthralled.

Fabrizio was twenty-five, and he was dark, built, and so tall he towered over many people. The suit he wore was strained against his back and arms, hinting at the solid muscles beneath it. His black hair was so sexy; he kept the back short and the top long and pulled back into a ponytail. There were many stories about him, but I refused to believe them all. I wanted to make up my own mind. At first glance, I was attracted to him. I’m not sure if it was because I’d never been with anyone, or if it was the thrill of what he represented that had me weak at the knees.

Everything about him represented potential chaos. But I didn’t care, because it was all part of my attraction to him, mainly because of who he was. Fabrizio was the son of the mobster my father worked for. Rumour had it, Fabrizio was dangerous and he had already killed several people under the order of his father, whom he was set to take over for as head of the
famiglia
very soon.

He turned heads everywhere in the nightclub, not because of who he was but because of his rugged good looks and piercing black eyes. Despite the danger I saw and sensed about him, I couldn’t help but be insanely attracted to him. Never in a million years would a man like Fabrizio look at me. At eighteen, I never thought my fantasies would ever become a reality.

“Well, if it isn’t the
Calabrese
man himself!” Fabrizio turned to see Roberto Spisso standing there. Spisso was one of his archenemies, part of a local gang, and despised Fabrizio and all he stood for. It was a case of jealousy, and Roberto was annoyed Fabrizio would one day be the Don and in charge of organised crime in Calabria. In comparison to Fabrizio, Roberto was no match, thin and physically no threat if he were to fight him.

“I’m not in the mood, Spisso.” Fabrizio scoffed at him and turned back to his conversation amongst his men. There were a number of people hustled inside the nightclub, but Roberto had kept his eyes on Fabrizio all night, stalking him.

I only noticed because I had been stalking Fabrizio myself, but for other reasons. My father spoke highly of the Candetti family, but I was careful to keep my distance.

Roberto didn’t let up. He sneered back at Fabrizio and slammed his glass on the bar, shards splintering everywhere. The band had taken a break and the sound of the broken glass echoed through the room. Everyone turned to face Fabrizio, awaiting his reaction and expecting an explosion of fireworks. Instead of anger, Fabrizio remained calm, but I could see the pulses in his neck twitching. Everyone knew not to mess with the Candetti family, all except Roberto.

With a nod to his men, Fabrizio turned to face Roberto, who looked quite smug by the fact that he’d finally gotten the attention he was after. Although Fabrizio looked sinister when he faced Roberto, he smiled, but it sent shivers down my spine. Whatever was about to happen scared me.

Without any words or threats, Fabrizio nodded to two of his men and in an instant I saw them stand either side of Roberto as Fabrizio head-butted him in the face and kneed him in the groin. Roberto screamed in agony, not knowing whether to clutch his crotch or cover his bleeding face. With blood oozing from his nose, Roberto dropped to the floor while his friends gathered around him.

“What the fuck did you do, you sick fucker?” One of Roberto’s friends wailed. “I think you broke his jaw.”

“Consider yourself lucky that’s all I broke. He’ll survive, for today,” Fabrizio threatened, calmly wiping the blood from his own face. “Next time he may not be so fortunate.”

So, that was the first time I ever saw Fabrizio Candetti. He frightened me, yet he excited me all in the one breath. It wasn’t until three years later, when I turned twenty-one, that I met him face to face for the very first time. The day my future was sealed.

Allegra

“Allegra, it’s time,” my father announced.

Staring at the patterned carpet of my bedroom floor, I breathed a deep sigh and the thought of bolting crossed my mind several times. I couldn’t even think rationally anymore. Ignoring my father, I clutched at my heart as it thudded like a galloping racehorse.

“Did you hear me, Allegra?” my father repeated. “Why are you making it worse for yourself? I really don’t understand all the theatrics. It’s not like you weren’t warned. It’s a business deal, which will work in your favour.”

I stood and faced my father, wanting to push past him, out the door, and flee. “You mean it will work in
your
favour, Papa, not mine.” I lashed back at him. “To you everything is always about business. What about me? What about what I want?”

My mother chose that moment to enter my room. “Oh, Allegra, don’t be like that,
cara mia
. Your father knows what he’s doing and what’s best for you.” She reassured me, and for a split second I actually thought I witnessed a flicker of compassion cross her face. But it was gone before I could catch my next breath. “You shouldn’t complain, he’s the most sought after bachelor in Reggio Calabria, so suave and so ru—”

“Ruthless?” I interrupted her, with disdain. I don’t know why I was so upset. After all, I had secretly fantasised about Fabrizio for years. Even though my father worked for the mob, I never expected him to hand me over to them like a trophy. To be the property of the Calabrian mafia was not how I had envisioned my future.

“Rugged is the term I was going to use, Allegra. Stop your complaining and be thankful the Candetti
famiglia
have agreed to this arrangement.” My mother spoke as if it was a simple transaction made on a daily basis.

“So, I have no choice in the matter? I don’t even get to date him or formally meet him?” I argued, gritting my teeth so hard my jaw was aching. “I don’t know him, Mama. How can you make me marry him?” I asked, my distress gradually beginning to metamorphose into fury.

“Allegra.” My father shook his head and took me by the shoulders. “You
will
marry him. You have no choice. I made this arrangement with the Don many years ago, as part of a debt I owe him. We cannot change it.” He stepped closer and looked into my eyes and smiled. “Marrying Fabrizio will give you protection and you will live a life of luxury. I cannot give you that, not like the Candetti family can.” He reached up and ran his hand down my cheek. “You are my only child, my precious princess. I want what’s best for you. I cannot risk any of my enemies threatening my family. With Fabrizio taking over as the Don, our family will be safeguarded.”

If they thought their words were comforting in any way, they were wrong. I felt worse. They were using me as a pawn to pay off some stupid debt. “Does Fabrizio even know what I look like? What if I’m not his type or he doesn’t approve of me?” I questioned, feeling the sting of tears at the corners of my eyes. “Please, Papa, there has to be another way. This is so archaic,” I said, cupping my face in my hands and shaking my head.

“No. It is the Calabrese way. You
will
marry him and you
will
make it work,” he said with a determined look on his face. “As for your looks, Fabrizio will adore you. You’re beautiful, Allegra.”

“Please, Papa, I’m begging you. At least allow me to get to know him before I marry him,” I said in desperation.

“There’s no choice,
bella mia
,” my father replied, with no sign of surrender in his eyes, no hint of compromise in his voice. “Be warned, this is a lifetime marriage, with no divorce. Ever.” His eyes flared, displaying his Italian temper. “By no means will you dishonour our family or disrespect the Candetti family in such a way.”

I was floored. How dare he say something like that to me? I gave up because I saw no way out. My father had signed a deal with the devil, and as much as I wanted to run, I knew I had to honour it. From a very young age, my parents had instilled the motto and importance of ‘
la famiglia e tutto’
in me.

“I understand, Papa, family is everything,” I said, sitting down on the bed in defeat. There was nothing I could do. Being born Calabrian and having a strict upbringing made me somewhat rebellious. I was normally defiant and always fought for my freedom to be able to go out and socialise with my friends. But I had begun to lose my rebellious spirit. “When is this happening?”