Page 120 of Married to the Devil

“I have an organized mind. I can’t help it if those morons did exactly what we expected.”

“How’d you get Ignazio here?”

“Silas spread some rumors and that asshole did the rest. Is he…?”

“He’s dead.”

She touches my cheek. “I’m sorry. I know that was hard.”

“Killing Ignazio was satisfying as hell. But losing the others⁠—“

She kisses me. “You’ll do right by everyone else.”

“That’s my plan.”

“And you will. I promise. You will.”

I believe her. More than anyone in the world, I think she’s the only person who would tell me the truth.

I’m a monster. I’m a killer. I murdered men from my own family tonight for opposing my vision. I took control of the Corvino operation for the second time, tightening my grip, showing those who survived what happens when they cross me.

There was never a vote.

There were only battle lines. Sides drawn across a conference room table.

Those on their feet, and those in their seats.

The plan was always simple: kill the men who voted against me and ensure there would be no opposition in the future.

It was brutal but it’ll be effective.

That’s why I felt so terrible when it became clear Ignazio had convinced more of my Capos to join him.

That meant more men had to die, and it’s not what I wanted.

I wrap my arms around June. She leans into me, smiling to herself.

“Does this mean you won’t be in such a bad mood all the time?”

“That’s just my sparkling personality.”

“Something like this.” She tilts her chin up and I kiss her. “What do we do now? Nobody’s out to get me anymore.”

“Now you’re my wife. Now Hattie’s my daughter. We’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah.” She touches my cheek. “We’ll figure it out.”

37

RAFE

Six Months Later

“This took way too fucking long!” Doug Denning scribbles his name on the closing document and throws the pen onto the table. “God, I’m so glad this is over.” He loosens his tie and leans back with a happy sigh. “It’s over.”

“Glad you’re happy.” I extend a hand. He takes it and shakes. “Enjoy your retirement. I think you can afford it now.”

He snorts and climbs to his feet as Theodora and his lawyers speak quietly, wrapping up the meeting. “Brother, I got four kids, an ex-wife, a current wife, and more creditors than you can imagine. All this money is already earmarked for other people.”