Page 71 of Married to the Devil

“Jesus Christ.” Kellan slams a fist down onto the cabinet with a boom. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

“You didn’t need to know.”

“I could have been ready for it at least. You’re talking about tossing a bunch of battle-hardened gangsters onto their fucking asses. You didn’t think that would be an issue?”

“I’m talking about retiring a bunch of old men. They don’t even want this anymore, Kellan.”

“Guess someone should’ve mentioned that to Ignazio, because it sure as fuck seems like he still cares.”

I scrub a hand through my hair in frustration. I knew they’d be upset, but no part of me imagined Ignazio would fight this hard to stay inside the family. It’s one thing for him to make a scene, but he’s going all the way, like he thinks he can overthrow me.

God, that’s his plan, isn’t it?

“You need to prepare our people for full-on civil war.” I turn to my brother, letting him see my face so he knows I’m not kidding. “I have no idea how many men they’ll have on their side, but it could be substantial.”

“Come on, we all know you’re in charge. You’ve been the best thing that ever happened to the Corvino family.”

“And yet Ignazio already turned some against me. There will be more, Kellan. We have to be ready.”

He curses and wrenches open a locked drawer. It’s amazing how strong he can be sometimes. “We’d better take all this shit. Who knows what secrets that old bastard has been hiding.”

“I’ll have Theodora go through it all.”

Kellan’s grin returns, just like that. “She’s a bit expensive, don’t you think? Maybe we can get someone cheaper.”

“You never cut corners when it comes to a lawyer.”

“Spoken like a true Don.”

I leave him in the office. The rest of Ignazio’s house is a wreck. Soldiers smash holes in the walls, rip cabinets down, break down doors. It’s like they’re doing a full demolition for a total renovation.

Except the renovation will be through fire.

I help finish the destruction. It’s cathartic, wrecking this place I once knew so well. Another piece of my childhood ruined. When it’s done and all the important documents are safely stored in a van, I pour gasoline on a pile of wooden furniture and drop a match.

The flames are massive. I join Kellan on the sidewalk to gaze as the house catches. More burning. Some days it feels like this is all I know.

“We’ll break him,” Kellan promises. “I like that girl, you know. Hattie’s sweet.”

“She’s a good kid. Thanks to her mother.”

“You like that wife of yours too, don’t you?” Kellan nudges me in the arm. “You fucking hid her from us.”

“Can you blame me?”

“Yes! I definitely can!”

“Look at what happened the second she was found. I should have made her my wife sooner.”

“You did what you could for the girl. Hell, she got five good years without your sorry ass dragging her to hell.”

That’s more true than he knows. I squeeze my brother’s shoulder. “We’ll finish this. In the meantime, tell the others what the deal is. Any Capo that was part of Dad’s original crew has to be watched closely.”

“Understood. I’ll handle it.”

I walk away. Ignazio’s home burns behind me. More heat eating away at something I once loved. I lightly touch my knuckles and the word inked there. Ashes.

Ashes in my blood and ashes in my heart.