Coming in 2025... Shadows of Betrayal

Thank you for clicking the link to keep up to date on the upcoming mafia romance, Shadows of Betrayal. Right now I'm working on the first story that I'll be giving away FREE. Because you clicked to this page, I'll be able to notify you when it's ready.

As a thank you for taking an interest, here is the first chapter. Note that this is a rough draft, without revisions or updates. It's also uses grittier language than my usual books.

Shadow of Betrayal

Chapter One

Dante

I lean against the marble pillar, swirling the amber whiskey in my crystal glass. The ballroom sparkles with celebration, crystal chandeliers casting golden light across silk gowns and black tuxedos. But my attention keeps drifting to Serena in her cream-colored dress, her dark hair swept up to expose the elegant line of her neck.

My older brother, Alessandro stands next to her, smiling and soaking up the attention. He’s good at that. It’s what makes him the ideal leader of the Caruso family. He’s got charisma and charm in spades. People like him, like being around him, even though he can be a stone-cold killer if he needs to be.

"To the happy couple!" Another toast rings out.

I knock back my drink. I’m nothing like my brother, except perhaps the stone-cold killer part. Social events drain me. Give me spreadsheets and business negotiations any day over fake smiles and small talk.

Our differences are what makes this family work. Alessandro, Don of the Caruso family, whose jovial personality makes him well-liked and a good negotiator. Me, Dante, the second son, the serious, focused businessman behind Alessandro’s power. We have three more siblings, Biana, my sister, headstrong and brilliant, Nicolo, who has some of the same charm as Alessandro, but operates with a short fuse, making him an ideal enforcer, and the baby, Viviana, just out of college, wide-eyed and eager to make her way in the world. If our parents were still alive, they’d be proud of all of us. I think my father would be especially pleased with Alessandro’s business deal with Don Lionetti, which includes this arranged marriage to Serena.

A flash of red catches my eye. Valentina in a dress that leaves nothing to the imagination, brushes past Alessandro, her fingers trailing across his arm. My brother's eyes follow her as she slips through the crowd and toward the hallway leading out of the rooftop terrace ballroom. Within minutes, he makes his own exit.

I glance at Serena, wondering if she noticed. She stands among a group of well-wishers, her smile perfectly poised. But there's something in her eyes, a flash of resignation, quickly masked.

I tell myself she knew what her father, Don Lionetti signed her up for when he arranged the marriage to my brother. Alessandro’s womanizing reputation is legendary in New York. He loves a good time, especially with beautiful women. That won’t change with this marriage.

Of all the women Alesandro could marry, Serena will likely be the best for our family. She’s smart and knows her role. Still, she deserves better than my brother. Don’t get me wrong, I love my brother. But Serena’s intelligence and sophistication will be wasted on him.

To be honest, I’m surprised Alessandro agreed to the marriage. I thought he if he ever married, it would be to Valentina. But of course, in our world, money trumps lust and affection. Valentina’s family isn’t as influential or powerful as the Lionettis, and Don Lionetti really wants this partnership with us. Clearly, with Alessandro off getting a blowjob from Valentina, he expects to have his cake and eat it too. I don’t imagine Don Lionetti will mind my brother’s infidelity as long as business booms.

"Another drink, Mr. Caruso?" A waiter appears at my elbow, a new glass of whisky already poured.

“Thanks.” I exchange my empty glass for the newly poured one. I loosen my bow tie as I take my drink and head out to the rooftop open-air terrace, feeling suffocated by the whole scene. If I thought I could get away with it, I’d escape down to my office. I’d much rather be focusing on the shipping contracts waiting on my desk or the territory negotiations that need my attention.

“You’re not hiding are you?” Serena’s voice is like smoke, sultry yet light.

I suck in a breath before looking at her, steeling myself. Fucking hell, she’s stunning. “Just needed air. How about you?”

For a moment, Serena’s composed mask slips, but just as quickly, she has a forced smile. It looks practiced. I’m sure it is. She’s been raised to be a perfect mafia daughter, now wife. “Me too.”

I turn my attention to the lights of Manhattan because I can’t look at her and not have a strange ache in my chest. It’s fucking annoying, to be honest. I’m not a feeling man. I love and will die for my family, but outside that, I don’t give a shit. I like sex, but that’s as far as my relationships with women go. Emotions just complicate things.

“If you could be anywhere else, where would you be?” she asks.

“Anywhere else.” I sip my whiskey, willing it to burn away pull she has on me. She’s going to be my brother’s wife for fuck’s sake.

“There must be a place.”

“My office. The gym. Anywhere else but here. You?” I fight the urge to look at her.

She sighs. “Italy. Florence maybe.”

I know she loves art and history, both of which she could find in spades in Florence.

“What would you be doing?” Unable to help myself, I glance at her.

Her head is lifted slightly, and her eyes are closed. I know she’s picturing herself in Florence by the very real serene smile on her face. It takes my breath away.

“I want to enter the Prisoners Corridor in the Galleria dell'Accademia and see the unfinished work of Michaelangelo. It must be a sight to see life emerging from rock.”

Now I can’t help but stare at her. She’s even more radiant as she imagines her passion.

“And at the end of it, The David. I’ve heard from so many people who don’t think much of art who say they’re emotionally moved by it.”

I’m unable to speak. I’m too worried that I might suggest we run away right now to Florence.

She pulls in another breath and her expression comes back to normal as she returns to the present. It nearly breaks my heart.

“Maybe Alessandro can take you.” He won’t, but he could certainly arrange for her to go.

She gives me her signature mafia princess smile. “Maybe.”

I want to buy The David for her. We have room for it.

“Now your turn. You need to choose a better place to want to be.”

My lips twitch upward, and I nearly laugh, which I very rarely do. “I like yours—”

“No.” She does laugh, and the sound of it reverberates through my body making me yearn for things I’ve never wanted before. Things like freedom. Like affection. Like love. “You have to choose your own.”

It’s interesting that Serena and I have only met a handful of times, and on each occasion, we’ve had brief encounters like this that feel too intimate, too dangerous. I’ve never envied my brother. I don’t want to be the Don. I don’t want to shmooze and mingle. I don’t want the pressure or expectations that come with the power of leading a mafia family. But right now, I’m jealous that my brother gets this woman.

She arches a brow, and I realize I’m staring at her instead of answering. I clear my throat and use every bit of strength I have to turn my gaze out over the city again. Where the fuck would I rather be that’s anywhere as interesting and poignant as her answer?

“Dante?” My sister Biana’s voice rips through the moment. I’m both relieved and pissed at her interruption. “You need to make a toast…Oh Serena. There you are. Nic is finding Alessandro and then it’s time for the toast.”

People have been toasting all night, but this time, I’m supposed to make it. Another chore I’m annoyed at having to do.

Serena bows her head slightly at me. “Florence will have to wait.” She turns and heads back into the ballroom. I watch her graceful, perfect form disappear into the crowd.

I feel like shit because I know, just as she does, she may never see Florence. Her life isn’t her own and there isn’t a damn thing anyone can do about it.