The Vendetti Devil: an age gap mafia romance Read online

  CONTENTS

  Warning

  Vendetti Famiglia

  Timeline

  Frequent Italian Terms in the Vendetti Famiglia

  Dear Reader

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Sneek Peak

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  The Vendetti Devil

  Copyright © 2022 by Sapphire Knight

  Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author

  Cover Design by: CT Cover Creations

  Editing by: Swish Editing and Design

  Proofreading by: Swish Editing and Design

  Formatter by: N.E. Henderson

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  * * *

  All rights are reserved. This book is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author. All songs, song titles, and lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

  To battling demons and coming out

  like a motherfucking superhero.

  One day at a time.

  WARNING

  This novel includes graphic language and adult situations. It may be offensive to some readers and includes situations that may be hotspots for certain individuals. This book is intended for ages 17 and older due to steamy spots and a darker taboo storyline. This work is fictional. The story is meant to entertain the reader and may not always be completely accurate. Any reproduction of these works without Author Sapphire Knight’s written consent is pirating and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

  This book is fiction.

  The guys are over the top Alphas.

  My men and women are nuts.

  This is not real.

  Don’t steal my shit.

  Read for enjoyment.

  This is not your momma’s cookbook.

  Easily offended people should not read this.

  Don’t be a dick.

  VENDETTI FAMIGLIA

  Romano Vendetti (55) – Capo dei tutti

  (Retired)

  Father of the 7

  New Wife – Kaira Vendetti

  * * *

  Liliana Vendetti - Mother of the 7

  * * *

  Matteo ‘Ruthless’ Vendetti (36) – 1st Capo dei capi

  (Head of the Famiglia)

  Wife – Violet Vendetti

  Daughter – Liliana Vendetti (named after grandmother)

  Son – Damiano Vendetti

  * * *

  Salvatore Vendetti (33) – 2nd

  (The black sheep)

  Wife – Annabella Vendetti

  Daughter – Rosa Vendetti

  Son – Santo Vendetti

  * * *

  Valentino ‘Casanova’ Vendetti (30) – 3rd Sottocapo

  (Underboss to fill in for Matteo)

  * * *

  Dante ‘Devil’ Vendetti (27) – 4th Rappresentante

  (Powerful enough to have a crew & make some decisions)

  * * *

  Luciano Vendetti (24) – 5th Soldato

  * * *

  Santino Vendetti (21) – 6th Soldato

  * * *

  Cristiano Vendetti (19) – 7th Mafioso

  Wife – Arianna Vendetti

  Son – Romeo Matteo Vendetti

  (Named after Matteo in honor of being the 1st boy heir to the throne)

  TIMELINE

  Matteo and Violet marry (The Vendetti Empire)

  Matteo and Violet have Liliana 10 months later (The Vendetti Queen)

  Cristiano and Sofia marry at year 2 (The Vendetti Queen)

  Salvatore and Sofia have Rosa at year 2.10 (The Vendetti Seven)

  Cristiano and Arianna have Romeo at year 3 (The Vendetti Seven)

  Salvatore and Annabella marry at year 3.9 (The Vendetti Coward)

  Matteo and Violet have Damiano at year 4.3 (The Vendetti Daddy)

  Romano elopes with Kaira at year 4.5 (The Vendetti Daddy)

  Salvatore and Annabella have 2nd child at year 4.9

  Dante & Emilia marry at year 5.1 (The Vendetti Devil)

  Romano and Kaira have youngest Vendetti heir at year 5.2 (The Vendetti Devil)

  Matteo and Violet have 3rd child (boy) at year 5.11

  Matteo and Violet have 4th child at year 9.6

  FREQUENT ITALIAN TERMS IN THE VENDETTI FAMIGLIA

  (Glossary brought over from previous books)

  A domani, bella – See you tomorrow, beautiful/gorgeous

  Affetto – Affection

  Amore – Love

  Amore mio – My love

  Bambino/a – Baby boy/girl

  Batuffolo – Dumpling

  Bella – Beautiful

  Bellissima – Gorgeous

  Bell’uomo – Handsome man

  Buona note – Goodnight

  Buona sera – Good evening/good afternoon

  Calmati – Calm down

  Capisci – Understand

  Capo – Boss

  Capo dei capi – Boss of bosses

  Caporegime – Captain

  Cara – Dear

  Cazzo – Fuck

  Christo – Christ

  Ciao – Bye

  Dio Santo – Oh my God

  Dolcezza – Sweetness

  Famiglia – Family

  Fica – Cunt

  Fidanzata – Fiancé

  Fiore – Flower

  Four-leaf clover collectors – Slur towards Irish Mob

  Fratello maggiore – Older brother

  Fratello/fratelli – Brother/brothers

  Grazie – Thanks

  ho travato il paradiso – I’ve found heaven

  il mia amata – My beloved

  il miei fratelli – My brothers

  il signore – The man, mister, sir, lord

  la mia famiglia – My family

  Mademan – Initiated mafia member

  Marito – Husband

  Mia amata – My beloved

  Mia moglie – My wife

  Mio/mia – My

  Moglie – Wife

  Neonata – Baby girl

  Nessun matrimonio tradizionale – No traditional wedding?

  Per favore - Please

  Pezzo di merda – Piece of shit

  Polizia – Police

  Porca Miseria – Miserable pig

  Rappresentante – Representative

  Reggazo – Boy

  Scusa – Excuse me

  Serpente/Serpe – Snake

  Si – Yes

  Signorina – Miss/young lady

 
Silenzio – Silence

  Soldato/Soldati – Soldier/Soldiers

  Sorella – Sister

  Sottocapo – Underboss

  Tesoro – Treasure

  Una puttana – A whore

  Violetta – Violet

  Zia – Aunt

  * * *

  Irish dialog

  Tá – Yes

  Thick – Extremely stupid

  Slán – Safe (phrase said for bye)

  * * *

  While I strive to be as authentic as possible in all languages I incorporate, there may be a mistake, even though it has been verified through several sources.

  It’s fiction.

  Please read it for the story and enjoy the bonus of the beautiful Italian language.

  Thank you.

  DEAR READER

  The Vendetti Famiglia books take place before the previous epilogues. In this case, Matteo and Violet have their daughter, Liliana, and Violet was last pregnant with their second child. Salvatore and Annabella have their daughter, Rosa. Christiano and Arianna have their son, Romeo. Dante was sent to Chicago and has lived there for about three and a half years. He was sent to the city to sit in the Bottaro seat in place of Violet’s dead father and brother at the Table of the Five Famiglias—the five most powerful families in charge of running the Syndicate. Matteo is keen on taking over territory in the city and has Dante quietly kill off each head at the table and their remaining families. He plans to take over the entire hold of the Syndicate eventually, but they run into Thaddaeus ‘Joker’ Morelli (from the books Gangster and Mad Max). He’s a well-respected gangster running the streets who has a plan to kill his uncle, Sammi Morelli, at the table. To co-exist and find the remaining families who’ve gone into hiding, they strike up a deal to temporarily work together.

  Fiadh O’Toole has escaped from the Vendetti Estate and has gone back to Ireland to recover from her injuries and regroup. In the meantime, her brother has been putting more pressure on the Vendettis. Joker catches wind of this and turns them onto Dante in Chicago, and several Irish cells begin popping up wherever the Vendettis’ businesses are located.

  For the first time in the Capo dei capi Ruthless’ reign, he’s on the verge of a full-blown war with the Irish mob and the gangsters of Chicago. He’ll be forced to link his family with enemies, and when a Vendetti is pushed into a corner, he gets angry.

  Shake the Empire, and blood will spill.

  1

  DANTE

  Learn to be okay with not being invited, included, or considered.

  — Pinterest meme

  * * *

  Coming to Chicago should’ve been a breath of fresh air, so why did it feel more like a prison sentence? Was it because I was hopelessly in love with my brother, Matteo’s wife, Violet? I say ‘was’ because, well, shit’s happened, and I’m not the man I was when I left New York. I’m the Vendetti Rappresentante, shorn from the Empire, banished to head up the Chicago Five. What a fucking joke. Of course, I respect Matteo, he’s the Capo dei capi Ruthless, but this assignment was simply payback. He and I are too much the same, brothers cut from the same expensive cloth.

  Jealous.

  Possessive.

  Brutal.

  I’d have done the same thing if I were in his position—either sent the offending famiglia far away or slaughtered them and washed my hands of it. I suppose I should be grateful he’s shown more forgiveness and leniency with me than he would in any other case, but I’m not. I’m angry.

  I’m left to simmer alone in a city away from the famiglia. My punishment isn’t swift either. I can feel it—Matteo wants me gone for a long time. His rage silently radiates to the point you’d have to be a fucking bozo not to sense it. It’s fine. He wants me to be his dog, running his game in Chicago, so I’ll bite. I’ll bulldoze over every wannabe mobster this city has to offer, and the Vendettis will come out sitting on top. We always do. No one crosses the Vendetti Empire and lives to tell the tale.

  Violet being a Bottaro, was the perfect way for us to slither into an available seat at the Table of the Five Famiglias. It’s such a shame she wasn’t allowed to come with me on this endeavor. It would’ve made things a touch more interesting and certainly wouldn’t be the first time she’s jetted off to Chicago and gotten her hands dirty. Her willingness to stand beside us, bloody and all, is only one of the reasons why I’d swiftly fell smitten with her, and there were many. Was it truly love between us or obsession? Regardless, the syrup hit me hard with her, and I’ve found myself seeking out every whore in the city resembling Violet to take out my frustrations.

  Matteo demands we take Chicago next, so it’s my job to begin the extermination of anyone in our way. On the plus side, getting to quietly hunt down each famiglia and massacre their entire line has made this a trip to remember. There’s one local gangster who doesn’t plan to budge— Joker. I can get him comfortable with my presence until the time’s right. I’ll let him sit for now, and then he won’t see the hit coming when it’s his time.

  I’ve been in the city a few years now, not by my choice, but by necessity. A while back, I came across Joker’s henchmen, Mad Max, long enough for us to broker a short-term agreement. They want me to hold off from killing one man at the table.

  Sammi Morelli, the cazzo.

  He should’ve been taken out long ago. It’ll only get more difficult to kill him as time passes. Sammi’s got a presence in the city, a dirty mobster looking for an easy way into whatever he can find. The type of scum he’s become attracts others just like him too. They’re not the kind of company one should keep—they’ll stab you in the back the moment you fall asleep.

  Shooting off a quick text to my crew, I let them know I’ll be low-key following Sammi Morelli. He’d shown his face at his nephew’s wedding just long enough to make his presence known but dipped out before any of Joker’s guys could get a good read on him.

  One of my men slides into a separate vehicle behind me while the rest remain at their posts. Santino is around should they need me for any reason. I can’t go anywhere alone, per Capo’s orders. Never mind that I’m more than capable of handling myself on my own. My brother insists we all have someone nearby to call in reinforcements if needed and jump to our aide.

  Sammi has kept to this route like clockwork, and I was able to pick it up. He’s a fool to have a routine down when he’s knee-deep in mob business. I was able to do some digging around on him, and it turns out he’s seeing a young woman.

  At first, I believed she was a mistress. However, soon after, I realized she’s much more than a mere fuck for him. Not only that, she is young. I’m hoping he’s not a sick fuck preying on women too young for him, but instead, she’s a daughter or someone else significant. The only hang-up is he has no family on record, as far as a wife or children go. So who exactly is this chick and the elderly woman I’ve noticed as well? Typically, I tend to be right about reading situations, and my gut is telling me she’s his kid. Imagine my luck of being correct and discovering he has a secret child.

  A mafia princess.

  A man’s biggest weakness.

  Sammi pulls his car into the side entry driveway, and I park a few houses down, waiting. He does this every so often, always for the same amount of time. He carries bags inside, and silently I watch. Taking in every insignificant detail, I’ve followed him here as I’ve done the previous three times. I haven’t wanted to spook him before I did some digging into his famiglia and past. He’s not an easy man to get a read on, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

  I’m good at my job because I’ve always had to be. If I wanted to survive under Romano, I had to prove I was worth something to him. Being his son doesn’t mean shit in the scheme of things, and at age seven, our lives were flipped upside down. We knew we’d be soldati for him at some point, but training us at age seven? We were mere boys, thrust into the fucked-up world of Mademen.

  Watching the minutes tick by, I reflect on how I’d do this differently if I were
in this cazzo’s position. Firstly, I’d never allow it, but I certainly wouldn’t hit the same spot twice if it were out of my control. If I had famiglia stashed somewhere, I’d be staying far away from them to keep them safe rather than creating a new target for my enemies.

  The problem with old-school mobsters like Sammi Morelli is they believe they’re untouchable after so long. Their foolishness is ignorance and always manages to lead to their downfall. In mob life, you never become complacent. Rather than sitting pretty at the top, you build an empire on offense and defense. You rule with an iron fist, constantly bobbing and weaving through hits and younger soldati coming for your seat. Make sure when someone is after you, whether from inside your crew or not, they’re met full force with the power of the mob.

  Take Matteo, for example, mio fratello, the Capo dei capi. He’s the most ruthless of us all, sure, but he’s also incredibly intelligent. He’d built up his reputation and trusted inner circle before he was ever handed the crown to the famiglia. He’s always making moves, sending soldati to different cities, adding pressure so they know we’ll swoop in at the first moment of weakness to inflict our mob presence and take the territory.