The Bonds That Break: The Fated Series, #6

By HL Packer

Elena

A deal with the devil. How far wrong could that go?

When there's more than your heart at stake and lives

are on the line, hopefully, not too far.

 

Anton

Lies. Deceit. Treachery.

It's not something you learn to live with. Not in my life, anyway.

Not something I have to, or ever will. My wrath won't be tempered.

When it's all on the line and the cards are on placed on the table.

Which way will the dice roll?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HL Packer
• Release date: Mar 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201485610

HL Packer

H.L. Packer is, quite frankly, a busy bee. An avid reader as a child, her love for all things written waned into adulthood, the excitement of real life things taking over. But when her life slowed down as she finished her office job for maternity leave, her husband purchased her an e-reader, and that obsession was rekindled. Quickly she went from reader to reviewer, and then from reviewer to blogger; street teams and promo tours galore. When she began collating her own book boxes over at Romance Readers Book Box UK and had the opportunity to include her own words and worlds, the characters began talking. Those cheeky characters quickly found themselves written down on the page, and her first series was in progress. When she is not coordinating her worlds, you can find her running around after her free-spirited three children, and husband, or tending to the dogs, bearded dragons, and snakes that also reside with them. A break can be found soaking in a bubble bath or enjoying a glass of wine, often still with a book in her hand. H.L. Packer is, quite frankly, a busy bee. An avid reader as a child, her love for all things written waned into adulthood, the excitement of real life things taking over. But when her life slowed down as she finished her office job for maternity leave, her husband purchased her an e-reader, and that obsession was rekindled. Quickly she went from reader to reviewer, and then from reviewer to blogger; street teams and promo tours galore. When she began collating her own book boxes over at Romance Readers Book Box UK and had the opportunity to include her own words and worlds, the characters began talking. Those cheeky characters quickly found themselves written down on the page, and her first series was in progress. When she is not coordinating her worlds, you can find her running around after her free-spirited three children, and husband, or tending to the dogs, bearded dragons, and snakes that also reside with them. A break can be found soaking in a bubble bath or enjoying a glass of wine, often still with a book in her hand.

Book preview

1-Elena

"W h… What?" I stammer.

Anton, Carlos replies flippantly, turning in the back seat to give me his undivided attention. You remember him, right? The good-looking bastard that’s had a thing for you from before the dawn of time. The one you feel the same for. It shouldn’t be a hardship for either of you considering you’re already so sickeningly in love it’s not even funny. Well, I need you to marry him, Carlos states in the same manner you’d ask someone to grab you a drink or a bottle of water.

But why? I ask, blinking repeatedly as I attempt to keep up with his thought process, my confusion evident.

Because he’s the head of La Famiglia and he needs to have a wife. A wife and eventually children. The whole package. And he needs it now.

Silence stretches out between us as houses pass us by in a blur, the roads being eaten up at speed as my brain reels from the direction the conversation has taken.

It’s not that I wouldn’t marry Anton or that I don’t want to… it’s just that I never even considered it an option.

Carlos… there has to be another way? I plead. I can’t marry Anton. Not like this.

What? You want him to take you out to dinner? To wine and dine you and then propose in that tacky playground the two of you love so much? He scoffs, throwing his phone on the seat between us. I’m sure he will, eventually. But I need to know you’ll do this. That you’ll say yes when he asks. And he’s going to ask because I’ll make sure of it, he states solemnly, a promise and threat hidden within the words.

What do you get out of this? I ask, attempting to buy time to think through the fifty million things going through my head.

La Famiglia is my family’s history, it’s our future. A path set out by generations gone by. And I’m not willing to let my history––my future––be torn apart by some old bastard who wants a turn for his own family, he clips. I need Anton strong, stable and supported, and I know you can do that for him. You’ve been doing it behind our backs for all these years, haven’t you? he deduces with a narrowing of his eyes.

Yes, I admit nervously, twisting my fingers together.

So, say yes to this. He shrugs like it’s a forgone conclusion. The simplest thing he’s ever suggested. I’ll have everything in place tomorrow morning to collect your mother. To take her to a state-of-the-art facility where she can get a transplant, recovery specialists, rehabilitation both physically and mentally. You can trust me with this, she’ll be well taken care of.

I’ve made deals with you in the past, Carlos, I remind him.

Yes, and look how well you came out of that one. He scoffs. I never expected that asking you to be there for him no matter what would work out so well for me in the long run. But when you needed safety from your mother and her antics, I provided what you need. Still do.

And I appreciate it, I really do. I was always going to be there for him, but my heart wouldn’t be held together by nothing more than tape if it had been my choice. He uses me and throws me away three times a week, at least. I’m nothing to him, Carlos. Nothing, I admit on a whisper.

It doesn’t matter whether I agree to say yes to him or not, he doesn’t want me anyway.

Oh, little E, he breathes on a sigh, his hand sliding over mine familiarly. You don’t see what’s right in front of your face. He’s in love with you. He always has been. He pushes you away to steel his own heart. Not to break yours.

It doesn’t change the fact that he’s never going to say yes to this… I reply, my eyes coming to his. And your father. What does your father make of this… this… proposal? He’s never going to accept me in that house––in their house. No, Carlos, this is a mistake. I panic, fear creeping over my skin.

Leave the family to me. He smirks with a wink. I’ll pave the way with them. But will you do it? Will you say yes when he asks?

His dark eyes hold my own. So much like Anton’s and yet so different.

Can I do this? Do I want to? To be his wife?

That’s not even the question I’m being asked here. No, right now all he needs to know is what lengths I’m willing to go to in order to save my mother. To give her a second chance at life, a better chance, a better life.

Elena, I’m going to need some words, he warns as the car coasts to a stop.

Yes, I agree quickly, swallowing thickly with a nod. I’ll do it.

I’ll let you give your family the good news. He smiles, gesturing out of the window to my mother’s front door. I’ve had your car brought here already. Take a bag with you to the hospital and stay, make sure the surgery goes well. I’ll make some phone calls. At eight a.m. tomorrow, someone will be here to transfer you both.

Just like that?

Just like that, he agrees. I’ve always taken care of you, Elena. I trust that you will return that favour.

With a small smile, I nod, tears pricking at the backs of my eyes.

Then go. I’m sure you’ll hear from Anton shortly. He doesn’t need to know about this, okay? I offered to help your mother because I can, not for any other reason. Do you understand?

Yes, Carlos, I agree, pushing the emotion down.

Then, welcome to the family. He grins.

The door behind me opens, the light blinding once again as I step out onto a street I’ve known my entire life with new eyes, new hope. I don’t look back, don’t check to see who’s watching as I bound up the pathway, barrelling through the door as it slams behind me.

Nonna. Nonna, I’m here, I call, kicking my shoes off behind the door. I have news, come quick.

I head through into the kitchen, plucking a fresh box of biscuits from the cupboard and pouring myself a coffee as I wait.

Ciao, Elena, what’s all the noise about? she asks, pushing the kitchen door closed behind her.

It’s all going to be okay. He’s going to help her, fix her.

What? Who is? She sighs. What are you talking about?

Someone is going to be here tomorrow morning to collect Mamma. To take her to a brand-new facility to get her a transplant, rehabilitation, counselling, the full works. She’s going to live, Nonna, I breathe, taking her hands in mine. Really live.

But how? she asks. I thought the doctor said it couldn’t be done without a six-month break from the alcohol?

The hospital won’t but this is private, through Carlos’ doctors.

Carlos? she asks, a darkness crossing her features. Through Luca Mariotti, she realises.

Si.

No. No, she won’t go. I won’t let them have her, to take her soul. They’re evil men, Elena. Evil to the core, she whispers.

Carlos isn’t like that, I argue, my confusion clear. Anton isn’t like that either. I’ve known him my entire life, I met him through you in the first place.

Yes, but you know what they did and why she is like this in the first place. It’s all their fault.

It’s not their fault, I argue. You said it yourself only days ago that the decisions that led her to this place are hers and hers alone. He’s offering us a way out. A way to give me the mother that I should have had all along.

That’s not how these people work, Elena. There’s always a consequence. A price. And this price, whatever it is, is too high.

Let me deal with that, I plead. Just allow me to get my mother back, please.

What does he want? she asks coldly, standing straighter as she crosses her arms over her chest. What is the price you have to pay for her?

It’s something I gave them a long time ago, Nonna, I admit quietly. We might as well get something positive out of the deal at the end of the day.

What have you done? She gasps. "I warned you. I warned you long ago to stay away from them. From that boy."

I know you did, Nonna, I agree. But this is my life, it’s my decision, and if I can give her––and us––a second chance then I’m going to take it.

You’ve already accepted his terms, haven’t you?

I have.

Then there is nothing else to be done. She sighs. I’ll have the Father come tonight, just in case, and I’ll prepare a few things to go with her but I won’t celebrate this. I won’t celebrate the things you’ve had to do to give her the second chance she wouldn’t offer herself.

I understand, I agree sadly.

She doesn’t get it.

She doesn’t understand that I handed my heart to Anton years ago over hours spent talking in that treehouse as children. Hours that I spent there because she was meeting his uncle, explaining to him that she and my mother were keeping to the terms set out when they murdered my father.

She’ll never understand the connection we have. Nobody does. Not even me.

You have a heart of gold, Elena, and not everybody deserves to be on the receiving end of that, she chides, wrapping me in her arms. But when you love, you love hard.

I do, Nonna. And you know I’d do anything for another chance, for all of us.

That’s what worries me, dolcezza, she replies wearily. Come now, let’s go prepare her for surgery.

2-Anton

"D id you get there in time? Is she safe?" I ask, the concern all too clear over the phone.

Yes. I’ve just dropped her at her mother’s house and told them to get ready for surgery tomorrow. I’ll make the calls and get that confirmed. It’s one less thing for her to be worrying about whilst we sort out everything else, Carlos replies.

And of course, you took all the credit for it, I grumble, wedging the phone against my ear whilst I wash the blood from my hands.

Sure did, Anton, he replies gleefully. How’s it going there?

I’m just washing up. Giving him the opportunity to re-think his life choices, again.

And his family?

We’ve got eyes on the wife and daughter. He’s a Famiglia man, so he knows better than to involve his family in what goes on behind closed doors, but we’ll deal with that if needed, I clip.

Nice work with the recorded scream. I’ll have to remember that for the future. He chuckles.

Thinking outside the box, Carlos. Let the fear fill in the blanks for you and watch them come unravelled. I’m just waiting for Mario to arrive. Are you heading back to the warehouse now?

Can do. Is there anything else I need to set up for tomorrow? Transport for Elena, maybe?

"Guarigione are organising patient transport for Elena’s mother and the donor, as well as cars for the families. The donor family will be kept completely separate so she’ll never know where it came from. Luckily, our contact at the hospital was able to give us her full notes for the team."

Yes, lucky that, he replies dryly. Absolutely nothing to do with the fat packet that landed on his desk or anything.

Could be. I shrug. But that’s not my problem. I got what I needed, not interested in the rest. There’s a suite booked so Elena and her grandmother can stay for at least a few days after the surgery. Obviously, once her mother starts to pick up, they’re probably going to get back to normal life, but it buys us a few days where I know she’s safe and secure. Nobody is getting in there without the right security pass and their entire staff list has gone through Marco and his background checks. She’ll be safe there.

It’s a lot of effort this, brother, Carlos comments idly.

We owe her this much, at least.

Whatever you say, he dismisses. "I’ll be back in half an hour. Let's see what this fool has to say for himself then. What needs confirming with Guarigione?"

Just that everything is to go ahead as organised.

No problem, I’ll confirm that, he agrees, ending the call as I dry my hands, the thud of the main doors closing resounding down the corridor.

Mario is crossing the empty room as I make my way there, shaking my hand as we meet.

How’s it going, Anton? he asks.

Could be better. I’m letting him stew on it, I admit. How was everything at the house?

Clean. Looks like the wife and daughter are out on a shopping trip today. Paulie is not so impressed about tailing them around the shopping centre, but shit happens. He shrugs. Got the camera, laptop and computer loaded easy enough, and there didn’t appear to be any paperwork that I could find. The team will do a full sweep, make the usual mess, but I got what we needed for now.

Perfect. Marco, I yell, a vague response coming back from God knows where.

It takes just a minute for the sound to repeat, still unintelligible, before he comes through one of the doorways. Yes, boss.

Do you have the list of SUVs linked to the attack at Onyx?

In the office somewhere, Marco replies.

Good, get me it. There’s a laptop, computer and camera in Mario’s car for you to sort out when you’re done too.

No problem, he agrees with a nod, heading back wherever he came from.

So, it didn’t exactly go to plan last night? he asks, following me into the office.

I haven’t caught up with Alessia yet, unfortunately, but based on Carmella’s response when she left, I’m assuming not. She was nice enough, but she was never gonna cut it here, and I said as much to Luca.

Well, I’m sure there are plenty more fish in the sea. He chuckles.

That’s partly what worries me, I admit. How much of what happened with the drive-by and this fucker dropping threats to Alessia is linked to the fact that it’s me at the top of the chain? Enzo laughed in my fucking face earlier. I scoff. Can you imagine?

He chuckles, shaking his head.

Covered in his own fucking blood and still only interested in spilling his guts to Carlos or Luca. What the fuck do I have to do to get the respect I’ve earned around here? I ask, my fist slamming down against the desk. If I kill him, I get nothing, but if I let Carlos in on sorting this out, I’m conceding the point. I can’t fucking win.

Is he making it out of here alive? Mario asks quietly.

No. I scoff.

Then what difference does it make whether he gives the information to you, Carlos, me, or anyone else?

It matters because he’s a mouthy motherfucker who called me the son of a dead mafia princess. Like my mother was nothing. Like her death was nothing, I spit, my breathing coming heavy as anger surges through me.

And where does that get him? he asks with the raise of an eyebrow. It gets him dead quicker because Carlos can’t control his anger, can’t bide his time and make them hurt. Not like you can. I’ve seen you work, Anton. Watched you hone your skills over the years. You’re more than capable of getting the information out of him, but it needs time. Do you have the time?

No, I admit. I have two days tops where both Alessia and Elena are safe. After that, she will be back in lectures and whatever else it is she does, walking around with a target on her back.

And you’re sure they’ve made her a target?

Yes. Enzo knows where she lives and her connection to me. Carlos got rid of her friend and made sure she’s with family and safe, heading to Guarigione tomorrow morning. Gio is keeping an eye on her until she’s through the doors of the facility tomorrow morning.

Then let someone else get the information, he states blankly. What difference does it make who he gives the details to if he isn’t going to live to tell another soul? Who else is going to know?

I’ll know.

Yes, you will. But you’ll have to get over that. You’ve had your pound of flesh already by the sounds of it, let someone else put their time in and focus on the bigger picture. You’re going to need to delegate going forward, anyway.

This guy got under my skin, I admit. He knew that talking shit about my mother would get a reaction.

He nods as Carlos bangs the door back with a grin. Fine afternoon we’re having here, gentlemen. Marco gave me this on the way in.

The papers slide over the desk with timing that couldn’t have been any more perfect if it tried.

Right, I’ll take these to Gusto and get on with coordinating next week’s collections. Carlos, you’re up with our friend and I’ll call you if anything jumps out at me with this lot. I want to know the full extent of his knowledge about what’s going on and who’s involved, and I need it today. We have to get this shut down and under control before Elena is free-roaming the streets again.

Sure thing. He shrugs. Sophie needs me back in London towards the end of this week, so my time here is limited. Use me where you like.

Well, today you’re on beating the shit out that motherfucker until he spills his guts, figuratively and literally if need be.

Perfect. He grins, dark delight twinkling in his gaze.

Right, boys, have fun, I say, heading towards the door and exit, Franky joining me on my way out. Give me a call when you’ve got something for me.

They nod in agreement; a wave being thrown my way before Carlos heads down the corridor to Enzo and the mess I’ve already started––Mario heading back to the office.

So, she’s all sorted out? Franky asks as I slide into the car.

She’s safe for the next few days, I agree.

Good. He nods, seemingly mulling over the rest of what he wants to say. What’s going on with the Carmella situation?

I’m not sure. I’ll speak to Alessia tonight and see what the options are. I’m running out of time and moves, and I’m running out fast.

She was pretty hot. He shrugs. Could be worse.

Could be better too. But that’s a dream I dare not think about.

3-Elena

It’s only half-past seven.

There’s at least another half hour before the transport is due but I can’t help the nerves eating away at me as I stand in the front window, peeking out through the half-opened curtains.

Will you just sit down, please? My grandmother sighs. If I didn’t have reservations about this anyway, I would by the time you were finished wearing the carpet through.

It’s just… I’m just…

I know, she replies. But worrying about it isn’t going to help.

And they’re sure she’s well enough for this? She’s not going to go in for surgery and never come back out? I ask, peeking around the curtain again.

They wouldn’t have said to go ahead if she wasn’t stable enough, she replies. They don’t just hand anybody a new liver, you know?

Yes, I’m aware of that. It just seems too good to be true, I admit. I’m waiting for something to happen, for something to go wrong.

Because that’s what always happens, isn’t it? You think your life is finally turning around, you’re finally making strides in the right direction, only for something to come along and fuck it all up.

Let’s just speak to the doctors when we get there and see what’s going on, she agrees. Try not to hang all your hopes on this though, it might not be a suitable match or it might not work. All we’re doing is putting off the inevitable.

Well, isn’t that what we’re doing every day anyway? I whisper. "Eating healthily, exercising regularly, trying to keep ourselves in the best condition we can. All that’s doing is attempting to keep us going as long as possible, putting off the inevitable day we die for as long as we can. How