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“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am -- not stuck in the middle, but hovering above the entire farcical spectrum, weeping as I behold my fellow man's devotion to political illusion and self-destruction.”
― Robert Higgs

“People are not embracing collectivism because they have accepted bad economics. They are accepting bad economics because they have embraced collectivism.”
― Ayn Rand

“When people say 'let's do something about it', they mean 'let's get hold of the political machinery so that we can do something to somebody else.' And that somebody is invariably you.”
― Frank Chodorov

“His eyes widened. “Pain? Darling, you haven’t yet experienced the pain I can inflict when I’ve been played for a fool. I’m in awe at your gall to try and fool me.â€�
Bree went still as panic froze her. Oh, God. No.
“Ah, the light bulb finally goes off,� he purred against her face; his voice low and
cold.
Even knowing who he was, and the family he came from, Bree could say that deep inside, she’d never felt any real fear of him.
She did now. He knew. The look on his face told her he knew that she had lied about him being her baby’s father. Frantically, she grasped for any foothold she could find. “I don’t know what you’re talking-�
“DON’T!â€� he snapped, grabbing the sides of her face.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“He’s lying to me, Bree thought. I don’t know how I know, but I do. And really, wasn’t it better if she didn’t know for sure? Bree moved closer to him and pressed her mouth to his, inhaling the strong, musky scent that seemed to be his alone. Like a mix of spiced wine, dark chocolate and warm leather. Bree eased her tongue in and ran it across his teeth as his fingers moved up her spine to cup her head and bring her closer.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Mmm,â€� Bree licked the ice cream scoop and tossed it into the sink. “Let’s just say that for the sake of the baby, Alessandro and I have reached a sort of…an...agreement, I guess.â€�
“Does that mean I can’t punch him anymore? ‘Cause that was fun.�
“Yes. It does. Sorry.�
“So are you two…�
“No. Hell no. Not after him using Rebecca Malford as a scratching post,� Bree grumbled, her stomach clenching tight at that little reminder.
“He’s what? Alessandro and that...viper?�
“That’s right.� Bree clenched her teeth.
“Rebecca and Alessandro? Oh my God. Mental bleach! I need mental bleach!� Meggie rubbed her temples.
“Yeah, keep doing that for another week and you might be where I am right about
²Ô´Ç·É.â€�
“Oh, he’s a smooth one, that’s for sure,� Meggie said with a sudden smile.
“What’s with that look?�
“You’re so jealous,�
Bree snorted, turning away from her and taking a seat opposite of Will. “That’s ridiculous.�
“And so true.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“You will never have to worry about safety. Being a Dardano will buy you all the security you’ll ever need.â€�
Bree shook her head and threw her hands up. “Being a Dardano will put the bulls eye on my back, you asshole,�
“Really, darling, once you become Mrs. Dardano, we’re going to have to work on cleaning up that saucy mouth of yours. At least in public,� Alessandro purred, tapping her nose.
Bree saw red. But she smiled at him. She took the plate from him and set it down on the vanity table. Then she took the vitamin shake, pulled out the waistband of his pants and poured it down inside.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Alessandro gathered her into his arms and flipped her over so that she was on top of him, her blonde hair falling over him like a gold curtain. The strands tickled his face as she righted herself over him. She caught her lower lip between her teeth as he pushed up inside of her, and Alessandro reached up, bringing her mouth down, wanting to taste that swollen lip. Her breath wafted over his face, and he grabbed her hips, pulling her down as he pushed up deeper, wanting to fill her to her very soul.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Last night, Bree had been taken. Thoroughly, utterly taken. Gently or roughly, it didn’t matter. This man had reached into the darkest part of her mind, had brought out and laid bare the desires she admitted to no one but herself in her most secret, quiet moments. Her hunger had been allowed to run free. There’d been no guilt, no remorse. Nothing was ‘wrongâ€�. And God, the feeling of freedom was damned addictive. What did that say about her? How could she love Michael, yet give a part of her she’d never felt comfortable sharing with Michael to this stranger.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Okay, someone’s been smoking the wacky tobacky. And keep your hands to yourself!â€� She smacked at his roving fingers, fighting the shivers following his touch. "I agreed to let you accompany me because, well...maybe you're right. We should try and put the animosity between our families-stop that!" She gripped his fingers and tried to twist them, but he easily pulled out of her grip.
Alessandro laughed. “Darling, I haven’t laughed in ages like I do when I’m with you. I propose a clean slate, eh?â€� He sighed and sat back against the seat. “Brianna. I’m not going to give up until you are mine. You could make this so much easier if you just accept the inevitable.â€� He lifted his hand to cup the side of her face. “We belong to each other, and you know it.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Father, perhaps you’ve forgotten the fact that when my child was conceived, neither Bree nor I knew who the other person was.â€�
“Ai, ai, ai� Alessandro, open your mind, please! It was fate, my boy.�
“Oh, good God, here we go again,� Arturo threw his hands up.
“Don’t you have a puppy to go kick?â€� Alessandro asked, his brother’s voice grating on his already stretched nerves.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Well, banks are the biggest mafia, you know, except for the government of course.”
― Kenneth Eade, Predatory Kill

“Mommy, how come Dona Duck don have no pants?â€� Will sat on the couch eating cookies. Bree looked up. Then she glanced at the Donald Duck cartoon on the TV. “He have top but he no have bottoms,â€�
“Good point,� she said. And yet the duck always wore a towel after he showered.
“Dat’s odd,â€� Will remarked. He leaned over his plate and began to split his cookies into two piles. “And where his pee pee go? He a boy right, mommy? But he donâ€� have no pee pee. How he go to bafroom?”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“I understand Mrs. Donovan is a free woman, Mr. Dardano. It’s all for a good cause after all, isn’t it?â€�
“Fifty thousand dollars,� Alessandro countered, deadly calm though inside he was fairly trembling with rage.
“One hundred thousand dollars,� Hadley countered, getting to his feet, appearing to enjoy the spectacle of all eyes being on the two of them now.
Alessandro stood, his fists clenched tight at his sides. “Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,�
Bree was staring at them both, her mouth open.
Kevin smiled at him. “Three hundred thousand dollars,�
“One million dollars,� Alessandro shot back, his eyes clouding with rage. So help him, if the son of a bitch opened his mouth, Alessandro was gonna shove his fist down his throat.
The entire ballroom was dead silent. Holding its breath.
“Uh…Going once?� Alex announced.
Kevin met Alessandro’s gaze, smirking.
“Going twice?�
Kevin lifted his hands in surrender. “The best man won. I hope you get more than a dance, my friend,�
“Sold,� Alex announced, slamming the little gavel down.
Alessandro felt a rush of both victory and relief as he stared at Brianna. He walked up to her and extended his hand. “Darling?”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Alessandro shrugged and pushed the blade in, dragging it down the man’s skin, making him cry out. He struck him again with his fist, blood spurting onto Alessandro as well. “Did Arturo tell you that the mother of my child was in that limo? She’s carrying my baby inside of her, and that her son was in the limo too? I’m sure he did. I’m sure he left explicit instructions as to who exactly you were supposed to dispose of, didn’t he?â€�
“He’ll kill me. I swear, he’ll kill me,� the man cried, tears mixing in with his
blood.
“Next, I’ll take an eye, you snivelling little shit!� Alessandro growled, raising his bloody blade to the man’s left eyeball. The unmistakable scent of urine filled the air.
Alessandro stepped back in disgust and turned to Jason and his other man, Marty, two of the best Dardano soldiers, loyal and efficient. They took his cue and slipped on their brass knuckles.
“Just say the words, ol� boy, and we’ll stop this,�
“Fuck you,� the man shouted.
Alessandro smirked. “Such defiance for a man who just pissed himself.� He crossed his arms as Marty and Jason went to work.
It only took a minute. “All right. Okay! Stop! Stop! Fine, I’ll talk!”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“He took a step back and stared down at her, and she watched the cold mask slowly slip back over his face. “So…that’s it? You just decide I’m not good enough to be with and-â€�
“Oh, Alessandro no! You know that’s not-�
“Well, let me tell you something, if you think you’re going to keep me away from my baby-�
“No,� Bree promised. “You can see him anytime you want…at my apartment.�
He laughed bitterly and sniffled. “You know something ironic, Brianna? You’re probably the only woman who could have turned me into that man that you deem worthy of your love,� Alessandro walked towards the door and opened it.
“Daddy?� a small voice called out.
Both Alessandro and Bree turned to Will wearing identically stunned expressions.
“Can you stay wif me ‘till I go sleep ‘gain?�
Alessandro choked on a sob and left the room, slamming the door behind him.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“His scowl deepened. “If he wanted to hurt Will, he could have easily come here when I was at work, but no, he respected your feelings, and he allowed us to come together in our own time.â€�
“As opposed to what? Dragging me up by my hair to the altar?� Bree asked.
“Well that was his suggestion. I suggested a more diplomatic approach.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Bree rubbed her belly. Figured; Alessandro wasn’t one to live in quiet but strained tension. She stared up at the fabric of the canopy and then squeezed her eyes shut. “Alessandro, considering that the outside world has the sterile hospital rooms, not to mention the epidurals, yeah. For goodness sake, Alessandro. You know we can’t stay here forever. I’m entering my eighth month here.â€�
“I must say, I’m surprised you’re so anxious to leave.�
“Why?� Bree asked, turning to look at his strong profile.
“You know why, Brianna. As soon as we walk out that door, you and I are over.�
Bree felt a guilty tightening in her chest.
“Perhaps that’s what you want, though.�
“That’s not fair,â€� Bree whispered even as she feared he was right. No. He’s wrong. I love him. She wasn’t going to let anyone shake what she and Alessandro had built here. She’d let her family know that she wanted Alessandro in her life and that she wanted to be a family with him. “Thanks for your confidence in me, though. Really.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Bree shot to her feet and glared at him.
“Look all you want, Brianna. That was the deal, remember? Until Arturo is found, I’m not leaving you alone.�
Alessandro stared down at her with immovable stubbornness.
“How am I gonna explain you to my grandfather? And what if the rest of my family is there?�
“Hello O’Reiley family, you remember Alessandro, the father of my child, the man that I love, the light of my life, ma raison d'être…�
“Are you done?� Bree asked cocking an eyebrow.
“Depends, are you quite ready to go? Look, you can explain that I’m there for answers too. My father’s involvement in this vendetta directly influences my own future and that of my child.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“I like that,â€� Bree admitted. “It’s like…it’s never too late to change.â€� Her eyes met his, and she hoped he understood that she meant it for him as well as for herself. She wanted Alessandro to give in to the good she knew was in him and leave the Dardano family behind.
“I forgot about that. I feel rather ashamed of it now. Because of the things I’ve done. Then I was looking at this tiny creature here, and you’re going to think I’m mad but…every time I look at him, he looks different to me. He’s the same boy, but something in him is always changing. It’s not a physical thing that I can explain to you, but it’s…like…I don’t know,� Alessandro said shrugging and lowering his head. He sat on the bed next to her and stared at the incubator. The baby’s eyes were open, staring back, blinking slowly, sleepily.
“You’re seeing him become a person. Like all the parts of him are coming together and making this tiny person’s soul. He was one person in here,� Bree pointed to her stomach. “And now he’s changing on the outside so he can be a part of the world.�
“That’s it,â€� Alessandro nodded. “He’s a part of the world now. My world, in a completely different way than when he was inside of you. It’s like having two sons and watching them become one as a slow minute by minute process. He’s never going to stop changing. What he thinks and feels now is not going to be what he thinks and feels tomorrow or fifty years from ²Ô´Ç·É.â€�
“It’s the same for you,� Bree said, closing her fingers over his on the bed.
“I don’t want to forget that again, Brianna. I don’t ever want to forget that I can change.�
He looked so earnest that Bree couldn’t help bringing his hand to her lips. “Then don’t.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Bree turned to him and gave him an uneasy nod. She had no idea if they were gonna make things better or worse, but she had to know for herself what Francesca had gone through, where she lived and why she made the decisions she had. If she could find out more about the ill-fated romance between Francesca and Adriano, maybe she and Alessandro could avoid a similar, miserable ending.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Lies. All lies. Bree was shaking so hard she bit her tongue, but she didn’t even feel the blood in her mouth.
Kill her husband and seduce the widow. She thought she’d never felt as angry as when Michael died, but this, oh God, her entire body was a live wire of rage. She was so
furious, she was almost numb. So numb that she didn’t even feel herself reaching for the gun she had pulled out of the glove compartment and pocketed.
So numb that she didn’t feel herself lift the gun and aim.
So numb that she saw nothing, but his eyes, staring back at her in wide eyed surprise and confusion.
She felt so numb she didn’t even feel herself pull the trigger.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“We have nothing!â€� Bree reached out and slapped him with all her might. He couldn’t know the baby she carried was his. Not ever.
Alessandro’s dark eyes flashed angrily at her for a split second, making Bree’s insides tense in anticipation of his rage, but then he smiled at her, his hand going to her thigh. “Well, I was hoping we’d get to know each other a little better before delving into S & M, but I’m game if you are, sunshine.�
“I want you to get out,�
“And I want you naked screaming my name, now that you know it,â€� Alessandro growled, leaning in so that his breath brushed across her face in a tantalizing caress.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“My, my, and you accuse the Dardanos of trying to run the world. As you so succinctly put it, you have no desire to be a part of my life, which means you have no say in where I choose to live, sunshine. I, on the other hand, made no such declaration.â€�
“God, I hate you,� Bree seethed.
Alessandro smiled and tapped the end of her nose playfully, resisting the urge to tear her thick coat off of her and take her right against the wall. “You keep telling yourself that, love. We both know better.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“That’s our clue. I know where he is ²Ô´Ç·É.â€� Alessandro said, pulling her away from the dead fish.
“A dead fish means…what? The docks?� Bree asked.
Alessandro gave her a small smile. “You’re as smart as you are exquisite, my darling.�
“I’m sorry. A crazy man has my son. Could we get a move on now?� Bree pushed him towards the door.
“Forgive me, darling. Old habits.�
Bree rolled her eyes, but she was grateful for the brief, light moment. It allowed her to regroup and focus, to lift her head from the haze of panic that gripped her thus far.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Alessandro! Will!!â€� He could hear Brianna’s voice a few seconds before his head came up through to the next floor.
Stubborn, bloody woman! he cursed.
“Oh God, Will!� Bree screamed. “What happened?� She rushed towards them, coughing as she grabbed for her son. He shifted his weight to hand him over to her, but the movement sent another bolt of screaming pain from his ankle up to his leg and Alessandro lost his footing, falling back into the basement.
Alessandro!â€� Bree screamed, and then he heard no more.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“I felt a little bad about killing the man, but what choice did I have?" ... Louie Morelli, "The Prince of Mafia Princes.”
― Patricia Bellomo, The Prince of Mafia Princes

“Bree crossed her arms over her protruding belly. “I’m fine. No one has shot at me in the last twenty four hours, and my family is talking to me again. Things are looking up.â€�
He grimaced at the mention of her family. “How fortunate for you.�
Bree narrowed her eyes at him, picking up on the derogatory tone. “Well, you should know all about the importance of family. You’d do anything for yours, right? Bernardo says jump, you ask ‘how high?� �
Alessandro felt a sick twist of guilt in his chest, “Well, congratulations, Brianna. You’ve worked very hard for the title of O’Reiley doormat. I hope it’s all you’ve ever wanted. I hope you’re happy.�
“Blissfully,â€� Bree shot back and turned on her heel, leaving him there filled with anger and regret.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“He lowered his head and shook it from side to side, giving her a rueful smile. “I find it so ironic that someone I think of as sometimes so brave to the point of stupidity could be so terrified of her own happiness,â€�
Bree felt the shot hit home, and she couldn’t look at him. She ran her finger along the marble topped of the island. “That’s ridiculous. Who in their right mind is afraid of being happy?�
“Someone who has lost too much,� he moved slowly towards her in gentle careful strides as if he was afraid of startling her.
Fair enough, she did tend to attack him when he tried to corner her, but for some reason, Bree just couldn’t tonight. The much too relaxing bubble bath must be making her sluggish.
“Someone who is so used to being told she caused too much pain to others to ever be worthy of happiness herself,�
Bree closed her eyes. “Shut up. Please, Alessandro.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“She realized he wasn’t listening to music and gave him a curious look of amusement as she picked up the cover to an audio book. ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting.â€�
God forgive me, I love this man.
“Thought I should be informed, you know?� Alessandro explained sheepishly.
Bree tried to tear her gaze away from his gleaming chest.
“Plus all the lactating and dilating and placenta talk does wonders to crush any man’s libido.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta