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“Misguided good men are more dangerous than honest bad men. It is because they are seen as good that, in and by good conscience, the mob will always, stubbornly back them without question.”
― Criss Jami, Healology

“A river is easier to channel than to stop.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Shadows of Self

“If the Eagle Scouts had some sort of Sith equivalent, Marcone was it.”
― Jim Butcher, Ghost Story

“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

“What I want you to understand is that when I heard your words, it was as if every single second we had spent together up to that point was a lie. Every word, every touch, every kiss. You were looking at me, but you wanted him. I was this…thing to be endured to keep your family safe. You would allow me to touch you, to make love to you all the while wishing for Colin. I thought all that passion we had between us was a complete figment of my imagination and it was a bitter pill to swallow. I hated you. Worse than I’d ever hated anyone in my life. I was determined to make you pay. I’d keep you shackled to me forever as punishment. Keep you away from your true love.â€� Bree stared at him, unable to fathom such cruelty. Who was this man she loved that was capable of such a thing? “And then?â€� He took a deep shaky breath and leaned against the edge of the desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Then I spent all my energy trying to prove to myself by looking at you that you were lying to me, to justify what I was doing by picking up little gestures or flickers in your eyes that would prove to me that you felt nothing for me.â€� Bree rolled her eyes and gave a tearful snort. “And did you, after how hard I fought for you, did you get what you wanted? Did you prove to yourself what a lying bitch I am?â€� “No. Of course not. So I started to doubt what I heard.â€� “After living with Bernardo for all your life it had just occurred to you that he just may have tampered with the fucking thing?â€� Bree bit out, furiously.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“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,� 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 now.�
“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

“Darling!â€� Alessandro exclaimed with a cold sneer as a police guard led him into a holding cell. “What are you doing here? Did you come to tell me that the crazy fog has lifted and you’re ready to resume your place by my side?â€� “Not in this lifetime. That nut house is not my home, and you really are crazy if you think I’m going anywhere with you.â€� Alessandro’s eyes flickered dangerously. “Careful, sweetheart. You are still my wife. Let’s not forget that, eh?â€� Bree shook her head. “You are unbelievable. Do you feel any remorse at all for what you did?â€� Alessandro clenched his jaw. “I believe I expressed my remorse quite thoroughly if you recall. I begged you to forgive me and I beg for nothing, Brianna. I laid myself bare and pleaded for you to understand but all you had for me were hateful words.â€� “Oh, was I supposed to believe that little performance?â€� Bree snapped, forcing herself to block out the image of his hands cupping her face, his tears mingling with her own. “It’s hard to know because I believed you when you looked me in the eye and told me you had nothing to do with what happened to Colin.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“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

“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

“A loud clang of what sounded like a tray hitting the marble kitchen floor made Bree jump and Gianni go wide eyed with apparent terror. He covered his ears and shook his head. “Bang! Bang! Bang!â€� He fell over and covered his head. Bree rushed over to him as he began shrieking fearfully. “Maaammaaaaaa!â€� “Is okay, Gianni. Just a ting falled down,â€� Will said patting Gianni’s back but Bree noticed her little boy’s hand was shaking. “It’s okay, sweetie. Mommy’s here. That’s okay,â€� she crouched down and gathered Gianni into her arms. “Bang! Mama. It bang!â€� he wailed into her shoulder, trembling in her arms. “It was just a loud noise. Cook just dropped something, probably a whole big plate of yucky beets. Isn’t that funny?â€� she said, forcing a laugh. Jesus Christ, how much more violence would her children be forced to endure? Again, Bree felt selfish for bringing her innocent babies into the Dardano world. Gianni looked up at her, picking up on her tone he gave a small watery smile. “Ucky ee “Yucky yucky beets,â€� Bree repeated bouncing him lightly as her heart returned to its normal rhythm in her chest. Gianni giggled and shuddered against her as the last remnants of his fear dissipated. Bree looked over at Will. “You okay, sweetie?â€� Will blinked and looked over at her, wide eyed and his lower lip quivered, but he set his chin like she knew he’d watched Alessandro do and nodded. “I bwave. I nod scared.â€� Bree smiled at him and kissed his cheek as she ran her fingers through his hair. “Wow. That is pretty brave. I know I was
scared when I first heard the noise.â€� “Really?â€� Will asked hesitantly. “Definitely,â€� Bree nodded. Gianni echoed the gesture. “Well, dat’s diffen. You’s a girl.â€� “Oh, is that so?â€� Bree asked setting Gianni on the blanket next to her. “So you think ’cause mommy’s a girl she’s a fraidy cat. Huh? Huh?â€� she asked poking him. Will curled in on himself and giggled as he tried to avoid her fingers.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“Yeah, well, he’s having a hard time dealing, you know?â€� Bree asked uneasily. “That’s understandable. How are you coping?â€� he asked, reaching out and touching her arm. Gianni shifted in her arms and looked down at Colin’s hand. “It’s taking some getting used to. Let’s just say it’s a bit of a relief to take a break for a little while. I’m more worried about the kids though and this is affecting them so I’m hoping to get in to see Dr. Graham. She was a big help to Will a while back.â€� “Oh, yeah. I hear great things about her. You know she doesn’t just work with kids, right?â€� Bree narrowed her eyes but smiled in amusement. “Is that a hint?â€� “Not a very subtle one, I know. Hey Gianni, how you doing, huh? Wow, you’re sure getting big,â€� Colin remarked. “He sure is. He’s almost standing all by himself now, aren’t you, Gianni? You wanna show Colin?â€� Bree asked. “Nooo,â€� Gianni insisted, burying his face in Bree’s neck. “Oh, speaking of Mr. Cranky Pants, huh? He didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.â€� Gianni lifted his head and then looked down, and it was then that Bree noticed Colin still had his hand on her arm. “Dat,â€� Gianni said. Bree cleared her throat and took a step back, not wanting to make the movement seem like she was uncomfortable with Colin touching her.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“Colin. Just the name made Alessandro’s gut burn. He knew the man wanted his wife, even if Brianna was too blind to see it. The moron had been cuckolded by the paragon of supposed virtue, his wife Carrie and now he had finally opened his eyes and seen what Alessandro had known all along. Brianna put every other woman in New York to shame. No woman could come near her beauty, her passion, her fire. Colin had tossed her aside for the angelic Carrie and now he was changing his mind. Oh no you don’t, you miserable fucker. “Her friend indeed,â€� Bernardo drawled, his Italian accent thick with unmistakable implication. “Dat’s da truth. He no make her cry all da time.â€� That was directed at Alessandro, with small dark accusatory eyes. “He nice.â€� Alessandro couldn’t look at those eyes without feeling a sickening pang of guilt. She’s mine! He wanted to scream. Mine! Mine! Mine! “Oh yes. Very nice. He was very nice when he held her at the cemetery and very nice when he was dancing with her at Adresca.â€� That made Alessandro’s head lift in surprise. “Oh yes, my boy. She’s been there, cleaning up the rubble and word is that she’s working on re-opening it. Her friend Colin has been quite helpful in that endeavour.â€� “I donâ€� like how you say dat,â€� Will said scowling. “Really young William, I only speak the truth,â€� Bernardo taunted. Alessandro’s mind was racing. NO! Not Colin. He could not let that imbecile take Brianna away from him. He’d have to be eliminated somehow. Alessandro began to plot all the different ways he could ensure that Colin Neally stayed away from his wife, permanently. They all involved grisly, violent methods. He could not be allowed to win Brianna.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“He grinned at her. “Well, then I have a bit of a confession to make. Colin said some things to me and the sound of his voice irritated me so I had one of those clowns with the big red noses in the paediatric wing turn him into a balloon animal. A giraffe I’m afraid. Sad fate it was,â€� Alessandro joked with no sign of remorse at all.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“Not…â€� Bree struggled for the right words. “All my life, I’ve just wanted someone to put me first. I thought Alessandro was that man. But even after everything Bernardo has done, I mean, Arturo wouldn’t have ever shot Alessandro if Bernardo hadn’t raised him to be a monster, even knowing that, Alessandro refuses to cut his ties with his father. So…yeah, I guess I do blame Alessandro for getting shot. God, that sounds so horrible.â€� Bree covered her face with her hands again.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“The pain of it was crippling him. He couldn’t breathe. Be a man! Be a Dardano. Alessandro felt the protective wall shoot up around his heart in one quick instant. Dardanos weren’t weak and stupid like he had been. Dardanos didn’t let their emotions blind them. Love was for fools. Love made men stupid. But oh, she would never make him stupid again. Oh, how Alessandro would make his darling wife pay.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“Will, was not as taken with the photo of the new baby as the grown ups around him. “It look like Mr. Potato Head.â€� “I’m sure your baby sister will appreciate that,â€� Alessandro said with a wry grin. “A girl? It’s a girl?â€� Will asked with a grimace. “That’s right,â€� Bree announced as Vanessa and Brian congratulated them. “I can play wif Gianni but what we gonna do wif a girl?â€� he asked, handing the picture back to them. “Nope, send it back
and get another boy dis time.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“It was while he was fixing the footage Max had given him that the doubts about the disc Bernardo had played for him began to
plague him with ever growing strength. Alessandro couldn’t contemplate his father doing something so cruel but…Bernardo would certainly know how. Hell, Bernardo had taught him how to fiddle with electronics when he was still a teenager. And he wanted Alessandro under his control, under his roof. Knowing that Alessandro was trying to keep his family together and that entailed moving into their own house, out from the Dardano mansion, would Bernardo try to turn him with false information?”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“Hello, darling,â€� Alessandro smiled at her. Oh, that smile. Bree wanted to close her eyes, press her hands against her eyes and keep them shut forever so she wouldn’t see that smile. She must have had the question on her face, the knowledge on her face because as she looked at him now, something flickered in his eyes. Guilt. Oh God. “Mommy, look. I make good bouncies. See?â€� Will said, dribbling the ball. “I gonna be a basset ball player when I gwoed up.â€� The little boy’s voice sounded far away as Bree narrowed in on Alessandro and the look in his eyes. “Brian. I want you and Vanessa to take Will and Gianni out for a little while.â€� “Oh but we’re having a good time out here, aren’t we Gianni?â€� Alessandro asked, tickling Gianni who squealed and curled inward. “Now,â€� Bree said, her voice tight. Will stopped bouncing the ball and held it against his chest looking at both of them, picking up on the angry tension that suddenly covered them all. “Uh oh. I tink mommy’s mad.â€� “I’m not leaving you alone in your condition, Bree. Alessandro, we just came from the hospital. Colin’s awake,â€� Brian informed him, his voice tight with anger. “You spoke to Colin?â€� Alessandro asked, meeting Bree’s eyes. “I did. And Carrie.â€� He looks like a cornered animal. And what do Dardanos do when they’re cornered? They lie. They cheat. Oh God. “Fine, then can you just take the boys upstairs?â€� Bree said, speaking to Brian, but not moving her gaze from her husband. “Come on, guys. Let’s go play upstairs for a while,â€� Vanessa said walking past Bree and taking Gianni from Alessandro’s lap.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“Bree grit her teeth and lunged for him but Brian held her back and Will spoke up instead. “You go away!â€� Will cried back angrily. “I know you did sumting dat made my mommy mad at my daddy. Is you fault!â€� “I suggest you put a muzzle on your brat and get back in the living room,â€� Bernardo ordered. “Careful, Father. This is none of your concern,â€� Alessandro said. “Are you kidding me?â€� Bree asked. “Of course this is his concern because he’s the only one you give a damn about. You’ll do anything for him. Absolutely anything even if it means betraying me or Will or God forbid Gianni.â€� “That is not true. I would never—â€� “It is true!â€� Bree yelled. “Everything you’ve done has proven that.â€� “Look, every marriage has problems and that is no reason to turn back on the vows you made to each other,â€� Bernardo pointed out. “You made a promise to honor the terms of the O'Reiley/Dardano vendetta. Be careful before you renege on those vows, Mrs. Dardano.â€� “You and your stupid vendetta!â€� Bree hissed. “Begun by a man who couldn’t handle the fact that he couldn’t have what he wanted! God it must be genetic. Well, I guess I shouldn’t blame you, Alessandro. Knowing Bernardo and Adriano, at least you come by it honestly.”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal

“Bree blinked her tears back and shook her head. “Wow. Then I guess you really are your father’s son, huh?â€� “You have no idea,â€� Alessandro snapped before leaving. Part of her wanted to run after him but a stronger part of her knew he wouldn’t listen to anything she had to say while the red haze was still burning inside of him. He wanted a fight. She’d give him one”
― E. Jamie, The Betrayal