Forgetting the Enemy (Enemy Duet Book 1) Read online

  WHAT BLOGGERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

  Forgetting the Enemy

  The author has given us an enthralling story of lies and deceit. Michael seems to dig himself deeper into a web of lies only to try and protect Zaira. Zaira is a strong character and I liked her sass. The chemistry between the two protagonist sizzles. The story has plenty of building climax, a few plot twists, and great characters.

  Hot Books and Sassy Girls Book Blog

  Amy Cecil pens a riveting story full of love, lies, deceit, and murder. I was so engrossed with this book that I couldn't put it down. This is definitely Amy Cecil at her best and I can't wait for the next book to come out.

  Cozy Couch Reviews by Alison

  You know those books that leave you swearing because the end is ridiculous but in a great way and it leaves you NEEDING more? That is Forgetting the Enemy by Amy Cecil. A stellar book that grabs the reader from the beginning and holds them hostage past the ending, with desperation to know how every little facet will play out. A seemingly believable glance into some of the more minor inner-workings of an Italian mobster family, and it manages to twist the audience's heart- hoping against hope that things will simply work out for the protagonists. It's heart breaking, in the best way, to see the hero's growth throughout the novel and to see where it culminates. A rarity in the romance world that deserves a minimum of ten stars!

  Wyrds About Words

  I think I could use a bit of Michael in my life. He's a bit bossy and Zaira gives it right back. She knows how to play the game and it drives him wild. He's even got a bit of a jealous streak. I love these two together. They're super fun and the chemistry between them is smoking hot. They're perfect together and it makes a girl dream that these two can have their happy ever after.

  Rae’s Reading Lounge

  Absoulutely fantastic book by a fantastic and talented author, I would recommend Amy Cecil’s books to anyone. Had me hooked from start to finish. The way the characters are portrayed you can't help but want them to have their happy ending. The ending has me wanting more. Can't wait for next book.

  Emmyj

  Amy Cecil has taken mafia, ruthlessness, love and understanding and shook it all up. Get ready to fall in love with Michael and Zaira, while hating them at the same time. Will true love conquer all or will it just fade and crack? You will have to find out for yourself. Amy Cecil has once again blown my mind and I cannot wait for the next book to see what happens.

  Alicia Reads

  Organized crime, when I find a book that has all the pieces that make a perfect mafia story, I’m all in. Amy Cecil writes an organized crime family brilliantly. I will say this, Amy Cecil is taking on organized crime and taking no prisoners. Absolutely my favorite organized crime novel of the year!!!

  Girls That Want To Click It

  Forgetting

  the

  Enemy

  By Amy Cecil

  Forgetting the Enemy – Enemy Duet, Book 1

  Copyright © 2019 Amy Cecil All Rights Reserved in accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. The scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use materials from this book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the author.

  FBI Anti-Piracy Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison along with a fine of $250,000.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental or used in a fictitious manner. The author acknowledges all song titles, film titles, film characters and novels mentioned in this book are the property of and belong to their respective owners.

  Any views expressed in this book are fictitious and not necessarily the views of the author. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Book cover design by Rebecca Garcia of Dark Wish Designs. https://www.darkwishdesigns.com/

  Layout by A. Maslo of A to Z Covers & Designs. https://www.facebook.com/AtoZCoversandDesigns/

  Editing Services provided by Angie Wade of NovelNurse Editing. https://www.novelnurseediting.com/

  ISBN-13: 9781791659974

  Dedication

  For everyone who grew up in a family similar to mine, this book is for you. And, for those of you who didn't, this book is still for you, because now you can pretend you did.

  Just to give you a little insight into “growing up Italian.”

  Back in the day, Sundays were dedicated to family. There wasn’t one Sunday that went by where you didn’t have at least 10 family members, crowded around the dining room table full of the most wonderful Italian dishes. Words like mangiare and delizioso filled the air, not to mention many that I was too young to know what they meant.

  I have so many cousins, sometimes it’s difficult to remember all of their names, who belongs to who, not to mention whose blood-related and who just married in. It got worse as I got older, because at one point you think you have everyone figured out and then you find out you have more cousins you never even knew you had. It’s endless.

  Italians love to throw a party and there is no event that isn’t party worthy. We have parties for every holiday, birthday, baptism, confirmation, graduation, communion — the list goes on and on. We even throw parties for the little things too. But, there is nothing quite like a big Italian wedding. It is the wedding of all weddings with the finest Italian food and endless dancing with those crazy cousins and of course la giarrettiera (the garter).

  There is nothing we do that doesn’t have a reason along with a 15-minute story to go with it. We like our traditions and we spend a lot of time keeping up with them.

  At the end of the day, there is one thing that I can say holds true with just about every Italian – La familia. Through thick and thin and for better or worse, your family will always be there for you. Italian blood is definitely thicker than water. When it all boils down, your family knows you better than you know yourself, whether you'll admit it or not.

  The love we have for each other is endless, and I would not trade it for the world.

  Prologue

  Michael

  I was born into a world filled with ruthless and powerful people. We thrive on control. We commit murder, and we take the law into our own hands. It’s a way of life. And above all else, we are loyal to family.

  I am Michael Vitali, eldest son of one of the most powerful Mafia crime families in New York. My father, Domenic, is the type of man you don’t say no to and one you don’t turn your back on. My father can be ruthless when needed, but he is also fair and honest. He’s loyal, protective, and above all else, he puts his family first.

  He commands respect, and he deserves it.

  I strive to be like him every day. In a few months, I will take over his position, and I can only hope I will be half the man he is when I become head of the Vitali family.

  We have many enemies, but our most fearsome rival is the Bonita crime family. Alberto, head of the family, is also ruthless and commands respect, just like my father and me. But there is a difference between him and us.

  Alberto doesn’t deserve it.

  Like I said, Alberto is ruthless, but he is also unpredictable, demanding, and a hothead. People are nothing but pawns to him, including his chil
dren. He would sell his daughters for power and personal gain in a blink of an eye. He’s abusive toward women and disrespectful toward all who know him.

  One thing about the Vitali family we don’t tolerate is an abusive, disrespectful man.

  When the time is right, we will retaliate against the Bonitas.

  And when we do, Alberto Bonita will not live to see another day.

  Chapter 1

  Zaira

  Standing outside my father’s office door, I hear him talking to someone. Knowing how much he hates to be disturbed when he has someone in his office, I start to walk away but then turn back when I hear my name. He’s talking about me with someone, but with whom? I know I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but now my curiosity is piqued, and I must listen to more.

  “Are you sure Zaira is who you want?” he asks.

  “Yes, I’ve wanted this alliance for some time now. You’ve known for a while now that I’ve been building to have my own family, and having Zaira in the mix will seal the bond between our two families,” the other man replies. I know his voice—Victor Masserie, one of my father’s caporegimes. But why are they talking about me? I think to myself.

  “Marriage?” my father questions. Marriage? To Victor? Absolutely not!

  “Yes, marriage, of course,” Victor replies.

  “And how does this alliance ensure an increase in my power? From what I can see, the only one benefiting from this arrangement is you.”

  “It would appear that way, but you’re missing the hierarchy of business, Alberto. When my power increases, your power increases because you are and will always be my Don.”

  “And what about the Vitalis?” my father asks.

  “Alberto, they don’t stand a chance against the alliance between our two families. Actually, I’m surprised they haven’t tried to push that old hope for a marriage contract of their own with Zaira and Michael.”

  “Actually, it surprises me as well. Zaira is beautiful, and I am sure hard to resist. But when I accused them of killing my Maria—God rest her soul—all bets were off.”

  I know my father blames Michael and his family for my mother’s death. He swears the Vitalis put a hit out on her, but I know Michael, and I know his father. They would never do such a thing. If they wanted to come after my family, they would not take a coward’s way out and go after my mother. They would go directly to the top and get my father.

  He’s quiet for a few minutes and then he says to Victor, “So you are guaranteeing I will benefit from this?”

  “You have my word,” Victor replies.

  Victor has been part of our family my entire life. My father raised him and doted on him as if he was the firstborn son. My brother, Vince, never stood a chance and never got the same attention from my father as Victor did. As a child, I remember Victor never playing with us and always keeping his distance. My father even offered to educate him, but he refused. He wanted to be a made man and work his way up in the family. And he never hid the fact he wanted his own family, which is why this conversation comes as no surprise to me. Victor has always wanted this, but for some reason, I seem to be the key to make it happen. But why?

  I’ve never liked Victor, nor have I ever trusted him. In fact, he’s always scared me. He’s never been pleasant or nice to anyone but my father, and the last thing I can imagine for my future is being married to him. Why would an alliance with Victor increase my father’s power? Victor didn’t have the muscle behind him, so why would he think he would add power to the Bonita family?

  “However, Alberto, I think it is important to know what you are subjecting your daughter to. I’m not a nice man,” Victor says.

  My father replies with a chuckle. “I’m not a nice man either. When did that ever stop me?”

  “This is not a laughing matter, Alberto. You need to heed my words.”

  “Fine, what is it you have to say?”

  Listen well ’cause I will only say this once.” He pauses and then says, “Zaira will not be a wife who is treasured and doted on—or loved for that matter. She will satisfy my needs, both in the bedroom and out. This is a marriage of convenience and nothing else.”

  His words terrify me. I cannot marry Victor. My father will insist. I’m desperate; I have to do something to stop this arrangement. Without thinking of how I’ll explain to them I was less than a little interested, I don’t knock and instead barge in.

  When I open the door to my father’s office to protest, I catch him waving his hand in the air, shrugging Victor’s words away, and then he says, “You know I care nothing about that. Once she belongs to you, I wash my hands of her.”

  I should have known. My father doesn’t care. If it helps his business or increases his power, then my wellbeing be damned.

  He pauses when he sees me. “Zaira, my dear. Your timing is perfect, but you know better than to just walk into my office, especially when I have someone in here, even if it is only Victor.” He gives me a wary look, and I know I will have to pay for my intrusion. “Victor and I have something to share with you.” He says it so sweetly, with so much love in his voice.

  I smile at him, but inside I am falling apart. How could my own father do this? I won’t argue with him about this so-called marriage for many reasons, one being that I’m already in trouble for walking uninvited into his office. Then, if I give myself away and reveal what I’ve heard, he will punish me for eavesdropping. Yes, it’s a rather odd concept for a woman of twenty-one but a definite occurrence in the Bonita family. Secondly, I know I won’t win if I did. My father’s word is law, and if he insists I marry Victor, then I have no choice but to marry Victor. Did I mention that when you are a Bonita, you have no free will, just my father’s will?

  Putting on the invisible mask I wear in situations such as this—the one I have grown accustomed to wearing when I am around my father—I reply, “Good morning, Father.” I pause and turn toward Victor to address him. “Victor. Hope you both are well this morning.”

  “We are, and we have good news for you,” my father says.

  Victor rises from his chair and walks over and stands before me. “Zaira, your father and I have just spoken, and he has given us his blessing.”

  “Blessing?” I reply. I figure it’s better to show ignorance than to give any clue that I know what he is about to say.

  “Yes, Zaira, his blessing. We’re getting married,” he says confidently because he knows if my father wishes it, I must acquiesce.

  “Oh, I see.” I’m cautious with my reply because the last thing I want to convey to my father right now is that I am apprehensive about this.

  Victor reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small jewelry box. Oh hell, he already has the ring! Oh God no. This can’t be happening, I think to myself, and all the while I have a smile on my face.

  “Here, wear this,” he says as he hands me the box.

  I really didn’t expect romance—you know, the hearts-and-flowers thing—but it sure would have been nice to at least get a decent proposal of marriage instead of “here, wear this.” I take the box from him, still smiling ’cause it is what a good Bonita daughter should do, and open it. Inside is the most ostentatious, gaudy diamond ring I have ever seen. Victor has known me all my life; of course he would know this ring is not something I would choose. But based on what I heard from the other side of that door, it’s best I learn early on that, going forward, nothing about me matters anymore. It never really did. I never mattered to my father, and now I will never matter to my husband. What was it he said? I am only his wife to satisfy his needs, both in the bedroom and out? The thought makes me cringe. But, at least he won’t be getting a virgin. It was the one thing I was able to control about my future. During my senior year in high school, I made a point to give my virginity away to a boy that I had been secretly dating at the time. Although it wasn’t the most pleasant experience of my life, I was overjoyed that I had taken matters into my own hands.

  “We’ll have a quick engagement. Six months
work for you?” he asks.

  Does he really care what I think? I nod ’cause I really don’t have a choice. In today’s world, women aren’t subjected to dowries and arranged marriages anymore, but in a traditional Italian family, like my own, this is our life. My father is the Don of a powerful family, and if he says I will marry and we will have a quick engagement, then I will do as he says.

  After the decision is made for a quick engagement, I politely excuse myself from both men. Once in the hallway, I make it my mission to find Vince. Vince is my older brother and the closest thing I have to a best friend. Well, I had Michael at one time, but after his family was accused of murdering my mother, that friendship went to hell. Not only did my father forbid me to see Michael, I knew it was easier to avoid him. I mean really, how could we be friends after the accusations had been made? The damage was done.

  I know Vince would not be able to change my father’s mind, but I need him to know and to know how I am feeling about all this. I can’t speak with Mia, my sister. She’s too immature to understand the ramifications of such an arrangement, and she has loose lips. I’d be terrified she would slip and confess my confidences. Vince is my confidant, and I know whatever I tell him he will take to his grave. And, if he wants to help, at least he’s in a position where he can do something, unlike me.

  I find him in the kitchen harassing Greta, our housekeeper, cook, and nanny. Greta is the one who really raised Vince, Mia, and me. She is like a second mother to us all, especially after our mom was killed five years ago.

  “Come on, Greta, just a taste of the cookie dough, for your favorite?” He teases. It makes me smile ’cause I can see Greta is making chocolate chip cookies, and even though Vince is twenty-eight, he is still mimicking his childhood antics by begging for cookie dough.