Law of Conduct : A Royal Organized Crime Romance (The Fausti Family Book 7) Read online

  Law of Conduct

  The Fausti Family Series

  Bella Di Corte

  Contents

  Introduction

  The Fausti Family:

  Members of the Fausti Famiglia:

  By locations (and in order of the books):

  A refresher on the sanguisughe, organized crime syndicate in Sicily, Italy:

  Part I

  1. Brando

  2. Brando

  3. Brando

  4. Brando

  5. Brando

  6. Scarlett

  7. Scarlett

  8. Scarlett

  9. Scarlett

  10. Scarlett

  11. Scarlett

  12. Scarlett

  13. Brando

  14. Scarlett

  15. Scarlett

  16. Scarlett

  17. Scarlett

  18. Brando

  19. Brando

  20. Brando

  21. Scarlett

  22. Scarlett

  23. Scarlett

  24. Scarlett

  25. Scarlett

  26. Scarlett

  27. Brando

  28. Brando

  29. Brando

  30. Scarlett

  31. Scarlett

  32. Scarlett

  33. Scarlett

  34. Scarlett

  35. Brando

  36. Brando

  Part II

  37. Brando

  38. Brando

  39. Brando

  40. Scarlett

  41. Scarlett

  42. Scarlett

  43. Scarlett

  44. Scarlett

  45. Brando

  46. Brando

  47. Brando

  48. Brando

  49. Scarlett

  50. Brando

  About the Author

  Also by Bella Di Corte

  Copyright © 2021 by Bella Di Corte

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction.

  Names of characters, places, and events are the construction of the author, except those locations that are well-known and of general knowledge, and all are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental, and great care was taken to design places, locations, or businesses that fit into the regional landscape without actual identification; as such, resemblance to actual places, locations, or businesses is coincidental. Any mention of a branded item, artistic work, or well-known business establishment, is used for authenticity in the work of fiction and was chosen by the author because of personal preference, its high quality, or the authenticity it lends to the work of fiction; the author has received no remuneration, either monetary or in-kind, for use of said product names, artistic work, or business establishments, and mention is not intended as advertising, nor does it constitute an endorsement. The author is solely responsible for content.

  Disclaimer:

  Material in this work of fiction is of graphic sexual and violent natures and is not intended for audiences under 18 years of age.

  Copyright © 2021 by Bella Di Corte

  Editing by: Alisa Carter

  Cover Designed by: Najla Qamber Designs

  Formatted by: Author Services by Sarah

  Luca Leone Fausti was the heir to the Fausti throne and one of the most ruthless men our line had ever known—and he was my father.

  Only one thing had held him back from ruling over the years: steel bars. But when the King Lion was set free, there was nothing that would stop him from claiming what was rightfully his.

  His sons, and the famiglia.

  Once the Leone was released from his cage, he was ready to rule with me at his side, but there was just one thing stopping him—my wife. She had always feared another woman might claim my heart, but she had no idea that her true opponent was the man who created me.

  Book VII in an eight-part Mafia Romance saga.

  The Fausti Family:

  Brando Piero Fausti:

  Son of Lucious ‘Luca’ Leone Fausti and Maggie Beautiful (Margherita Granchio)

  His paternal grandfather and grandmother were Marzio Piero Fausti and Grazia Angeli (actress in Italy)

  He has three brothers from Luca Fausti: Rocco (married to Rosaria Caffi, opera singer), Dario (Carmen Fuentes/Diego), and Romeo (married to Juliette Rosetta Beauchene)

  He has one daughter with Scarlett Poésy Fausti

  Mia Bellarosa Fausti (Book VI):

  He has four paternal uncles:

  Ettore, Lothario (married to Belaflore, Aunt Bela) Osvaldo (married to Fiammetta, Aunt Metta), and Niccolo

  He has one great paternal aunt: Lola Fausti Sala (married to Tito Sala, MD)

  Scarlett Poésy Fausti:

  Daughter of Everett and Pnina Poésy

  Her maternal grandmother and grandfather were Maja Resnik Kumar (married to Dragotin Kumar) and Matteo Ballerini

  Her paternal grandparents were Evelyn Ross Poésy and Bennett Poésy

  She has two siblings, Elliott (deceased) and Charlotte (married to Travis Becker)

  Eunice O’Hara:

  Live in help for the Poésy’s since before Scarlett was born. Married to Burgess O'Sullivan (Book VI)

  Mitch Lewis:

  Brother of Mick Lewis and one of Brando's closest friends

  Mick Lewis:

  Younger brother of Mitch Lewis

  Married to Violet Castellanos and has three children—Peter, Paul, and Mary

  Violet Castellanos Lewis:

  Married to Mick Lewis and has three children—Peter, Paul, and Mary

  Scarlett's best friend

  The Italians usually call her Viola

  Juliette Rosetta Beauchene:

  Mentioned briefly in Book I when Scarlett and Brando reconnect by the train tracks and in Book V, during the second trip to Ireland. She’s now married to Romeo Fausti, Book VI

  Eva Robert’s cousin

  Members of the Fausti Famiglia:

  Donato:

  Head Soldier, Brando Fausti’s maternal cousin

  Guido:

  Soldier, Brando Fausti’s paternal cousin

  Livio:

  Soldier, Brando Fausti’s paternal cousin

  Thomas:

  Soldier, Brando Fausti’s paternal cousin

  Vincenzo:

  Enforcer, Brando Fausti’s cousin and Guido’s brother (Book V)

  Nino Fausti:

  Soldier, Brando Fausti’s cousin (Book VI)

  Ciro Fausti:

  Lothario’s first in charge, Marzio Fausti’s brother’s son (first cousin to Luca, Ettore, Lothario, Osvaldo, and Niccolo), father of Enzo Fausti (Book V)

  Enzo Fausti:

  Ciro Fausti’s son (Book V)

  Valerio Fausti:

  Naomi Ababio is his love interest. He makes his debut in Book VI.

  Ercole Fausti:

  Marzio Fausti’s brother’s son (first cousin to Luca, Ettore, Lothario, Osvaldo, and Niccolo), father of Manfredi Fausti (window peeper) (Book VII)

  Manfredi Fausti:

  Ercole Fausti’s son (Books VII & VIII)

  Nazzareno “Nazz” Fausti:

  He’s the son of Lothario and Belaflore Fausti (first cousin to Brando, Rocco, Dario, and Romeo.) (Book VII)

  By locations (and in order of the books):


  Natchitoches, Louisiana:

  Joseph “Joe” Stone:

  Sheriff of Natchitoches

  His son, Nick Stone, was one of Brando’s friends and died in the accident with Elliott

  Jane/Janet Jones:

  Obsessed with Brando and stealing pictures

  Penny Thatcher:

  Dated Mitch. Jane/Janet’s best friend

  Old Emory Snow:

  Lived in Natchitoches his entire life

  Fell in love with a girl from Paris and had a child

  His grandson is Emory (Snow) Nemours

  Brando also purchased the house on Snow from him

  Books I-IV

  Lisette:

  She was engaged to Elliott Poésy (Scarlett’s brother) at the time of their deaths

  Juliette Rosetta Beauchene:

  Mentioned briefly in Book I when Scarlett and Brando reconnect by the train tracks

  Eva Robert’s cousin

  Paris, France:

  Olivier Nemours:

  French club owner, Books II-V

  Also known as the ratto, or rat

  Collette:

  Scarlett's roommate in Paris, Books II, IV, V

  Emilia:

  Scarlett’s roommate in Paris (murdered), Book II

  Emory (Snow) Nemours:

  Grandson of Old Emory Snow and nephew of Olivier Nemours, Books II, III, IV

  Cerise:

  The growling little French ballerina that Scarlett takes under her wing and mentors, Book II

  Italy:

  Aberto ‘Berto’ Colombo:

  Maggie Beautiful’s friend from Tuscany, Book III

  Apollonia:

  Brando and Scarlett’s neighbor in Tuscany, Book III

  Riccardo Bacchi:

  Scarlett’s Italian dance partner, Books III, IV

  Valentina Abbruzzese, MD:

  Dr. Abbruzzese was one the doctors who helped Scarlett in Book IV

  She is also romantically linked to Mitch Lewis in Books IV, V

  Chiara:

  The Italian ballerina Scarlett sets Donato up with, Book IV

  Lev:

  One of the Seven Deadly Sins (Russian assassins)

  Scarlett met Lev when she and Maja danced for his grandfather in Russian when Scarlett was a girl and he was a boy

  He makes his debut in Book IV

  John Taylor:

  American football player

  Tried to buy Scarlett’s contract from Nemours (Nemours sold him Scarlett’s identity)

  He makes his debut in Book IV

  Abree Caffi:

  Rosaria’s sister

  She makes her debut in Book V, but you can also find her in the short story, Beautiful Honeymoon (with Dario Fausti, Brando’s brother)—it’s free!

  Giulio Cesare:

  Made his debut in Book VI (returns in Book VII). He was Brando’s opponent for the lodi.

  Naomi Ababio:

  She is Valerio Fausti’s love interest and Oba the lion’s handler. She makes her debut with Valerio and Oba in Book VI

  New Orleans, Louisiana:

  Gabriel Roberts and Evangeline ‘Eva’ (Chenier) Roberts:

  Gabriel was a world-famous actor who gave up the big screen for manufacturing musical instruments with Michael (married to Layla) Roberts

  Gabriel and Michael are both from Ireland

  Eva is known for her dreams—she can predict the future

  Eva has a dream of Scarlett and warns Scarlett and Brando in Book IV

  Gabriel and Michael are both Legion Men—they belong to a secret group (LOSA) in Ireland

  Fiji:

  Captain Tibbott O’Malley (also called ‘Captain’):

  Brando met Captain while he was in the Coast Guard stationed in Alaska

  Captain made his debut in Book IV

  Captain is a treasure hunter

  Agwe:

  Captain’s right-hand man

  Very superstitious and believes that Scarlett is some kind of water nymph

  Books IV-V (only mentioned in Book V)

  New York:

  Mac Macchiavello:

  He’s the owner of The Club.

  He has his own book (with Mari, who is briefly mentioned): Machiavellian (Gangsters of New York, Book 1)

  Burgess O'Sullivan:

  Married to Eunice O’Hara (live in help for the Poésy’s since before Scarlett was born, and honorary grandmother to Mia.) Burgess owns a bar and was also a policeman. He went to Brando for help to sponsor his boxer, Primo Bruno, and to keep his gym from going under. (Book VI)

  Primo Bruno:

  An Italian boxer managed by Burgess O'Sullivan (Book VI)

  A refresher on the sanguisughe, organized crime syndicate in Sicily, Italy:

  They are first mentioned at the end of Book IV:

  “Sanguisuga means leech in Italian, or sanguisughe, bloodsuckers, which meant the men that Ciro was in contact with could be bad news. Back in the day, when the Fausti family first got their start, a group of men formed against them and had been a thorn in their sides ever since. They wanted to be what the Faustis were, and any chance offered was a chance taken. The family called them leeches for a reason. They had been out for Fausti blood since the beginning.” – Brando Fausti, Book IV

  Giovi “Stone Face” Spataro is the head of the Sanguisughe

  “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” —Aristotle

  “Mai temere Roma, il serpente se ne sta attorcigliato a Napoli.”

  “Never fear Rome, the serpent lies twisted (coiled) in Naples.” –1996 mafia film Gotti

  Which means

  "A man's foes shall be they of his own household." —Matthew 10:36

  Part I

  1

  Brando

  The sound of music called to me. A melody sweet enough to remind me of the tone of my wife's voice. It was too far out for me to distinguish specifics, but I could still hear it. Whether she called to me or not, I was always drawn to her. Her essence was a romantic tune itself; her body was the vessel in which it traveled and reacted to the notes weaving around her.

  The tinkle of a piano. A string from a violin or harp. A slow, pulsating beat from a drum. A floating note from a saxophone. No matter the song or the melody, she was able to turn herself into art just by movement alone.

  Looking out of my office window, I could see the stone barn on our property in Tuscany. The heat of August seemed to surround it in waves. It was a mirage, a trick of the mind. Men surrounded it, too, breaking the waves every so often with their tireless strides, keeping safe what was most important to me.

  My wife and daughter.

  Flashes of pink twirled in front of the window like a fast-moving butterfly. Blink and it’s gone.

  Refusing to resist the pull, I left my brothers in the office to fend for themselves, knowing exactly where I was headed. They did too.

  Heat swarmed me as soon as my feet left the cool interior of the villa. Sweat beaded on my forehead and ran in rivers down my face, stinging my eyes. Using the back of my hand, I wiped a stream of it away, nodding to a few guards that I passed on my walk to the stone barn.

  August was relentless. The sun bore down as hot as lava, turning the dirt beneath my boots to ash. Even the air felt suffocating. Not humid, but somehow still full of steam that stole the breath.