The Desire in Deception

Contents Author’s Note Playlist Prologue 1. Caterina 2. Enzo 3. Caterina 4. Enzo 5. Caterina 6. Enzo 7. Caterina 8. Enzo 9. Caterina 10. Enzo 11. Caterina 12. Enzo Epilogue The Hunt in Elusion Sneak Peek Extras Ruthless Letters Sneak Peek Also by M.L. Philpitt About the Author The Desire in Deception (Fractured Ever Afters #0.5) Copyright © 2023 by M.L. Philpitt 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 is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, persons living or dead are entirely coincidental. Warning: This book contains mature content. Reader discretion is advised. Cover Designer: Cat Imb, TRC Designs Editing and Proofreading: Rebecca Barney, Fairest Reviews Editing Services Formatting: M.L. Philpitt The Desire in Deception was originally published in the Heartless Heroes Anthology. It has since then gone through minor re-edits, mainly around the ending. If you read it in the anthology, the edits do not change the story’s main plot in any way. The Desire in Deception is the story of Lorenzo and Caterina Corsetti, parents to Nico, Rafael, and Aurora from the Fractured Ever Afters series and Hawke from Captive Writings. This novella can be read at any point in the Fractured Ever Afters series and does not impact the main series. The situations shown in this book are discussed in the main series, so this is a bonus story of them playing out. Please note, this occurs before Stefano De Falco, which is why there is no mention of him. This book has content some people may find triggering. Please visit this link for the list of triggers. Feel free to contact me with any questions. If you feel I have missed a trigger warning, please let me know. “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots “Gangsta” by Kehlani “I See Red” by Everyone Loves an Outlaw “Play With Fire” by Sam Tinnesz & Yacht Money “Devils Don’t Fly” by Natalia Kills “Lover. Fighter.” by SVRCINA “How Villains Are Made” by Madalen Duke “Angel With A Shotgun” by The Cab Listen here For those who crave the villain instead of Prince Charming Enzo Guns fire and bullets whizz every way, some hitting civilians and soldiers alike, and others narrowly missing. My father grasps my jacket’s sleeve and yanks me down to crouch beside him, the tipped-over blackjack table serving as our wall of protection. It’s not solid enough for us to remain here long, but it gives us just enough of a reprieve to catch our breaths and decide to escape or fight our way out. Sweat makes my hair stick to my forehead, so I wipe it to the side. My heart hammers against my chest as adrenaline rushes through my entire body, causing my breath to come out as heavy pants. I glance over at my father and spot him wiping blood splatter off his forehead. As Underboss, he shouldn’t be here right now. Usually, I’m the one who checks the books and confirms every cent coming into our casino remains and doesn’t end up in the pockets of our employees. Although they’re all extensively background checked upon being hired, one can never be too careful. As Corsettis, the most powerful crime family in all of middle and eastern Canada, our guard must always be up. There is no exception. But Father insisted on coming today, picking the wrong day to do so. “It’s you and me, boy. Unisciti a leale. Muori leale.” Join loyal. Die loyal. I nod, ensuring my nine millimetre is cocked and loaded. If this ends badly, so be it. Death doesn’t scare me, and I don’t fear him. He’ll welcome me into his fold, even if it’s much too early. Father meets my eyes, and they’re hard, as if thinking the same thing. He shifts, readying to stand. The gun shots are slowing as more and more of our men are dropping. When someone barged into the casino and began shooting it up, I couldn’t get a clear view of who attacked our own territory admits the chaos. It might be the Bellinis. A decade ago, Leo Bellini, head of another crime family, and Father had a falling out, and although neither side has ever openly declared war before, it’s possible Leo’s gotten tired of playing nice. Either way, after today, war is the only possible future. If Father and I make it out alive, our murderers will pay for their attempt. If we don’t, my family will retaliate over the death of their underboss and heir. Just as my father’s positioning himself to stand, his gun cocked, the bullets stop, and everything goes eerily silent. “Corsetti,” a deep voice rumbles. The man’s footsteps scuff the carpeted floor as he drags his feet, approaching the blackjack table where we’re hidden. “Stand up, you pathetic sack of shit. Letting your men die while you hide is a coward’s act.” The line of skin between Father’s eyes drops in determination. He’s about stand, and while it’s admirable to face one’s enemy, it’ll mean his death. “Father—” He slaps a hand over my mouth, silencing my voice, so I convey my thoughts with a pleading look. Stay. He shakes his head, his own message clear: Don’t follow me. If I were to stand too, we could both die, and as the family’s heir, I’m next to take his place as Underboss. Heirdom is everything in the mafia because it ensures there’s always a leader to continue the organization and family’s bloodline. Logic battles with honour—something instilled in me since birth. Being a Made Man for the past five years, since I was fifteen, means dying before betraying the family, and to openly allow my father to be