Vow of Revenge

VOW OF REVENGE P. RAYNE Copyright © 2023 by Piper Rayne Incorporated 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. Cover Designer: Emily Wittig Designs Line Editor: Joy Editing Proofreader: My Brother’s Editor About Vow of Revenge Nothing ruins a perfect day like your dead fiancé showing up in the middle of your first class. Mirabella La Rosa When my father arranged for me to marry the next in line to lead the Costa crime family, I swore I’d do anything to escape that fate. I have way more to offer my family than being some man’s arm candy, producing heirs, and making appearances at weddings and baptisms. Marcelo Costa might be my fiancé, but he’ll never be my husband. Somehow, I get lucky because he and his father are killed in a car bombing. Not only do I not have to go from being a mafia princess to a mafia wife, but now I can attend college at the Sicuro Academy—an affluent private college created for mafia children like me. I’m so excited. I’ve moved into my dorm room with my best friend, put on the uniform and am ready to learn. But all my plans come to a screeching halt when he shows up on campus alive and well, seeking revenge on those that crossed him. Marcelo Costa The look of shock on my fiancée’s face when I walk into the classroom at the Sicuro Academy gives me more pleasure than it should. Mirabella made it clear she didn’t want to marry me, and she’s a problem to be dealt with for sure. But now, she’s the smaller of my two problems. The only reason I’m at the Sicuro Academy is because my investigation into the bomb that killed my father and almost took me out has led me here. So I’ll allow Mirabella to stay at the academy while I track down my father’s murderer, but once I’ve brought that person to my own particular brand of justice I’ll remove her from campus and make her my wife. And no amount of pleading on her part will change my mind. AUTHOR’S NOTE This book contains references to content that may be upsetting to some readers. Trigger warnings include alcohol, attempted murder, murder, profanity, sexually explicit scenes, stalking, physical violence, and gun violence. Reader discretion is advised. CONTENTS Playlist Italian Crime Families Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Epilogue Acknowledgments About P. Rayne Also by P. Rayne Playlist Here's a list of songs that inspired us while we were writing Vow of Revenge. You can follow the playlist (and us) on Spotify using the QR code at the bottom. Blood in The Cut by K. Flay Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge Ghost by The Acid A Forest by The Cure High Enough by K. Flay World in My Eyes – Depeche Mode Closer by Nine Inch Nails Fascination Street by The Cure The Hand That Feeds by Nine Inch Nails Red Right Hand by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds The Killing Moon by Echo & the Bunnymen Liability by Lorde when the party’s over by Billie Eilish Love Song by The Cure Sicuro Academy – Italian Crime Families Northeast Territory Specializes in running weapons Marcelo Costa (head of the Costa crime family) Southeast Territory Specializes in counterfeit rings and embezzlement schemes Antonio La Rosa (next in line to run the La Rosa crime family) Southwest Territory Specializes in drug trafficking and money laundering Dante Accardi (next in line to run the Accardi crime family) Northwest Territory Specializes in securities fraud and cyber-warfare Gabriele Vitale (next in line to run the Vitale crime family) 1 MIRABELLA Nothing ruins a perfect day like your dead fiancé showing up in the middle of your first college class. I don’t pay attention when someone knocks on the door, but when all my classmates gasp, my curiosity piques and I look up from my papers toward the open classroom door. My jaw falls open and I do a double take, blinking. Marcelo Costa stands in the doorway—alive. Marcelo Costa, the man who was to be the head of the Costa crime family. Marcelo Costa, the man my father arranged for me to marry. Marcelo Costa, the man who was buried three months ago. A little toddler tantrum voice screams in my head, “Damn it to hell, he’s going to ruin everything.” “Can I help you?” Professor Edwards tilts her head down to look at Marcelo from above the rim of her glasses. “Marcelo Costa. Late transfer.” He breaks the distance with his usual confident air and hands her a note. I swear all the girls track his movements, each one growing a little wetter between her thighs. There’s no denying Marcelo Costa is the most stunning specimen most will ever see in person. I’m reeling from shock when he turns and meets my gaze. Until his stupid cocky smirk spreads across his face, replacing my shock with annoyance. Sofia whips her head in my direction. “What the hell is he doing here?” The horrified expression on my best friend’s face probably matches mine. She knows exactly what this means for me. Marcelo’s resurrection threatens my very presence at the Sicuro Academy. Before he was “killed,” I was expected to marry