I have lost everything. My purpose. My love. My soul. Death knocks on my door, I want to answer, but every time I reach for the handle–the promise I made her, brings me back. So I breathe. I live.
I hate. And I allow the anger to boil beneath the surface of a perfectly indifferent facade. I am broken, I don’t want to be fixed. One last trip to New York, one last chance to redeem a lost part of … of the mafia family. The Empire is crumbling and it’s my job to fix it, my job to mend the pieces that were scattered over thirty years ago. The only issue is, the only way to fix, is to do something I swore I’d never do again. An arranged marriage. Only this time. I won’t fall. Or so help me God, I’ll kill her myself. My name is Sergio Abandanoto, you think you know my pain, my suffering, my anger, my hate–you have no idea. I am the mafia. I am the darkness. Blood in. No out.
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Just loved it, can’t wait to read the next book of this series.
The previous book broke me, this book put my broken heart back together.
Of course, it wasn’t as simple as that, there was more heartbreak throughout the pages of Sergio and Val’s story. Anger and sadness were the only emotions Sergio had in the beginning. Val was sweet and very naïve at the beginning, which was understandable, and I loved that the more I read the stronger she became.
These to were one half of the others soul and you could feel that from the moment they met long before either of them knew what they had just met their forever.
*5 Stars*
Whoa. I wasn’t sure if I wanted another Sergio book, but I really enjoyed this one, and more so than his first. Val and Sergio were so completely opposite, yet when it finally came down to it, they worked so well.
I really liked being introduced to Val and Dante, and I am very interested in reading Dante’s story. I like the Uncles, and I enjoyed getting more Frank as well. Val was the complete opposite of Andi, but Andi was so woven into this story (in more ways than one), that it was impossible to leave her in the past.
Sergios grief, Vals innocence and naivety to the mafia world, it all comes crashing together in this novel, that had me feeling all the highs, and all the lows.
There were plenty of fun moments with our loveable gang as well, because hell, they’re family, and I loved that about the book too.
Loved every minute and can’t wait to read more. Blood In. No Out.
I love this series. I was impressed with the details of the family dynamic. It really hooks me read more about Mafia.
WARNING: This the second half of Sergio’s story. ELUDE must be read prior to EMPIRE.
EPIC…Sergio’s story spanned two books with two loves and each were epic in their own right. Emotionally charged while being heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time.
Still suffering from the loss of Andi, he now has to honor the contract and marry the one he was supposed to marry, but he refuses to let that arrange be more than that. He’s shut down out of fear and grief and set it up so that Val could never have his heart.
The thing is…Val was so innocent and pure that she cracked through those walls with all the gentleness she possessed. She wasn’t raised in their life, so all the death that surrounded the families wasn’t something she was used to. That made her more appealing. Because she wasn’t the badass that the other girls were. She was Andi’s complete opposite; which spoke to Sergio’s deepest instinct to protect.
With the help of an unknown individual, Val was given the extra guidance she need to understand Sergio’s inner beast. She was able to provide him the calm and peace he needed. And through it all, she had to begin learning to live the life. Learn the dangers that came with it and take her place as a mafioso’s wife and all the while she gained strength and confidence and learned to pack a punch.
Sergio was such a lucky man. To have two great loves in his life. They each added a layer to him that made him a better man. I’ve never read anything as epic as this. I cried for their sadness, I cried for their grief and I cried for their happiness.
Sergio he gets what he asks for, tells his woman to do her worst and Val does, “all I had were my legs. So I stomped on his feet. He didn’t even move. So I kneed him in the balls. He dropped like a stone, his face stark white as a garbled sound squeaked past his tightly drawn lips. Breath whooshed out as he made a gargled sound then yelled, “effing hell!” He touched his face. “What was that for?” I liked Val especially when she got all mad because Sergio was an idiot at times, I liked that she was finding herself and standing up for things, “no, you think you know that. I can’t… we can’t.” She jerked her hands free. “From here on out, your kisses have to be earned.” I enjoyed this book, Sergio was moodier in this one butbi suppose that is to be expected I’m just glad his head was removed from his ***.
5 Epic, brilliant phenomenal stars! Absolutely, my feelings are torn for Sergio…. Fell in love with Val…. I felt for both characters, the struggle was real, I laughed, cried and wanted to punch Sergio! My heart shattered in Elude and was mended in Empire. Beautifully written and a must read in this series!
5 bullet holes because that’s all Amazon allows!
At the very least you have to read Elude, before you can read Empire. My suggestion is to read the entire Eagle Elite series because they are worth every freaking penny. Honestly, I love everything I’ve read of Rachel’s…fangirling for later.
Empire is the long awaited (I was freaking whining the entire time) companion novel to Elude. It follows up the traumatic time in Sergio’s life when he lost his wife. Sergio is being “forced” to honor the last wish of a dead man. His respect for Luca has him following through on what he believes to be a punishment for his crimes.
Make no mistake Empire is an emotional minefield. You and the tissues are not safe. You will laugh, cry, and curse “family” style in the same chapter.
Whether you are an Elite fan from the beginning or have recently latched onto the gang, you will never be disappointed. Plenty of mischief, violence, and sex to go around- Elite style.
Oh, and never let your guard down…
I’ll be continuing to nag Rachel and her PAs until the next one. Take my advice don’t start late at night. Buy it at 7 am and clear your day because you will not want to put it down.
Enrage is coming!