A Burning Flame
Twisted Fates Series Book #2
Daniella Kunz
Copyright © 2020 Daniella Kunz
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.
First paperback edition: November 2020
Cover design by: Ashlee Drage
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
PROLOGUE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
About The Author
Books By This Author
A Burning Flame
Twisted Fates Series #2
Daniella Kunz
PROLOGUE
Eight years ago
I stand wide-eyed, hooked to my mother’s leg as we enter the large estate owned by our intimidating Capo. Dante had invited all of the families to a grand dinner, underbosses and soldiers alike. I'm terrified of being around everyone. Being shy, I don't feel comfortable in the slightest.
Once out back, my mother shakes my grip loose as she ushers me over to play with the other children. I reluctantly pry away and find a place to sit by myself, not brave enough to go to any other kids. Sitting alone, I look around at the other children, content by myself. As I gaze around, my eyes fall over the sight of three girls picking on another smaller one. The girl was huddled down, holding herself. Trying to make herself invisible while the girls surround her. One reaches down grasping her red hair, and tugs on it hard. I feel sympathy for this girl that I don't know; something makes me want to help her. As if sensing me, she lifts her head looking up at me, and I can see the tears in her eyes. Some unseen force pushes me off the bench, and I find myself shuffling my feet to them. I was determined to help her, filled with some unknown bravery and courage. Taking a deep breath as I approach them, I call out. "Hey, leave her alone!" All three stop and turn slowly facing me. One raises her brows while the others get a twisted smile on their faces.
"And what if we don't?" One question back.
"Then, you'll regret it," I say, trying to muster my most stern voice as they begin giggling at my empty threat.
"Oh, and are you going to make us regret it? You're just a pathetic little worm too. Go away, and we won't bother you." Turning back to their original prey, they act as if I am no longer there. One of them grabs the girls red hair once more, tugging back hard as a light yelp escapes her lips. Bunching my fists, I walk up to the bullies and tap the assailant on the shoulder. As she turns, I hike my fist back, folding my elbow, and once she is fully facing me, I let it loose. Throwing it forward with all my weight, my fist slams into her face, and she screams, falling back onto the ground. The other two turn to face me, now ready to beat the crap out of me for hurting their apparent leader.
Just as one takes a step forward, my mother comes running around the corner. "Oh my gosh, what happened?" She grabs hold of me as she takes in the scene before her. I tell her what happened, and she turns on the older girls.
"You should be ashamed of yourselves. Now run along and go." She shoes them away and helps the red-haired girl up. "Are you okay, dear?" The girl remains tight-lipped as she only nods in response. "Gianna, why don't you help her feel more comfortable, okay?" My mother steps away but not out of sight, knowing the girls are likely to come back.
"My name is Gianna. What's yours?"
Finally finding her voice, she introduces herself to me. "Liliana. Thank you for helping me." She looks down at the ground as if embarrassed. "They could have hurt you. You are really brave."
I laugh at her words. "Oh no, I'm anything but brave. I don't even know where that came from."
She stares at me, baffled. "Well, thank you anyway.”
"Do you want to come sit with me?" She nods her head as she follows me back to my bench, as we plop back down.
After a moment of sitting in silence, she speaks up again. "I can't believe you punched her."
"Me either. You should have seen Marcella’s face when I hit her. She was not expecting that at all." We both pause in silence for a moment before erupting in giggles. Finding a bit of satisfaction in knowing justice was served.
After we catch our breath, we look over at each other. I know of this girl. Her mother died recently, and it’s no secret her father is cruel to her. Anger wells inside of my little body at how unfair life is. That I have parents that care for and protect me, but she doesn’t. As I look at her hopeful eyes, I decide that I will be there to help her. Protect her when I can. Nobody should be alone, having to defend themselves. I will learn to be tough, and I will teach her to be too.
Neither of us says anything as we sit there. I know this girl will be a part of my life from here on out, and that I want to protect her. From that day on, something changed inside of me. Gone was the shy, scared girl holding onto her mother's leg as I knew I would need to be brave and hide my fears to survive. If you don’t, you’ll never survive.
1
GIANNA
Present-day
Calling Liliana this morning gets me excited about tonight. We are going out to a new club for her birthday, and I can't wait to get out and
