They are the lost boys.
Sons of mafia mistresses expected to keep their fathers’ sins in the shadows. The lucky ones are forgotten.
Unfortunately for Valentino “Tino” Moretti, his brother Nova was too smart to be forgotten, and too valuable to risk when he resists a life of crime. So they punished Tino instead. Forced into the cruel world of the Sicilian Mafia at twelve, Tino was broken before he was old enough to know the man he was supposed to be. Now he’s what the mafia made him.
The enforcer.
A trained killer forbidden to love, but he did anyway. He's loved Brianna all along.
Raw and beautiful, their romance was all consuming and far too dangerous. They were ripped apart a long time ago. It’s not until the borgata puts out a hit on her that Brianna falls back into Tino’s arms, churning up their dark past and unraveling all the Moretti brothers’ closely guarded secrets.
This isn’t the end of the story. It’s only the beginning, and it is brutal.
There’s a reason enforcers are considered too deadly to love.
4.5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes
The Enforcer is the third book in the Untamed Hearts series and Tino's story. I could not wait for this book. The first series that I read by Kele moon was the Battered Hearts series. It was that series that introduced us to this spinoff series and to these characters that we fell in love with. I love Tino but when I read The Slayer I fell for him even more. I loved the friendship that he had with Chuito and his relationship with his brother Romeo and his wife and how much he adored their twins. The Enforcer is the story of Valentino Moretti story and the one girl that he has loved since he first laid eyes on her as a little boy. I could not wait to find out everything I needed to know about this man. And Kele Moon did not disappoint.
The Enforcer picks up right where The Slayer ended. Brianna is the girl that Tino has loved since he was a young boy. She is also his sister Carina's best friend. Its been four years since they have seen each other. But when Brianna is in danger the first person that her and Carina run to is Tino. It's been four years but the love they have for each other is still there and still burning. Tino takes off with Brianna to take care of "things" in order to keep her safe.
This is where we get to see everything there is to know about Tino. The story then shifts to the past where we meet a little 10 year old boy who has lost his mother and his older brother and protector Romeo, is sent to prison. Him and his other brother Nova are sent to live with their father and step monster. They are two people who could care less about these boys and who in no way should even be parents. But while living there Tino first learns that he has a sister, who he grows close with. But that's not all he learns. He learns how to live in the world that his father lives in. A world filled with crime, mobsters, and enforcers. He doesn't just learn how to live n it though, he learns how to survive.
Tino loves his brother and sister and will do anything to protect them. Even at the young age of 12 he knows what he needs to do to keep them out of danger. And seeing what he did just broke me. I loved this little boy who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, who was so loyal and protective of his siblings that he did what had to be done. Even if it completely broke him in the process. He went from this little boy who lost his mother and brother to a boy who has no choice but to grow up quickly, with no chance of ever knowing what it was like to be a normal teenager. No matter what it cost him he would protect his family.
Tiny captured me from the start. Honestly that man just stole my heart even as a little boy. My god what he went through just ripped me apart. I wanted to hug this little boy and take him away from the world he lived in. Seeing all that he went and lived through in his past makes you understand the man that he is today. And I loved him even more for it.
With all that he went through the positive in his life were the people who truly loved him. One of them being Brianna. I loved this girl so much. I loved her because of how much she loved Tino. She didn't care what his last name was. It didn't scare her nor did she love him because of it. She never judged him for the things he did and I think she loved him more because of it. She loved Tino Moretti because of the amazing person he was and because he made her happy.
This story was fantastic. It was a little long and I will admit at times it felt like it dragged a bit but I still loved it. Ms Moon needed to tell this story as she did so that we can truly understand the man who is Tino. It was at times heart wrenching but felt so real. I felt the pain that both Tino and his brother Nova went through. But I also felt the love and passion between him and Brianna. Every thing about this story felt real and passionate and intense. In the end Ms. Moon completely left me hanging and wanting more. And yes there is a second book but that's ok. It's just more of Tino for me to love. Another amazing job.
Excerpt
Tino dropped his head back against
the headrest. “I’m tired, Bri. I’m being an asshole to you because I’m just so
tired, and I’m sorry about that.”
“Me too. Very tired,” she
whispered into the night, realizing he was the only other person who
understood. Tino lolled his head to the side and stared at her for a long time
after the confession, long enough to make her uncomfortable. “What?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged, his gaze
running over her again, hot and possessive. “You look healthy too.”
“I’ve been doing CrossFit before
the shows. Helps keep me nimble for the more physical scenes.”
A smile quirked at the corner of
his mouth. “Do you need help being nimble?”
“There’s always room for
improvement,” she reminded him. “You know that.”
“Mmm.” He reached out and caressed
her hair, making her shiver against her will when he tucked it behind her ear.
“I’m sorry for saying you make bad life choices.”
“Well.” She arched an eyebrow at
that. “I did marry a man who tried to kill me. Can’t really fault you for
calling it like it is.”
“So cynical.” He sighed. “I’m sorry
life’s been mean to you, baby. I would give anything to make it stop hurting
you. Not that I’ve had any luck in that department, but if I did, that’d be
what I’d wish for.”
“Ditto.” Her voice cracked,
betraying her. “I’m sorry I keep running to you to save me. Bad habit.”
“Don’t be sorry for that.” Tino
tugged on her hair, forcing her closer. Then he slipped his hand behind her
neck and swept his thumb over the fine hairs on her nape. He leaned in and
breathed against her mouth. “Never be sorry for that.”
He kissed her like he couldn’t
resist, and she eagerly parted to him in an unabashed need she couldn’t hide.
She didn’t even see why she should. They both knew this trip could very likely
end with one or both of their funerals, but they had this. They always had this.
With a low groan of defeat, he
pushed his tongue into her mouth.
God, it felt good.
She had forgotten how much a kiss
from Tino could make her ache. The way his tongue brushed against hers. The
feel of his fingers tight in her hair. It was like being injected with a liquid
pleasure that jolted her awake after what felt like a lifetime of unhappiness.
She wasn’t ashamed of the way she
ended up grabbing at the lapels of his jacket, because he was breathless too.
His chest rose and fell in sharp, hard pants of need, but he was pulling away
too soon with a grunt of denial.
Tino fell back against the seat
and rubbed a hand over his face. He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say
something. Then he seemed to think better of it and leaned forward to start the
car, leaving Brianna frustrated instead.
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