Welcome back to the Vittorio Crime Family! His Witness is the fourth book in this
series but can be read as a standalone. Before I get into my review I will say
that this is a very dark read. It deals with abuse, violence, and graphic sex.
This book is not for the faint at heart. I say this not to discourage the
reader but as a forewarning as to what to expect.
Tommy head enforcer and a bit of a psychopath when it
comes to his victims has never fit in anywhere. His biological family treated
him as if he was non-existent and Jack his surrogate showed him in only the way
the mob or any gang could what it feels like to be a part of something. Although
Jack was the first one to introduce Tommy to this life he still will never be “made”
because he isn’t fully Italian. Because of this Tommy takes liberties where he
wants with little to no repercussions. Like many men in this family when he
sees something he wants he takes it including women.
Melanie has taken over for her father in the family
business. Her dreams of attending Columbia University have been shattered with
the burden of helping her father. Jumping in bed with some strange bedfellows
Melanie has to sign a deal with the devil. Because her father has business with
the Vittorio Family Melanie has no choice but to let them flood drugs through
her club for their business. Verbally and psychically abused by the men in this
family Melanie has created a hard shell. She doesn’t back down to these guys
and lets them know exactly where they can shove it. I love the fact that
Melanie is very sassy and has a bit of a filthy mouth.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances Melanie is now
Tommy’s captive. Tommy has always had a crush on Melanie but each time she
turns him down. Now that he has her exactly where he wants her his goal is to
break her by any means necessary.
If you have read any of the other previous stories
this story will really make you dislike Vince. He’s a bit of a douchebag to
everyone except his wife. While I love a good mob read I had a few issues with
the inconsistencies in this story. For instance Melanie says to Tommy, “You
said you have anger problems, but I don’t see it at all.” Or my favorite when
Tommy says, “I never laid a hand on you I’m trying to help you.” (Potential Spoilers) He only beat her and
starved her and made her sit in the cold basement naked for days. I would agree
his issues go beyond anger but who are we kidding?
I did find that there were parallels between this
story and the other stories in the series. For example Jack has an issue with
one of the love interests of his men and wants them to get rid of said love
intrest. But the men can’t find a way to part with the women they love and
except them for who they are. The women all have issues with Jack and make note
to mention that Jack is using them. But because of some blind loyalty to Jack
the men including Tommy try to work something out. Although unlike the other
men Tommy is more of a man of action and doesn’t just speak about things he
makes them happen. I do like the fact that the author does pose questions to
the characters that the readers are thinking themselves. i.e. Melanie doesn’t want
to leave Tommy after the God awful things he has done to her. She pleads her
case which sounds a lot like classic Stockholm Syndrome but Tommy corrects her
and lets her know that, “its normal to get attached to the person you are
spending so much time with.” I honestly didn’t feel these two characters shared
anything more than insults and sex. I would have liked to see more of a
connection between the two if possible.
This story is more than Melanie being Tommy’s captive
it balances the budding “romance” between the two with the business of the
family. I won’t give too much a way but there are a lot of twists and turns in
this story and the way the author left the book off I am sure there is more to come.
Don’t judge this book based on this one review but for yourself.
