Mafia Princess (21 page)

But, as I said, the action may be in the North but the historic methods still resonate from the land of the orange blossom. It doesn’t matter when or where or whom – if something or someone gets in the way, it’s dealt with the old-fashioned way.

That became evident outside a pizza parlour in the German town of Duisburg in 2007. It’s no coincidence that Duisburg boasts the world’s biggest inland harbour. A good asset for import and export.

When two ’Ndrangheta clans feuded over who ran the harbour, the Pelle–Romeo family won control. They executed six of the opposition Nirta–Strangio family outside the pizza palace. It was a classic shoot-and-run operation.

There have been no arrests.

People ask me if the influence and lethal power of the Mafia will ever end. From what I’ve lived through I suspect
that’s unlikely. Control is the key, and attitude determines how it is applied. The Mafia say:
Ser vo mortu lo to nemicu, nun fari scrusciu
[If you kill your enemy, he can’t make any noise]. It’s not a life-affirming motto.

I’ve turned my back on all that, for that’s not how I see my future or the future of my kids. Life should be celebrated, not destroyed. The two things I’m proud of in my life so far – and I’ve much to be sorry about – are Lara and Frank. They’re my achievement. Our love is everything.

As it says at the beginning, this book is for them.

I want to thank all the people who have helped me to reach a place where I’ve been able to tell my story with complete honesty: not just the professionals who have been supportive and kind but all those who have been so much part of my life. I send my love to them all.

My mum and dad: Mum, it’s only now I know exactly how much you mean to me. I’m sorry for all the hurt I’ve caused. Dad, I’ve always loved you even when I shouldn’t have. You’ll always be my father; if at times I’ve not liked you, I never stopped loving you.

Frank and Lara: the love I have for you both is like no other. You are the truly pure and innocent results from my life, my achievements. Look after each other always.

Bruno: for our young love and giving me our beautiful daughter Lara. My nan in Italy, no matter what, I love you.

Vera: a lovely, caring lady who has taken me in her arms as if I were her own daughter.

Tracy: who listened to me a million times over during the past ten years and helped me through my darkest moments.

Sue: you helped me through prison life, gave me hope, love and affection; you were like a mum to me.

Naima: you have been like a sister, always there for me.

Ashley: you helped me find my real self once again. Thank you for being there when it mattered.

Uncle John: I truly appreciate all you’ve done for young Frank through the years.

Maxine and the Barns family: for making me laugh even when I wanted to cry. Rachael and family and Johanna for caring. My aunties and uncles and all the others who have also cared so much.

The special people who I’ve lost: my Auntie Eileen, my English nan and grandad, my Italian granddad and, of course, Frank Senior. He was a tormented soul on earth and is hopefully at peace in Heaven. He might have done bad things but he was a good person and they say the good die young. Out of our love came our precious son and for that I will be for ever thankful.

This book is the result of marvellous team work:

I want to thank Douglas Thompson for his expertise, advice and caring, and Lesley and Dandy for their kindness and hospitality; also Amanda Stocks at Exclusive Press & Publicity, Diane Banks at Diane Banks Associates Literary Agency and Nick Owens. I owe great thanks to Susanna Abbott at HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to tell the truth at last.

And to my solicitor Trevor Colebourne, who knows me as well as he does the law and deals with heartache and legal headaches with equal calm and an acute level of understanding of the difficult process of both.