Black Heart

Gino lived in anguish. And he blamed God for his misery; if there was a God. Gino had doubts. His wife hadn't deserved to die at such a young age. So, how could a loving God punish them and others so unjustly or haphazardly? Could God be that reckless? He wanted answers but found none, not even after 500 years as a bloodsucking, empire-building vampire.

Despite his deceiving age, he had the look of a dashing, mid-40ish gentleman. He was wealthy, intelligent, and savoir-faire. Women swooned over his handsome, Italianesque physique-lithe and muscular, with dark hair, dark eyes, and mysterious charm. He admired beautiful women, too, but none gained his affections. Some, however, did make for delicate entrees to satisfy his unquenchable bloodthirst. His eccentric style also included a fondness for collecting exquisite art and other antiquities. And aside from the vampiric aspects, Gino seemed perfectly normal and successful.

But he was usually reclusive, his dark secret well-kept. Any public appearance was dangerous, leaving him vulnerable. He knew when danger lurked, however. He knew when to let live and when to kill, and he sometimes looked shamelessly forward to ridding society of some of its loathsome ilk. He killed at will without recourse like most vampires, a perfected skill.

He despised society's criminal culture-the thieves, prostitutes and pimps, and those addicted to drugs or other senseless vices. And he abhorred the financial elites, the pious, and politicians who uncaringly overlooked or purposefully took advantage of the underprivileged, the poor, and the hungry. Those concerns, combined with his wealth, had made him a passionate philanthropist, believing he could help others by doing what God had left undone or unfinished. He made regular contributions to various organizations and founded several. The work kept his mind from wandering and his soul from craving as he constantly strived to become more human again.

One of his companies, SunCon, had developed a new daylight vaccine that allowed Gino and other vampires to move about freely under the sun without fear of catching fire and being consumed. Although still in an experimental phase, it was a game-changer for his kind and for the planet. Efficacy improved with each version, and Gino was proud of the discovery. It had been nearly 450 years since he could walk outside during the day. He wanted to love again, as he'd known love with his wife, Marianna, and he wanted his life back under the sun like in the days of old when they were young and alive.

He decides to attend a charitable event one evening in Manhattan when an undisclosed item is announced for auction. Gino is surprised to learn that it's an ancient tapestry of his past, and it sends him on a chilling and thrilling, chaotic chase for truth, love, and absolution. His fortunes and his way of life hang in the balance. He is finally close to uncovering answers to old questions, but will it be too late?