"Your sister woke up," Ricci blurted out wanting to put an end to the awkward silence. Giovanni was never particularly chatty in the past, but this was different, this felt awkward. "She's sick as a dog though, in shock too, about your father." "Don't you ever compare my sister to a dog again," Giovanni spat back breaking his silence, hostility still clear within his words. "I-I didn't it's just an ex-" "A fucking stupid one!" He sank back deeper into the leather seat turning his head to look out the window, he was too angry to accept the fact that Ricci was currently his driver. "Why are you here? I told Antonio to call and tell you to make sure Rosalia was safe." Without realizing, he began clenching his fists fighting against the instinct that told him to crack Ricci a new one. "You had one job that was it. Now you're here? Why?" "We've all been looking for you Gio, I wasn't sent specifically, it was all hands on deck." He spoke slowly, diplomatically, trying to word his sente
Rosalia stood silently, tray in hand, condolences envelope on top. She didn't even dare to breathe yet as her fingers gripped the tray as tightly as she could, she could hear the slight crumpling sound of the aluminium crushing under her grip. She hadn't expected anyone to be in the kitchen, it was stupid of her really to assume such a thing. The two women were at a complete standoff. Neither moving nor saying a word. The awkwardness of the situation escalating by each and every second that ticked by between them.Rosalia had no idea what to say or do. She was floored at the sight of Isabella suddenly standing tall in the kitchen. She was turned around and slumped over the sink when she first stepped in, however now she stood tall, arms crossed over her chest as she inhaled angry breaths through her nose. A bull, waiting to charge and she was the red cloth. "Get out..." "I-I- Isabella, I just want-" as she stuttered she accidentally tipped the tray a little forcing the envelope t
"No?"Rosalia repeated the word dumbfounded. No. It had come out so firmly, so demanding, so familiar. She stood before him as she was released from his grip. She didn't know what to say or do, what could she say really? They were way past formalities after all. "No." He repeated once more. "You can't turn up here and just leave Rosalia. It doesn't work that way." The frustration was evident within his words, yet the look on his face showed a mixture of shock and sadness. He was absolutely floored by her presence; he hadn't expected her, not here, not today. Yet here she stood before him looking equally as heartbroken as he felt. He could see the guilt within her eyes, the way she nervously played with the ends of her hair as they stared at each other. A part of him wanted to be angry, he wanted to grab her by the shoulders, scream in her face, demand answers. All things he had thought about after every phone conversation with her. She frustrated him every single time. The
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's quite simple. You all shut the fück up and keep your heads down and you'll be free to continue your night!" The aggressive masked gunman stated in a matter of fact tone waving his firearm around. All she could see were his pupils - they seemed wild and out of control. He was pacing back and forth along the bar counter, almost unsure of his next move. Rosalia took a deep silent breath from behind the bar. Not again, she thought to herself scared and also a slight hint of annoyance deep within her thoughts. This was the second time this month the bar had been held up and she didn't want to get fired or killed for that matter. She needed this job desperately and having this happen twice on her watch was unacceptable in her eyes. "Listen bitch" the wild gunman stated abruptly ripping her from her deep thoughts, "hurry the fück up with the money, I want it all in the bag!" She nodded obediently still looking into his eyes in an attempt to recognise him. "STOP
"BASTARD!" Rosalia was uncontrollably screaming the police station down. Frantically trying to get free her attempts were only causing her to hurt herself in the process. "So help me God I will throw you in that cell with the cuffs still on if you don't stop" one of the police men threatened now having more than enough of her. She was body slamming the police car door the entire drive to the station whilst simultaneously cursing. "I'll take it from here" Police Officer John O'Connor stated from behind the desk. He smiled at Rosalia as the previous officer pushed her forcefully onto the desk. "BASTARDO! NON MI TOCCARE" (BASTARD! DON’T TOUCH ME)the tone in her voice was beyond any anger that had ever escaped her lips. How could they do this to me? I was robbed at gunpoint and I'm the one being arrested?' She thought angrily unsure if she was now ready to break down and cry. The arresting officer slammed her unarmed gun which was now in an evidence bag onto the desk angrily, "she w
Ricci Marino had only been promoted from Associate to Soldier for a short time. He had been part of the De Luca family since he was a baby. His parents and the parents of the De Luca brothers were always in close contact. Although Ricci enjoyed and appreciated the privilege of being an Associate of the crew for many years he eventually outgrew the ranks and proved himself loyal enough to step up to more important tasks. Tasks such as bailing the brothers out of lockup. John O'Connor let out a small sigh of frustration the moment Ricci stepped towards the desk. He knew very well why he was here and who he was here to bail out. "Always the same story with you punks". John stated practically throwing a pen at Ricci before he even had a chance to speak. "I know why you're here" he continued in an aggravated manor, "no need to even explain it. Just sign the paper work and pay the amount stated. As usual I'm sure you're paying cash tonight?" Ricci smiled, "yes Sir. Cash it is" As Ricci
The bar door was locked when they parked in front of the establishment and all the lights were out. Rosalia walked around the outside of the premises making sure everything seemed in order. "My boss must have been contacted by someone" "Well we should take you home then, doesn't look like there are any patrons to serve tonight" Giovanni stated looking around the empty street. It was quiet and eerie without the usual hustle and bustle the bar had to offer especially during the current summer months which brought everyone out and about. Clearly word had spread quickly about the gunman scaring everyone away for the time being. "I have to ask" he looked at her with a slight curious smile on his face, "why do you walk around with an empty gun?" Rosalia knew the question was coming; in fact she was surprised he hadn't asked it sooner on the drive here. "This has happened to me before" "In this same bar?" She nodded, "yes, I got scared the first time and I'm not entirely sure why but I
"What the heck happened to you last night?" Emilia raised her eyebrow at her best friend Rosalia in a suspicious manner. She had called her friend numerous times after noticing she had not come home the time she normally would after work. "I called you but I figured maybe you were on some booty call" she joked handing her a freshly made cappuccino. Emilia Serafia was Rosalia's long time bestfriend. Their families were the best of friends and even frequently enjoyed trips back to Italy together. Emilia's family would arrange accommodation in Messina, where they were from; and Rosalia's parents would arrange accommodation in Palermo. When their children were younger they would frequently enjoy summer vacations in the south of Italy. The girls went to the same schools and even coincidentally attended the same colleges where Emilia had studied Teacher Education and Professional Development and Rosalia, Business Administration & Management along with Interior Design. They were inseparabl
"No?"Rosalia repeated the word dumbfounded. No. It had come out so firmly, so demanding, so familiar. She stood before him as she was released from his grip. She didn't know what to say or do, what could she say really? They were way past formalities after all. "No." He repeated once more. "You can't turn up here and just leave Rosalia. It doesn't work that way." The frustration was evident within his words, yet the look on his face showed a mixture of shock and sadness. He was absolutely floored by her presence; he hadn't expected her, not here, not today. Yet here she stood before him looking equally as heartbroken as he felt. He could see the guilt within her eyes, the way she nervously played with the ends of her hair as they stared at each other. A part of him wanted to be angry, he wanted to grab her by the shoulders, scream in her face, demand answers. All things he had thought about after every phone conversation with her. She frustrated him every single time. The
Rosalia stood silently, tray in hand, condolences envelope on top. She didn't even dare to breathe yet as her fingers gripped the tray as tightly as she could, she could hear the slight crumpling sound of the aluminium crushing under her grip. She hadn't expected anyone to be in the kitchen, it was stupid of her really to assume such a thing. The two women were at a complete standoff. Neither moving nor saying a word. The awkwardness of the situation escalating by each and every second that ticked by between them.Rosalia had no idea what to say or do. She was floored at the sight of Isabella suddenly standing tall in the kitchen. She was turned around and slumped over the sink when she first stepped in, however now she stood tall, arms crossed over her chest as she inhaled angry breaths through her nose. A bull, waiting to charge and she was the red cloth. "Get out..." "I-I- Isabella, I just want-" as she stuttered she accidentally tipped the tray a little forcing the envelope t
"Your sister woke up," Ricci blurted out wanting to put an end to the awkward silence. Giovanni was never particularly chatty in the past, but this was different, this felt awkward. "She's sick as a dog though, in shock too, about your father." "Don't you ever compare my sister to a dog again," Giovanni spat back breaking his silence, hostility still clear within his words. "I-I didn't it's just an ex-" "A fucking stupid one!" He sank back deeper into the leather seat turning his head to look out the window, he was too angry to accept the fact that Ricci was currently his driver. "Why are you here? I told Antonio to call and tell you to make sure Rosalia was safe." Without realizing, he began clenching his fists fighting against the instinct that told him to crack Ricci a new one. "You had one job that was it. Now you're here? Why?" "We've all been looking for you Gio, I wasn't sent specifically, it was all hands on deck." He spoke slowly, diplomatically, trying to word his sente
Giovanni stumbled up the dark staircase, a light flickering in and out interrupting his focus. He muttered something incoherent under his breath as he gripped onto railing hoisting himself further up to his destination. As the floorboards creaked beneath his feet he could not help but think why someone would live in such a dump of an apartment complex. A thought which entered his mind every time he walked up these same stairs. He made his way in front of a door studying the crooked numbers as his right fist clenched bringing it up to bang vigorously on the door at this unruly hour. He stopped for a moment only to listen in as he pressed up against the door. "Open up" he called out without any consideration bringing his fist back up to commence more pounding but being cut short by the door flying wide open. "Jesus!" Elisa gasped at the sight of him; she hadn't even bothered to close her black silk robe answering the door in her underwear. "Da fuck are you wearing?" He groaned push
Ricci let out a long breath of frustration, his left hand propped up against the front door as he leaned over knocking a series of five consecutive knocks becoming more and more frustrated. He alternated between knocking and pressing the doorbell which was clearly not currently working. He finally pushed himself from the leaning position he was in and back upright on his feet before making the decision to walk around the back of the house. Her car was in the driveway and the curtains were drawn back, he was sure she was home. Making his way towards the back sliding doors he immediately noticed the latch on the other side of the door in the incorrect position. He shook his head muttering under his breath growing even more annoyed by the second. This girl will never learn.Sliding open the door he stepped into the house, "Rosalia!" He called out loudly swiftly sliding the door behind him shut turning briefly to lock the latch. "Rosalia wh-" He stopped. Frozen in place at the sight o
The family sat downstairs in the living room. A few hours had gone by and Giovanni had made the decision to call Stefano and Giacomo Casso, his father's Consigliere. He needed advice, and Rocco was the one who could provide it. He glanced briefly over at his mother as she continued to sob quietly in the corner cradling Sienna holding her close murmuring a silent prayer for her entire family. "Rocco..." His voice almost failed him. Keep it together... He closed his eyes, let out a breath then picked himself back up. "What do we do? What do I do?" "Have you called it in yet?" He queried reaching for the scotch decanter on the coffee table. He poured seven glasses and pushed them towards the men. They needed a drink. Everybody needed a drink. He glanced up at Giovanni who was shaking his head before swiftly knocking back the entire glass. "No." He placed his glass back down, reaching for the decanter pouring himself another. "Not yet. I called you first." He threw down his
"Mio marito! Mia figlia! Non posso vivere cosi!" (My husband! My daughter! I can't live like this!) Isabella wailed through sobs. She was pacing back and forth from her main bedroom to her daughters, hoping and praying Alessia's life would be spared. "TI ODIO DIO! TI ODIO!" (I HATE YOU GOD! I HATE YOU!) Her wailing becoming intense high pitched screams. "MAMMA!" Giovanni screamed over her as he watched her throw herself back onto her marital bed. Her body lay over the top of her husbands, his father, blood seeping through him and onto her nightgown. She had woken up groggy and with a severe headache this morning. As she stretched out to wake herself up, glancing over at what she thought was her sleeping husband, she instantly began to scream. His side of the bed was covered in deep red blood. Her sons and son-in-law, Nico had come running through the halls, almost knocking her bedroom door off its hinges in the process. But they were too late. Dominico De Luca had been dead and
The smells of sweet champagne and freshly baked Italian pastries were still in the air. That smell of warm freshly baked sheep ricotta combined with freshly grated orange zest straight from the fruit gardens, it was the smell of celebration in the De Luca New Jersey estate.There was no greater celebration in the family home quite like the day of a baptism. The baptism of two month old Sienna Conti.The beautiful daughter of Nicholas and the only De Luca daughter, Alessia. The champagne and wine began to flow from midday through to the early hours of the morning. There was no shortage of food either, as various types of pastas with a range of different sauces filled the tables. Homemade pizza from the outdoor wood fire oven which the men happily took over, after all, playing with fire was no job for a woman. Then of course, the traditional Italian pastries. No party was complete without the addition of pastries. They celebrated the baptism of little Sienna into the late hours of th
He stared directly into her eyes, letting her lustful gaze burn within his. A slight smirk appearing on his lips as he withdrew himself only to push his full length back into her balls deep. The slapping sound of his body colliding with hers was the only sound they could hear. It was the only sound that mattered. Her head burying itself into the crook of his neck once again. He could hear her panting against it, feel her hot breath, the small vibrations throughout his body as she moaned against him. "Gio I... Oh God... I-" words were so hard to get out all of a sudden. She wasn't even sure what she was trying to say. He pulled back and lifted her head to look into her eyes; he wanted to see her when she came. He wanted her eyes on him. "It's ok" he encouraged her slowly pumping back in, "let go. Let go for me. Let me see you" he took her lips one final time then pulled away as he pushed himself all the way back in to the hilt with one final strong thrust. That was all she needed t