CHAPTER FIVE

"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 inseparable which is why they even agreed to move in together.

"So I found out I lost my job this morning" Rosalia began as she took the cappuccino and sipped some down feeling sorry for herself. "I'm sorry what!?"

"You heard right Emilia, I am officially unemployed. I tried to stop a gunman last night, we got held up again. There was a huge misunderstanding and I was arrested. I found out this morning that the cops called my boss and apparently explained what happened and all my boss cared about was the fact I brought a gun to work. So he called me and fired me".

Emilia thought her jaw was literally touching the floor at that point in time. She had so many questions she had no idea where to start. "You have a gun?" Was the first question which escaped her mouth. Her innocent best friend, whom she believed she knew very well and would never harm a fly was suddenly packing heat.

"Well it wasn't loaded Emilia. I didn't put the bullets. It was just for protection"

"Ahh, clearly you didn't think that one through because apparently you're doing it wrong Rosa" Rosalia could not help but laugh at her friends sarcastic comment. She finished the rest of her cappuccino and explained the full story in detail to Emilia who was now curled up on the couch absolutely enthralled with the details.

She became very intrigued when she retold the events of her knight in shining armour, Giovanni, bailing her out of lock up. "Ok look, it's Saturday and you clearly need cheering up so this is what we're going to do. We're going shopping for new outfits and tonight we're hitting the clubs"

"Are you crazy?" Challenged Rosalia quite loudly, she was not exactly in the position to suddenly blow all her money on outfits and drinks. "It's on me Rosa. Plus I may have set you up tonight on a blind date... Don't be mad!"

"Mad?!" She was now really raising her voice, "why would I be mad? You're just pimping me out now behind my back Emilia!"

"Come on it's not like that! Look, I've been seeing this guy, it's really new, I think I like him it's just that the dinner dates have been getting a little awkward lately so he suggested we go out clubbing with friends. So I told him to bring a single friend and I'd bring you. Please!" She knew if she begged she would eventually get her way. It always worked and this time would be no different.

"I'm not promising you I'll have a good time alright" Emilia began to smirk with a look of victory sprawling across her face before she grabbed her friend and hugged her tightly. "Thank you!"

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Dominico (Dom) De Luca; the boss of the De Luca family. Rocco Casso; his Consigliere, which is an advisor to the boss; and Giovanni (Gio) De Luca, the Underboss, all met together in Dominico's office.

Giovanni could see the anger in his father's eyes before the conversation even got underway. Clearly, he was well informed of the situation but needed an update from his son.

"Well?" He asked curiously encouraging his son to recall the series of events. "Papà, you're angry I get it. There was nothing we could do, we were surrounded by men with guns. We are working on it though, I've got Antonio and Matteo working on it as we speak" he stated referring to his two younger brothers.

"What about Nico?"

"He's busy with Alessia today so let him be, we have this under control".

"The other family?" Giovanni nodded and let out a breath, "they're pretty angry, it was our card game after all". The card game which was recklessly held up was a fairly common event the De Luca family organised with a partner family in New York. These card games were always high stake, close to a million dollars could be played on any of these nights. They were constantly changing locations in order for events such as last night to be avoided. However, this time something went seriously wrong. Everyone was angry and soon enough fingers would start being pointed which could burn many valuable bridges.

"Giovanni how could this even happen?" Rocco asked unable to wrap his head around the enormity of the situation. "I don't know Roc, I don't see how a random person could know the location, not without an informant"

"Is that what you think?" Rocco continued prying with the questions. "It's the only explanation I can offer. We're close with the York family, I didn't think this would happen, but it has and now we're looking into it. Someone from their end had to of tipped someone". Rocco nodded intently and looked back at his boss before speaking. "So we keep a close eye on them for the time being. Keep a watch on their families, any irrational spending needs to be reported, understand?" Giovanni nodded before rising to his feet, "understood".

"Oh and Gio", his father called to him before exiting the room. "How is John O'Connor?" He asked, almost making himself laugh as Giovanni shook his head with a cheeky smile. "Sempre un coglione papà" (Always an asshole dad).