Chapter 4 - Joseph

I hate to see a look of defeat on Selena’s face. She must see me as her captor at this point after everything that just happened. If she only knew the real truth. Her father did not deserve the protection I was giving him. I was only sparing his life because of his daughter.

There was something that I could not figure out that was drawing me towards Selena, giving me this strong desire to protect her. To protect her even with my own life if necessary. It did not make any sense to me as to why I was having these feelings. I have had my share of women over the years, but I have never had any strong feelings for them. Never had I felt the need to protect any of them. Looking into her eyes I saw a fight in her that I think rivaled my own.

I never want to see that fight in her eyes disappear. I needed a woman like her by my side that would stand up to anyone. So far, she seems to have come to terms with her fate, but I have a feeling deep in my soul that she truly has not come to terms with it and will probably try to run the first chance that she gets. I cannot say that I blame her, because there is no way that I would allow someone to hold me against my will. I want her to submit to me, but that will be in the bedroom.

I offered my hand to Selena to help her out of the car. She at first just looked at my hand and then reluctantly took it. Her skin on mine was like an electric shock. I really could not tell if she felt it too, because she would not look up at me. She was keeping her head down like she was afraid of me. As Don of the Rossi family, I needed people to fear me, but not Selena. I was going to show her that there was so much more to me that just being head of a mafia family. We were going to be so much more together.

I could not let go of Selena’s hand. It was so small inside of my large hand. I was thankful that she was not trying to pull away from me. I am still not sure how I am going t handle things with her yet. Most likely for a very short period of time, I would have to have her as a maid. I had been thinking about the deal her father was making with the Columbians. It was probably going to be the best approach to have in confined to the house, until I could straighten out this huge fuck up that George had made.

I was going to have to call a meeting of all of the Capos and determine what the best course of action was going to be. The family cannot afford to go to war with the Columbians, but they will never get their hands on Selena. I would have to put extra security on her if she did try to get out of the house and make a run for it. There was no way she was going out in the world alone. She has been alone for far too long in her short life all by herself.

Walking up to the steps, I could feel a slight hesitation from Selena. I could have played the bad guy at this point and just pulled her along, but I do not want to cause her to endure anymore stress. “Little bird, no one is going to hurt you here, that is my word and my word is law.” She finally looked up at me with those beautiful big brown eyes and I knew right at that moment, that she was exactly where she was supposed to be – with me. I barely heard her when she simply said, “Yes sir.” Her voice was

barely above a whisper. She had to be exhausted and there was still a lot to do tonight.

When we walked into the door, that was the first time that Selena lifted her head up. Her eyes were wide with amazement as she looked around the front room of the house. It made me seething mad to see the conditions that she was living in, when her father was constantly gambling, going out to dinner, and spending money on prostitutes. She was living in a run-down apartment and working hard at the bodega to just afford to eat. I had seen her going into the thrift store from time to time buying her clothes. I have done my best to not look at what she is wearing because I know that regardless of her situation, she is a proud person.

I had texted my “Aunt” Marta on the way home so she could have clothes and a room ready for Selena. The room would be temporary. At some point, she would move into the main part of the house, but that was a discussion for another time.

“Joseph you are finally home. I have everything ready for you.” Marta was always good at showing up at exactly the right time. She took one look at Selena, and I could see sadness in her eyes. Marta had lost her daughter years ago in a car accident and she had not been the same since. Maybe Selena could be healed in this house and heal those inside these walls.

“Come on sweetie, let’s get you cleaned up and ready for bed, you must be tired.” Selena looked back at me like she was unsure of what the right decision was. I simply nodded my head, and she turned and followed behind Marta.

I watched her until she was out of sight. I know she is in good hands with Marta. The next order of business was to get all the Capos together and decide our next course of action with the Columbians.

“Antonio, get all of the men together. We need to have a meeting immediately. Have security increased around the gates until I decide other wise.”

“Yes, Don, I am on it.” Antonio immediately started dialing his phone, because he understood the immediate threat. If we did not deal with the Columbians delicately, it could turn into an all our war and that is something neither side could afford.

While Antonio was busy, I took the time to grab a drink. The whiskey burned going down, but it was a comforting warmth. I had to think fast and think smart. The house was already bustling with men preparing for the meeting. I knew Selena was in the bathroom upstairs taking a shower and getting ready for bed. I could not help but wonder what she was thinking. Was she planning to escape? Was she afraid of me? Would she ever be able to trust me?

The meeting room was set up with a large oak table and chairs around it. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books that had not been read in years. This was my grandfather’s room, and it had not been touched since he passed. The smell of old leather and cigars lingered in the air, reminding me of the stories he would tell me about the old days when he was in charge. The men filed in one by one, each with a serious look on their face. They knew the gravity of the situation.

"Gentlemen," I began, "We have a serious problem on our hands. George has made a deal with the Columbians that could cost us dearly. They believe Selena is a part of this deal." I slammed my fist on the table, making the glasses rattle. "This will not stand. The Rossi family does not give up its own."

The Capos murmured among themselves, their faces a mix of anger and concern. They knew George had been a loose cannon for years, but this was a new low, even for him.

"We need to send a message," said Capo Vincent, his eyes dark and deadly. "Let them know that touching a hair on Selena's head means war."

I nodded in agreement. "But we can't be hasty. We need to know their terms, understand their intentions. We don't want to jump the gun and end up with a full-scale conflict that we can't control." The room grew quiet as the weight of my words sank in.

"Capo Vincent, reach out to our contact within the Columbian cartel. Find out what they want from us, and if they're willing to negotiate. Keep it subtle. We don't want them to think we're scared. Plus, I don't want them to know that Selena is with us."

The men nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. As they discussed strategies, I couldn't help but let my mind drift back to Selena. I had never felt this protective over anyone before, especially not a girl that had just been handed to me as part of a deal. Yet, there was something about her that made me want to keep her safe, to cherish her, even if she didn't know it yet.