The sound of an incoming email startles me as a slightly satisfied smile appears on the corner of Elio's lips. I do not know what it is about, but I know from how he is acting that he just received some great news. He looks up at the driver of his car, then informs him that he will make a phone call using the car's speaker. I raise my neck, leaning on the headrest of my seat. I just close my eyes, trying to keep my composure. I repeat to myself like a mantra: it is nothing, Lulu. Elio is just afraid you will get hurt. You still have your job and apartment, even though it is now riddled with damn spy cameras! "Don Elio" articulates the voice over the speaker. "I am very pleased with the speed this case was resolved. Glad to see your skills are up to the salary I am paying you," Elio replies coldly. I can feel him moving to the side and reaching for a cigar. I do not know what case he is talking about, but one thing is sure, Elio is delighted. Strang

I arrive at the sizeable Ganovese estate. The choice was not difficult. I really wonder what my father could have done in the past to make the Ganovese owe him a debt. Matteo takes me by the hand and starts to give me a tour of the house, explaining the rules of the house. "Generally, we can do anything as long as it doesn't piss Santo off!" he tells me. "I feel like he's angry all the time," I reply immediately. Matteo bursts out laughing and puts his free hand to the side of his mouth to share a secret with me. "No. He's always hungry, and it puts him in a bad mood." "What?" "Santo is a big, hungry teddy bear. If you want to win points with him, bring a dessert and ask him to help you finish it." "Why doesn't he eat more if he is so hungry?" "Elio's order. Santo is a compulsive eater. Once he emptied the closets and fridges in the Villa, but I was too small to remember. Since then, Santo is only allowed to eat at mealtimes if he does not want to upset Elio." I catch myse

It's been a week since I came home. I am leaning against the large railing of the outdoor terrace with a glass of cognac. I have reached the point where this is what I need to keep up with the hectic pace and function. I have not slept for several months now. I am in a constant state of stress, and the number of problems I have to deal with seems to grow daily. I am only 26 years old and already carrying the workloads my father started in his 50s. I am doing my best, but I am exhausted. I have managed to free up some time to spend with my brothers. It's been a week of calm among the Cosa Nostra families. I greatly appreciate the presence of the daughter Luciano. She keeps my little brothers busy and happy, which is the only thing that matters to me today. But I do not know why. My brain kept looping the moment I caught her and Santo in the kitchen. It was easy to take on the role of Don after the accident that took my parents away. Our father trained

I have been at peace with my feelings for Lucia for a few months and concluded that I am even more pathetic than I thought. I am waiting for my obsession with her to fade, but it is only getting stronger by the day. Does she think I see her as my little sister? Va bene. (All right*) If it keeps me around her, I am okay with it. Since she thinks that, she dares to look me in the eyes from time to time. I never scolded her the times I caught her looking at me. However, I also know she immediately looks down and seems to blame herself for daring to have a look at my face. I want her to look at me. I know I am crazy about her, but I am also aware of our age difference. Only one more year and I should start receiving marriage proposals between her and the other Families. Like a big brother, I will make sure she is in the best family for her and that the stronzo (asshole*) I choose for her knows he is no better than the dust under Lucia's shoes. I am sitting at my desk. I purposely as

My brothers can think whatever they want. Me ne frego. I will not deny or affirm what I feel for Lucia. It is not their business. I know what I am. I know what she provokes in me, and I also understand that the age difference between us must be considered. But I also know that some Dons have wives or mistresses with much more significant age gaps. But they are still of legal age. Cazzo. I have to stop. She said it very well herself. I am just a "teenage crush." And, I am almost convinced, somewhere in the corner of my mind, that's what she is to me. A crush. Nothing more. "Elio..." Matteo says to me, continuing to stare at me. "Why don't you say something?" I pretend to pull on the collar of my shirt and walk out of the office, giving them the finger. I am disgusted. By me. By the leaps, my heart has been making in my chest since my name left the lips of my light.