I lean against the back of my leather chair and just watch my little brother. "Santo, no drugs. No prostitutes in our house. No strangers outside our own Family. Have security tripled." He nods immediately. "They know that, Elio." I start laughing and dig my index finger into the dark wood of my desk. "Stronzi did the exact opposite last time. I. DO NOT. WANT. TO. SEE. ANY. DRUGS. AND. NO. PROSTITUTE. HERE," I insisted, pressing my finger down each time. My house must remain clean. It must stay immaculate, so I will not be ashamed when my Light returns for holidays. Santo gets up and trots to the door. He turns his head toward me and looks at me mockingly. "Go get your dick sucked in one of the clubs. You need to relax a little." I toss my glass of brandy in his direction. And all I can hear is the sound of the crystal exploding against the door and Santo's laughter in the hallways. Cazzo. My birthd

What more can I say, except that I was nothing before I heard these words from the mouth of my light. I have the sensation of floating, of being there without being there. It is a fucking miracle or a nameless catastrophe. That I love. And that I am loved in return by the person I love. I pull Lucia by the waist and have to lean over her so I can place a multitude of small kisses on her face. She is mine. Mine and only mine. Lucia starts to laugh and turns her head whenever I want to take her lips. Why do you want to do that? She raises an eyebrow in my direction and gently pushes me back. But I do not let her. I want her to stay against me forever. I place a hand behind her back and block the wrist with which she tries to push me away. "Don Elio," she whispers, scolding me. "Elio, Amore mio. Call me, Elio," I beg her. "E No" (it's no), she says firmly. However

I hear the sound of helicopter blades in the distance on the property. I am like a kid at Christmas and nervously run my hands through my hair. Am I clean-shaven? Isn't my cologne too strong? Probably I should change my tie. Or my shoes. Or my jacket. Cazzo. The old butler knocks on my office door to tell me the kids are here. I have to use all my self-control not to sprint down the stairs. I abruptly open the front doors and can't even hide the disappointment on my face. "Oh wow! It's great to see you too, fratello mio. I've missed you too," Matteo says ironically, giving me a sulky pout. I place a hand on top of his head and shake his thick mane. "Where is Lucia?" I ask him without further ado. Matteo blinks quickly as he looks at me. I finally realize that he is carrying two travel bags on each shoulder. Then he gestures with his head back, and I swear I clench my fists so hard you ca

Lucia and I have agreed that we will not announce our engagement until she has completed her studies. I am committed to respecting her vow of chastity until marriage, but it is a daily struggle for me. I have to admit it to myself, but I love how much extra control it takes over me. I am a crazy bastard. I want her to be by my side all the time. She and Matteo never set foot again in the boarding school where I sent them. Then, as much as I hate the idea of strangers being in my house, I hired a series of home tutors for them. Matteo lasted a month before complaining that he needed a social life and could not stand being locked up anymore. Lucia and I decided that she would not move into my room. I say -she and I-, but that is bullshit. She told me no when I suggested she start moving her stuff. So, after hours of tense negotiations with my Light, she agreed to join me at nap time, but only in one of the vi

(Lucia, a few minutes earlier) "What's this?" I ask my friends as they place a package on my chest. "Your birthday present, Luciano!" Maria cheerfully replies, giving me a satisfied smile. "Open it, Luciano," Valentina urges me. "It's from Didi, Maria, and me. Guaranteed success!" I tear open the package, wondering what they might have chosen together. I am really surprised because even though we all get along, we have very opposite characters and radically different tastes from each other. I freeze as I pull the two pieces of fabric from the package and give them a questioning look. "What is this?" I repeat again. Valentina shakes her head mockingly as Maria removes her dress in front of me before declaring: "We all have the same ones, but in different colors." Valentina, in turn, takes off her dress and snaps her green bikini top strap over her collarbone. " Finally, when we say all, you know well that Didi did not take one for her. On the other hand, she is the one who fou