Chapter 6 : Villa Fiorita

Villa Fiorita, meaning “The Flowering Villa”,  lived up to its reputation. Alessia's mother, Rosa Rossini, was from a powerful ancient monarch family in Greece and happened to fall in love with Antonio Rossini, who at the time was a nobody. 

Antonio Rossini fought to become deserving of her, rising ranks to ranks before he met the Morano's and became a Consigliere. 

As a lavish wedding gift, he built an entire villa surrounded by all the exotic flowers that he could find in the world. 

He had once used all his powerful resources and connections to acquire the 'Queen of the Night’, a flower that blooms in the night and dies during the day. 

If there was a man driven and smitten by his wife, it was Antonio Rossini. 

…………..

The car pulled into the heavily guarded Villa.

The air was filled with sweet scents and warmth. Leonardo could imagine Alessia as a little girl growing up and running around in the field of flowers. 

The guards were shocked as they saw Salvador in the passenger side. It could only mean one thing, Leonardo Morano was here!

They bowed in fear, and made way for them and immediately sent words to the main house. 

As the car stopped at the entrance of the main house, the maids and Butler formed an archway and at the very end stood Alessia's parents and brothers. 

Salvador got out quickly from his end and held open the door. As soon as they caught the sight of the long legs covered in dark tailored pants, the air seized. Antonio held his wife in his arms and bowed his head already in respect to the Capo of the famiglia. The others joined their master. 

Leonardo stepped out, but something was out of place, a familiar obsidian black wave cascaded down his sleeves. Alessia's mother, Rosa gasped in shock, sending a sharp glance at Marcello, who was already sweating buckets.

“I knew this little rat would have me killed” he cursed in his mind. Regret washed down his face, he prayed that by chance it was another person

“Let it not be Alessia, let it not be Alessia”

The heavens were not keen on listening today. The figure in Leonardo's arms was indeed Alessia Rossini. The Little cat crawled up in his arms, scrunching her nose in discomfort as if protesting that her sleep is being disturbed.

“That little brat is oblivious to the trouble she has caused” Marcello swore to the seventh gates that he would never indulge Alessia again. Not that the seventh gates would ever believe the boy wrapped around his little sister's fingers. 

“Welcome Capo” Antonio Rossini greeted in respect. Leonardo Morano gave him a nod of acknowledgement, which showed how much face he gave the Rossinis. 

Antonio has been a constant face in his childhood, his father's most trusted and also his fighting teacher. He showed him the ropes and helped him take over his father's place. 

Leonardo was shown straight to Alessia's childhood bedroom. She still kept the childhood bedroom style, a pink canopy four poster bed with white linings and tons of white cloudy pillows,

The vanity and dressing table were all pink and white with gold handles. 

“The Little foul-mouthed daredevil still loves pink”, he thought in amusement. 

Leonardo Morano was an oddity in the pink room. He stuck like a sore thumb, a dark shadow stepping into her pink paradise. With Alessia in his arms, they made the perfect picture of beauty and the beast_ except that this beast was dangerously handsome. 

Leonardo gently laid her down on the soft bed. She shifted immediately, frowning at the loss of warmth. Catching his arm, she held it tightly and nuzzled against it like a contented kitten.

He indulged his Topolina for a few moments before stepping away.

“It won't be long, Little Topolina, I will soon have you in my arms”

…………..

The entire Rossini household, her parents and brothers were already seated in the study that belonged to Antonio. 

Leonardo Morano stepped into the room like he owned it.

“You know why I am here”, he stated

Antonio Rossini knew well the devil he had raised. Leonardo was more tactical, and cruel than his father. He broke out in cold sweat, weighing the consequences of the events tonight, before he spoke up.

“ Capo, it was all due to my negligence, and I am grateful to you that my daughter returned safe to the family” Antonio was a quick-witted man. He cleverly stated his incompetence while stroking Leonardo's ego. 

Leonardo cast a glance at each of their faces, before setting his eyes on the Rossini boys. He knew Roberto, a tough, quiet but loyal lad who was now managing his father's ‘shipping’ aka weapon smuggling business. He was very competent although uninteresting. 

He then caught the face that looked exactly like that of his beloved. Marcello Rossini_ the boy had every bit of mischievousness in his eyes, but he was one of the best snipers in the famiglia. 

From the reports Salvador gave, he knew that Marcello and Alessia were very close.

 While he appreciated the siblings' bond, he did not go down well with the fact that Marcello had a hand in sending his beloved out to clubs. 

“How did she get past the security?” Leonardo asked, looking straight at Marcello Rossini

Antonio Rossini was stunned for a while. The very question had weighed down on him, ever since he saw his daughter in Leonardo's arms.

“I permitted her to hang out in Sofia's house, I was the one who did it”, the reply came from a soft, sweet voice that belonged to Rosa Rossini.

Marcello visibly released his breath, “Nice save Mama, I owe you a year long pruning” 

Leonardo Morano did not wish to dwell on that this night,

 “Her 21st birthday is coming, our engagement will be fixed then_ as for the security arrangements, six of my best men will be here to ensure the safety of my future wife” 

It was not a negotiation, Leonardo Morano was here to claim his bride.