Chapter Four

***

Long Island, New York

Alessandra

"Could the two of you explain to me why the fuck some random asshole is hitting up my phone and begging for a 'copper haired bombshell's' number?! I know you didn't give some random man my phone number, Tori!"

Zeno was pissed as he approached us, his words confusing us momentarily before Tori and I shared a knowing look, recalling last night's antics and the love-struck bartender. Chuckles escaped us despite our older brother's glare and threatening step towards the two of us.

"Oh come on, big brother. Even you have to admit it's somewhat funny."

I urged, wiping the escaped tears from laughing too hard whereas Tori snorts were yet to die down. Zeno rolled his eyes at my words, choosing instead to down his drink rather than respond to me.

"I can't believe he actually called you! Are you sure he isn't looking for you, though, big brother? I mean, you do fit the description. Copper hair, bombshell with secret tastes we may not be privy to. I always knew you were a little fruity but I didn't think you liked bottoms. Your macho personality seems to match more with a verse."

Tori stated, her serious expression morphing into absolute amusement as she side stepped Zeno's attempt to grab her. The two of them were almost always engaged in one fight or the other, be it verbal or physical. Their showdowns were almost as legendary as Selene and my own fights. I chuckled at Tori's jibe, one that never failed to be funny considering how violent Zeno's reactions could be.

"You're lucky we're in public. Otherwise I would have to beat your ass for this. You can't go around giving my number out or yours! Seeing as you seem to have forgotten, we are the future of the Cosa Nostra. Many people would kill to have even the slightest information on us, let alone our damn phone numbers. Because of you, I have to get a new phone and everything."

Zeno growled, earning a shrug from our little sister before she continued to casually sip her champagne.

"Not my problem, big brother."

She responded after a beat, earning herself a glare before he turned to me.

"Your influence is rubbing off a little too well on her. I now understand why Papa is trying to tear the two of you away from each other."

His words reminded me of the daunting situation we were in but the reassurance of my plan filled me with equal resolve, enough to give me the strength to respond to my brother who seemed more worried than pleased by our father's actions. Despite being Massimo Rinaldi's protégé and also getting into it with Tori the way he did, he was also a man who could not be so easily influenced.

His stubbornness had allowed him another level of understanding and detachment that gave him different perspectives. He cared for all his sisters fiercely, enough to fight for us on multiple occasions. I knew he would not be pleased by our father's decision and, true enough, judging by the worry in his eyes, he was not happy.

He will be a better Don than our father, of that I am sure...

"Nothing he does will ever stop us from being siblings. His actions and threats do not scare me. I will always be Tori's big sister and you will always be our big brother, no matter the distance or circumstances. Blood is thicker."

I responded, earning a firm shake of the head from my brother and sister, each of whom nodded in agreement. Although my brother did not know about my plan, I knew he suspected that something was happening on the sidelines. He was the most perceptive among us all and with his training to become the next Don, he had learnt enough to see through me somewhat.

He hasn't told Papa yet, though, which means he just might be rooting for me.

I knew Zeno loved us but loyalty to the Cosa Nostra always came first for Made Men. It was not a far fetched possibility that he could tell our father everything but he had shown no sign of doing this so far.

"Besides, both Diego and Keisuke will be around New York long enough for me to instill the fear of God into them. Each of them will be aptly informed and reminded of the position that the two of you hold as Rinaldi's. You will be accorded the respect you deserve. Of that you have my word, little sisters."

His words were firm, with not a single hint of deception. I had known him long enough to know that he meant it and Tori seemed to feel the same way as she playfully punched his shoulder in response.

We had our father to blame for our awkwardness when it came to any sort of emotional interaction between us and others.

"Thank you, grande fratello. I kind of wish you would have been around yesterday to follow through on that promise by beating the shit out of Uncle Salvatore for hurting Alessa."

Tori murmured, completely missing my signal for her to not tell him.

She, instead, granted me a sheepish, apologetic smile in the wake of our brother's hardened glare as his blue eyes came alive with a rage we knew all too well. This was not what he accorded Tori during their usual spats.

No, this was different.

This was the anger he showcased before his enemies. This was the rage that had earned him the feared reputation he possessed as the next head of one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world.

"Ha fatto cosa?!"

His question was low, silent and lethal as he assessed me from head to toe before his eyes landed on my face, zeroing in on what I had spent hours hiding. I had hoped he wouldn't see, wouldn't find out about it.

Zeno and Uncle Salvatore had never gotten along. The animosity the two beheld for each other was known throughout the criminal underworld, much to our papa's chagrin.

It was hard to miss, most especially after their public showdown two years ago when Zeno laid waste to our Uncle as well as all his men. It had been entertaining as hell to watch despite it being in front of the other Major crime families.

They had been privy to one of the chinks in our armor.

Papa had tried to manage the situation by sending our brother on business to Italy often. He tried to keep the two men away from each other as well as fight the rumors that had milled around but the damage had already been done.

I knew of Zeno's explosive anger, one that was clouding his eyes into a stormy hue as his hand lightly brushed my bruised cheek. He was careful not to hurt me, his observant eyes having already zeroed in on my wound.

"I knew something was wrong when both Taylor and Mama avoided talking about yesterday's events. I did think your make up was a little too much in comparison to what you usually put on but never could I have thought it was because that old piece of trash dared to touch you..."

Referencing his bodyguard, my eyes searched and found Taylor, granting him a silent signal to approach us before Zeno completely lost his shit. He was barely hanging on, his trembling hand on my cheek possessing the tell tale sign of a possible massacre.

"I'm fine, fratello. I swear it. Please don't do anything rash. You know Papa won't stand for it."

I would not let him be punished for my own mistakes and issues. It warmed my heart to know that he cared for me so but I couldn't stand him being away longer than he already was.

Zeno's presence gave each of us a level of reassurance. He has always been protective and having Papa send him away to Italy for months on end rather than twice a month would be disastrous.

I also need him around in case my plan doesn't necessarily go accordingly. He can protect Vittoria from our Father's anger as I take the fall for everything...

"I don't give two shits about Papa! He stood there while his sadistic, piece of shit brother hurt you. I have let many things that man does pass but this is a whole other level of disrespect that I will not let go!"

Zeno urged angrily, turning to approach our parents who weren't as far away from us as we hoped they would be. Tori and I reached out and latched onto our brother's hand, effectively stopping him just as Taylor arrived and stopped his advance altogether by blocking his view of his target.

"Please, big brother. Uncle Salvatore will retaliate if you do anything to him and it won't be you who suffers but us, the ones left behind when Father banishes you to Sicily forever. Fuck, I shouldn't have even mentioned it."

Tori groaned, her words seeming to breakthrough our brother's haze of anger as he, once again, turned to face us.

"Mi dispiace...You're right. I won't do anything. But he will pay for it, Alessa. It may not be today but he won't get away with it."

Zeno promised, his words resonating within me as I nodded in thanks.

"Grazie, fratello maggiore."

I would miss my big brother with everything within me in the end, when my plan was complete and this life is behind me.

Maybe one day I would be able to reach out, to mend things but I wasn't sure he would be able to forgive me for my actions...

"Am I interrupting anything? If so, I apologize, but Don Massimo has asked that Alessa and I go and see him."

Diego's voice broke through the sibling circle, his vivid brown eyes twinkling with the usual light that was wedged deep within. Although the main piece in my grand plan was also a future head of the Mexican Cartel, he was also cognizant of the rot in our society which made him perfect for my plan.

It had been a stroke of luck to meet and get to know Diego whilst I was in my late teens. Our long winded conversations and interactions had laid the foundation of my plan and his agreement to assist me had been beyond my wildest dreams.

I smiled up at him slightly even now, turning to my two siblings who beheld mixed reactions to his approach.

Whereas Zeno seemed disinterested as he waved us away, Tori looked anywhere but at us as she summoned a passing waiter for another glass of champagne. She had always made her dislike for him known and I had never once understood the true reasoning behind her disapproval of him.

I'm sorry, little sister, but he is our only shot at freedom...

"Sure. Let's go."

I chirpily responded, taking his proffered his hand before letting him lead me through the throng of guests whose glances our way were to be expected. We were part of the future couples that would rule the criminal underground.

"It seems your exeat yesterday has sped things up. My father received a call from Don Massimo. Our wedding has been pushed forward to next weekend, right after your sister's own. I hear he has also been in touch with Keisuke Satorou and planned to have Vittoria married right after us. Whatever you did, it pissed him off quite a bit."

Diego reported, his words taking me aback momentarily. I had not anticipated my father's rash and drastic measures to stretch to Tori as well. The plan had been considerably pushed forward, by a wide margin but it would not change.

"Yes well, he has always been overdramatic. Nothing has changed. We will continue with the wedding as they want. Only the aftermath matters."

I responded, earning a nod and chuckle from Diego as his eyes found mine.

"Your tenacity is unmatched, my dear wife to be. Alright then, I will follow your lead. Always."

He responded, his words making me smile as I let him lead us right up to our waiting parents.

Let the games begin...

***

Ha fatto cosa?!- He did what?!

Grazie, fratello maggiore- Thank you, big brother

Mi dispiace- I'm sorry