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
(Thirteen years ago.) I can hear them talking. They try to whisper around me, but I am not deaf. "The bambina is only sixteen..." "Who will take care of her until she comes of age?" "Luciano died like that. Cardiac arrest. But, if you ask me, he paid for all the excesses of his youth. "I know some people who must be angry that they did not manage to kill him." "His daughter found him laid out when she came home from school." "His daughter is a Mafia princess. I wonder how much she will inherit." "Luciano was a rich man." "Luciano had a daughter?" "Yes, he did. Stronzo (asshole*) knocked up the daughter of a capo. She died giving birth to the bambina." "She could marry one of my sons." "Who will tutor her?" "The families are likely to fight among themselves to get custody of the girl. To acquire Luciano's daughter is to have the opportunity to have access to his fortune." "Wouldn't that be Santo Ganovese?" "The Ganovese's mad dog." "Why did the Ganovese come?" "Where i
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
(Elio) "When are you going to put a ring on my finger?" my girlfriend of the month asks me. I laugh mockingly as I button up my shirt. I still wonder why I agreed to make her my official of this month. She is everything I hate. But, she is ambitious and venal, nothing easier to maintain in the short term. My mother would cry if she were still alive. Mangiare bene (eat well*), I do my best. Ridere spesso (laugh often*), I no longer laugh spontaneously since I have taken on the role of Don, and lives depend on my every decision. Amare molto (love very much*), I will not marry anyone and will not drag anyone into my darkness. I will act so that my little brothers live happily with the ones they choose. But I am far too bad to be able to have my own family. I know I am lying to myself. I dream of being in a relationship as my parents had, and I dream of being able to fall in love and be fully consumed. But I am a Ganovese, and I know perfectly well that nothing is healthy about th
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
(Elio)I do not know when the last time I slept so well was. I open my eyes, and I can't help but smile as I see my two little brothers lying asleep around me. Santo is sleeping on his back; arms crossed against his chest. Even asleep, he keeps his eyebrows furrowed. I can't help but laugh inwardly as I hear his stomach growl. On the other side, Matteo is also lying on his back. He has put an arm against my stomach, and his leg is crushing mine. Even here, our latest brother is trying to take all the space for himself. I stand up and let out a sigh of satisfaction, looking at my watch. 5 AM. I must have gone to bed around 8 PM after spending the rest of the afternoon listening to my little brothers complain that I work too much. I have not slept that much in ages. I leave my room quietly, making sure to make as little noise as possible so as not to wake them up. I went downstairs to take a shower in one of the guest rooms and just put on one of my eternal cotton pants. I forg
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
I am Elio Ganovese. I am the Don of the Ganovese family. People fear me and tremble at the mere mention of my name, and I am an all-powerful god. Thus, I reign as a master without sharing with an iron hand. People throw themselves at my feet to obtain even a word from me, a gesture, or a look to give meaning to their mediocre existence. And here I am today in my office. I am not moving, waiting like a pathetic sub-shit for the slightest word from Lucia. Santo enters my office with Matteo. All three of us frown at each other. None of us understands the presence of each other here. "Cazzo, what are you doing here?" I ask icily. "I finished my mission, fratello," Santo replies, slumping into the seat across from me. "That was quick. Stronzo saw me and spilled the beans." Ah, yes, the Santo effect never disappoints. "Where exactly do you want me to go? With the girls outside?" Matteo answers me with a disgusted look. "No, no... but don't you have somewhere else to go right now?"