(Three years before) Gabriele and Stella kept running around me. The three of us were waiting in the lobby for Elio to join us for dinner at one of the great Italian restaurants in town. Our son, Gabriele, had lifted his little sister to show me how big and strong he had become at seven years old. Stella burst out laughing and begged her brother to put her down. She had just turned five but was determined to act like a big girl. Then she squealed with joy when she saw her father coming out of his office. Gabriele had been reluctant to put his little sister down, but he had smiled broadly when he saw her being lifted into the air by their father. My treasures were exact copies of Elio, much to his dismay. Our children had inherited their Family's characteristic dark blue eyes and dark brown hair. He had spent the night trying to convince me to give him another baby, preferably a little girl who would look just like me: "Amore mio, a little girl who would have your hair, and your
I opened my eyes and was half-blinded by the surgical light of the hospital. Santo was sitting in a chair, staring at me darkly. I tried to sit up on my elbows, but I cried out in pain as I felt a stab in my stomach. "Don't move, Lulu." "Where are the children? Where is Elio?" Elio is in another room. "His leg was..." "Broken. But the surgeons did a good job. He'll be limping for the rest of his life, Lulu." I nodded quickly, grateful to know he was alive. His leg was fine with me as long as he was safe. "My children, Santo?" I watched in horror as Santo lowered his eyes to the ground and clenched his fists in his lap. It was the position he took when something serious had happened, and he didn't know how to tell the news. This was extremely rare, and Santo always gave honest and brutal accounts. "Santo? Where are my children?" Matteo entered my room and gave me a fake smile. He observed my vitals and nervously ran his hand
A crowd of people had come to visit me. I didn't want to see anyone. No one could understand what I was feeling. I threw up all the sympathetic looks. I despised the vague acquaintances who delivered bouquets wishing me a speedy recovery. I consciously ignored Santo and Matteo. I continued to visit Elio, but I left as soon as he mentioned our children. I had recovered enough to walk by myself and went out for a few moments to get some fresh air. Santo had arranged for Elio and me to be in the same room, and I was relieved to be with him again. When I returned to the room, I saw a woman kneeling on the floor, crying her eyes out. "Please, Don Elio... My children are not to blame for the death of your children. If you accepted the organ donation, your children would live on through mine..." I had slowly opened the door and stood frozen in place. How dare this woman talk about my children like that? The woman turned her head toward
My alarm clock rings. 4: 00 AM. I groan and fumble on the bedside table to turn off the damn alarm. I pull back my blanket and sit up. One week. It's been a week since I set fire to my ex-marital room. Since then, I have felt strangely calm. It's as if, by doing so, I've managed to put an end to my relationship with Elio. He accepted that I go back to my apartment even if he refused the divorce. Illusory freedom. I walk into my kitchen space and look coldly at the island on which I once succumbed to his presence. I pull out my cell phone: "Hello? Yes (pause). I want to redo my kitchen. I sent you the plans and materials last night. (Pause) I can't stand that island in the middle of the space anymore. (Pause) By tomorrow? That will be perfect, thank you." That's one of the nice things about being part of the Family. You can call any time of the day, and there will always be someone ready to do the work for you. 5:00 AM.
I nodded immediately. You don't say no to Santo when he comes in person. "Let me go take a shower and change. I'll meet you outside." Santo finally steps back and places his hand on top of my head. I freeze as his hand completely covers my skull. From the outside, this gesture may seem affectionate, and from my perspective, it's a fucking warning, and it's his way of showing me that I'm in his clutches. "There you go, Lulu. That's how you're loved. Docile and obedient." Stronzo. (Asshole*) 6:00 AM. I finally go out. I wear a simple pair of jeans and a white t-shirt with my sneakers. Usually, I would be on my way to my apartment to change and get ready for work. I frantically tap on my cell phone screen to warn Henry that I might be late. I freeze. Santo stands with his arms crossed in front of his black Rolls-Royce. When he meets my eyes, he shifts and opens the door. "I don't want to get in," I tell him loudly en
I arrive at work as excited as a flea. I start printing out the files and brochures we've been making for months now. Henry joins me and puts an arm around my shoulders in greeting. He quickly removes the jacket from his midnight blue suit and loosens his black tie, rolling up his sleeves. "Okay, Lulu. Tell me what I can do to make it go faster." I push him away with one hand as he begins to lean over the pile of freshly printed papers: "You're not touching anything! You'll ruin my organization. Instead, open the folder on my computer and go through the documents and statistics!" Henry gives me a big smile and runs to stand behind my desk. I hear him furiously clicking, then silence. I look up at him as I bind the last few sheets of paper together. Henry is as excited as I am. His concentration is at its peak, and I know his photographic memory is taking over by the way his pupils start to move. I finally put the documents on my table and
08: 00 PM. Merda. (Shit*) I'm late for work. What a day! Late this afternoon, Matteo called me to come in for a blood test. He's worried about the seizure I had the other day and wants to do a checkup because of the tranquilizers he gave me. Of course, I went quickly. He's the family doctor. If he tells me to come, there must be a perfect reason. I was so angry all day that I fell asleep as soon as I got home. Dio mio! I grab my cell phone and quickly press the screen to warn Henry. I grit my teeth when I realize he left me about twenty voicemails and texts. * 05: 45 PM Jones has reserved a table at Solar. We'll meet downstairs at 8:00 pm. * 06: 00 PM Lulu, I don't know if I should wear my blue or gray suit. What will you wear? * 06: 10 PM I'll wear a grey suit. * 06: 15 PM Lulu, change of plan. My car has a problem. Jones sent a driver for you. Be ready at 7:30. * 07: 30 PM
Solar, one of the most exclusive restaurants in town. I wrinkle my nose as I realize what the place's name means before glancing at my driver. "Does the restaurant belong to your brother?" Santo lights a cigar before freezing for a moment. Then he rolls down the window and tosses it onto the pavement. "Not Elio's." I frown. "Questo ristorante è mio," (This restaurant is mine*)he replies almost shyly. I think I raise my eyebrows so high that they touch my hairline. "And you called it Solar?" "Si." (Yes*) "Come mai?" (Why?*) his fascination with his big brother is even crazier than I thought. "E perchè no? (And why not?)," he replies without looking at me. He seems to have seen someone further away and doesn't take his eyes off her. I quickly get out of the car, but I turn around and point in his direction. "This conversation isn't over, Santo." He merely makes a sweeping gesture with his hand to signal me to g
Cazzo. Of course, Elio knows! But who told him? Which of our men hastened to tell him... and if. What if Elio goes after Didi? What if Elio drags her down here and forces her to be with me? I'm such an idiot. Elio would never do that. My brother's far too cautious. It's not like him to act this way. The proof is that he still hasn't gone looking for Lucia. "There is no girl. Everything you've been told is bullshit," I reply at last. Elio wobbles, and I can see that he's struggling to stay on his feet before me. The dampness of the air over the last few days must be reawakening the pain in his leg. However, he's still coming closer to me, and I can smell the rancid odor of alcohol on his breath. I nervously start banging my knees. "The famous prostitute everyone's talking about?" asks Elio. His expression is icy. There's been no humanity left in my older brother for almost three years now. Elio loses his balance, and I rush forward to pick him up. He reeks of alcohol and tob
Santo : I finally arrive at Villa Ganovese. Eduardo, our old butler, rushes up to me and grabs my leather jacket as I furiously throw it towards the coat rack. Cazzo. I've got to break something. I've got to... I grab the coat rack and rip it from the wall where it was hung last month. Eduardo looks at me, annoyed, but withdraws without saying anything. Besides, this isn't my first crisis. So he knows it's never a good idea to stand too close to me when this happens. Cazzo. Cazzo. Cazzo. I've got to calm down. I nervously run my hands through my hair as I head straight for the kitchen. I take a moment to glance at the large clock, a veritable jewel of goldsmith's art, steel, and craftsmanship, hanging on the wall. I don't know how Lulu managed to find something like this. Only the hands are visible, and there's nothing to indicate the presence of a plug or motor. Cazzo! It's not yet time for me to eat when I'm in Vill
I look at him and start yawning without even putting my hand in front of my mouth. I start laughing the moment he grabs a handful of my hair. I take advantage of this and immediately pull his ponytail in the opposite direction. We look perfectly stupid with our heads tilted to one side, challenging each other with our eyes. "Let go," Salvatore articulates slowly. "Only if you let go first, Sali," I reply, also gritting my teeth. "Stop being childish," Vincenzo orders with a sigh. Salvatore and I let go at the same time, raising our hands. Then he finally comes out, shaking my hair to annoy me. "I want cannoli for breakfast tomorrow," Salvatore declares. "You can stick them wherever I think," I reply, giving him a masterful middle finger under the disapproving gaze of my eldest brother. I hear Salvatore laugh and can't help smiling back. Of course, I'll give him all the cannoli in the universe. Cazzo. He's a bastard, but I love him. Ha! I'll put thos
(Didi) "Let go of me, Vin," I say, trying to free my arm from my older brother's grip. He doesn't let go until the black doors of his armored car open. Vincenzo almost throws me inside, and I immediately find myself seated between Salvatore and Terzo. "We've found her, Don Vincenzo," declares one of our men. I hear Salvatore and Terzo stifle a laugh, then they both put an arm around my shoulders. "In the other car. I've got urgent family business to attend to," replies my eldest brother. I frown, realizing that my brothers have come to pick up a woman. Who is she? "A target," I ask. But Terzo presses his index finger against my temple. "Stai zitto (shut up*), Didi," he orders me. I cross my arms over my chest and just stare into the central rearview mirror so I can observe the expression on Vincenzo's face. But that's a waste of time. The Bonanis aren't known for being very expressive. Salvatore's furious gaze doesn't escape me, and I end up looking
"How much do I take?" I repeat. Santo suddenly pulls me into a hug, and I'm wondering whether I'm dreaming or not. I realize I'm sitting right on his... the Madonna! He looks thrilled to see me there! If I'm dreaming... really, it would be great if I could avoid waking up too quickly. I try to sit up, leaning on his shoulders, but he holds me firmly and starts laughing. Oh, dear. The things his laughter does to my body. "Kiss me, Didi," he commands, sliding his hands just under my chest. "Wh...what?" I reply, pulling my head back. Damn, this dream sounds too real to be true. I know. What I'm saying doesn't make sense, but wow. Santo grabs my jaw with one hand, his eyes are locked on my mouth, and he's looking at me like I'm a white chocolate pana cotta with raspberry coulis. "I want you to kiss me, Didi," he says seriously. Santo straightens up to kiss me. Hey. SANTO GETS UP TO KISS ME!? I'm frozen in place. What should I do? A) let him do it. B
(Didi) Santo presses me against him with a sharp gesture. Wini gives me a big smile before releasing my hands and winking away. Great, sister! She abandons me as soon as a slightly attractive guy touches me. Well, okay. He's not just any guy. Yes. I also agree that it's THE good-looking guy who gropes me, but still! You can't say you're the sister who's looking out for me and abandoning me to the first frotter who comes along... even if that frotter is a living god on whom I'd rather rub myself indecently, but... Hey. I don't know if he's got a flashlight in his pants or if it's... oh. A shiver runs down my spine. Santo's hand moves up under my crop top and stops where my bra is. "It's Santo," he whispers in my ear in a husky voice. To say my panties are soaked at this precise moment is an understatement. It's a fucking tidal wave, and I have to squeeze my legs. I feel like if I breathe or move a millimeter, my thighs will get soaked too. It's the sexies
One of the bartenders waves me over - I know from memory that he's the one in charge of the bar - and he nods towards Wini: "Go get her," he orders me. I nod quickly and feel a warmth gradually building in my chest. Wow. This is the first time I've felt "safe" as a woman among ordinary citizens. Wini was right when she said the employees here were one big family. I quickly put down my tray and move through the crowd to put a hand on Wini's shoulder: "Hey. We need reinforcements. Big order on the way, and I need arms." I don't glance at Wini, but I observe the stronzo standing before her. He's ogling me from head to toe. Moron thinks he's at the top of the food chain in his little striped shirt and gold chains. I just want to jam my pen into his jugular when I see him licking his lips. Wini is completely tense, but she pulls me toward the bar. However, I don't know why, but my eyes land behind the stronzo. And now I'm terrified too. Vincenzo is there. Behind him are my
(Didi-a little before the events in the nightclub.) I got home last night and had to sneak through Villa Bonani to avoid being intercepted by my brothers. There is no way I would let any of them ask me questions and start looking through my things. I'm lying in my room, dressed simply in a large black knit and panties, as I take out my pay for the evening. Between my fingers, I manipulate the sum I've collected in a single night. I'm amazed by the ease with which I've been able to gather so much money so quickly. "So much money?" I say aloud with irony and bitterness. I'm not even close. Merda. At this rate, I'm going to have to take on contracts if I want to get the hell out of this house as soon as possible. No, no, no, Didi. You've done everything you can to become an ordinary citizen. Keep your goal in mind, I can't help but scold myself. I need money. I've got a newspaper spread out in front of me, and I'm horrified by the rent prices. If I take into accoun
(Santo) Did I listen to Matteo and go home to change? Absolutely. Did I scour the net for "total boyfriend" chick mags to find out what to wear? Absolutely. Did I nag our employees for THE outfit for tonight? Yes, I did. So here I am, surrounded by my bodyguards, as we walk past everyone into the strip club-turned-nightclub. No sooner had I arrived than Alvize, the manager, ran up to me and nodded towards the VIP section of the nightclub. Cazzo. My five cousins are all here already. I can tell by the number of girls in skimpy dresses climbing the steps leading up to the room. I can hear them shouting my name when these stronzi notice me. Cazzo. I wanted to go to the "office" first, ask for Didi to serve me, and then I would have joined them. "Saaaaaantooooo" scream my cousins when I arrive. I find myself having to hug each one of them. But I'm livid because their presence ruins all my plans for tonight. One of them stares me up and down and runs his hands