Chapter Four: Gang vs Mafia

Five men glared across the room at the Spanish gangster playing leisurely on his cellphone as they waited for Serenity to take a shower.

Lorenzo cleared his throat loudly, “What are you to Serenity?” he glared. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Peter snickered just as Serenity entered the living room of the Lombardi estate.

“Hey, you’re still here.” She smiled softly when her eyes caught his dark ones and Peter’s smile mirrored hers.

“Of course, you didn’t think I’d leave you here alone, did you?” He cocked an eyebrow at the men watching them like a group of hawks.

“They’re mostly harmless.” Serenity chuckled, but it was cut off by a wince when a sharp pain stabbed her brain. 

Xander shot from his seat, but before he could make it across the room, Peter already brought her to a nearby couch. 

“Better?” Peter asked as he fluffed the cushion behind her back.

“Much, thank you.” She offered him a beautiful smile and Peter’s breath hitched much like it always did. She was just that; breathtaking. 

Looking over at Alexander who still stood in the middle of the room watching them, she cocked an eyebrow, “Have you guys figured out who was behind the attack?” She glanced at her father and brothers with expectant eyes. 

Her question seemed to sober them up and all five men tensed up, “There’s been some chatter about the bombing, so far all we know is that someone isn’t happy that you’re alive.” Lorenzo’s jaw clenched. 

“I was never dead, whoever’s after me isn’t an enemy of mine.” Serenity stared at them with meaningful eyes and Darrio at least had the decency to look ashamed.

“We will get to the bottom of this Serenity, I promise you that.” Lorenzo frowned deeply. 

“I don’t doubt that, Lorenzo, in the meantime, all I have to do is stay locked up here and hide away from the world because someone wants to kill me. Also it’s probably worth mentioning that I lived a carefree life before you decide to drag me back to this… Prison.” Serenity spat the last word like it was acid on her tongue, keeping her eyes set on Giovanni who was uncharacteristically quiet.

“Serenity that’s not fair-” Lorenzo started,

“No, she’s right. I brought this upon her.” He stood from his seat and looked around the room, “Which is why I am retiring as Don.” 

Serenity’s eyes bugged out at his words, never in a million years would she have expected those words to leave Giovanni’s mouth.

“What!” Darrio flew up from his seat with his eyes wide in Giovanni’s direction.

“Why?” Matteo hissed, looking at his father with confusion and uncertainty swimming in his brown eyes. 

“I have made my decision, Lorenzo will take over operations starting tomorrow.” Giovanni informed them and all eyes turned to face Lorenzo who remained quiet throughout the exchange.

“You knew?” Serenity accused when the look on his face registered. 

“I told him not to say anything.” Giovanni stepped forward, glaring with finality as his eyes glanced towards Peter suspiciously. 

“What does this mean?” Darrio asked, looking between Lorenzo and Giovanni with a deep frown and Serenity got the idea that she was missing something important. 

“You know what.” Giovanni answered cryptically and went to leave the room, but Serenity’s voice stopped him. 

“Know what?” She hissed. 

“Alessia-” 

“It’s better-” 

Lorenzo and Matteo spoke at the same time, but they were cut off by Giovanni.

“It’s none of your business.” His back remained facing her, but his words travelled to her easily. 

“What? Of course it’s my business!” She burst, she hated being the only one out of the loop, but this time the confusion on both Peter and Xander’s faces matched hers. 

“Perhaps if you were a Lombardi it would be.” Giovanni’s words washed over her like a bucket of ice water. 

Serenity felt her heart stop for a second before it kicked up its pace to a racing thud. 

Giovanni’s footsteps echoed down the hallway and up the stairs, eventually disappearing when he reached his wing of the mansion, far away from the silent living room where five sets of eyes watched her with caution. 

“Serenity?” Peter placed a soft hand on her elbow, but before he could take hold of her she shrugged off his touch. 

“You should leave.” She stated plainly, stepping beyond his reach. 

“I-” Peter went to argue but she shook her head and met his eye.

“I’ll call you later.” She promised and after a few seconds of staring, Peter sighed and nodded. 

“Okay.” He conceded and took a few steps back. 

“Thank you, and, Peter?” She once again met his eye, but she didn’t have to say the words for him to know what she needed. Peter knew her that well. 

“I got you.” He nodded softly, offering her a soft smile before he turned on his heel and left the house. 

“I’m sorry.” Darrio whispered suddenly and stalked out of the room followed by Matteo and Lorenzo, but the latter froze in the doorway.

Just when hope surged in her, Lorenzo’s fist flew out in front of him, “Fuck!” The room shook under the force of his assault and Serenity flinched when Lorenzo moved and a hole appeared in the wall. 

“I guess this makes you the underboss?” Serenity commented when she realised she was alone with Xander. 

“Yeah, it does.” Xander answered cooly in the way that always seemed to help in calming her nerves. 

“Did you know about this?” She asked, knowing it was a loaded question. 

“He has mentioned a few times over the last few years that he’d retire once he found you.” Xander supplied easily. 

“You don’t know what he meant either, do you?” She looked up at Xander to gauge his reaction and when his expression remained unguarded she sighed in relief. 

“I’m pretty sure they don’t mean for us to know.” He smiled sympathetically, taking a small step closer to her. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, but even though she was standing right in front of him, she was a million miles away. 

“Of course. We’re not Lombardis.” Serenity sneered, recalling the words Giovanni callously threw at her. 

“You know that’s not what he meant.” Xander tried and Serenity’s head snapped to him, staring at him incredulously. 

“Apparently I don’t know anything anymore, because the last I recall, you swore you’d never step foot in this mansion again. I was dragged back here against my will, what’s your excuse?” Serenity narrowed her eyes at him and just like that her walls were back up. 

Serenity spun on her heels and stalked away from him. 

She hated that she was forced back here, forced back into the role of the unwanted daughter.

She hated that she was forced to be around Alexander again, but most of all she hated that she still cared about him even after he’d clearly chosen his side.