“- the fire that gutted the headquarters of the shipping conglomerate was said to have started in the basement as a result of a faulty air conditioning system. All employees have been accounted for, but it is alleged that the CEO, Mr Kenneth Greene is still inside the building while firefighters are working tirelessly in their search. More on this story as it develops.” Xander watched the footage of the burning building with interest. “Please tell me you had nothing to do with that.” Serenity narrowed her eyes on him, Xander wasn’t a man to watch tv, let alone the news. “I wouldn’t dare lie to you, my love.” He turned to her with a charming smirk, but Serenity’s face only contorted with horror. “Xander! Innocent people could have been hurt!” She scolded, she couldn’t believe the lengths he was willing to go to teach someone a lesson. “No one who wasn’t meant to be hurt, was hurt. Alonso made sure of it.” Xander shrugged uncaringly. “Still, you could have just spoken to the gu
“Time of death, Seven Fifteen pm.” “No! Giovanni!” “He’s really gone.” … “How did this happen?” The devastated voices of her mother and brothers rang through Serenity’s mind on repeat even as she walked into the police station. “That’s his lawyer, I’ll just speak to him for a minute.” Enzo mumbled and walked towards a gentleman dressed in a sharp navy suit and after a few minutes Enzo waved her over. “Ser, this is Dennis Cumberbatch, he will be representing Xander.” Enzo introduced them both and the man reached out a hand for her to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lombardi. I promise to do my very best to get these bogus charges against Mr Moretti dropped as soon as possible.” Dennis smiled politely. “Thank you, Mr Cumberbatch.” She mumbled. Dennis nodded, “He has asked to see you, I’ve arranged for both of you to go back there for five minutes while I speak to a judge about bail.” Dennis pointed to an officer behind a glass beside a locked gate, “Go to that counter a
Xander arrived home with his suit jacket draped over his arm and a exhausted look on his face, the so-called bed at the corner of his cell did nothing but tighten the creak in his back. “Xander!” Serenity rushed out of the kitchen still dressed in her nightgown, her hair didn’t look like it’d seen a hairbrush yet, but Xander still thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. “I’m here, Love.” He spread his arms and welcomed her tight hold on him. There was something about being in her arms that automatically drained the tension in his shoulders and as he buried his face in her neck and inhaled her natural, womanly scent, Xander felt like he could conquer the world. “Are you okay?” Serenity moved back and cupped his cheek, searching his body for any signs of injury. “I’m fine. I could use a shower, but I’m fine, you don’t need to worry about me. Now, tell me how are you?” His hands ran up her arms and stopped when he held her face between them. “I’m fine, I guess.” Sereni
“Anyone who knew Giovanni Lombardi would know he was not a simple man, he was not a man satisfied by mediocrity- he never accepted having or being anything less than the best.” Enzo cracked a small smile as if he were recalling a private memory before looking up at the people gathered before him, “When I sat down to write this speech last night I tried to think of words to describe my father in a way everyone can relate to, but it occurred to me that he was not just one person. To each one of us he represented something different and I think that’s what will make him most unforgettable.” Enzo’s eyes lowered to the casket hovering above the ground, “Dad, today we bid farewell, but with us we hold your lessons of yesterday close to our hearts as we walk the path of life tomorrow. The time we thought we had, the words left unspoken, the forgiveness we never got or offered will serve as our last lesson. Thank you for everything, Father. You will be missed.” Stepping away from the podium
Xander leaned against his Jeep with his arms and feet crossed over one another as he waited for Kenneth Greene’s arrival. The man was due home any moment and Xander intended on getting the information he refused to share previously. Just as he predicted, a few minutes later a grey BMW pulled into the driveway beside Xander’s Jeep and the man that emerged looked half annoyed and half scared to see him. “What are you doing here?” Kenneth Greene sneered, after his head office burned down and nearly took him with it, he’s had the unfortunate task of trying to keep his business afloat after losing everything. “I suppose you are willing to talk now?” Xander smiled sarcastically and the man across from him tensed. “Come in.” He gritted out and retrieved his keys to unlock the front door to his house and led him to the study. “It’s a lovely home you have here.” Xander commented, intent on getting under the man’s skin. “Yes, perhaps you can refrain from burning it to the ground.” Greene’s
Alonso’s palm closed over the man’s mouth while his other arm closed around his arms, restraining him as he dragged him off the street and into the charcoal grey Jeep parked a few yards away. Shoving him into the vehicle, he shut the door, preventing the man’s exit. “Stop struggling, it will only make this worse.” Xander announced, alerting the man to his presence after a good minute of screaming and banging. “Who are you?” The man’s voice shook, and he shrunk against the door. “Does it matter? Answer my questions and this will all be over very soon.” Xander eyed the man’s silhouette in the low light, the darkness did nothing to hide his fear permeating the air. “Wha- what do you want from me?” He swallowed loudly. “Who paid you to tamper with the shipment?” Xander’s voice was hard and forceful, leaving no room for argument. “I don’t know. A man approached me one night and gave me an envelope filled with money and a device to stick on the container. That’s all I know, I swear!”
“That slimy, good for nothing gang banger!” Serenity gritted her teeth in response to Xander’s confession. After finding out who was behind it all, Xander called them all in to share the news of Julio’s midnight discovery. “Honestly speaking, I wasn’t expecting this. Who would have guessed Albert Genino would have the guts to go after you for a second time?” Enzo shook his head, the revelation felt somewhat anti-climatic to him. “That’s what happens when you don’t deal with a man the first time around.” Matteo stated emotionlessly. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Serenity asked, coming to Xander’s defence. “Exactly what I said.” Matteo challenged, standing straighter. “If you have a problem, Matteo, why don’t you man up and say it out loud instead of pulling this passive aggressive tantrum.” Serenity pushed up from her position on the couch and sneered at her brother. “Do you want to repeat that?” Matteo took a threatening step forward. Serenity scoffed at his behaviour but befo
Xander stood staring out the window of his office with a hard look on his face, behind him, Joseph Genino shifted uncomfortably on the visitor’s chair. The brooding silence that emitted from Xander was enough to make any man uneasy. “Would you consider me a fair man?” Xander asked suddenly. “I- um-” Joesph sat straighter and cleared his throat, “Without a doubt, Don Moretti.” Xander turned suddenly and looked at him with impassive eyes, “Did you consider it fair when I stepped aside- upon your request, to handle your brother’s punishment the last time he crossed me?” “Y-yes, Don.” Joseph swallowed thickly. Xander nodded slowly, “And is it correct that you agreed to take responsibility for him in the future?” Joseph Genino’s eyes widened at the implication of Xander’s words, beads of sweat gathered on his forehead and his skin took a pinkish hue as he nodded. “Words, Genino!” Xander snapped, baring his teeth at the older man. “Yes, Don!” Joseph hurried out, practically jumping i