Hey guys! Do you think Serenity and Xander are being unreasonable? Was Giovanni right for keeping it to himself or should he have said something that might have kept Darrio from becoming a member of the league to save him? Let me know what you think in the comments and pleased drop a review Love, Author Kajal
“Hey…” Darrio greeted as he took a seat beside Serenity on the bench. Without saying anything in return, Serenity shuffled closer to him and wrapped her arm around his bicep and cuddled into his shoulder. “I missed you too.” Darrio chuckled and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Have you seen Xander?” She grumbled. “Enzo tracked his Jeep to the gym downtown.” Darrio bit his cheek when Serenity's warmth suddenly disappeared. “He’s boxing again?” She blinked. Darrio shrugged, “He got back into it after you were taken, but I don’t think he's been back there since he moved to Italy. He probably just needed to blow off some steam.” Darrio wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her towards him, but despite the comforting action, it did little to ease her mind. “I hate that he put you in that position, Darrio.” She frowned and once again moved away from his hold, this time to look at him, “I hate that we spent months thinking you were dead.” Darrio sighed heavily, ru
Xander returned home to a cold and quiet house. After Serenity stormed out of the gym he couldn’t get the look on her face out of his mind, it reminded him of the night she forced him to quit boxing years ago. Everytime he stepped foot into the gym after that night he remembered the words she said, but it hadn’t been till today that he understood what she meant. Xnader entered the kitchen, it seemed to have been cleaned up from his earlier cooking expedition, but when he pulled open the fridge, the large casseroles filled to the brim with food caused a ball of regret to form in his stomach. With every call going to voicemail and every text left unanswered. That night, for the first time since he and Serenity decided to go steady, he climbed into an empty bed and tried to fall asleep without her by his side, and it was hell. *** “Why do you look like that?” Those were the words of greeting Enzo offered Xander when they met the following morning. “Didn’t get much sleep.” Xander
“I hope you know I’m an orange belt in karate.” Serenity stated as Xander led her through the forest with his hand covering her eyes. “I hope you know that means nothing to me.” He retorted with amusement lacing his tone. “Whatever, I could kick your ass if I wanted to.” She shrugged, not the least bit bothered by his mockery. “Let’s explore the viability of that statement later, shall we?” Xander suggested and brought them to a halt, “Ready?” “Duh.” She sassed and Xander held back a chuckle as he removed his hand from her eyes. “Surprise.” Xander motioned to the Santa Monica pier that stood before them, bustling with chatter and the sound of kids' laughter. “Pacific Park! Oh my gosh, I haven’t been here in years.” Serenity gasped, looking at all the colourful rides with glittering eyes. “If I recall correctly, the last time you were here they wouldn’t allow you on some of the rides.” Xander smirked and grabbed her hand to pull her along to the ticket booth. “That was m
“Oh Ser… Oh my God, you look so beautiful.” Selena held a hand over her mouth when Serenity stepped out in a long sleeved, off the shoulder dress. The maid of hours was easily blown away seeing her best friend decked in white. “I love it.” She gazed at herself in the floor to ceiling mirror with adoration. The bodice and sleeves were made of lace and dotted with thousands of tiny beads that shimmered in the light while the A-line skirt was satin that flowed to the ground effortlessly and a thin bedazzled belt brought the whole dress together. “That’s the one. That’s definitely the one.” Caterina dabbed away as she watched her daughter transform into a bride before her eyes. “You look radiant, Serenity.” Olympia smiled softly, she wanted so badly to be happy for Serenity, but her own worry dampened her mood. “I guess I found my dress.” Serenity shrieked softly and turned to the assistant with a broad smile. “I’ll put in an order.” The young woman beamed and scurried off while the
“Did Enzo mention what time they’d be home?” Serenity frowned at her phone when she saw her messages to Xander were undelivered. “He didn’t specify, but he did say not to wait up, so I’m guessing late.” Olympia shrugged. Both women were now dressed in their pyjamas, for the first time in ages Olympia wasn;t working the weekend and the two got a chance to spend the weekend together thanks to Enzo’s absence. “Alright then.” Walking over to the freezer, Serenity tugged it open and pulled out two tubs, “Ice cream and a movie?” She grinned, wiggling her eyebrows convincingly. “Oh who am I kidding, of course I want ice-cream.” Olympia threw her hands in the air and went to retrieve two spoons from the drawer. “Yay! I vote for The Notebook.” Serenity skipped down the hall with Olympia following close behind her. “No, we need something more gut wrenching like- like, One Day.” Olympia hopped on the couch and took a tub from Serenity while handing her a spoon. “No way, that’s like
“Mr Moretti, I didn’t realise we had a meeting today.” Kenneth Greene looked up from his desk at the intrusion, but despite his words, the man didn’t seem surprised at Xander’s presence. “We don’t.” Xander narrowed his eyes on the man, his cool demeanour only sufficed to make the Mafia leader angrier. “Please, have a seat.” Greene motioned to the chair across from him and leaned back on his own, leisurely. “What are you playing at Greene?” Xander ignored his offer and instead slammed his hands down on the desk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kenneth Greene shrugged uncaringly and offered Xander a sarcastic smile, “Now if there’s nothing else. You may direct any complaints you have to the person handling your account.” He dismissed and went back to working on his laptop as if nothing happened. Xander chuckled darkly and looked up at Greene with a smirk, “You have a good day then, Mr Greene.” With that Xander turned and stalked out of the office, leaving Kenneth frow
Xander growled when watched the footage Lorenzo got from José, “Why the hell did we not see this when we checked the footage at the Dock?” “Skilled editing I guess, all the footage is uploaded to a cloud, if someone has access to it they can easily edit it and reupload the footage without anyone noticing.” Enzo shrugged and looked at Xander, “What are you gonna do? I don’t think going after him is going to solve this problem.” Xander was silent for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face, “You’re right. He thought he could double cross me and I wouldn’t find out, so I think it’s time to hit him where it hurts.” “What’s that look for?” Enzo frowned, the devious smirk on Xander’s face would be scary if he wasn’t used to the man’s twisted way of thinking. Xander’s smirk only widened in response and he pulled his phone from his pocket, “Sometimes it pays to have friends in law enforcement.” When Xander found the number he was looking for, he clicked call and brought the phone to his
“- 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
FIVE MONTHS LATER “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Lorenzo Lombardi and Olympia Harper Ruiz.” Serenity shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she listened to the minister speak of the beauty of marriage. “Are you okay?” Caterina whispered to her heavily pregnant daughter beside her. “I’ll be fine.” Serenity whispered back, she somehow had to make it through the ceremony. “Are you sure?” Caterina frowned at her knuckles that were turning white on the armrest of the chair from the fierce grip she had on it. The little princess in her arms stopped her from reaching out to Serenity. “I’m fine.” Serenity gritted out. The strain of the day had finally caught up with her and the pain she woke with was steadily growing worse. From his position behind Enzo, Xander was sending her worried looks, he looked seconds away from marching across the room to her side. “Oh God!” Serenity groaned when she felt wetness trickle down her legs and all eyes turned to h
Serenity browsed through the grocery store without much care in the world as she decided on what flavour of ice cream to buy. “You should get both.” A timid voice muttered behind her and Serenity spun on her heels. “Ivy.” Serenity breathed and her eyes widened. The young woman looked worn out and altogether a shell of the person she remembered. “You look good, how far along are you?” Ivy’s eyes flitted to her protruding belly with a small smile. “Four months. How have you been?” Serenity asked with a tinge of worry in her voice. “Fine, I guess.” Ivy half shrugged, not bothering to hide the fact that she was lying and Serenity’s face contorted into a frown. “I’m just about done shopping, would you like to get a drink?” Serenity pointed over her shoulder at the tiny cafe at the front of the store. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Ivy’s eyes fell. “Please, I just want to talk.” Serenity pleaded, giving her the famous puppy dog eyes that Xander hated. “Okay.” She nodd
The courtroom was filled to the brim with spectators and media alike on the day the verdict on the case of Joseph Ledger versus The State was to be delivered. From her position at the front of the courtroom, Serenity could see the scores of Mafia associates and gangbangers lining the benches, but her eyes were focussed solely on her brother in the last seat of the second row.Matteo, unlike the rest of them, sat behind the defendant and only a few feet away from Ivy. His eyes hadn’t left her since he entered the room, and if it hadn’t been for the tensing of her shoulders when he sat down, Serenity would have thought she didn’t know he was there by the way she skillfully ignored him.“Relax, he’s a big boy.” Xander’s hand around her’s tightened, though his gaze was focussed
Serenity and Xander grinned when they entered the Lombardi Estate, after a long month on honeymoon they had tan lines and large smiles.“Oh my God, you’re back!” Selena rushed to hug Serenity as soon as her eyes landed on her best friend.“I missed you too.” Serenity giggled, stroking her hair softly.“Finally! For a moment I thought you guys decided to settle down there.” Darrio joked when he came up to greet them, followed by the rest of their rather large family.“Hi.” Ivy was the last to greet the pair and the moment Serenity’s eyes landed on her she instantly knew something was wrong.“Hey you, is everything okay?” Serenity frowned.“I’m fine.” She forced a smile, but the bags around her eyes were a sure sign that something wasn’t quite right.“So, how was it?” Olympia wrapped her arms around Serenity’s and walked with her into the house, once again the group was gathered at the Lombardi household for dinner, and it seemed the occasion would become a regular one.“It was wonderfu
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could please have your attention. Will the bride and groom please make their way to the dancefloor for their first dance as husband and wife!” The MC announced with vigour and the crowd erupted in applause. The beginning notes of “From this moment” by Shania Twain played through the speakers as Xander escorted her to the makeshift dance floor set up in the backyard of the Moretti Residence. “Finally.” Xander whispered in her ear when he took her in his arms and began swaying her to the beat of the music. Serenity smiled up at him with a perfect brow cocked in question, “Finally, what?” “Finally you’re all mine and no one can take you away from me.” He pulled her impossibly closer and tucked her head under his chin. Serenity felt her heart flutter, “Do you remember the last time this backyard was donned and decorated?” Serenity’s eyes travelled to the surrounding trees all draped in fairy lights. “My birthday?” Xander frowned questioningly. Seren
The door to Serenity’s room was pushed open, in the reflection of the floor length mirror she saw her family walk through the door one by one.“Mia Figlia, you look so beautiful.” Caterina brought a hand over her mouth to cover the gasp when she laid eyes on her only daughter in a wedding gown.“Hey guys.” Serenity spun on her heels and looked at them with a nervy smile.“You’re gorgeous, Sis.” Darrio looked at his baby sister in awe, she made a radiant bride.“Aww, you guys are gonna make me cry.” Serenity’s fists balled at her sides to avoid rubbing at her eyes where tears were already pooling.
“Don, Capo Genino is here to see you.” Alonso stuck his head in the door to notify Xander whose fingers immediately stilled on the keys of his laptop. “Bring him in.” Xander smirked and closed the lid on his device before leaning back in his seat. “Don Moretti.” Joseph Genino bowed his head in respect as the door closed behind him. “Have you come to me with a decision?” Xander cocked an eyebrow, but his face remained stoic. Joseph nodded solemnly, “I’ll do it, I’ll step down as Capo in return for my brother’s life.” He spoke the words as if they physically pained him, but Xander didn’t care much for the dramatics. “Fine.” Xander stood and buttoned his suit jacket as he rounded the table to stand before the downtrodden man, “Joseph Genino, you are hereby stripped of your title and privileges as Capo to the Mafia. Bow before your Don.” Xander sneered and held out his hand. Genino didn’t even seem begrudging as he kneeled before Xander and brought the Don’s ring clad hand to his lip
“Shall we?” Caterina motioned for them to follow her to the dining room.“Oh wow, Caterina, this looks delicious.” Rosa complimented seeing the large spread in the centre of the table.“You really went out of your way, Caterina, thank you.” Xander smiled gratefully at her, which earned him a blush in response.“Before we start, I’d like to say something.” Caterina cleared her throat in an attempt to get rid of the ball of emotions that seemed to have lodged itself in her throat, “These last few weeks-” She sucked in a deep breath.Dropping her napkin on the table, Serenity moved to her mother’s side where she wrapped a comforting arm around her, “You’ve got this.” She whispered softly in Caterina’s ear.“These last few weeks have been incredibly taxing on all of us for different reasons, but standing here today I am sure we would not have been able to do it without all of your support.” She looked around the table with teary eyes, “So, thank you.” Caterina sobbed a little at the end.
“In the case Alexander Moretti vs. the people on charges of human trafficking and drug smuggling. Based on the evidence presented to the court, Mr Alexander Moretti is hereby found not guilty and is exonerated of all wrongdoing.” The judge turned his gaze to Xander, “Mr Moretti, rest assured that as a result of the excellent work of your legal counsel, the evidence presented to the court will be used to bring the responsible parties to justice.” Dropping his gavel he announced loudly, “Court is adjourned.” With her hands clasped together on her lap, Serenity let out a heavy breath. The wild beating of her heart was the only thing thumping in her chest as she let the verdict wash over her. “Dio Mio, thank the heavenly father.” Rosa Moretti spoke beside her with relief dripping from her tone. When Xander’s parents arrived suddenly the night before, he didn’t know how to break it to them all the crazy that had transpired since they were set to arrive. “He did it, just like he said