“Giovanni?” Serenity blurted and her eyes widened when she saw the man standing across from her at the threshold of the Moretti residence. “Can we talk?” She didn’t miss the way he flinched when she called him by his name, but he quickly swallowed the expression and gave her a tight lipped smile. Serenity was lost for words, this was the first time in years she would be alone in a room with her father and that thought made her nervous. Stepping aside she motioned for him to enter the house and shut the door firmly behind him. “Can I get you something to drink?” She asked politely, feeling awkward in the unchartered territory she was in. “Water is fine.” He answered shortly and followed a few paces behind her as she led them to the kitchen where she handed him a bottle of water from the fridge. “What is it you want to talk about?” She raised an eyebrow at him, curious about the sudden intrusion. Giovanni cleared his throat, “Is there somewhere private we can speak?” He looked
“I’ve been thinking about getting the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.” Xander plopped down on the couch beside Serenity. “Tired of the Wrangler?” Matteo cocked an eyebrow, taking a sip of his beer. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the Wrangler, but I just think it’s time for an upgrade.” Xander shrugged. “The Trackhawk is definitely the full package.” Lorenzo smirked, clearly impressed by the vehicle. “Serenity?” Xander looked beside him to see his fiance staring off into space, not paying him a lick of attention and he looked at her with amusement as he nudged her, “Ser?” “Huh?” She snapped from her reverie when she heard her name being called, “Were you saying something?” She looked between them and Lorenzo frowned at her. “Xander was just telling us he wants to get the new Jeep Trackhawk.” Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh- uh, yeah. Do you like it?” She looked at Xander distractedly. Xander nodded slowly, watching her with suspicion. “What’s up with you, you’v
“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” Xander huffed, finally breaking after two hours of just sitting around, he was more of an action type of guy, staking out an enemy wasn’t really his strong suit.“José verified the address before he sent it to me and he sent me pictures of Joseph Ledger in front of this very house.” She opened the pictures on her phone and swiped through them for Xander to see.“Sorry. Sorry, I’m just no good at waiting around.” He sighed.“You don’t have to wait around, you know.” She smiled with amusement, lifting an eyebrow in his direction.Xander scoffed, “And leave you alone to d
“Wait, stop there. Who’s that?” Serenity pointed at the screen where a figure appeared.“It looks like a woman.” Xander squinted, picking up on the uniquely feminine features visible even in the partial blurry picture.“I’m pretty sure he isn’t married, could it be a housekeeper? Live in perhaps?” Serenity wondered and her mind raced back to the night before when they saw the shadow in the window.Xander shook his head doubtfully, “We need a closer look.”“I’ve got an idea.” Serenity’s lips curved upwards in a wicked smirk and she drew her phone from her pocket with extra pizazz.&nbs
The ebony wood stretched out from left to right with a magnificent glow. The bar he was seated at had a stellar reputation as one of the most elite establishments in the city, but even with such high praise more seats remained empty than those that were filled on a late Tuesday evening.The woman seated a few chairs down sipped leisurely on a classic martini without a care in the world. The casual attire she donned indicated she didn’t wake up that morning with any intention or knowledge that she would end the night alone in a bar.“It’s considered rude to stare at a lady especially without buying her a drink first.” The young woman spoke up suddenly.“I wasn’t staring. I was observing.” He shrugged half hea
Serenity lifted her fist and placed a hesitant knock on the door. Now that she was standing on the threshold of her childhood home she didn’t feel quite as certain about being there as she was on the drive over, especially without Xander by her side.None of her family members knew she was coming which made it all the more nerve wracking. What if no one was home and she was just standing there like an idiot?Fortunately her nervous wondering was cut short when the door swung open to reveal her mother’s scowling face, but the look quickly turned to one of surprise and thereafter delight.“Serenity! This is a surprise, what are you doing here? Oh come on in, why were you knocking?” Caterina ushered her daughter in to give her a tight h
“You knew, didn’t you?” Serenity questioned her brothers once the waiter left them alone. “I’m sorry Ser, he wanted to be the one to tell you himself.” Lorenzo offered her a tight smile while Matteo’s face remained impassive. “I just can’t believe it. I mean I know everyone has to die at some point, I just never thought it would be like this.” Serenity sighed, taking a sip of her fountain Sprite. Matteo scoffed, “I know what you mean.” For a moment the siblings were quiet, each just simply taking in the new reality they were faced with. “I think we should tell him about Darrio.” Serenity stated suddenly, causing both her brothers’ eyes to snap to her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Enzo frowned, he simply didn’t see merit in telling Giovanni what Darrio was doing for him. “Why not? I think he deserves to know the sacrifices his son has made for him, furthermore, what happens if he dies and Darrio finds out we knew all along, he’ll never forgive us.” Serenity shook her
Matteo sat at the table he was supposed to be meeting Ivy at with his leg tapping furiously under the on the ground. He was more anxious than usual, after the meeting with his siblings and friends, Matteo found himself more and more bothered by the lie he was feeding her. “Hey, so sorry I’m late. My dad caught me on the way out and he insisted on knowing who I was meeting. I just barely got him off my back.” Ivy huffed a heavy breath and took her seat across from Matteo after hanging her bag on the rest. “Hey, it’s okay. Are you sure everything is fine with your father?” Matteo cleared his throat and forced his leg to stop under the table. “Yeah, he’s usually paranoid.” She waved him off but stopped for a second to reconsider, “I mean he’s been extra paranoid lately, but I think it’s because he knows I’ve been seeing someone.” She bit her lip and rolled her eyes and picked up the menu. Her revelation made Matteo’s anxiety rise. Even though he was strategically seated behind a p
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