“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
Matteo sighed loudly, dropping the phone from his ear and ignoring the voicemail prompt. “Still no luck, huh?” Serenity asked, placing a steaming cup of coffee down in front of him. “She won’t even read my text messages.” He complained, feeling more restless with their concerned eyes on him. “What exactly did you say to her?” Xander leaned forward, looking far too interested in Matteo’s love life. “The truth.” Matteo shrugged and took a sip, “I figured she deserved to know why she was suddenly a person of interest and despite me telling her that I never planned to use her to get back at her father she refuses to believe me.” “I mean I get it. You did approach her with the intention of using her as leverage against him and now you’re trying to convince her you don’t want to do that? Seems a tad bit far fetched.” Lorenzo grimaced. “I thought that at least telling the truth would count for something.” Matteo shook his head gravely. Based on the hurt written all over her face whe
“Right there, the watch pinged near a petrol station on the outskirts of the city.” Matteo pointed to a spot on the map and Xander zoomed in to see what was nearby. “That’s one way to get out of town.” Serenity’s eyebrows shot up, “There’s a bunch of farm land around there, mostly old abandoned farm houses with barns etcetera.” She supplied, surprising everyone, “What? I’m not allowed to know things?” She defended when they all looked at her funny. “Look here, there’s a gravel path a little down the way that leads to a small structure. Do you think that’s where they may be?” Xander pointed to a tiny square on the map that was easy to miss if you didn’t look close enough. “I say we split up. Matteo and I will take one car while Xander and Serenity take the other, we’ll take everything west of the road, you guys take everything to the east. My gut is telling me we’ll find them holed up in one of these.” Enzo ordered and with a look passed around, everyone nodded. “Alright, we’re
“Looks like only one vehicle so Teo and I will take the front, Xander and Alonso will take the back and the rest of you guys hang back in case we need backup. Ser, you have the car running so we can get out of here.” Enzo fell into the role of commanding officer without much push, not realising he wasn’t the man in charge anymore. From beside him Xander smirked lightly and nodded, “You have your orders men, move out.” “Typical, make the girl the getaway driver.” Serenity rolled her eyes when everyone dispersed and got ready to breach the barn. “Oh honey, we’re just worried about what you might do to those guys if we set you free in there.” Xander teased and dropped a kiss on her nose before walking away laughing. “Yeah yeah, make all the fun you want, I’ll be here when you get out.” She rolled her eyes and hopped into the driver seat. From her vantage point she could see where all three teams set up ready to breach the house and it was quite the spectacle, somehow the sound o
“Where’s my daughter, I want to see her right this instant!” Joseph Ledger came bursting through the doors of the Moretti residence escorted by a resigned night guard who watched the man with annoyance. “Thank you, Gerald, you may return to your post.” Alexander placed the mug of steaming coffee he never got to sip on the table and stood up to greet the man. “Joseph Ledger, I presume?” Xander asked cooly, giving the man a bland look. “Alexander Moretti, I presume?” The league leader responded with a sneer. “In the flesh.” Xander smirked, finding sudden amusement in the way he got under the man’s skin. “I’ll ask this once. What is my daughter doing in the home of a mob leader?” Joseph Ledger was clearly not a patient man, nor did he seem to have a single grateful bone in his body, but Xander brushed him off easily. “Contrary to what you may believe, Ledger, I am not your enemy, and your daughter is not my prisoner.” Xander leisurely retook his seat, bringing his feet up on t
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