“Yeah, it’s me.” His voice sounded hoarse, like he hadn’t used it in days.
“Teo, where are you, are you okay?” She nearly sobbed through the phone.
“I’m… okay. Listen, Ser, I don’t have a lot of time, is Enzo or Xander there?” He whispered on the other end and Serenity scrambled after Enzo.
“Enzo! Where are you!” She raced towards his room and stopped short when she threw open the door and found him already facing her.
He frowned at her behaviour, “What-?”
“Matteo.” Was all she said and put the phone on speaker.
“You did what!” Lorenzo roared when Serenity revealed the findings of their evening out.“I know you’re mad, but we got what we needed. There’s an underground tunnel entrance in the cellar just like the map suggested.” Serenity tried to reason, but Enzo wasn’t having it.“That’s completely beside the point! Where did you even come up with this bogus plan?” He seethed.*ONE DAY EARLIER*“I’ve been looking at some old maps of the city, trying to piece together the things Matteo described to us, but there are so many possible locations.” Serenity unfolded an old map onto the table before Enzo and the Ruiz siblings. 
Stepping out of the closet the clock on her nightstand read past midnight and Serenity felt the exhaustion of the day set in.All she wanted was to cuddle under the covers and forget the world existed, but just as she took another step in that direction she felt a rough hand close around her mouth, muffling the scream that bubbled in her throat. A large body trapped her against the wall and Serenity’s eyes widened in terror.‘This is it, my nine lives have run out.’ The thought invaded her mind as the man’s breath fanned her face, he smelled faintly of whiskey and musk.There was something familiar about it and Serenity chanced a look at his eyes, they were hardly visible in the pitch d
Serenity awoke to the feeling of Xander’s muscular chest pressed firmly to her back, his arms engulfed her as he spooned her tiny body with his large one and as much as she hated to admit it, she loved the feeling of him pressed up against her even if he was sleeping on her hair.Feeling Serenity move, Xander’s eyes propped open and widened at the position they found themselves in.“Xander, wake up. You’re on my hair.” She nudged him lightly with her foot and he quickly moved away, taking his weight off her body.“Sorry, are you okay?” He reached for her hair, but her fingers beat him to it, smoothing down the stray strands that were sticking up.&ldq
“Can you hear what they’re saying?” Julio whispered with a concentrated frown on his face.“Not really, but that voice sounds familiar.” Serenity bit her lip and looked at him, “We have to get closer.” She knew it was a bad idea and so did Julio by the look on his face.“Come on.” He motioned for her to follow him.The two crept around to the front of the house where the voices were more recognisable thanks to the broken window. They were still partially hidden from the road by an overgrown bush and the long grass, but if someone were to step onto the porch they would easily be spotted.“ -Not saying a word, I don’t know how much more he c
A searing pain in her head made Serenity groan.“Serenity!” Lorenzo’s voice called just as she felt his hand grasp hers and her eyes cracked open.“Hey.” She winced at the dryness in her throat.“Hey, are you okay?” He helped her sit up before bringing a glass of water to her lips.“I’m fine, my head hurts. What happened?” She looked around her room with confusion when her eyes suddenly found Xander sitting in the chair across the room.His dark stare was set on her and Serenity felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine.
Serenity hissed as she unwrapped the bandage wrapped around her head, the throbbing in her skull was still as prominent as the moment she woke despite all Olympia’s best efforts at drugging her.Cool wind touched the swollen skin which intensified the throb, the pain almost made Serenity abandon her plan, but she knew she wouldn’t get a moment of shut eye till she knew what was hidden in that house.It was a stupid idea to go back there after the day’s events, that much she knew, but her mind ran a mile per minute. Something was drawing her back there, back to that house.The night sky was littered with stars that under any other circumstance she would take a moment to admire, but given that she was sneaking out of a fortress, she couldn&r
“Matteo!”“Matteo?”Serenity and Xander called out when they barged back into the house. The duo wasted no time in rushing down to the basement where the knocking on the pipe was the loudest.“It was this one right here.” Using a random piece of metal, she tapped on the pipe, hoping she would receive a response but after a few seconds passed with no response she tapped again, more furiously.“The original entrance to the tunnel may be blocked off, but who’s to say a second entrance wasn’t created later on?” Xander followed the pipe along the wall till it disappeared into the brick.
“He looks so different.” Serenity looked at Matteo with sad eyes, but in her heart relief trumped any other emotion.“He’ll regain his strength in no time, you’ll see.” Enzo smiled reassuringly, the happiness he felt at having one of his brothers back at his side was overwhelming.“What did the doctor say?” Serenity turned to face Lorenzo.The elder brother sighed and ran a hand through his hair, “He’s gonna be okay.”“That’s all?” She frowned disbelievingly.“That’s all that matters.” Enzo shrugged, wheeling closer to the window. Ma
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