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MAFIA RULES 16
My mama was here for three months following the birth of the children, Gianna, and Eva Vanessa and Anna visited every other day. Father didn’t come, it remains a critical time in Chicago, his position in jeprody, he dare not take his eyes off the ball for a second, choosing to stay back and guard his position. Sometimes, it surprises me how much I have come to understand the politics of our world as time passes. It’s mid-afternoon when I sit in the sunroom downstairs, the children, Angelo, Caela, and Sebby are playing with toys on the rug. I sit with baby Rico in my lap, though he is a month older than the twins, he is slightly smaller. On the single couch in front of me, Vanessa sits in jeans and a red top, shiny black ankle boots, and bright red lipstick, her black hair straight as a pin. She has a glass of wine in hand as he observes the children. I just joined them having rounded up my meeting with Alex it is safe to say we need more capital. So much capital to run a business.
MAFIA RULES 17
*** Becoming a mother, and having children changes you. It was hard I’m not going to lie, carrying them in my belly, giving birth, I was scared all the time, I’m still scared now. But the thought of the strengthens me. I have felt love, from my mother to my husband, but the thought of my children brings me so much joy and a kind of love that I could never fathom. I feel them in my soul, they are a part of me, my blood. And for that, I could never understand how some parents see their children as a source to gain power or an advantage. In the months I carried them in my belly, scared for the change about to be presented in my life at their birth, Mama, Eva, and Gianna practically moved in by the time they were born. Though they were here to offer my support at my behest, I found myself wanting to do it all, They were so tiny and perfect, with little fingers and toes, blue eyes that barely opened, and fragile bones and skin. My heart just melted. I wanted to do it all by myself,
MAFIA RULES 18
Niko is leaning over Caela’s crib when I returned, he’s home early as it was just around six in the evening, he must have come in while I was still down in the kitchen. “Where is Tommy? He didn’t leave them alone did he?” I ask with a frown, shutting the door behind me, he clearly agreed to watch them for a bit and I don’t think I was gone long.“He just left” Finally, he turns to me, his hair now shorter, but even more sexy if I do say so myself. He just went out one day and came back with the new haircut, buzzed short at the sides and the back, longer at the top combed back.The new haircut gave him an edgier, sharper look, making his chiseled features more pronounced, I had caught between annoyance and glee, missing the longer strands already and how I used to run my fingers through his hair when we kissed. But the new cut suited him perfectly.“You cut your hair” I had told him that day, my fingers hovering over the buzzed side by his ear. Niko lowers his head slightly “Don’t li
MAFIA RULES 19
I don’t put them down for bed immediately as it's still early, we head to the living room, Niko leaving me with the kids to shower and get changed, when he returns, I hop in for my own shower. With the kids fed and bathed, and Niko here to watch them, I have about an hour to myself before it is time for dinner and I intend to enjoy every last second.I take a long hot shower, allowing the heat to soak into my skin and relax my muscles. After about a solid thirty minutes, I shampoo and condition my hair, ensuring I get enough conditioner on my scalp and the ends of my hair.Finally, I rinse off and exit the shower, Slipping on a bathrobe I tie the sash loosely at my waist and get a towel for my hair. I squeeze off the excess water, wrap it around my hair, and finally dig out the creams my Mama sent over earlier. I tear off the wrap and twist off the cap, immediately, the smell of cocoa and butter assaults my senses. “Nice” I scop off a decent potion with my index and middle finger, t
MAFIA RULES 20
“Absolutely not” is the first thing he says.My eyebrows go up in surprise.It's been a good morning, Niko headed straight into the shower, in a pair of black sweatpants, his torso gleaming with a sheen of sweat so I know he's been to the gym. I was just getting done feeding the kids when he appeared again, fully dressed for the day in another black on black suit complete with a tie. As we have breakfast I remember my friends visiting yesterday and the idea I got. Spooning some eggs and sausage onto his plate, I return the pan, after buttering up my toast and taking a bite, So I asked, “What do you think about taking the kids to the park sometime?”Npw, I blinked at his sharp retort, a frown on my face “Why not?” His eyebrow goes up like he couldn’t be bothered with answering such a ridiculous question.I say finally when he keeps looking at me "I think it’ll be nice for them to be around other kids and have fun, because they’re kids” Niko’s tipped his chin down “Sebestian son co
MAFIA RULES 21
Though I’m annoyed at Niko and the way he handled the situation when he leaves, I go about my day, Gia and I playing with the kids before it is their nap time, and then I get to, starting with my first scheduled meeting of the day, afterward, I read through the brief put together by my team on the ongoing projects. I’m not even that upset he ordered Ivan to restrain me if I tried to take the children out, that was an empty threat, to get across how against the idea he was. If there's one thing I know for sure, is that no matter how domineering my husband can't get, he would never want another man’s hands anywhere near me. I also didn’t want the entire household to know we were having disagreements so I kept my annoyance to myself, so when I come down for dinner in the evening, I’m silent as I clear my plate, lost in my thoughts, I dont notice how quiet the room is until Tommy pokes me in the side with his elbow “what's up with you?” he had whispered the question but I'm sure the en
MAFIA RULES 22
*** I am still annoyed over Niko's dismissal when Gianna and Anna come to visit. Anna-Lucia had just taken baby Ricko inside for a change and feeding when he began to cry. “You can youse the twins's room upstairs” I offered standing up. “No worries, I packed a bag” she demonstrates by picking up a bag I hadn’t seen just beside her chair and heaving it on her shoulder, “I just need a room” “Maria please…” I trailed off as she was already reaching to assist Anna with her bag, the both of them leaving the room together. Now I sit with Gianna, our kids playing on a laid-out blanket in front of us. “You have something on your mind” it wasn’t a question. The days fly by fast when you have much to do but I’ve been thinking. “Niko admitted his feelings to me you know” I start. She nods, it was the same day I told her of my kidnapping in Chicago, I was a bundle of emotions after things calmed down and I needed to talk to someone. Maria kept treating me like a fragile egg due to my
MAFIA RULES 23
When the women leave, I take my children inside, editing some pictures I took with Caela on my lap, scrolling to the ones Gianna took of me and the children, I add some filters. I knew I should delete some as they were about fifty pictures altogether but they were just so cute, even the blurry ones as Caela refused to stay still long enough for capture.“See yourself baby” Taking her hand, I use it to point at the screen. Laughing when she leans forward to lick the screen. Angelo however seems to be frowning in most of the pictures, only smiling in the one I’m carrying him and Caela in one arm each and another where I’m kissing his cheeks.Blinking back some tears, I put them in a folder. Selecting a few to forward to Mama and Eva, as well as Father. I unblocked father when the children were born, a gesture in good fate as he was unable to come see them, I sent him photos instead, and after having found his contact among a long list of blocked contacts on my phone, I was a bit surprise
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MAFIA RULES Epilogue I
My uncle was right, everything will change from now on, the Grecos, Mendoza, and the Oriente arms of the New York Families are no more. Though we weren't particularly friendly with the other two, it wasn't required for the business. The Greco’s however have always been closely allied with the Salvatores, it wasn’t because of that friendship that Julio was my father's right hand and his father before him, as capo it was my decision to choose my right hand, but for decades, that honor belonged to the Greco’s, until Julio fucked it up. With them gone, there is a gap, in the prominent families, and someone needs to take over for the business to run smoothly. As things settled, I just wanted some peace to be with my family, my children, I already missed so much. It was something I would never retreat, I kept them safe. I did what had to be done, even though it hadn't been my Knife in their throat or my orders. My actions lead to their deaths. And their deaths created a power vacuum, one
MAFIA RULES 116
**“We have to leave here, get to another safe house we don’t know who else- this place has been compromised” Arms wrapped under my arms trying to pull me away. I was staring blankly at the Man I'd grown so close with. I didn't know what to do.“We can’t leave him here” Tears spilled down my cheeks. “You think I want to leave him? He was like a father to me, but I have to protect you, he would want you to get to safety”“Miguel…”“Now Lola, Now." he shook me "We have to-“ a phone ringing cuts off the rest of his words. Miguel bends down and searches through Matteo’s jacket to retrieve his phone. I crawl back to him lifting his head into my lap, spatches of blood stained my jeans as I run my fingers through his hair. “Please Matteo open your eyes,” I begged softly.He couldn’t be gone. He felt warm despite the blood pooled on the ground beneath him, he couldn’t be gone. He couldn’t...“It’s Matteo…” I hear Miguel say to the other person on the phone “He’s gone” is all Miguel says
MAFIA RULES 115
I straightened at the sound of a car pulling closer. I know it isn’t Miguel as he’s in the next room, slowly tiptoeing to one of the windows and pushing back the curtains, “Lola don’t do that-“ “It’s Matteo” I gasped in recognition at the dark hair and family face of the man that exists the drive's seat. “It’s Matteo” I repeated “He’s here!” I announced as my heart began to race in my chest. “Stay here, stay down” Miguel ordered, as he headed to the door a gun in hand. I remained at the window, clutching my rounded belly with a shaky hand, the other fisted around the thick curtains as I tried to listen to their exchange. It went on for about half a minute but it was too long and then Miguel crossed back to the porch, he disappeared from my line of sight, and I moved to the door. The bottom of my oversized jeans dragged on the floor over my bare feet as I had left the zipper undone to accommodate my large bump. I’m standing behind the door when it opens and Miguel says “It’
MAFIA RULES 114
“That puta was whoring around dirtying the family line-“ she gurgles, choking as red spills from a thin line across her throat. A hand flew to her neck eyes wide in shock. No one was allowed to speak of that, I took pains in ensuring it remained that way. The consequences would be devastating. I look at the blade in my hand then swipe the napkin beside her tea set to wipe the little blood at the end. I turned around and came to a stop at the dark figure at the entrance. Fuck. “Is it true what she said?” I observe his stance, the pistol hanging loosely at his side, my brows furrowed as I tried to figure out how long he’s been standing there, how much he heard, I let out a sigh, “Tommy…” He sucked in a deep breath, his empty hand clenching into a shaky fist. “Did you know?” Tommy asked calmly. I grit my teeth and wipe the blade once more, then I return it to the sheath strapped to my wrist, soothing down my sleeves to keep it hidden. I turned to my brother fully and asked “Wh
MAFIA RULES 113
Bang! Bang! Bang!!! Gunshots sound as I make my way down the hall of an Italian-styled penthouse. The enemy tries to return fire, but they are quickly overwhelmed by my men. Martino Greco led me to Valentina's hideout like a mouse to the cheese. Pained grunts and shocked yells followed by the thuds of bodies heating the ground, and then quiet. Hmm. I walk in smooth strides past pools of blood, bodies littering the polished wooden floors noting the soldiers Valentina called from her mansion in Italy, I frown at the sight of a falcon tatted on one of the fallen men’s forearms, seems she hired some mercenaries also. Splendid. Last night Valentina sent her men to Mendoza and Orinete households while they slept and took them out in one swell move. It is why I can break in with little to no resistance, half of her man power is gone. Danilo inclined his chin at me then motioned up silently a gun in hand, corked and still at the ready. Chase and Emilio stand beside him each o
MAFIA RULES 112
I stared out the window on the ride back. Like the two times we’ve gone out, I remain in the car while he checks the property, when he signals all clear I open my door and move to the back to get the kids. Miguel goes around the other side and gets started on Angelo’s seat, he undoes the strap holding the child to the seat and then unhooks the chair fully so he can take it inside. “Want to tell me what happened at the clinic?” he questions as we walk. I shook my head nothing. “You don’t really expect me to believe that do you?” “What makes you think I did anything." “Excluding the fact that you looked guilty as hell when we got back, there’s a tear glued to your lashes" he pointed one end of his bottled water at me, "Why were you crying” We entered the cabin and I unstrapped the kids to let them run free. “I just needed to use the bathroom quickly” I paused helping Angelo to his feet. “I called him” I admitted. His expression remains unchanged. “You don’t seem surprised
MAFIA RULES 111
NIKO That evening I left using one of the hidden exist. There's a car parked under the bridge, I pull up behind it, leaving the engine still running as I look out the window, moments later a male form, wearing a black oversized coat blowing the wind takes long steps in my direction as far as his short legs can carry him, the side door opens and he drops down beside me, the smell of tobacco that follows him where ever he goes fills the car. I make no effort to his my frown. Excluding the fact that it was a shitty habit that kills the liver, I imagine it would make stealth impossible if they can smell you from a mile away. And I preferred to leave no traces, unless it was a warning that is. I have half the mind to ask him to exit my vehicle before he saturates it with his unpleasant smell but I need him tonight so I decided to play nice. “How did it go?” Martino Greco smacks his lips once, “Just as you expected boss, Maxim sent another offer, I did as you said while showing some
MAFIA RULES 110
LOLA I’ve been teaching my twins simple words and pointing out items around the house for them. I once read that kids need contact with other people and other kids to stimulate growth, and I’ve been doing what I can to fill that role. "Nana" Angel mumbled pointing at the banana when Miguel walked past eating a banana last night.It is also his favorite fruit. Micaela liked peaches.I also roped Miguel into watching some soap operas airing every evening with me so I’d have something to look forward to and someone to discuss with. Soap operas were always better when you had someone to discuss them with. He acts like he hates them but I swear he secretly enjoys them. He finds it hard to understand the motives of the main antagonists and often wonders why the ‘good guys’ give so many chances.No one is that inherently good. Miguel had said when the main female character got played for the fourth time in twenty episodes. It's plain stupidity. he added his two cents, I shook my head with
MAFIA RULES 109
NIKO -Months later... “Who can we count on?” Tommy asked his chin on his jaw. In front of me at the other side of the desk Matteo cleared his throat and the other turned to him, “Brenadi, Orisi, Ajello, the Sances are a given" he tips his head. With Chase one of my trusted enforcers the head of the Sances family, it was a given, I trusted him to keep his house in check, the others however, "The others will need more convincing" Matteo added voicing my exact thoughts. “That’s four out of twelve” Vincent grunted unable to hide his displeasure. “How can Valentina have eight over us, the bitch has been in Italy for almost three decades," Tommy growls. “Exactly, lots of families owe her favors, she ran this family before us with an iron fist and she never fully removed her claws while my brother was capo, that’s nearly four decades of loyalty from the New York families. "Enough time to amass a fortune's worth of secrets and debts to call in, moreover, a number of the men are too sca
