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MAFIA RULES 7
I continued with my studying for the next few days that followed. Excluding weekends, of course, I can’t seem to get anything done when I know he’s home. As I am, my emotions are all over the place and Niko is being very patient with me, I rope him into playing card games with me and Marie-Lu one Saturday, and the little girl anxious at the start, her cards clued to her lips, looking away from him as I explain the rules of the games to Niko, most of them made up by Marie-Lu and I, of course. Halfway into the game, she begins to relax, enough to win the first round, I win the next hand and Niko wins the next three. Gasp! So Marie-Lu and I gang up on him in the next hand, even resorting to hid cards behind me, tossing a wink at Marie-Lu to go with it when she frowns, she nods with a small smile. He still managed to win. I'm trying not to let the frustration get to me as we lose yet another hand, a smirk on his lips as he picks up the decks, shuffling it between his fingers, a diffe
MAFIA RULES 8
“The women are upset that you’ve declined all their invitations to tea in the past month” I haven’t gotten any invitations. Why do I feel this is Niko's doing? A sigh leaves me. “You know why I can’t go out” I cradle my swollen belly with one hand, leaning on the arm of my chair. Already he was frustrated with me this morning at breakfast, I’d finally summoned the courage to speak of my cousin's plight to him. “I know better than you the situation of this in Chicago” was his reply. I had frowned at him but he remained unvarying in his decision to stay out of it. I don’t know how my aunt thought I would be able to do anything. Last night my aunt suggested that my cousin Katherina come for a visit. After asking if Niko’s cousin Vincent has a pending arrangement. I saw where that was leading, of course, in the case that somehow my cousin could try to catch the eyes of Vincent Salvatore, or God forbid find herself in Vincent’s bed and force Niko’s hand. Katherina is Chicag
MAFIA RULES 9
“So have you and Niko thought of any names? I think the name Eva has a nice ring to it if I do say so myself”I laughed. “Niko hasn’t said much about it. But I was thinking of Marina for a girl and Louis for a boy” I’ve always loved Marina. It's cute for a little girl in, teenage years, and a grown woman. “Louis though” one perfectly plucked brown eyebrow arches slightly, she does that when she is against something.“It’s cute” I defendShe gives me a pointed look. “Yes, cute”I turn to her, somewhat offended “What’s wrong with cute? I also like Jamie”“What is Jamie?” Eva kissed her tongue at me pointing with her index finger with accusation “You are not even trying for male names, you really think it’s going to be a girl? Why don’t you just check and be done with all this fuss?” I fought the urge to roll my eyes, only Andrea knows the gender of the baby, during my first ultrasound months ago her eyes widened slightly, and then a huge grin appeared on her face. I remember it becaus
MAFIA RULES 10
When I wake up on Sunday morning, the bed is empty beside me. I know Niko is not at church, he wouldn’t go without me and as we are keeping the pregnancy quiet, we haven’t been for months. So these days, only Tommy and Vincent attend mass every Sunday morning. Releasing a sleepy oud yawn, I stretch a hand towards the nightstand for my phone. Where the hel- I squint one eye open to narrow on its position then move my fingers further to the right grabbing my phone. I swipe through my contact with half closed eyes before hitting the call button. It rings twice before connecting. “Where are you?” There is a beat of silence “In my office, two doors from you” his voice grows increasingly sharp “Are you hurt?” I blink once, twice doing a mental check, “No, I’m fine. Just woke up and wondered where you were” Then I hung up tossed my phone on the side and went back to sleep.That afternoon I sit in the living room and stretch my hands above my body for the fifth time.Gosh, my back. I m
MAFIA RULES 11
I am wearing a blue wrap dress when I come down for dinner Sunday evening, Chase, one of Niko’s captains kisses my cheeks in greeting slipping a hand into his pants pockets before heading inside. “You don’t have to do this” Niko whisperers once more.I look down at myself “But I got all dressed up” Arranging my curls, I smile up at him. “I see that You look gorgeous baby” Tilting my head in thanks, "You too, but you always look good even without trying" Tonight he is wearing a black suit, black shirt, and no tie, the top buttons undone, his hair pushed back from his face, I notice the strands are getting quite long, the back reaching past his neck, but he looks delicious all the same. As he drops a kiss on my temple the door opens once again. “Hi, good evening” I wave at Matteo. Matteo smooths a hand down his black suit jacket, the back tie against a white shirt sets off his warm tan skin, his short back hair is combed back, and blue eyes that look so much like my husband’s spar
MAFIA RULES 12
“One of my friends, Chloe used to work doing the school break, meeting new people, getting to know them, helping them solve problems, and the unreasonable demands of some customers she would come back every school break with the funniest stories, it was a blast” I tell Maria as she chops some vegetables “I’m not sure if I’m cut out for the fashion world though, you remember that movie we saw, what was the name...? I trailed off racking my brain. "The one with Carla Hernandez in the lead, where she ran a fashion house, now imagine that in real life, it is just too competitive you know, and the forever changing trends? Nah... I dont think it is for me. Not to mention it deals with too much publicity." I shake my head once more. Niko would never agree with something that puts me in the spotlight. It would make me an easy target. This is the next best thing, I’m already getting it all figured out. Once again I marvel at the choice I’m career. After getting my certification I am tryi
MAFIA RULES 13
“Why are you talking to her?” I asked after letting myself into the room. Twice now, after my physical exam, Niko would offer to see Andera off, and they’d get holed up in his study for some time before they finally leave, Niko going back to work and Andera going back to God knows where. I raised an eyebrow then waved it off the first time I saw it happen. Shrugged it off the second time, now however, I am just irritated. “What is going on here?” my eyes jumped from my husband to Andrea and back again. “Niko had some questions about the pregnancy,” Andera said, my attention remained on my husband who is sitting behind his desk. “Niko?” I questioned because that sounded like utter crap to me. “Just as she said” He confirms, my eyes narrow as annoyance and another emotion I can name surges through me. “And you couldn’t ask these questions in front of me?!” I snapped. Still calm, he waved a hand at the empty chair in from of his table, next to the one Andera already occupied.
MAFIA RULES 14
Present. I remember the day I married my husband, as he slipped his rings on my finger, the dread in my heart as that single action sealed my fate. It was not a marriage I chose, or he a man I wanted for myself. It was sad, but I accepted it with grace, like a young woman befitting the Blanco name, I became a Salvatore. I didn’t love or care for him. But I made peace with it, the women in my family are beautiful and coveted. It is our duty to marry well and support our family's standing. Still, I promised myself, that whatever the future may hold, I would be fine. In the early months of marriage, we came to an agreement, I would fulfill my duties as expected of the wife of the capo, and in exchange, he would give me what freedom I could manage in between. Now, I sit with my hands clasped in front of me. On the table, under my clasped hands is a file including a list of activities, some photographs, a few hand-drawn images, and more papers covering the personal information of Jud
Latest chapter
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
