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MAFIA RULES 96
“Is there something to eat around here?” Amara all but snapped. I swear Geno hid a wince, the girl was very impatient “Ah, of course, let me show you” I took her arm lightly leading her to one of the tables. “Lola” my husband calls behind me but I wave his concerns, I know he’ll have his eyes on me the entire time I’m away from him. Earlier this evening before the guest began arriving he ordered I stay within eyesight of him or any of his men at all times, even when I went to the kitchen Ivan followed right behind me until I was back on his caop's arm. With so many people in our house, I understood. “Would you like some wine? I asked the young woman beside me, my guess was she had to be around seventeen, “Red or white?” The girl slams a hand over the wine glass I went to pick up her eyes narrowing “Gio is mine” I made a face and then looked at the men behind us, I could have sworn Niko said her father’s arrangement was with the other brother, Geno. “Don’t look at them” she hiss
MAFIA RULES 97
*** The presentation was rather straightforward, less dramatic than I expected, Maria had brought my son forward and I took him, holding him to my chest in the center of the room, Niko stood at my side beside him was his uncle Matteo and Valentina. Tommy stood at my other side. The capo said five words “Angelo Marino Salvatore, my heir” Soft applause followed and I returned Angelo to Maria’s waiting arms, she had explicit orders to take him directly to our rooms, to get changed as they were already fed and, then bed. Rico is to stay up with them since the girls are tied up at the moment. I considered hiring contracted staff but outside, especially here in the mansion… my husband said and I quote ‘make do’ So far so good. The Brodetto di Pesce a native Italian seafood stew was delicious but I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it, not with Valentina sitting at our table, after the whole wine ordeal I considered moving her to another table, let someone else deal with her for the
MAFIA RULES 98
“Go where?” I tried to swallow as I pointed a shaky at the door. “You heard the boss, we stay here, you stay here” With his finger on the trigger, he kept his eyes on the door where Niko disappeared for what felt like hours now. I needed to know if he was fine, if I stayed here another minute I’d lose it. “Not when my husband is out there, we need to do something, help them” “You would only be a distraction, you are my charge, he asked me to guard you and I won’t fail him.” Get yourself together. I ordered, I can’t fall apart right now. Clasping my hands together in front of me, I tucked in my chin, “Do you hear that?” His knuckles whitened as his fingers tightened around his weapon, brows tensing as if listening in, his voice lowered I could barely hear when he muttered “Hear what?’ “My point exactly, there’s been nothing for some time now, whatever’s happened, it is over” Gray eyes narrowed “We will know that when someone comes with a report, otherwise you” he pointed a fing
MAFIA RULES 99
I turn to the sound of the door opening softly, “Hey…” I trailed at the sight of my husband, his eyes dark, jaw hard. I was right, he didn’t come up last night, Maria came for a while to see if I needed anything, I’d been so relieved to see her, and when she informed me that hr and the girls were fine and the intruders hadn't thought to make their way near the kitchen I wanted to break into sobs. Thankfully the children had slept through the crazies. Last night, I left them for a bit to get changed out of my dress, during that time I tried to get my head to quiet down as I took off my makeup and washed my face but my hands shook, my stomach quivered from anxiety, fear clawed at my throat, now that I was in the privacy of my rooms I felt nauseous, with a hand over my mouth I blinked back tears swallowing down the bile that threatened to climb up my gullet. I blinked repeatedly to clear images of blood and dead bodies from my mind. The empty eyes. Men had died on either side.
MAFIA RULES 100
I followed right at his heels. “Niko listen to me, we can stay with you, stay indoors and out of sight, come on, don’t be like this.” “And risk our children, the mansion was attacked last night-“ “I was there Niko, I haven’t forgotten” I snapped at his back. Still giving me his back he paused as we got to the stairs “Then you know why we must do this” he released a tired sigh “Don’t make this harder than it already is” I take the stairs two at a time my ankle almost giving out beneath me as I lunged forward to grab his arm just as he was about to move, he paused until I caught up with him, my breath coming out faster as I panted “If it’s so hard then don’t send us away, a family is supposed to stay together, I am not in support of this” “Noted” he stated and kept walking. Damn it! I swiped my damp palms on my jeans and followed after him. What in the what was going on? I knew he was unsettled after what transpired last night, in our house no less, I was also concerned but t
MAFIA RULES 101
I turned away from him, the sight of him felt like a fist was wrapped around my throat, my chest, my heart, I chewed on my bottom lip, sniffling I wiped my cheek on Angelo’s back. "How can you bare to send us away like this?" My heart broke. I was trying to put a handle on my feelings as I swayed from side to side to get my son back to sleep. Firm fingers wrapped around my upper arm and I felt him at my back, “You think I want this, sending you away? You, the kids” he pulled me flush against his chest, I looked at him with teary eyes over my shoulder, his eyes hold mine “You are my life, Lola it kills me, sending you away, I want you here with me” I turned with our son to face him, as his hands smoothened up my arms. “I want you where I can see you, and have you in my arms every night, to hear my children’s laughter, I don’t want to miss a second with them, but you can’t say, I won’t” he paused, swallowing hard, and his eyes falls shut. “I won’t be able to do what needs to be d
MAFIA RULES 102
“Say goodbye to your daughter” I managed to say before closing the car door. I didn’t know if I should be glad that Caela slept soundly as Niko leaned down to kiss her forehead and cradled her first in his palm for a moment. I managed my tears when the black SUV drove out of the black titanium gate leading out of the mansion, turning back only once to see the twins secured in their car seat, and then I faced ahead. There were no armed men stationed at the gate as usual, and now that I think of it, they had been missing from their posts at the mansion. I dried my cheeks and swept my hair behind me. “Would it not be safer to leave in the night?” I asked in a low voice when I finally found my voice “What if someone was watching the house?” A pair of aviators sitting on his strong nose shielding dark green eyes Miguel nodded as he eased the large vehicle into traffic “Exactly, there's nothing suspicious about a lone vehicle leaving the mansion at two in the afternoon, but at the d
MAFIA RULES 103
We establish a routine over the course of the week, the twins rise with the sun and so do I. I feed them then place them in a playpen Miguel had set up on the side of the living room, then I get to making breakfast. After that, it’s bath time and another feeding before putting them down for a nap with that I have a few hours to do other things, I wasn't exaggerating when I said caring for two babies was a lot. at least they haven't been crying. I do some cleaning and laundry while they’re down every afternoon because babies can be a messy bunch. I found an old crossword puzzle book so I strike out the words while I wait for the laundry to be out, by the time it’s folded and put away, the twins are up and I have a reason to live once more. It’s clear they miss home, miss him, after the first few days the thrill of a new environment faded and I didn't have to stop Angelo from crawling under the carved chairs in the kitchen or trying to eat them and Caela from trying to go outside, s
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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
