Six- Elena

I walk down the stairwell gripping the banister, I can hear the commotion coming from my brother's office but I know better than to eavesdrop. Nothing good comes from that in this life. I continue my descent down to the kitchen, Gretchen is here with a sweet grin plastered on her face and she sways to the song streaming from the radio. If graceful was a word it would be her, she in her sage green apron with black pants and slippers on. 

When she sees me entering she says, “Good Morning Sweetheart” dusting her hands on her apron and reaching for my hand. I grab hers as she leads me to the breakfast nook, “What will it be today, oatmeal or pancakes”. She says releasing me to go towards the stove, “With the week I had both, please”. She makes her way back towards me placing a bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal and blueberry pancakes on a plate, “I thought you'd say that” she says with a smirk while setting them down before me and grabbing a cup of apple juice and setting that down as well. Orange juice is overrated argue with someone else. 

My mother's death hit Gretchen just as hard, she kind of took over the full mother role after. She's been with my family since before I was born. She saw the ups and downs witnessed the changes and stayed. Other than Sydney she knows me best, always there to offer some advice and clearance. 

I down the last bits of my apple juice and attempt to pick up my mess, Gretchen comes before me and stops me. “I can do it,” I say, still reaching for the dishes. “I know you can,” she says, pulling them out of my reach and moving towards the sink. “Besides, someone sounds angry.”  Before I can ask her what she means I hear the pounding of footsteps. 

Casper stomps into the kitchen his face inflamed before i can ask if he's okay, he’s yelling, “I can't catch a fucking break” he storms towards the fridge and flings it open. Gretchen continues washing the dishes and humming a peaceful tune seemingly oblivious to my brother's storming rage. 

“What–What happened?” I ask testing the waters not wanting to enrage him more. My brother being one of the most calm people I know seeing him like this makes me a bit uneasy. “Papa’s gonna fucking kill me” he murmurs going deeper into the fridge and pulling out a beer. 

I try again, “Cas, what the hell is going on” he finally looks up at me. “Make my grave beautiful,” he says, grabbing a bottle opener from Gretchen and walking towards the exit. “Oh come on,” I say, jogging up to him and turning him towards me, “tell me something maybe i could help” he arches a brow at me, “He pulled out of the contract” he finally says.  

“Who” I say trying to make sense of the situation. “Agosti” he sighs “he pulled out of the contract last minute, we were supposed to sell him the newest shipment but I guess he found another buyer, I wasted 2 million dollars”. He shrugs “And when Papa finds out I’m dead, he already didn't trust me with the job and now this” he runs a hand through his blond hair, “Im fucked”. 

I stare up at him, he's right my father will not forgive him, this will make him look weak and that is a no-go in this life. 

“He played you didn't he,” I say finally putting together the pieces. 

“Yup, he was never interested in doing the deal, just wanted to see me work for it i guess” he blows out a breath.

A lightbulb goes off in my head, “Wait” I say and rush to grab my phone “Did you say, Agosti, as in Alessandro Agosti”. My brother looks at me with confusion etched into the wrinkles forming on his forehead, “Yes, you've met his father before Malcom Agosti”. I pull up his contact and shove it in my brother's face, “Why do you have that” he asks.

“Mafia Princess remember” I wink, “he tried to buy me off to his son a few years ago but Papa didn't let him because we were all ‘mourning’” I say with air quotes, “ he told me to take his number in case i ever changed my mind” 

My brother continues staring at me, “You failed to mention the part where that's relevant right now” he says 

“Reach out to Alesandro's father and offer him your deal but offer me as well”. I say and see his face crack.

“No, Lena it's okay”, he says, “I know how you feel about that and I won't be the reason you have to go through that Alessandro is not a good guy, I'll figure it out” 

“And does that figuring ‘something out’ not involve my brother ending up in a grave?” I shout into his face my anger lashing out and I know I'm red my fist is balled up so tight because I know what this means for me, for him, and for us. 

“Pa might forgive me, Lena,” he says.

“And if he doesn't” I yell, “Or even worse if he does and you take his place as capo, none of them are going to take you seriously Cas, they're gonna string you around like a puppet and it's going to end up with you dead”. I yell, “And I'd be damned if I could do something about it and didn't Cas” My voice cracks and a tears slips free.

He swipes at it with his sleeve and pulls me into an embrace he rests his head atop my head like he always did when we were younger pats my head pulls back and looks me in my eyes, “that's last case scenario okay, I'll try my hardest for it not to come to that” he promises, I nod understanding. 

Gretchen walks by us with a smile forming on her face as she walks by and says, “A sibling's love is like none other”.