At exactly 6:30pm my mother had everything set with the help of the chef and the housekeeper. The table was full with all the food I can imagine and I kept wondering if we were having some kind of party or celebration I am not aware of or was it just Giuliana’s visit. I stood confused, my hands akimbo as I spoke to my mom.“Mother, are we celebrating something?” I asked her with my eyes racing from her dress to the table again.“Don’t be silly Dominico we are having a guest remember”. She kicked the words back at me.“Oh well, I am aware we are having Giuliana Ricci and her son over but that’s not the reason for all this food, I suppose”, I picked up one of the washed apples and began to munch on it.“Really? I thought you were responsible enough to help me get the entire place ready but now all you have to do is stand there and ask silly questions like a four year old. Of course all of this is for the arrival of my first grandchild and his mother. Should I have done otherwise?” he as
I tasted blood before I felt the pain. Metallic. Warm. Thick. It filled my mouth as I lay sprawled on the marble floor whose cold surface was slick with my own blood. My ribs ached and my vision blurred but I refused to cry out. I wouldn’t give them that. A shadow loomed over me.It was Alessandro Ricci, my father.His polished black shoes stopped inches from my face and sparkled despite the destruction he had just inflicted. When I was a child, I used to trace my fingers over those shoes, giggling as he soon lifted me onto his lap. Now, they stood as a silent reminder of his power—the kind of power that could snuff me out with a single word.“You embarrass me, Giuliana.” His voice was quiet as he spoke and made him sound more dangerous than if he’d been shouting. “You shame this family.”I swallowed the blood in my mouth. “I—”A sharp pain exploded in my side as he then kicked me again and sent me rolling onto my back. I gasped as the ceiling above me became blurred. The chande
Seven years.Seven years since I had lain bleeding on the cold marble floor of the Leonetti villa while my father’s shadow loomed over me like the devil himself. Seven years since I had been branded a traitor, beaten and discarded like yesterday’s trash. Seven years since I had sworn through the blinding agony and salt searing my wounds that I would return—not as the naive daughter of an underboss but as something much, much more.And now, here I was.The jet’s door hissed open and the warm Sicilian air, thick with the scent of the sea,curled around me. The sun dipped toward the horizon and casted the tarmac in amber and gold. My Louboutins clicked against the concrete as I stepped down with steps that were deliberate, controlled and callculated.I had not come back as a girl seeking her family’s approval.I had come back as a woman they would learn to fear.A small hand which slid into mine grounded me immediately.It was that of Giorgio, my son.At six years old, he was already a
Power had a scent.It wasn’t just the cigars and aged whiskey that clung to the air like ghosts of old men nor was it the polished mahogany or the faintest trace of gunpowder embedded in the stone walls. It was something deeper and older and it was woven into the very foundation of the Leonetti compound.It smelled like blood in this place. Like betrayal. Like history.The gates groaned shut behind the Mercedes as it drove past it and seemed to seal my past and my future within these walls. The Leonetti estate stretched for thousand of acres and was a sprawling testament to generations of wealth that had been built on fear and respect. It hadn't changed much. The ivy still crawled up the stone walls, the vast terraces still overlooked the Sicilian coastline and the watchful eyes of soldati still tracked every movement with quiet menace.Despite its majestic beauty, I knew that the heart of the estate had long since rotted.When I stepped out of the car and held my son's right hand,
Some ghosts refused to stay buried.That was the thought that came to my head as I heard his footsteps before I saw him. The footsteps screamed of the blatant confidence of a man who had walked these halls his entire life…a man who had once walked beside me as if we were equals.Tht footsteps could only belong to Enzo Salvatore.He emerged from the shadows of the corridor as I walked down it and I could see that his presence was a deliberate obstacle in my path. The marble floors gleamed beneath us and the flickering sconces casted a warm glow on our bodies but there was nothing warm about this encounter. My son had gone ahead of me to our quarters and I was going to meet him there and now this…interference was happening."Giuliana."His voice had deepened since I last heard it. It was richer and rougher. It was the voice of a man who had tasted power and developed an appetite for more.Looking unimpressed, I let my gaze trail over him.He was dressed to project authority—he was weari
The Leonetti family dinners had always been more battlefield than tradition and this one was no different.The table was the same as I remembered—an ancient slab of mahogany that was large enough to seat two dozen and was polished to a mirror shine. The silverware gleamed under the chandelier’s glow while the heavy scent of truffle, wine and power sizzled thickly in the air.Everything seemed perfect but beneath the elegance and the bouquet at the table, tension simmered everywhere like an untended flame.I adjusted my napkin with movements that were slow and deliberate. As Giorgio sat beside me, his small hands were folded over his lap and his posture was impeccable as always. His custom-made suit, a deep navy that whispered of control, matched mine. His presence at the table alone unsettled the entire family even though none of these wolves would admit it.I smiled at that. I smiled even more as I felt their eyes on me while they waited and calculatedAlessandro struck first."You'
The house was not the same as I had left it.Seven years ago, I had walked out of the Leonetti estate as a disgraced daughter and exiled by whispers and betrayals. Now, I walked these marble floors as something far more dangerous—an outsider with the power to break them all.Francesca had spent years ruling this house in my absence. She had been wearing the mask of the perfect Donna, pulling the strings behind my father’s decisions and whispering into my grandfather’s ear. But masks were just that—thin and fragile things. And I thought them useless. I had never been one to play pretend. For that, Francesca despised me. She made her first move at breakfast.I was seated at the long dining table and reading through financial reports on my tablet while Giorgio sat beside me and stirred his espresso with the mannerism of a seasoned diplomat. Francesca looked at us and smiled. I could easily see that it was calculated because it didn’t reach her eyes."You must be exhausted from your tri
I have always known that Dominico was a deadly man and I have tried all these years not to get in touch with him but seeing the way he bonds with the same my child makes me want to hate him the most.A little smirk curved on his lips as he looked at Giorgio with some sense of admiration or so I thought.“He is a really smart kid I must say”. He commented then signaled the maid to serve him a glass of wine. My stomach churned but I quickly found a way to hide all that emotions in my stomach. There was no way I was going to let a man as ruthless as him see my weak side. They all thought I am still that weak lady who left to die a few years ago yet I came back stronger and better, not to be with the joke sitting across me on this table but to execute a bitter sweet revenge.“I didn’t know you would return to marry my brother as the family had planned” I raised my head to look over at the fourth Capo. He definitely doesn’t know who I am and what I am capable of doing. Teo is definitely no
At exactly 6:30pm my mother had everything set with the help of the chef and the housekeeper. The table was full with all the food I can imagine and I kept wondering if we were having some kind of party or celebration I am not aware of or was it just Giuliana’s visit. I stood confused, my hands akimbo as I spoke to my mom.“Mother, are we celebrating something?” I asked her with my eyes racing from her dress to the table again.“Don’t be silly Dominico we are having a guest remember”. She kicked the words back at me.“Oh well, I am aware we are having Giuliana Ricci and her son over but that’s not the reason for all this food, I suppose”, I picked up one of the washed apples and began to munch on it.“Really? I thought you were responsible enough to help me get the entire place ready but now all you have to do is stand there and ask silly questions like a four year old. Of course all of this is for the arrival of my first grandchild and his mother. Should I have done otherwise?” he as
The moment I arrived home from the site that evening my father sent me to his room immediately. Of course he was bedridden yet he has his eyes moving on everyone and his ears open to all the news and information flying around. I listened to the sound of my own boots as I approached his bedroom. I pushed the door open to see him sitting on his bed with his head resting heavily on the stack of pillows placed behind his back. “Hi Betty, I greeted the nurse who was on duty for that day, she had her shifts for a week and the next she would leave another nurse to take over. She smiled brightly at me and as she nodded her head in response. “Don Dominico, good to have you here”, she answered me firmly before excusing herself leaving my dad and I in the room. “Son, how is business going?”“Well, everything is good pop and how are you doing today”, I was kind enough to ask, trying my best to remain calm to avert every unease that would come with his further questions.“I’m good, still breath
I raced upstairs, my heels almost reaching my neck until I got to the elevator. One heavy push on the elevator button and it in. The door beeped and spit to two sides, I rushed in, punching the floor number quickly. The door leaped and the soft humming sound followed it. In no time I landed on the fourth floor where my grandpa is. The moment I raced through the hallway and reached his doorstep I pushed the door open stepping into the living room. There he was sitting on his wheelchair, my father was on the other seat and on his left was Francesca.“Grandpa, I thought something bad had happened to you”, I rushed over and gave him a hug.“Giuliana, what is this news I see everywhere? I am rather flabbergasted that you would hide such vital information from, I thought I was your best pal here”, his tone was weak yet held authority like it has always been.“What news grandpa?” I tried to act stupid.“Don’t play dumb Giuliana, you know exactly what he is talking about, at least you know we
After the confrontation I left the venue with my son immediately.The next morning was a cold Saturday. I had woken up very early in the morning to make food for all three of us. Maria leaned on the center counter with her elbows while her butt was pushed out like she was about to receive some strokes on the butt. She moved her waist from side to side as she scrolled through the internet, she suddenly paused to watch a video before bursting into laughter but I noticed that as she scrolled to the next blog post she paused, narrowing her eyes in disapproval. She looked over at me, her eyes sold her thoughts away quickly.“What?” I asked as I wiped off the water on my hands with the dry kitchen towel. I tossed it to the side and stepped closer to her.“The blogs, it’s everywhere Gui”, her eyes dimmed, she turned the phone, pushing it to my face and there it was. A bright picture of Dominico and Gio the night before.“The bastard, I knew all of these would happen and I warned him to keep
The crowd cheered and clapped, they were all in shock as I could conclude from the side murmurs yet they didn’t restrict themselves from sharing in his happy moment. I sat dead faced down as all eyes glued to my skin. I made it clear that Gio’s identity should be kept private until we are sure of his safety now Dominico has gone behind my back or should I rather say he has gone right in front of me to make a public announcement about our son. I was pained and angered but I kept my cool about it since it was a public place and I have all eyes watching us now. I had to maintain my dignity and respect for man at least until everyone was gone or maybe in a more private place. I can caution him for taking such a decision even after I warned him not to tell the world yet.“I am so pissed Maria. Why did he do that though?” I asked her angrily, just then I saw Enzo stand from his family table, they all had their eyes on me, spiteful looks that sent sharp daggers into my skin. I understood the
I quickly blinked the tears in my eyes back to where they came from. The night was too special for me to wear a gloomy look like my entire world was crashing, even though I see it gradually threatening to. I let Maria lead me by the hand until we were out in the living room where Gio was busy with his airplane. I didn’t want to push him any further to leave the toy at home so he wouldn't be in a bad mood. I wasn’t even ready for his drama tonight.“Thank you for being a pillar of strength when mine is failing, I don’t know what I would have done without you”, I told her sincerely.“I am your best friend and sister so please give me all the flowers in the world”, she responded with a contagious smile I couldn’t resist.“We are running late Gui”, she told me before rushing off to grab Gio by the hand.“Aunty Maria, will my daddy be at the gala?” Gio asked, but since he wasn’t referring to me I looked away and grabbed my car keys.The drive to the Skylar Multipurpose even tower was fun a
I didn't know how to react when I got back from the hospital. Usually DNA results take a few days but this didn't take longer than an hour. I knew Gio was his actually but at some point I was nervous and scared that the tough Capo might reject my son and I do not want that. He had all the bond with him yet I couldn't trust him with that decision. “Gio, are you going for the Mediterranean gala night?” Maria asked as I sat thinking about all that could happen to me if I wasn't careful with the places I went to.“Gio? You hear? Her voice came ringing in my ears. “Pardon me?” “I asked if you would be attending the gala night. It would be fun and trust me you're enjoying yourself”, she went one with all she thinks I could do in a gathering as prominent as the Mediterranean gala night. It was a great event with a calibre of men from all the corporate industries as well as the government. Did I even mention the Mafia lords from all over the region? All the ones I have heard and haven't he
I quickly helped Giorgio into the car and when I saw she was about to go into the car I blocked her way with my body. She paused, looking me daringly in the eyes.“Why didn’t you tell me all these while Gui? I asked her. I didn’t know how I felt at this point, maybe disappointed that she kept a secret like that from me. “I had to hid him Dominico, it was for the good of the child, I don’t want him in your world, I don’t want him known by your enemies, that is the reason I kept him away from you, I don’t want to be in your life if that’s what you think this is”, she said the words with a hint of seriousness and brushed passed me. She got into the car and sat waiting for me to come take them home. Inside of me was the excitement of a man who had just been told that his wife was having a new baby but deep down I blamed Gui for not telling me about my heir on time. I got into the car and drove them right back to her house. She didn’t say a word to me while she got out of the car but I
We got into the reception, I was in front with Giorgio on my neck, while Giuliana followed behind us like she doesn’t know why we are here. Good morning sir”, the nurse greeted with a bright smile starching on her face. I have always known her from the days I had to bring my father to the hospital for checkup and also book appointments with the doctor.“Lisa, good morning”, I answered her as she scanned from Giorgio to Giuliana still holding strong to the smile she had on her face.“Is Dr. Brian in”, I asked, holding her gaze.“Yes, he is but he has a client he needs to attend to at the moment. You do mind giving him sometime or maybe you can check back later or leave a message if it isn’t that urgent!, her tiny voice filled the hall. On the other side where loved ones who had come to see their sick friends or family, the nurses paced the hall to and fro and also spoke in hushed voices to themselves.“Well, it’s urgent and I really want to see him”, she looked into her computer and t