New York, present day.
The flight was the very worst, especially now I had to go solo.
My papa had told me from the beginning of time, what's his is not mine to inherit.
I had everyday reminders that I'd yet to reach my fathers standards, I was purely a pawn in his game, a seductress if you must.
I was merely there to satisfy unwanted attention to our Cosa Nostra, for my farther to reel in a new enemy.But that was all about to change because today was my first mission.
I had a purpose.
And as my father stay behind in little Italy, I was around 2 hours away from walking the streets of rural New York.I was never allowed here, I was forayed ever since my father visited.
He'd gone with a vocation and returned with looming dread.
Now I knew not much of my mother, my papa hadn't cared to talk much of her.All what was thrown at me in moments of disagreements between my father and I, was how much her and I were alike.
I was mostly raised by my nonna and nonno, and they were my constant reminders of my strength and beauty.
Disgusting.
I cant help but narrow my eyes in disgust at the display of weakness. In the world of the Italian mafia, where strength was revered above all else, any sign of vulnerability was met with disdain. The very notion of weakness had a corrosive effect, draining individuals of their drive and lowering them in the ruthless hierarchy of power.
I despise how easily it could unravel a person's resolve, tarnishing their reputation in the unforgiving eyes of their society.
And that is exactly what got my grandpapa killed, weakness.
Just like my mother.
The engines' low hum a backdrop to my racing thoughts, I knew the moment had arrived.
All grown up now, my resolve firm—to charm Lorenzo, the stupid American, in a bid to unearth the closely-guarded family secrets. Nerves and determination intertwined within me, creating a palpable tension in the air. With each passing second, the weight of my plan bore down on me, yet I stood ready to risk it all for the truths I yearned to uncover.
Moreover, swirling beneath the surface of my mission was another pivotal development. Rumors whispered of my father, the patriarch of our mafia empire, considering retirement. The prospect of him finally relinquishing his iron grip on the family business loomed large, a decision that could reshape our world. The thought of him handing over his legacy, his empire, sparked a mix of apprehension and anticipation within me. The winds of change were blowing, and I found myself at the cusp of a new era, where power dynamics would shift, alliances would be tested, and the very foundation of our family's dynasty would tremble under the weight of transition.
A man could run, a woman could rule.
"Excuse me, miss Medicí?" A large broad man cleared his throat.I pull out my phone typing to inform my father of my whereabouts, "can I help you?" I reply with so much as even looking at him.
"A car has been arranged for you, to take you to the Medicí Manor Hotel." He crosses his arms, and I can tell my gaze which remains on my phone bothers him.
"Yeah whatever, just grab my luggage." I grab my purse with all my necessities.
lipgloss,a swiss knife,perfume,sanitizer.
Walking off the plane I was hit with the putrid stench of what was New York.
౨ৎ
As I stood by the airport curb, the anticipation coiled tight in my chest, a low hum of engines in the background. The night air was thick with the promise of secrets and shadows, a familiar dance in the world I navigated. A sleek black Porsche glided around the corner, its windows dark, hiding the intentions of the men within. Without a flicker of doubt, I strode towards the waiting vehicle, the click of my heels on the pavement a stark contrast to the silence that enveloped us.
I'm exhausted.
The door swung open,
revealing the dimly lit interior and the two figures seated in the front. Their gazes met mine briefly, a silent acknowledgment of our shared understanding. I slid into the back seat, the leather cool against my skin, a subtle reminder of the luxury that cloaked the danger lurking beneath the surface. In one fluid motion, my luggage was snatched from my grip and tossed unceremoniously into the trunk, the weight of my belongings a physical reminder of the gravity of my choices.
Fucking pricks, I had valuable designer bags and shoes in that trunk.
As the car began, I felt the familiar thrill of the unknown course through me. The streets blurred past, the city lights painting fleeting patterns on the windows. In the confines of the Porsche, surrounded by the enigmatic men who shared my world, I knew that this journey marked a turning point. The decisions made in the shadows held the weight of destinies, the echo of past actions shaping the path ahead. And as we sped into the night, I braced myself for the revelations that awaited, knowing that once the wheels were set in motion, there was no turning back.
Except the further I settled into the leather seat, the subtle tension in the air did not escape my notice. The two men in the front exuded a magnetic presence, their eyes meeting in fleeting glances that spoke volumes. Their conversation flowed in a language unfamiliar to me, a sharp departure from the familiar cadence of Italian that resonated within my father's domain.
I was familiar in 7 languages, and I hated the unknown.
Despite the language barrier, the unspoken communication between the men was palpable, a silent understanding that transcended words. The way their gazes lingered, the shared nods of agreement, hinted at a connection deeper than mere business partners. In the confines of the car, their dynamic was a dance of power and intrigue, a delicate balance of trust and suspicion that kept me on edge.
As the unfamiliar words washed over me, I couldn't help but wonder about the secrets they held, the alliances forged in whispers that echoed through the sleek interior of the Porsche. The contrast between their conversation and the straightforward commands my father would have issued for my pickup was stark, a glimpse into a world where loyalties were fluid and alliances ever-shifting. And as we sped through the night, the allure of the unknown mingled with the apprehension that clung to me, a silent reminder that in this clandestine realm, trust was a luxury I could ill afford.
"So how far are we from the manor?" I sighed, sick of the awful silence.It wasn't that I enjoyed the presence of others but more that silence was unbearable.
"We get there when we get there."One of them scoffed.Ew.My papas men would know better then not to speak to me like such.
After I dared to be polite about our nearing arrival, he had the nerve to be rude, "Che domande sciocche! Abbiamo ancora del tempo." His words dripped with condescension, a stark departure from the respectful tones I was accustomed to in my father's circle. The shift in demeanor sent a shiver down my spine, a realization dawning upon me like a shadow creeping over the moonlit landscape.
The dismissive response coupled with the underlying arrogance in his voice painted a clear picture – we weren't heading towards the safety of my father's hotel. Instead, the subtle nuances in their interactions, the cryptic conversations, and now this blatant display of disrespect hinted at a different agenda altogether. The pieces of the puzzle began to align in my mind, forming a chilling picture of betrayal and treachery within the intricate web of the mafia.
As the Porsche sliced through the night, the sense of foreboding deepened, casting a veil of uncertainty over my surroundings. The realization that I might not be in the hands of trusted allies but pawns in a more sinister game sent a surge of adrenaline through my veins. In that moment, the shadows of doubt danced around me, whispering of dangers lurking in the darkness, and I braced myself for the revelations that awaited at the journey's end.
This was so not happening to me.
"You know, why don't you just fucking pull the car over." I mumbled unimpressed over their stupidity."Uhumn, I'd bet you wished it was that easy." He smirked and his rolled around a sharp bend.My body slammed into the damned car door.
I really fucking hate this car.
And so I open my purse and debate wether I should just bring the swiss knife out now, except I ultimately decide against it for the thrill of it.Instead I reach for my phone and indulge into it.
As I open my fathers messages asking if my arrival, oblivious to the grandeur unfolding outside the tinted windows of the Porsche, my gaze lifted to behold a sight that stole my breath away.
Before me stood a mansion, its opulence a stark contrast to the dimly lit streets we had traversed. The allure of the imposing estate beckoned, its beauty a siren song that captured my attention in an instant.
The sheer splendor of the mansion, with its intricate architecture bathed in moonlight, held me in a trance. The allure of its grandeur whispered promises of luxury and power, a world apart from the gritty reality of the mafia's underbelly. However, as the car made a sharp turn towards the looming gates, my reverie shattered like fragile glass.
Oh shit,I've been double crossed.I knew I shouldn't have taken a break from this world, my resolve was off.If I was in this situation months ago I'd been prepared.
The high gates, guarded by stern-faced men whose watchful eyes bore into my very soul, marked the threshold to a realm where secrets dwelled behind gilded walls. The air crackled with tension as we approached, the weight of the unknown pressing down on me like a heavy cloak. With each passing moment, the realization dawned that the beauty of the mansion masked a darker truth, and as we drew closer, the line between curiosity and fear blurred in the face of the mysteries that awaited beyond those imposing gates.
I internally groan and kick my feet and the annoyance of this perfectly sculpted home, no good could come from this.
౨ৎ
As I sat in the car, lost in my own world, the screeching sound of tires abruptly pulled me back to reality. Without a second thought, I swung the door open, only to feel it collide with an unexpected resistance, a hard impact that I failed to register in my daze.
Little did I know, a towering figure stood before me, casting a daunting shadow in the dimly lit surroundings – it was Lorenzo Verelli.
For fucks sake.
The shock of the encounter and the unfamiliar surroundings sent chills down my spine, and before I could comprehend the situation, I found myself letting out shrill screams into the night, my cries reverberating in the darkness, enveloping me in a blanket of fear as I remained oblivious to the imposing figure standing right in front of me.
"Are you kidding me?!- I kick the car -where am I!" I shriek and pull out my phone, only to revive no service.
"Well I certainly didn't take her for a screamer." A deep husky voice interrupted, with a rich laugh that teamed of whisky.