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ti amo = I love you

sorellina = little sister

mia figlia = my daughter

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Scorpia walks out of the conference room and watches Bart step out of the office across from her, wearing a suit. She whistles and says: "Wow Bart! You look sharp!" Bart smiles shyly and Scorpia says: "I need to discuss a few things with you, but I have to handle some other things first." Bart nods and takes a seat in one of the chairs in the lobby. She sees Ricardo and Matteo walk out, holding hands as they make their way to the Charger.

She turns around to look at the reception desk and notices someone is completely at home there. "You look like you've been working here for years Annette. Please take some time to think of everything you need to do this job comfortably and let me know. Because I have no clue." The woman nods and Scorpia walks into the office, where Ciro is on the phone with someone. She sits down on the desk and waits patiently for him to be done.

Ciro hangs up and runs his hand over his face in a tired manner. Scorpia looks at him with gratefulness in her eyes and asks: "Matteo?"

Ciro keeps it short and says: "Mom was one of Salvatore's whores and didn't want him. No one knows who his father is of course. And those assholes enjoyed watching a little boy fight."

Scorpia swears and says: "We need to get mobile phones for the staff and there are two penthouse suites, right?" Ciro nods and she says: "For you and Dino." Ciro wants to protest but Scorpia holds her hand up to his face. "I'm going to win this argument anyway, so you might as well agree right now. I'm going to call mamma."

She walks back into the lobby and out of the front door. She calls her mother and tells her all about Matteo. And mamma does what she does best. Matteo has a home.

Her phone rings and she sees it's Ricardo.

"Hey Scorpia. His arm is broken in three places. He must have been in an awful lot of pain. His arm is in a cast from his armpit to his fingers."

Scorpia gasps and says: "That poor boy. But I've found a loving mamma willing to provide a home for him. I am taking him there later."

"Good. He really loves the car. And he wants to see you, so we're coming back, okay?"

"That's fine Ricardo. See you in a bit."

She walks back inside as Annette signs for a package. Scorpia walks over to her and opens the box. It's from the jeweler and she opens one of the small boxes inside of it. There's a thick chained bracelet in it and she calls Bart over. She asks him to hold his arm out and attaches the bracelet to his wrist. He looks at it and she says: "You're now officially a part of Scorpia Enterprise."

She wraps a finer chained one around Anette's wrist and closes the clasp. "Annette? Could you make sure everyone who works for me now and in the future gets one? And when you run out of them, just order new ones from the jeweler, okay?" Anette nods and writes down the name of the jeweler and immediately searches for the phone number.

Scorpia grabs two small boxes and walks into the office. Ciro is on the phone again and Scorpia attaches the bracelet around his wrist. He looks at it, winks at her, and continues his conversation. She presses a kiss on his cheek and walks back out into the lobby.

"Bart? Follow me please." The young man jumps up and follows her into the meeting room, where Manon is patiently waiting for them. Scorpia takes a seat next to Manon and invites Bart to sit down too.

"Manon, this is Bart, my driver. Bart, this is Manon, my personal assistant." Manon and Bart look shocked for a minute, but they snap out of it quickly and shake hands. "I need to be able to trust you two and count on your help. Things will not go smoothly at first, because I'm new at all of this."

She looks them over and asks: "But first of all, do you have a place to stay?" They both shake their head and Scorpia says: "You do now."

She hands the box with the bracelet to Manon and she opens it curiously. Scorpia says: "Gift from the boss. Wear it all the time, it shows whoever needs to see it that you work for me." She smiles at both and asks: "Bart? Could you drive Manon around to visit a few places with the van?"

Bart nods and Scorpia adds: "Manon, I need a briefcase. And I want you to pick one that suits me. I also want you to find me a store that sells business attire for women. It doesn't have to be a big designer. It has to be tough and pretty at the same time. And I need you to get me an appointment there for tomorrow."

"You're both getting a mobile phone and I expect you to keep track of my schedule. If I'm not here, you can go to Ciro if you have any questions. Oh and go and eat something together, okay?"

She pulls a few bills from the inside pocket of her jacket. "There will be a better solution for this in the future, but for now cash works. Good luck!"

Scorpia yawns and stretches out, before walking over to Ciro again. He puts the phone down and yawns too. "How are you doing brother?"

Ciro smiles at her and says: "Good. Busy. But everything is going smoothly so far."

Scorpia thanks him and asks: "Can we get credit cards for Manon and Bart? That would make things a bit easier."

Ciro nods and says: "They'll be here tomorrow. I've applied for business cards with a maximum amount they can spend each day. That gives Bart the freedom to put the cars through the car wash or tank for gas without asking us for money first."

"Awesome. And we need to get rooms ready for them too."

Ciro chuckles and says: "All rooms are clean and ready for guests. I thought you might like to give Bart and Manon a slightly bigger suite. It gives them their own bathroom that way. The young boys are on the second floor and the girls on the third. Annette and the chef would like to live here too. They both live in a trailer right now. I thought it might be smart to put them on the boys and girls' floors in the bigger rooms there. They can keep on eye on the teens that way."

Scorpia beams and says: "I guess it's not just Bruno I have this connection with. I don't have to talk to you either. Ti amo!"

"I love you too sis and this is a lot of fun to do, even though it's a lot of work."

She hears a young voice call her and steps out into the lobby. Matteo comes running up to her and shows her his bright red cast and cut open sleeve. "Wow Matteo! What a beautiful color cast!"

Matteo hugs her with one arm and whispers: "Grazie!"

Ricardo looks at them with a smile on his face and says: "No other big injuries and he's pretty stable mentally. A bit silent, but that's fine."

Scorpia blows a kiss to Ricardo and asks: "Do you have to get back to the hospital?"

"To be honest I have my first training with Bruno in about thirty minutes."

Scorpia laughs and says: "I'll drop you off because I'm taking Matteo to a very sweet lady." Matteo looks at her with curiosity and she nods. "I'll go tell Ciro I'm off."

She walks into the office and says: "Ciro? I am going to drop Ricardo off at the gym, take Matteo to mamma, and then visit my favorite cafe. Make sure you eat something, okay? I'll be back later."

Ciro gives her a stern look and says: "No. Come back tomorrow. Dino is on his way back too and we'll be fine. Annette is an amazing help too. That woman is so grateful that she practically runs this company. Go. Relax!"

She hugs him and relaxes in his arms. "Ti amo, sorellina. I am insanely proud of you." She gets a bit emotional and keeps eye contact with her brother for a bit longer, before walking out with Ricardo and Matteo.

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Bruno is waiting outside the gym for Ricardo and admires the Charger. Ricardo gets out and points at it. Bruno leans down to look into the car and says: "But of course! Only a Charger's good enough for my sister!" He laughs and gives her a thumbs up.

She waves, drives off, and sees Matteo fall asleep in her rearview mirror. That poor boy has been through too much already. She's curious to see how Enzo and Lucas will respond to him. They are both at mamma's until Lexy is done working.

She drives onto the driveway and sees two little men come running out. She gets out of the car quickly and closes the door behind her softly.

She crouches down and spreads her arms to hug the two sweet boys. She gets kissed and hugged thoroughly and basks in the love she gets from them. "Good afternoon gentlemen. Have you been good to nonna?" They both nod with a serious expression on their faces and eye the car curiously, before staring at Scorpia's outfit.

Lucas asks: "Scorpia? Why are you looking this way?"

"Don't you like it?"

Lucas says: "I do. But... a bit bossy."

She laughs and says: "It's meant to be honey. I have a new job and I need to be bossy for that. If you go inside, I'll go and get someone from the car. Go to nonna for me."

Enzo has been staring at the backseat all this time and hasn't said a word. Lucas grabs a hold of Enzo's hand and takes him with him inside.

Scorpia opens the backdoor and looks into the scared eyes of Matteo. "Matteo? We're at my mamma's house. You get to stay here. And there are two other boys here. But they are small, not as big as you are. Want to come with me and meet them?" She holds her hand out to him and he slowly scoots closer.

She helps him out of the car and holds his hand as they walk in. He looks around nervously and squeezes her hand. She walks into the kitchen and mamma turns around to face them. She crouches down and says: "Welcome Matteo. This is your home now. Ti amo!" The boy starts to cry and mamma hugs him with all the love she has. Scorpia let's go of his hand and wipes a tear from her cheek.

Enzo comes up to her and asks: "Soppia sad?"

She picks Enzo up for a hug and says: "No, I'm happy Enzo. Happy that Matteo has found a loving home with your sweet nonna. Are you going to be nice to him too?"

Enzo looks at Matteo and asks: "Matteo ouchie?"

Scorpia nods and Lucas asks: "Doesn't Matteo have a mommy and daddy?"

Matteo turns around to the boys and proudly says: "I broke my arm. They had to cut my sleeve open." He sighs and adds: "I don't know who my daddy is. And mommy didn't want me anymore."

Lucas hugs Matteo and Scorpia puts an impatient Enzo down. Enzo hugs Matteo too and says: "Ti amo, Matteo!" Scorpia takes a deep breath and exchanges and emotional look with her mom.

The boys take Matteo with them into the living room and they all sit down on the couch together. Mamma grabs another juice box and a little bag of chips for Matteo and pats his head lovingly.

She walks back to Scorpia and hugs her with all her might. "Mia figlia, I'm so proud of you! Ti amo, ti amo, ti amo." She kisses Scorpia on both cheeks and says: "Go. I'll be fine with Matteo. You know love makes everything better." Scorpia nods and walks into the living room to say goodbye to the boys.

Matteo looks worried and Scorpia crouches down next to him. "What's wrong Matteo?"

Matteo wraps his arm around her and softly says: "Grazie. Ti amo."

Scorpia kisses his cheek and says: "I love you too. I'll be back soon. I promise. And if you need me, you can always call me. Just ask my mamma." He nods seriously and Scorpia kisses the two smaller boys too, before walking out of the door with a wave of her hand.

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She arrives at the cafe, parks in the driveway and gets out of the Charger. She walks in through the back door and straight through the open door to the cafe. She spots Logan behind the bar, drafting a beer. The cafe is pretty packed and she notices most of the customers have dark hair. She smiles and silently sits down at the bar.

Logan sets the beer down in front of the client and turns to look at her. A sexy smile appears on his lips and he walks over to her side. "Good evening miss president. What can I get you?"

She smiles back at him and says: "A kiss would be a good start and a glass of Amarone would be nice too." He leans over to her and kisses her slowly. She wraps her arms around his neck and moans softly. "Mmmm, yes that helps." Logan chuckles and pours her a glass of Amarone.

She takes a sip and closes her eyes for a second. She looks at her phone and sees all the missed messages from basically everyone. She places the phone on the bar, face down, and takes another sip of the wine. She looks at Logan, who is talking to a customer with a smile on his face.

He looks happy behind the bar and she studies him while drinking more wine, feeling the unmeasurable amount of love she has for him. He will always be everything she could possibly need.

And then it suddenly hits her, she gets up, runs upstairs and grabs her sports bag. She runs back down, kisses Logan, and flies out fo the door. "Bye! Boxing!" Logan laughs and yells bye after her, picking up her glass and setting it down behind him. 

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That's Chapter 41 for you.

With some love from the little men in Scorpia's life. 
Needed it myself.

Next up is Scorpia sparring with the Hulk.
<3

See you for the next update! 
XO Hankie.