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sorellina = little sister 

ti amo = I love you 

fratello = brother 

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Scorpia speeds over to the gym in her Charger and quickly makes her way inside. It goes eerily quiet and she realizes that the people here are used to see her in her leather outfit. She grins and walks straight into the locker room.

She comes out in her trusted outfit; sports bra, fitness leggings, and hightop sneakers. She puts her earbuds in, grabs a jump rope, and listens to LL Cool J during her warm-up.

Bruno is training Ricardo in the ring and looks at Scorpia from the corner of his eye. He looks at Ricardo and says: "Your sparring partner is here."

Ricardo follows Bruno's gaze and watches Scorpia jumping rope. He swallows and mumbles: "Oh God."

"I'll go grab her gloves and mouthguard because I bet she'll be in the ring with you soon."

Ricardo repeats his previous words. "Oh God."

Scorpia opens her eyes and sports a satisfied smile. She takes the earbuds out and puts her phone down on a bench, before hanging the rope up again. She climbs into the ring and hugs Bruno happily. "Hello, big brother. Missed this. How's the Hulk doing?"

Bruno grins and says: "Hello sorellina! I missed this a lot too. And the Hulk is doing pretty good. He's quite fast for a big guy."

She hugs Ricardo, who looks at her with fear in his eyes. Scorpia chuckles and Bruno helps her with her gloves and puts her mouthguard in. She looks at Ricardo with fiery eyes and slams her fists on top of his.

Bruno says: "Move Ricardo. Dance. And keep your protection really close to your face. Because that shorty comes from below." Scorpia shoots Bruno a dirty look and he sticks his tongue out to her. Scorpia starts slow and Ricardo blocks all her punches.

She lowers her hands, spits out her mouthguard, and says: "Relax Ricardo. If you don't, you'll wake up with very painful muscles tomorrow. You're blocking all my punches with a lot of tension in your muscles right now. I am not going to kill you. You're doing good for a hulk." 

She winks at him, puts her mouthguard back in, and raises her fists to her face again.

Ricardo chuckles and relaxes a little. She challenges him to try and punch her and he goes for it. He manages to hit her shoulder, but she answers it with two full force punches to his ribs. He gasps for air and Bruno steps between them.

Scorpia grins and looks at the breathless Ricardo. She dances on her feet and Ricardo rises slowly. He decides to stick with defense for now. Scorpia tries punch after punch, but he manages to block them all. She smiles wide and speeds her moves up. Ricardo grins a little as he starts to amuse himself.

They continue their sparring until they both drop to the floor from exhaustion. Bruno hands them both a bottle of water and drapes a towel over their shoulders. Bruno laughs and says: "Well we found him. The sparring partner that can keep up with my little sister."

Scorpia spits out her mouthguard and says: "Hell yes! He really is fast for a hulk." She chuckles and Ricardo smiles tiredly.

"I'm exhausted. Damn. Such a tiny woman."

Bruno softly says: "Poor Logan."

Scorpia whips her head up to Bruno. "I heard that brother. And trust me, that man has nothing to complain about."

Bruno grins and says while making a squeezing gesture with his hands: "No, he has his hands full with you!" Ricardo blushes a little and chuckles softly. Bruno studies Ricardo's face and says: "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about Ricardo."

Ricardo softly says: "The hottest." All three of them start to laugh.

Scorpia jumps up and lands on her feet. "I'm off to wash this hottest ass and then I'll go back to that poor Logan." She winks at the two men, somersaults over the ropes, and runs towards the locker room.

Bruno looks at Ricardo and says: "Maybe you should give this boxing a real go. Because if you can keep up with her, without proper training..." Ricardo mumbles something and drops on his back on the floor.

Bruno chuckles and says: "Death by a tiny woman with the hottest ass." Ricardo is too tired to smile and Bruno says: "Come on bro. I'll help you up. You need to take a shower. Maybe Scorpia can give you a ride home. Where do you live?"

Ricardo avoids his gaze and says: "I'm going to hit the showers. See you in a bit."

Scorpia comes out of the locker room, freshly showered, and wearing her business attire again. A few men whistle at her and she gives them the finger. Bruno laughs and asks: "Can you give Ricardo a ride? And find out where he lives? We're still looking for a tenant for Lexy's apartment."

Scorpia nods and says: "I'll wait for him." She sits down on the bench and looks at her phone.

She opens a message from Ciro and sees that everyone is happy with their room. That the bracelets and cellphones are handed out and he sends her Bart and Manon's numbers. He ends the message by telling her she should rest.

She replies by telling him she just boxed against Ricardo. And then asks Ciro is he knows where Ricardo lives. Ciro replies:

With his mother and sister, I think.
All his money went to them if you ask me.
Rest now, sorellina! XX

She opens the next message and finds a photo of Lexy and the boys in the new car. She smiles and sends a kiss as a reply. She also received a picture from her mom of a sleeping Matteo in one of the rooms and a door with his name on it. Scorpia senses the love of her mom through the phone.

Ricardo drops his large body on the bench and asks: "Something good?" She shows him Matteo's picture and the picture of the door. Ricardo smiles and says: "Your mom is amazing."

Scorpia nods and says: "She did the same thing for me when I was five years old. She would save all the kids on this planet if that was possible." She gets up and says: "Come with me Hulk. You get to fold that huge body into my Charger again." She chuckles and he follows her. They both wave at Bruno and he yells: "Bye! Till next time!"

They walk out, throw their bags in the backseat, and get in. She turns to Ricardo before starting the car and asks: "How old are you, Ricardo?" He nervously asks her if that matters and she says: "No honey, it doesn't matter at all. I'm just curious and I have the feeling that you're younger than I thought you were."

Ricardo softly says: "I'm twenty-one. I've always been a fast learner, so I was the youngest everywhere. That was one of the reasons to bulk up. To make me look older."

She studies his face and sees he is extremely nervous. She asks: "And the other reason?"

Ricardo rubs his neck and says: "To protect my mom and sister from my father. My father was... Simply said, he was insane. When he had his anger attacks he'd hit us or worse."

Scorpia looks at him with compassion and rubs his arm. "Do you live with your mom?"

Ricardo nods and she asks: "Do you want to keep doing that?"

Ricardo looks startled and carefully says: "I would love to live on my own, but we can't afford that. My mom is jobless. She's the best cleaning lady in the world, but always ends up getting fired."

Scorpia smiles a tiny bit and says: "I'll take you home. Just tell me where to go."

They drive onto a trailer park and gather a lot of attention with the Charger. They stop in front of a small trailer and Ricardo gets out of the car, his body language showing he's a bit shy. Scorpia gets out of the car too. She follows Ricardo and he opens the door. "Mama? I brought someone with me."

Scorpia follows him inside, after she stared at the rusty, old trailer from the outside. The inside is spotless and very cozy. She smiles at Ricardo's mother, who grabs both of Scorpia's hands to welcome her. She sits down on a small sofa and accepts a cup of tea.

Ricardo carries his bag to the back of the trailer. He comes back with his sister, who stares at Scorpia in shock. Scorpia greets her, but the girl stays stunned. Ricardo says: "This little mute girl is Emilia. She's fourteen and is usually pretty well mannered."

Scorpia chuckles and says: "Nice to meet you Emilia." Ricardo pushes his sister onto the little sofa across from Scorpia and squeezes himself onto the sofa too. Scorpia makes eye contact with him and asks: "Aren't you constantly hitting your head here?"

Emilia giggles and nods her head. Ricardo pokes her in the ribs and she laughs louder. Scorpia smiles at the girl and asks: "Can I ask you something personal?" She looks at Ricardo's mom and she nods. "How attached are you to this house?"

Emilia immediately answers and says: "We're not.

Ricardo's mom looks at him and he nods. His mom speaks really softly and says: "Not really. But it's all we've been able to afford these last few years."

Scorpia nods and asks: "Would you like to work for me?"

The woman looks at her all shocked and asks: "How?"

"As a cleaner. And I can also use someone willing to teach teenagers how to do it. If you feel like it that is. But there is a catch, you will have to move to the hotel where I am running my business out of. And Emilia has to move there too of course."

They look at her like she's an alien and she explains what she's trying to do with her new company and adds that there are education options for Emilia too.

"How fast can you guys pack?"

Ricardo grins and says: "Fast."

"Well then, give me another cup of tea." She sends a message to Ciro to let him know she will be coming over with Ricardo's family. Ciro replies with a thumbs up. 

She receives a message from Dani right after.

Scorpia!
Thanks for the bonus!
Not necessary!
But I'm glad my work is appreciated.

Scorpia sends a message back and asks if she ever sleeps. And if she doesn't, she might want to try. Dani replies immediately.

I usually sleep in the morning.
I'm a night owl and most of my business is done at night.
You are my only fully legal client.
But working from the shadows
gets me closer to the bastards.

Scorpia replies that she gets it and that's she's grateful for Dani's connections. 

Emila drops down on the couch across from Scorpia, wide smile on her face and trashbag in her hand. Scorpia smiles at her and asks: "Do you have any idea what you want to be Emilia?"

She says: "A beautician. I want to make people pretty."

Scorpia nods and says: "We could use someone like that. Would you do nails too?"

Scorpia looks at her chipped nail polish and Emilia says: "I am very going at doing nails. But I only have one color nail polish."

"It's settled then. You'll do my nails tomorrow and I'll bring my dark-red nail polish."

The girl nods and eyes Scorpia curiously, before asking: "Why are you helping us? Are you Ricardo's girlfriend?"

Scorpia almost chokes on the sip of tea she just took and says: "Ricardo helped me. In the hospital. And I would really like to help him in return. I want to help as many people as I can with my new company and I really need an experienced cleaner. I didn't make that up."

Ricardo walks up and asks if he can put some things in the trunk. Scorpia tosses him the keys and Emilia gets up to help him.

His mom walks up from the back of the trailer with a box full of pictures and smiles shyly at Scorpia. "Miss? Will Ricardo come to live with us?"

"He will tonight. But I happen to know of an apartment in the city that just became vacant."

"B-but we can't afford that."

"I don't remember asking you for money. And I won't. I'm not taking you away from here to put you somewhere else without money and a job. I honestly need an experienced cleaner and Emilia is doing my nails tomorrow."

The woman sits down across from her and grabs Scorpia's hands asking her what she did to deserve it all. Scorpia says: "Ricardo was my saving grace in the hospital. You have raised an amazing son. I'll be grateful to him for the rest of my life. I'm sitting here, talking to you thanks to him. Instead of being tied to a hospital bed, while being heavily sedated."

The woman rubs her hands over Scorpia's and says: "You look really strong miss. I'm glad he helped you. I am very proud of him."

"And rightfully so. Could you please tell me your first name? And could you call me by mine? Because you calling me miss is making me nervous."

The woman laughs and says: "My name is Esperanza, Scorpia."

"Esperanza, I started my company today, so it's kind of a mess right now. But I promise you will never be without money again, no matter what. I will take care of all of you, okay?" Esperanza nods and squeezes Scorpia's hands with her eyes full of tears.

Ricardo comes back in and says: "Emilia is already sitting in your cool car. Is there more you want to take with you, mama?"

Esperanza shakes her head and says: "I'm not taking any of this junk with me. I'm only taking the pictures."

Scorpia gets up and says: "That's my cue. Let's go and see your new home. Follow me."

They go outside and Esperanza looks at the trailer one last time and sighs. "Finally, we get to leave this place." Scorpia gets behind the wheel and Ricardo helps him mom into the car. Scorpia looks in her rearview mirror and sees Emilia sitting in the backseat with a wide smile on her face. Ricardo gets in too and Scorpia drives to the hotel.

Ciro is waiting for them in front of the entrance, still wearing his suit and welcomes Ricardo and his family. "Welcome everyone. I've set up a room for you. I hope you like it." He hands Esperanza a keycard and offers her his arm. She blushes a little and Ciro winks at Scorpia. Emilia looks around quietly and Ricardo has a soft smile on his lips.

They get into the elevator and Ciro presses the button for the tenth floor. They get out and Ciro lets Esperanza open the door to the suite. She pushes the keycard into the slot and as soon as the door opens, she starts to cry. Ciro supports her and gently helps her onto a chair.

Emilia runs in screaming and Ricardo stares at the suite in silence. It's basically an apartment, everything's there. Esperanza can cook herself and do laundry. And there are two bedrooms. It's at least three times as big as their trailer and everything's new. They have a balcony too and Scorpia takes it all in, smiling wide.

Emilia claimed the smaller bedroom as hers and Esperanza mumbles that she can't accept all of this. Scorpia sits down next to her and says: "Esperanza. This hotel is already bought. The rooms were this way. And trust me, I'm going to make you work hard for it. We'll see each other tomorrow. Take some time to rest first."

Ciro says: "The fridge is stocked, so you can cook your own dinner. But you could just order food too. There's a list of restaurants we do business with next to the phone. If you tell them you're an employee of Scorpia Enterprises and give them your room number they will deliver it to your room. Free of charge."

Esperanza stares at him in disbelief and Scorpia gets up. Ricardo says: "I'll walk you out if that's okay."

Ciro hands Ricardo the second keycard and says: "If there's anything... my number is on the phone. Call me. Even if it's in the middle of the night." They walk out of the suite and Ciro says: "Okay. I'm going to pour myself a whisky and soak in the bathtub. Any potential new residents will have to wait till tomorrow."

Scorpia laughs and hugs him. "Thank you, Ciro. Ti amo. I'll see you tomorrow." Ciro walks towards to staircase to go up to the penthouse suite.

Scorpia gets into the elevator with Ricardo, who sinks to the ground and cries as soon as the doors close. Scorpia crouches down clumsily in her tight skirt and wraps her arms around him. "You can't be strong all the time Ricardo. It will break you. But they are safe from now on and taken care of. You won't have to do this alone anymore."

He looks at her with his eyes flooding with tears. "Thank you. I can't believe how good you are at seeing straight through people. Because it has been really hard taking care of them. Trying to study and make ends meet. And only because I happened to be the nurse who could handle you..."

Scorpia says in a panicked tone: "Ricardo?! Can we stand up? Because I'm seconds away from ripping out of this skirt." Ricardo bursts out in laughter and helps her up. The elevator doors open and they get out. Scorpia sits down on a chair in the lobby and Ricardo sits down next to her.

She puts her hand against Ricardo's cheek and says: "I'm doing this because you saved me, Ricardo. Because you were the only one who didn't agree with keeping me heavily sedated. And because you had the balls to speak up against your superiors. Because you dared to look past protocol and see the person lying in the bed. And believed in my love for Logan. I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life. Because without you, I would have disappeared into the shadows forever. Ti amo Ricardo."

Ricardo starts to cry again and says in a broken voice: "I'd accepted no one would ever see us. That we would just live our lives in the background until we die. And the fact that you see us and pulled us into the light... I just can't wrap my mind around it."

Scorpia gets up and says: "Get some rest Ricardo, with your family. Let it all sink in. I will see you tomorrow. And now I'm speeding off towards the man who's here forever." She places her hand on her chest and turns around.

"Scorpia! Thank you!"

She waves and walks out of the door, getting into the Charger quickly. Her phone rings and she sees it's Logan. "Handsome Scot! I'm on my way. I'm already in the car."

Logan laughs and says: "I have a glass of wine at the ready for you and I'll throw some bad snacks in the fryer. Right after I throw that last annoying guest out." She hears someone grumble in the background and it sounds like Dino.

She laughs and asks: "Dino?"

"Yep."

"Throw him out, I'm taking my clothes off as soon as I'm inside."

Logan gasps, before yelling: "Get out fratello!" 

He hangs up and Scorpia laughs as she starts the car.

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This was a slightly longer chapter, but it felt right.

Bear with me in these chapters that lay the foundation for Scorpia Enterprise.Drama will come. :p

See you for the next update!
XO Hankie.