──────────── 

salute = cheers  

nonna = grandma  

pappa = dad  

sorellina = little sister   

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Scorpia — – –

They arrive at mamma's house and watch Ciro and Dino get out of the car in the driveway. Bruno yells: "Get inside! Lock all the doors! Now!"

Scorpia runs passed her brothers and flies through the front door. She locks the door behind her, runs to the kitchen door, and locks it too. She notices her mom staring at her with a bewildered look, while Scorpia searches for Enzo with her eyes.

Mamma says: "Enzo is sleeping upstairs."

Scorpia lets out a sigh of relief and says softly: "Ciro and Dino are here. Bruno is with them outside."

Mamma gets up, opens the little cupboard above the extractor hood and pulls a revolver from it. She checks if it's loaded and takes big strides towards the front door. 

Scorpia is so shocked that she just follows her mother in silence. Mamma unlocks the front door and steps outside. Bruno is about to punch Ciro in the face, when mamma yells: "No Bruno! I need them conscious!" 

Bruno is startled by the tone of his mother's voice and takes a step back. 

His brothers stare at their mother, both ghostly pale.

Mamma yells angrily: "Get over here! And look at me!" She waits for them to look her in the eye and points her gun at her two youngest sons. Ciro looks at her with a mocking look full of disbelief. 

Mamma says: "Left foot, tiny toe." 

She pulls the trigger and shoots Ciro in his left foot without blinking.

Ciro curses and whines as he falls down on his knee. 

Mamma yells: "Get up! You're the one that wants to work for Salvatore, which means you will need to grow a lot more balls boy. Because he is capable of a lot worse! Do I have your attention now? I'm only going to say this once, so look at me and listen carefully!"

Ciro avoids his mother's piercing eyes and Dino looks at her sadly. Bruno stares at his mom with his mouth open and his arm around the equally stunned Scorpia. 

Mamma says: "Right foot, big toe." 

Ciro's eyes quickly shoot up to hers and he sees that she's serious. He has faced the biggest criminals imaginable, but he has never been as scared as he is now, facing his own mother.

She starts to talk. "I don't want to see you as long as you still work for Salvatore. If you have severed all ties with Salvatore, you can start by calling me. You stay away from Scorpia and Enzo. Forever. If you happen to run into them, you turn around and walk away."

She takes a step towards her sons and spits out: "What you have done to your own sister is unforgivable. And now that I know about it, it has resulted in a loss of trust towards you two. I don't trust you with Scorpia or Enzo. All holidays and Sundays are going to be spent with Enzo, Scorpia and Bruno. So last Sunday was the last time you were here. I wish you the best. Make your own choices and live with them. We all have to. And now get the hell out of here!"

She watches Dino support his brother towards the car with her arms crossed. She stays there, staring at them until the car can't be seen anymore. 

She turns around, goes inside, and puts the revolver back in the little cupboard. Bruno and Scorpia walk back in, both still a bit shocked. She grabs a bottle of wine, three glasses, and opens the bottle to fill hem. She looks at Bruno and Scorpia and says: "Salute!" She downs the glass in one go and sits down at the table.

Bruno and Scorpia sit down at the table too and Bruno takes a big swig from the wine. Scorpia chuckles and says: "Holy shit mamma! If I had known that..." Bruno runs a hand across his face and stares at his mother in shock.

Mamma makes eye contact with Scorpia and says: "Yes, maybe I should have shown you sooner that I am not just a sweet mamma. But I wanted this to be a safe haven for you guys. And now I am scared that that's why you didn't tell me about it ten years ago." 

She looks at Bruno and says: "Don't stare at me like that boy. You should know about the kind of family we come from. And the kind of friends your pappa had."

Bruno asks: "When did you learn to shoot mamma?"

She laughs and says: "I've always been able to. My pappa taught me. He believed it was important that women knew how to defend themselves, especially when the men weren't around. And your pappa was happy that I knew how to use a gun."

Scorpia laughs and says: "I feel safe here again. You're amazing mamma!"

Mamma sighs and says: "No, I failed you as a mother. Something happened here ten years ago, when Bruno and I were gone. I never should have left you alone with those two idiots. And what's worse, you never dared to tell me about it. And as a result of that, they sat at this table every Sunday, for ten years, sometimes even with that bastard of a Salvatore. I am so grateful for you Bruno. At least one boy turned out as the man I raised him to be."

They hear a little voice yell from upstairs and Scorpia gets up. "Let me go to him. I desperately need a dose of Enzo." Bruno looks at her and sees how emotional she is. He knows she needs a moment, before talking to mamma.

She runs upstairs, reaches the door that says Enzo on it in big letters and opens it. The little boy is standing up in his bed and smiles at her so wide, that she immediately feels better. 

"Soppia! Kisses!" 

She chuckles and leans over to him to give him a kiss. She lifts him out of the bed and lies him down on the changing table to take his sleeping bag off. He sticks his bare feet up in the air and says happily: "Soppia! Ti amo!"

She tickles him and says: "I love you too Enzo. So much!" She gets him dressed and lifts him into her arms.

Enzo says: "Carry!"

She holds him against her shoulder and says: "Okay, I will carry you. And then we'll look for pappa and nonna together." She walks down the stairs with his warm little body against her chest and feels completely relaxed. 

She walks into the kitchen and Bruno gets up to take Enzo from her. But Enzo wraps his arms around her neck and yells: "No! Kisses!"

Bruno chuckles and says: "That's going to be interesting when he gets older."

Mamma says: "Enjoy it while it lasts because they end up pretending they don't know you before you know it." Bruno feels a bit guilty and watches Enzo as he gives Scorpia the loudest kisses possible. Scorpia laughs and looks so relaxed that his worries about her fade a little.

Enzo looks at him and says: "Soppia sweet."

"Yes, my dear boy. Scorpia is very sweet." He bends over to them and kisses them both on their cheek.

"Pappa sweet."

Scorpia says: "Yes, pappa is very sweet too. Show me how sweet he is." She hands Enzo to Bruno and the little boy repeats his loud kisses ritual.

They eat together and afterwards, Bruno and Enzo go out with mamma's car. Mamma sits down at the table and Scorpia takes a seat across from her. She takes the time to tell her mother everything. From the rape to the incident in the hallway the next morning. About the years living with Bruno, studying to become a teacher, mister Gentile, Pia and her revenge on Salvatore's organization. The only thing she keeps to herself is her boxing.

Her mother leans back in her chair and looks deep into Scorpia's eyes. "I'm so proud of you. Proud that you managed to go for what you really want. And I understand that you have to see Pia as a different part of yourself. To protect yourself and to be able to give those kids the best of you. You are so strong Scorpia, like the name I gave you."

She looks at mamma and notices how she is desperately trying to keep her emotions under control. She gets up, kisses her mom and says: "I'm going to go for a ride. I'll see you in a bit."

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Logan— – –

Logan looks at the customers in the cafe absentmindedly, tired of his day with Lucas. He loves babysitting, but when it's unexpected it always costs him more energy than the regular Saturdays. 

The two Italian brothers are sitting at a table in the corner and didn't even greet him when they came in. He brought them the bottle of Puni Alba and got back behind the bar. The oldest seemed to be in pain and had trouble walking. He must admit that that amuses him a little.

And then he sees her. She walks in, with her helmet under her arm. She stops in her tracks and looks at the table in the corner. She makes eye contact with the brothers and the youngest jumps up, pulls the oldest from his chair, and drags him towards the door. She steps aside and stares at them with a condescending look until they are outside.

She walks over to the bar and Logan grabs the bottle of Scorpion Vodka and pours a double for her. She says: "Good evening Logan." She pulls some money from her pocket and places it on the bar. "For the Puni Alba."

He looks at her and says: "Erm... Good evening... Thanks."

She takes her gloves off and holds her hand out to him. "Scorpia."

She emphasizes the last part of her name and he stares at her hand in his. She retracts her hand and sits down on a stool in front of the bar. 

He must look like an idiot, staring at her with his mouth open. He has no idea what to say or if she even wants him to say anything. On top of that he can't believe what his brain is telling him right now.

She sits there totally relaxed and takes a sip of the vodka. She studies him and says nothing. She drinks her vodka slowly and then starts to put her gloves back on. She gets up and looks him over thoroughly. She grabs her helmet and starts walking towards the exit. 

When she's halfway, she turns around and says: "Thanks for the mandarins and the drawing."

She walks out of the door and before he can blink, he hears her drive off on her Harley. What just happened? Could it be true? Miss Pia and the mystery woman are the same person? But why? And if she has two extremely different personalities, why would she reveal herself this way?

He's totally confused and as soon as the last customer leaves, he locks the door and counts the money in the cash register. He looks at the bottle of Scorpion Vodka and pours a little in a glass for himself. He takes a sip and has to admit that for vodka, it could be worse. There's a soft woody taste to it. He takes another sip and lets his thoughts roam.

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Scorpia — – –

She arrives at mamma's house again and Enzo comes running out already. She switches the engine off and takes her helmet off. The little boy tries to climb onto the bike himself and she lifts him onto it. "Soppia!" He makes the sound of a bike and she laughs softly. She puts an arm around his waist and starts the Harley. She opens the gas and Enzo screams happily. "Yes! Vroomvroooooom!"

Bruno stands in the doorway, watching the two with a smile on his face. Enzo fell in love with Scorpia from the moment his eyes saw her and it's mutual. They have a special bond together. Scorpia switches the bike off and carries Enzo on her hip as she walks over to the door. Enzo looks up at her with a loving look and ignores his dad completely.

Scorpia kisses Bruno on his cheek and walks inside. She puts Enzo down to take her jacket off and the boy runs over to his grandma. "Nonna! Soppia's here!"

Scorpia chuckles and says: "He's like a puppy. Even if you've only been gone for a little while, he's extremely excited when you get back."

Bruno wraps his arm around her and says: "He has missed you a lot sorellina. You haven't been here much in the past two years. He just can't believe you keep coming back." She looks at Bruno and she reads in his eyes how happy it makes him that they're spending more time with Enzo together.

They walk into the living room, where Enzo is drawing at the coffee table and mamma is on the couch watching TV. She always watches cooking shows and comments on it loudly. Scorpia sits down next to her and enjoys listening to her mom's complaints. Bruno chuckles and mamma gets into it so much, that she doesn't notice them at all.

Enzo has finished his drawing and walks up to Scorpia. "Soppia! For you!" She accepts the drawing and looks at it. Enzo has filled the entire page with a big red heart. She looks at the little boy and he says: "When sad. Think of Enzo. Ti amo."

She bites on her lip and closes her eyes to hide her tears. Bruno clears his throat, lifts Enzo onto his lap and hugs him. "You're such a sweet boy. I don't know who you got that from."

Mamma says: "From his pappa. He was the same way. We used to think you were a medium or an angel or something. You always knew exactly what to do or say. And everyone felt better with you around." 

Bruno stares at his mom in shock and she says: "Yes Bruno. I've known for a while now that you are his dad. He really is a mini Bruno. And that warms my heart. It reminds me of the time when you were little and your pappa was still with us."

They all stay silent, even Enzo, who has laid his head on his dad's shoulder and looks at his aunt. Scorpia wipes the tears from her eyes and runs her fingers through Enzo's hair. His eyes close slowly and she looks lovingly at the little boy that stole her heart. 

Bruno shoots her a look and she softly says: "Yes, he's sleeping." He gets up to put his son to bed and Scorpia listens to her mother's comments on Jamie Oliver with her eyes closed.

At some point, mamma turns the TV off and faces Scorpia. "Scorpia? Where have you been?"

She looks at her mom and says: "My regular cafe."

Bruno walks back in and asks: "Logan?"

She nods and mamma repeats the name. "Who is Logan? And what happened?"

Bruno raises his eyebrow when he hears the second question. "Did something happen sorellina?"

She sighs and says: "Ciro and Dino were sitting at a table there."

Mamma swears and asks: "And?"

"And I looked at them with the most condescending look I could muster, until they left."

Bruno and mamma share the same scary smile and say: "Well done."

Bruno sits down next to her and asks: "And?"

Scorpia looks up at the ceiling and says: "And nothing. Drank something and went home." Bruno and mamma exchange looks and Scorpia rolls her eyes. "I might have talked a little and maybe I introduced myself as Scor-pia."

Bruno looks at her intrigued and asks: "Oh really? Maybe you say?"

She blushes and looks down at her feet. She mumbles: "I also might have thanked him for the mandarins."

Bruno laughs softly and says: "You better be careful that Enzo doesn't hear about you chasing after other guys. Because that will break his little heart."

Scorpia moans and says: "I am not chasing after other guys! I don't even know why I said that to him. So stupid. And he was in shock. I must have lost my mind."

Mamma asks: "Have you been to that cafe before, Bruno?"

Bruno shakes his head and says: "No. Why?"

"Maybe you could go there together tomorrow. To discuss some things." They both look at their mother, wondering what she is thinking. Mamma gets up and says: "I'm off to bed. Don't stay up too late, okay?"

──

The next day is spent looking at all the evidence that Scorpia has gathered through the years. And Bruno is even more impressed by his little sister than he already was. She has documented everything and kept it in folders in the right order. 

Bruno asks: "Does this mean you intend to let him live?"

Scorpia shakes her head and says: "No. I held onto all this evidence for the girls that were involved in this. Girls who have a family and who's disappearance never got solved. And to make sure no one will continue his awful business."

Bruno nods and asks: "So now what, sorellina?"

She shrugs her shoulders and says: "No matter how many men I kill, there's always a new one willing to abduct young girls and 'train' them. I have seen so much from the shadows, but when they rape these girls, they're never alone. The opposite really, they're heavily guarded. I can't save those girls. And I was way naive to think that killing the man that abducted them would keep the girls safe." She sighs and runs her hand across her face.

Bruno says: "You have more than enough evidence to take down this entire ring. So the only thing left is to get Salvatore alone. But how?"

"I have no clue. But we shouldn't wait too long. Because that bastard now knows that you and mamma know about it. I wonder if they still hold those illegal fighting tournaments."

Bruno gets a bit lost in his mind and says: "I should be able to find out about that. I will let you know when I've come up with something. But I have a different question first. Is Logan's cafe open yet?"

Scorpia's face shows amusement when she looks at him and checks the time on her phone. 

"Yes, it's open."

Bruno says: "Good! Follow me!"

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Here you go, Chapter 7. Or Capitolo Sette.

Another one filled with information, but not less important. 

What did you think of it?

How do you feel about mamma now?

See you for the next update!

XO Hankie ❥