The Brambilla's, The Beginning

When they got home she didn't wait for him to come around and open the door for her. She got out and walked ahead of him, ignoring him when he called out for her to slow down. Even when they got inside the building and she was the first one to step into the elevator she tried to close the door before he could get in. Unfortunately, they didn't close fast enough and he managed to get in just in time.

"Eleonora, we need to discuss this matter right away."

"Talk to yourself because I won't be talking to you," she said, crossing her arms over her chest and turning her back to him.

He was about to say something when the doors opened and an older couple stepped in. He never got the chance to say anything as the couple lived on the floor below them. When they got to the floor where their penthouse was she stormed ahead of him. Using her own key she opened the door, letting it shut behind her and leaving him in the hallway.

With a scowl on his face, he took out his key and opened the door and stepped inside. He saw her heading into the kitchen and followed her. There she was pouring herself a glass of water with her back to him.

She could hear his footsteps and without looking back she told him she didn't want to see or talk to him.

"Eleonora, we need to talk about this." He watched as she turned to face him, the glass still in her hand. He kept expecting her to throw it at him but when she placed it down on the counter he let out a sigh of relief.

"How could you talk to me like that in front of Eddie and William when all I was doing was helping you out?"

He took the chance by moving closer to her. "I disrespected you and for that I am so sorry."

"You had given me your word that you would never disrespect me in front of anyone, whether we're in public or private."

"I know, but I was worried and angry. I was also enraged with jealousy when I saw that filthy pig touch you."

"You had no reason to be worried, you and Eddie were right there in case anything were to happen. As for being jealous, you had no reason to be since I didn't let him touch me."

"He had his arm around your shoulder."

She shook her head, for a tough Mafia man he sure could act like a big baby at times. "That was nothing."

"I love you, you are the woman I want to spend my life with, to share everything with me. But when it comes to a certain part of my business I do not and will not let you be a part of it. There are some things you must never know or be involved with. I hope you can accept that, and trust me that it is for your good."

"I can, but if my life is ever in danger that is when you must tell me what is going on. To leave me in the dark would be more dangerous than you can imagine."

"Does this mean you forgive me for my behaviour earlier?"

"Yes, I forgive you." When he went to touch her she slapped his hand away. "But this doesn't mean that you're not in the dog house, as you men like to say. Tonight when you come back from your mission I do not want you coming to our bed."

His eyes went wide as he stepped back a little. "Oh, you got to be kidding me?"

"I'm not," she said with a stern look on her face.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?"

"The guest bedroom or the sofa, it's your choice."

"I said I was sorry and from now on I promise it will never happen again, and I will always respect you."

"You better, now you should get ready because I'm sure Eddie will be here very soon to pick you up."

"Don't I even get a kiss?"

"No, you don't."

With a sour look on his face, he went to change his clothes and collect his guns. He knew he had overreacted, but to call her names and to yell at her was something he never should have done. And if his father were alive today he would have gotten a smack across the side of the head. When he was done he went downstairs to where she was sitting on one of the chairs.

"I just want you to know that the way you were dressed when we went into that bar, you looked so sexy."

"You said I looked like a slut."

"No, I said you were dressed like a slut."

"Oh my God, do you not hear yourself? That means exactly the same thing."

He did not want to fight before leaving, and she was right. "Again I am sorry for saying that. But that pig kept staring at your breasts. But you did real good tonight and I'm proud of you. I just won't let you do anything like that again."

Just then there was a knock at the door.

"The guys are here so I have to go now. I'll try not to be too late."

She sat there and watched as he went towards the door, but she couldn't let him leave like this.

"Wait," she said as she got up and ran to him and jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. "Be safe and come back home to me."

He was so happy to hear those words come from her lips. Every time he went out on a job she always said it. Before opening the door and letting her down he gave her a kiss that lasted so long that the knocking at the door started again.

"Leone, are you in there boss? Come on we got to get going," William shouted through the closed door.

Breaking the kiss he shouted out over his shoulder. "I'll be right there." He then turned his attention to her. "I will baby and I love you. So does this mean I can come to bed when I get back?"

"I love you too, but I think a night on the sofa or the guest bedroom will remind you not to treat me like you did earlier."

Giving her one more kiss he opened the door, took one more look at her before closing it. He was sure that by the time he got back home he would be able to slip into bed without her noticing and when he did she would have forgotten all about how he was to spend the night somewhere else.

*******************

He and Eddie sat in the back of the vehicle while William and another man sat upfront. Three more dark vans followed behind them.

"So has she forgiven you yet?"

He turned his attention to Eddie. "Yes, but still refuses me access to our bed when I get home."

Eddie started laughing and gave him a light punch in the arm. "That girl sure has you wrapped around her little finger. I love how she keeps you in line and you're very lucky to have her."

"I am very lucky."

When they got to the warehouse where the young women were being kept against their will everyone got out of their vehicles. They were armed with guns and knives, and as always before doing their job Leone would give a speech.

"Now you all know what you have to do to get those women out safely. Kill anyone who tries to stop you, it's either them or you. Once we get the girls out Charlie here will take them home to their families. Those who have no ties or family here will be put on my jet and will be taken to wherever they want to go so that they can start a new life. But, do not kill Harvey, bring him to me."

It didn't take long to complete their mission, the fools only had a handful of men and were taken out quickly and the women were rescued. There was one point when Eddie had his back turned and a man pointed his gun and was about to shoot when Leone came up behind him and took him out.

Eddie turned around just in time to see his friend saving his life. "Thanks, I never even heard that fucking bastard sneak up on me."

"You saved my life once, it's only fair I do the same for you my friend."

When things died down William brought Harvey out back to where Leone and Eddie were waiting.

"Please don't kill me, I'll do anything you ask," Harvey begged, tears falling down his eyes.

Leone stood in front of the man who was on his knees, crying. "I know you are too stupid and nothing but a drunk to pull this off. Now you give me the name of your boss and what his next move is going to be and I might let you live."

The man folded like a wet blanket and told them everything, the name of his boss and the next shipment of girls that would be going out in the next couple of months.

"That's a good man."

Harvey looked up at him. "So will you let me live?"

"I will let you live only so that you can go back and give your boss a message for me. You tell him that he is to cease all operations of human trafficking. If I find out he is doing it again I will kill him."

Harvey nodded his head and then felt himself being lifted up by two men. Then he felt a punched to his face and his stomach, and the next thing he knew Leone broke his arm. He cried out in pain and begged for mercy once again.

Eddie watched as his friend grabbed Harvey by the neck. "That was for putting your hand on my woman," he said, nodding to his men to let him go.

On the ride back Eddie and William went back to Leones for a drink. Eleonora was nowhere in sight so he figured she had already gone to bed. Usually as a rule she would stay up and wait until he arrived back home to make sure he was safe. But he figured she must still be a bit angry with him. The talk then turned to the wedding.

"William, have you set up the extra security in the kitchen area? I want two of our best men there watching everything that is being made for dinner. I do not want to take the chance of anyone poisoning her food again.

"Yes, boss, the guy that I hired is a professional when it comes to cooking and if he sees anything suspicious going into the food he will put a stop to it immediately. There is also somebody that is supervising the food that is coming in to be prepared to make sure that it is safe. You really have nothing to worry about."

"Okay that's good, and I want everyone who is going to be working in the hotel that night to have a complete background check."

After William left Eddie stayed to have one last drink with him. "The weddings only a few days away, are you getting cold feet yet?"

"No way am I getting cold feet. I love that woman and I can't wait to marry her. Even if she does have a temper and is a wildcat when she's angry. I want to thank you for being the one to walk her down the aisle. I know it means a great deal to her."

"It's my pleasure, and I'll do anything for that little beauty. I am very happy for the two of you, you guys were meant to be."

Once Eddie left he went upstairs to their bedroom, and being very quiet he slipped out of his clothes, and carefully climbed into bed, putting his arm over her waist. He was glad that she was asleep and that he was able to stay in bed with his arm around her. Little did he know that she was not asleep.

As soon as she heard the bedroom door opening she rolled over onto her side and pretended to be asleep. She always stayed awake when he was out late at night. That was because she was always worried about his safety. But she tried never to let on to him how worried she was. If he knew his mind might be on her and not on the job he was doing.

She tried not to laugh when she heard how quiet he was being, and thought that he was able to sneak into bed with her. He thought he was getting away with it, but she loved it when he placed his arm over her, his body pressed against her. She intended to ignore him, but her love for him was too great.

"Do you think that I will allow you to sleep in here tonight?"

"Baby, please don't make me leave. Laying beside you keeps me warm. I am so sorry about earlier and I love you so much."

She rolled over so that she was facing him. "Were you and the others able to rescue the girls?"

"Yes, they will be safe now. But the sad thing is that every time one of these trafficking rings gets shut down another one pops up. I don't want to think of any of that now because in a few short days we will be getting married and you will be my wife."

"I can't wait until that day so that I can finally be called Mrs. Leone Brambilla. Are you not even going to try to make love to me?"

"I didn't think you would let me."

She gave him a coy smile. "You won't know unless you try."

A smile crossed his face and he could already feel himself getting hard. Pushing her over onto her back he got on top of her. He brushed the hair that had fallen over her face away and lowered his mouth onto hers. After what had gone down he felt like he was in heaven when she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back with as much passion as he was kissing her. Every time he came back from something dangerous his adrenaline was pumping and making love to her felt so good and made him forget all the bad things in his life.