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𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
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Max

When the jet took off, I felt relief, a twinkle of joy bloomed within me. I think leaving the country was good for me. Like leaving the memories of Chris and everything that followed after that behind.

Sitting in the chaos that was Lia's family was also soothing despite the occasional glares from some of them.

I found myself stealing glances at Serena. I gravitated towards her like a month to a flame. Her laugh mesmerized me, her smile had me catching my breath. It was gorgeous, unreal, irresistible. She however did not look at me or talk to me at any time during the flight. It's like I did not exist.

When we landed, Dino, his friends who I had started calling by their names, Eli, Jackson, and I got into one car and were taken to a big house in Rome where we would be staying. The others did not come with us.

"Will they stay in a hotel?" I asked Dino. He chuckled, slapped my back with a familiarity I was beginning to like and said, "No, man. They have another house where no outsiders are invited."

"Why?"

It was fascinating. I found all of them fascinating— their love for each other, the way they protected their own. Their bond was so tight that nobody would infiltrate. It was like their own secret society. I was an outsider watching from the fence wishing and longing to be part of their inner circle. Of course that would never happen.

"For security reasons. Why do you think your Christmas invitation was declined?" he whispered this so the driver wouldn't hear. We did not speak again until we arrived to the house where I would spend a few hours of my freedom.

It was big, though not huge. Two-storey house with five bedrooms, and the same number of bathrooms. There were no close neighbours, the gate made a grinding sound when it was opened. When the driver walked us to the house, an older woman, and a younger one perhaps in her late twenties, or early thirties pulled the door open for us.

The older one received us with a serene smile on her mouth, her uniform clean and well-pressed. She was short, and a little plump, but exuded mothering vibes. I do not know how to explain that further.

"Russo, it's great to see you again," she said, smiling, stepping on her tip-toe to kiss both his cheeks and then cupping them in her hands, her loving gaze had me longing for a loving mother.

When she was done, she gently pulled him aside to look behind us. "Nobody else came with me, but I've brought you guests." That had her face close up with sadness, but she recovered soon enough to look at the other three of us. Her eyes looked sharp, her perusal seemed like she was judging us, weighing us. Astute is the word I would use to describe her.

"This is Claudia," Russo told us, wrapping his arm around the older woman's shoulder, "and her daughter Cristina." The latter gave us a tight smile, wrapping her arms across her chest.

"They will take care of you until you return to the States." He added.

I nodded, nervously tightening my hand on the bag strap.

"Will you at least stay for a cup of coffee?" Claudia asked Russo. When he shook his head, she nodded, her face looking dejected which had me wondering whether they were related or something. Why would she feel this for just an acquaintance? However, before he left, I saw him embrace her, whispering something in her ear that brought a genuine smile to her lips, when he left, she sprang to the kitchen humming while gently clapping her hands with the rhythm of the hum.

When she disappeared leaving us in the living room, Cristina took over.

"Your bedrooms are ready. Please follow me." she had a gentle voice. Like a breeze touching your skin, her brunette hair was tied tightly with no strands around her face. Her brown eyes showed no emotions. When she walked, her feet made no sound whatsoever.

"Dinner will be served at seven," she announced and left, leaving us to choose the rooms by ourselves.

"Jackson and I can share," Eli mumbled, glancing down to check whether Cristina was within hearing distance, but she had already disappeared from view.

Eli opened all three rooms to check which was the biggest, surprisingly, or by design because Lia's family already knew beforehand that we were a party of four, the last bedroom he opened had two beds.

"This is not bad for one night," Dino said when Jackson dropped his bag on the bed near the door.

"One night? Are you leaving?" My voice is small, and a little scared that I would be left alone in this house with only two strange women and at the mercy of Lia's family.

"I'm visiting my family tomorrow. And believe me, whether we stay or not, the family will not allow us to accompany you to see their priest."

"Their priest? What does that mean? Is he involved in their criminal dealings?"

Dino steps inside and signals me to do the same. Once we are all seated on the beds, he softly closes the door.

"There are more than a hundred rumours about this family. But nobody actually knows the whole truth other than that which has been proven." Dino begins. He is not seated, he has crossed over the room to stand by the window.

"What has been proven?"

He gives me a tiny smile after shrugging.

"Like Raphael's father."

"You mean Lia's grandfather?"

He nods.

"He was once a powerful don. He killed his wife because she started drinking more that he could tolerate.

I gasped, my eyes widening in shock. I can't believe I still get shocked by things like this after everything I have experienced.

"Raphael's mother." I whispered, but Dino quickly replied, "No. Raphael's mother was his mistress."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Is she still alive?"

"No. She died on the streets." he hesitates, then adds, "That's what my grandfather told me once."

"Is it true?"

He nods. "Raphael loathes his father, he has no relationship with any of them except Dev."

"Lia's bodyguard?"

"Yes. He is his stepbrother." Dino confirms. No wonder they have such a close relationship. They had a blood tie.

"What about Bruno and Romano?"

"Nobody knows shit about where Romano came from. Only speculations. He is the only one whose genealogy is a mystery."

"Bruno?" I prompted.

"He had his brother killed and father jailed in America."

Every time I find out something like this, my heart constricts in fear and my hand trembles. I felt as if I was in a chasm unable to find my way out.

"His wife, Luca's mother was his brother's wife."

"So he killed him then took his wife."

"No. He stole her from underneath him first."

"Was she the reason he had his brother killed?"

"No. Rumour has it that his brother and a few of his friends committed an unforgivable sin."

Listening to Dino made me feel like I was watching a documentary about people I was acquainted with.

"Luca was born while his mother was married to Bruno's brother. But he is Bruno's son. I'm not sure how that happened, few people do, but I've heard her first husband was abusive. But that is a norm in the Mafia."

"So, the family has their own priest?"

Dino chuckles, "Not exactly," He shoves his hand through his hair, sighing he leans his head over the grilles and then turned slowly towards me. Even Eli and Jackson are fascinated by this story though they probably knew most of it.

"His name is Father Josè. He is like a father figure to the three men. He raised them with thousands of others, and has remained a permanent fixture in their lives."

"Does he know what they do?" I ask, curiously wanting to know whether he was their cover-up for their businesses.

"He must know. Although he has never been part of their businesses. He is the one that stopped Bruno from killing his brother and father."

"Oh! They listen to him?"

"Yeah. He is also probably the most protected man of God after the pope."

"I would imagine."

"No, you can't imagine." I look at him puzzled.

"He doesn't walk with security, he probably has no idea they exist. But when he goes out of his parish, people say they see men in suits and earpieces patrolling the area."

We stayed in that room until we had to go down for dinner.  We were served hot soup followed by salmon with creamy sauce which melted in my mouth.

   ********************************

I woke up around half past seven. I didn't check the time, I just assumed. I rushed to the bathroom, flinching at the cold when my feet touched the white slippers outside the bathroom.

I wore a suit. The only one I had packed for this occasion. I've never met a man of God so choosing a suit for this visit felt respectable.

Once I was done dressing up, I folded my pyjamas neatly and placed them at the foot of my already-made bed. I didn't want either Claudia or Cristina to have something bad to say about me when they came by to clean the room.

Slowly opening the door, I peered outside and my eyes met Cristina's. We awkwardly stood opposite each other without saying a word for more than a moment. Nervously, I cleared my throat, "I'm sorry if I startled you."

She shook her head. "Not really. I was about to knock on your door."

"Oh. Is something wrong?" I anxiously asked.

"No. I wanted to tell you that breakfast will be delayed. The family is running late."

"Family?" I repeated, then felt foolish when I realized who she meant.

"Understood. Thank you." I smiled, then gently closed the door.

More than twenty minutes later, I heard the sound of cars driving into the compound, I ran to the window to watch them come in.

The first one to get out is Luc, he is in jeans, a white shirt, a demic jacket and a black baseball cap. My eyes stay with him until I spot Serena in a burgundy floral ruffled midi Skirt, and high-heeled brown ankle boots that got her to almost Luca's shoulders.

God, I mumble to myself, they're all so good-looking.

A few seconds later, I see Lia in an ivory, long-sleeved print dress joins Luca, her hand automatically taking his. There is a gentle tap on my door. I quickly walk to open it, and Cristina is there, this time with a small, barely there smile.

"Breakfast is ready."

I nod, and she turns to tap on the other two doors. I stand by mine, waiting for my friends to join me. I shove my hands into my pocket, my heart beating fast with nervousness and by the time the other three join me, I'm sweating.

"Are you ready?" Dino asks.

I can't find my voice, it is stuck somewhere in my throat so I just nod.

He smiles, then pushes me gently to the front.

"You're the guest, walk to the front."

Breakfast is chaotic, especially with Nicolo. He speaks and eats at the same time, I guess this is where his age comes off, a teenager. The rest of the time he looks like a grown man about to blow my brains out.

Luca is a figure that demands respect. He sits at the head of the table. On his right is Zion and left is Lia. I'm glad I'm seated between Dino and Eli but I'm also directly opposite Serena. Today her hair is straight, and I can't stop thinking how much I liked her curls even though I have no right whatsoever to have a preference where she is concerned or even think of her.

Lia is bubbly, she throws a piece of bread to Nicolo, which touches his cheeks and then slides off to fall beside his hand. "Stop talking with food in your mouth."

He gives her a sheepish smile, then playfully tosses the same to his mouth.

"You're disgusting, Nic." Says Sienna. Taking a sip of coffee.

"I know," Nicolo tells her, which seemed to annoy Sienna even more.

After breakfast, I watch as Dino, Eli and Jackson leave. Lia comes to me, and with a smile, she says, "Don't look like you're about to be executed ."

I try to smile, but my mouth lips tremble, she takes my hand, pulling me to the car.

It's crazy that there was a time I wanted to hurt her for rejecting me. That she has the grace to forgive me is beyond my comprehension. Luckily for her, and unfortunate for me, her family will never forget.

*********

Hi, babes.

There will be a part B of this same title.

I also wanted to confess something. I initially wanted to kill off Max after he chose his face as the thing he wanted to lose. Most of my readers on the other platform called for his blood. They said it wasn't enough punishment, and I agreed. However, the following week, Max wrote a letter to Chris's parents and I cried a little with him.

I couldn't kill him, but I cannot redeem him either. So I'm at a crossroads here.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. 🖤