by Via Mari
I hear voices talking, and they are getting closer. I hold my breath, waiting to see if I’ll be found, fearful that one of the security team might have seen me, but the voices pass right by the car. Sal and Giovanni probably have them all so busy looking for the people who are after us that they didn’t even see me slip out. They are trying to do everything in their power to protect me, and here I am running away. I am positive they will catch hell from Giovanni for this, but I have to leave. I have to get some distance, some perspective in my life, and I simply cannot stay!
The driver’s door opens. I feel the seat move with the man’s weight as he settles into the car. The door slams closed, the engine starts, and the vehicle begins moving, and I slowly let out the breath I have been holding.
It is about an hour later when the car slows and veers to the right. It then makes another turn, and I hear the crunch of gravel under the vehicle’s wheels. Wherever we are going, it’s off the beaten path. I wait as we come to a complete stop and the driver gets out, and then remain a while longer, just waiting to make sure the coast will be clear, before sitting up to reach for the car door handle.
I push it open as gently as I can, and put one foot out, and then another, still somewhat squatting behind the door, peeking through the window to see if anyone is around. I survey my surroundings. We’re in the middle of absolute nowhere, and it appears the driver has gone into the cabin that stands in front of us.
What the hell am I supposed to do now? Clearly this was not well thought out at all. I’m not even sure how many miles we are from the highway. It seemed to take forever since we slowed and veered off the main highway, and even the gravel road took some time. I hate to think how long it would take to get back to the main highway by foot. I’m still looking around when a silver gleam coming right from the ignition catches my eyes.
I glance closer, and close the back passenger door quietly and walk duck-like around the back of the car until I reach the front driver’s side door and open it. He’s either not worried about the theft of this car or he’s just made a quick stop and he’ll be back out to the car any minute. In which case I need to move my ass!
I slide into the driver’s seat and close the door quietly before turning the ignition. I hit the gas just as the driver runs out of the cabin, screaming for me to stop.
I wave my hand in the air and he’s still chasing, but by now, he’s becoming a small dot in the back of my rearview mirror.
Now I have to think. I just need space, away from the Larussios and away from anyone that takes orders from the Larussios. I know I can’t go back to my job tomorrow. That was just to throw Sal off my trail, because I’m pretty sure they have my phone tapped. Well, I’m not going to use it, so they won’t get any information that way, and I have plenty of cash in my purse to last me for a little bit.
I drive for a little while, and once I get on the highway, I push a button on the navigation screen to find hotels in the area. I’m definitely out in the middle of nowhere! I know a little bed and breakfast that usually has room and whose owner won’t ask any questions, and that’s the place I key into the GPS and where I head.
It’s a long drive, and I turn the radio on to distract myself as I make my way up the coast. The coastal area is alive and vibrant with colorful houses built into the lush green hilltops looking down over the blue-green sea. The sun is warm, and I roll down the window a bit to let the warmth envelop my skin as I inhale the fresh air.
When I arrive in town, it’s bustling as usual. I make my way to the local shopping area and in less than an hour have enough clothes and essentials to make it through a few days.
I drive to the bed and breakfast and pull into the driveway. When the owner sees the car, she comes out. Mrs. Caruso is a rotund lady with long dark hair, which she usually keeps wrapped in a bun that sits high on her head.
“Serena, I didn’t recognize you in that car,” she says, taking in the expensive black sedan.
“It’s not mine, it’s on loan,” I say, which is not really a lie. I am just borrowing it, it’s just that they don’t know it yet, but I do plan to return it, so not a lie, really. “Would you happen to have a spare room for a couple of days?” I ask.
“We do, in fact we have three open right now. Pull the car into the back of the property, and then come in through the rear porch. I’ll meet you there,” Mrs. Caruso says, heading back into the house.
Perfect. This car stands out like a sore thumb, and the Larussios have men all over this country. I pull into one of the back stalls and throw the keys into my purse, grab my purchases, and head into the house. The kitchen is lively, with a few guests sitting around a large table, just finishing a meal. Everyone is friendly, and Mrs. Caruso asks if I’d like a glass of fresh lemonade or glass of wine. Everyone knows that her lemonade is to die for. “Lemonade, please.”
“If you want to put your things up, your room is at the top of the stairs, last one on the right. You have a beautiful balcony area and view of the coast from there.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’ll just go drop my packages off and be back down for a drink then.” When I get to my room, it is every bit as nice as everything in and around the home is. Absolutely serene and just what I need to quiet the voices that won’t shut down in my mind. I freshen up a little bit and then head downstairs, taking the offered glass of lemonade, and visit with the folks around the table for a short bit, but I am anxious to get back upstairs and do the inevitable. While I need time to myself, I do not want Giovanni and his Family or the security team to worry about me.
Mrs. Caruso refills my glass, and I take it with me upstairs and out to the balcony, sliding out of my shoes so that I can feel the warmth on my toes, pull out my cell and turn it on. Beep after beep with messages come through. Giovanni, Salvatore, my brothers, Jay, and Nate. I skim through Giovanni’s, the first ten or so telling me to call him right away, at least to let them know that I am okay, until I get to the very last one and tears fill my eyes as I read it.
Let us know that you are safe. I will not come for you. You have my word.
I stare at his message for a long time, and then type out a reply.
I am safe. I need time and space. Please let everyone know I am fine.
Absolutely no reply.
I don’t know what I thought would happen, but this wasn’t it. I thought he would come after me, at least send someone for me. I should be happy; this is what I wanted, after all. I need time to process, to get away from him and his Family so that I can see things clearly. Nonna was right, the things the Larussios do are bad. They humiliate, hurt, and kill people! How much blood does Giovanni have on his hands? I know for certain he gave the order to have his two cousins murdered. How many more? I don’t know what they did with Sammy, the other cousin who was in charge. Who knows what they did with him after they got this confession?
Giovanni did that, I know that he did—and why didn’t it bother me? Because he was defending me? Because it was righting a wrong? What makes it okay to take another life, play God like that? And how am I any different? I asked Great-Uncle to kill for me—exactly what started this. What would Nonna think of her precious granddaughter now, if she only knew? If only I had kept my thoughts to myself, none of this would have happened, but I didn’t.
I take a sip of my lemonade and continue to gaze out at the sea for a very long time, allowing the tears to fall. Giovanni, why do I love you so much?
Gio
The fear that seizes my heart when Great-Uncle tells me Serena is gone is like nothing I have ever felt. “What do you mean?” I ask, standing from the weight bench.
“She’s gone, she left the estate. That’s all I know, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you! You wouldn’t answer your phone! I’m so sorry, this is all my fault. My goddamn protocols!”
“Goddamn it!” I yell. “When? How long? Where the fuck is our security team?”
I say, glancing down at my phone, the one I had turned off and now is blowing up with beep after beep of a multitude of messages. I scan them all quickly, and then inhale deeply.
“This woman is going to be the living death of me!” Great-Uncle says.
“Security has her!” I say, and I immediately see Great-Uncle’s shoulders visibly relax, too. Who knew she would come to mean so much to my entire family in such a short time?
“We should head straight to the great room. Jay and his team were heading to the house when he sent this message. They are probably already upstairs with Sal,” I say.
I go to walk past him, but his hand on my shoulder stops me. “I’m sorry, Giovanni. It was my order, and it drove her away. I’m sorry.”
I nod, taking a moment to form my words. “This is not on you. She is mine, Great-Uncle. This is on me. I know it’s the Family way, but going forward, where Serena is concerned, no one but me gives an order that affects her. Ever. I simply won’t allow it in the future,” I say, and I walk past him to open the door that will lead us upstairs.
The heavy living room drapes are open, and the sun is spilling in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sal, the security men, and all of Serena’s brothers and a couple of our cousins are gathered and talking animatedly. Amelia, one of the kitchen servers, is doing her best to keep everyone hydrated with freshly squeezed lemonade and water.
Jay looks up from his phone, sees us walk in, and heads straight toward us. “She’s fine, Gio. One of our best drivers is in the car with her. They were about half an hour out before he realized someone was in the back seat of his car. We let him know to go to one of your cabins tucked away in the countryside. They’re about an hour from the cabin. We have teams in place following them, and they aren’t too far behind them, and another crew is getting into place to surround the cabin just in case Mancini’s men come out of the woodwork. The driver could have been anyone, could be taking her anywhere, for all she knows. I don’t know what the hell she was thinking.”
She wasn’t. She was in shock and angry and upset. She needs time to process things I’ve told her. “Thank you for keeping her safe.”
Jay nods. “We need a plan for when she arrives. We don’t hold people against their will, but obviously we need to keep her safe.”
“We do nothing. She left; she needs time. We give her that.”
“No disrespect, but Gio, she’s going to be out in the middle of nowhere. We can’t keep her in the cabin against her will, and if we just let her go, it’s miles to the highway, and unless she plans to jump start the car somehow, she’s not going to get very far.”
“Tell the driver not to let on that he knows she’s in the car. Have him leave the keys in the ignition. Then make sure your men keep her surrounded as tightly as a bubble, but no one goes near her. If you need triple the teams, pull them in. Spare no expense, but you keep that woman safe!”
“Gio,” both Great-Uncle and Salvatore say at the same time.
I look from one to the other and shake my head because the words just don’t come. All I can do is shake my head and turn, heading up to my room before anyone sees the emotion in my eyes. No, we don’t go after her. The shit I said to her scared her so bad that she would rather be in the middle of nowhere without security, away from her family, than to be anywhere near me or my Family right now, and she has earned that right.
It is over an hour later when Jay sends me a text letting me know that Serena is safe. She has taken the car and appears to be heading toward Naples, and they have eyes on her from all angles. She’s heading towards the area she grew up, where things are familiar to her.
I’ve showered, shaved, and dressed, but my mood has not improved by the time I go downstairs. Her brothers are talking animatedly with Salvatore and my cousins about their families. Security seems tense and on the ready, like any minute all hell is going to break loose, and they may not be wrong.
All of their wives and children have been moved to the estate, and I knew we were going to have to provide them with answers at some point. I’ve seen these men when the women they love are in danger and so have my men. They drove a vehicle right through one of my goddamn cabins to get to their sister. It didn’t make one bit of difference to them that we were the fucking mafia and could have taken them out with one spoken order. Might as well get this shitstorm over with now!
I clear my throat as I walk into the room, and Sal looks as though he’s about to throttle someone. I nod to her three brothers, Anzio, Aramis, and Corino. “Gentlemen, let’s talk, have a drink, and I’ll fill you in on what I know, and then we’ll take it from there, no?” I say, gesturing to Amelia to bring wine. A little bit of red always seems to help with difficult conversations.
They continue to glare at me and Salvatore, but take seats around the table and accept glasses of wine as it is served. “Men, I know it came as a shock to you to find out the Larussios went into the area that you had your family safeguarded in, but you have to know it was for their protection.”
Anzio starts to say something, but Salvatore stops him. “Enough, at least hear what he has to say. Then you will have plenty of time to disagree,” he says, and I can tell he’s had about enough for one day, and I see my cousins nodding at Sal’s reprimand.
“Fine, tell us how you found our families, and why you made war with the people who are trying to safeguard them for us? How do you expect us to explain what happened to them?”
I wait until he’s finished, and Sal rolls his eyes skyward like he’s been dealing with this shit for hours. “I understand, Anzio. Let me tell you what is happening, at least, as much as I can,” I say.
He is sullen and angry but nods his agreement and takes a drink of his wine. This is not going to be an easy conversation, but they need to hear it straight if they’re going to be any help at all to us.
“We learned that Dominic Mancini, who used to be Bernatelli’s right-hand man, has given his crew orders to take Serena alive.”
“The fucking Chicago boss that was behind embezzling money from Serena and Nonna, right?” Aramis says.
“Exactly. Bernatelli found out that Mancini was skimming money from the top and not giving him all of what was collected.”
“And how does that have anything to do with us, with our families, with our children?” Corino says, pushing his untouched wine glass in front of him away.
“Give me time, I’m getting there. I know this has not been easy for you and your families. If it’s to make sense, you need to know the background. My Family has been at odds with the Chicago Mafia for years. They are enemies of my Uncle Carlos in New York City, and as such, enemies of ours. Mancini caught wind that Bernatelli was onto the fact that he was skimming money and sought refuge with our Family. We allowed him into one of our safe houses, at least until we learned he was trafficking. We then kicked him out, and because he didn’t have protection, he got picked up shortly thereafter. We learned later the men who were working for him were the very same people extorting money from your sister and nonna, along with several members of our own Family.”
I am prepared for the outburst, and it certainly doesn’t take long. “All along it was the Larussios! How many years did my sister work herself into the ground to give your Family money that wasn’t owed!” Aramis yells.
I deserve that, and he’s earned the right to get it off his chest, even though my cousins and Salvatore don’t look like they agree. “It was the Larussio Family, that I cannot deny. We are still not sure how it happened, but we will learn. We do not condone trafficking in our country, and I was the one that outed him for that reason. He wants me to pay for his stint in prison,” I say, hoping I don’t have to go into the details, but that hope gets blown out of the water with Aramis’s outburst.
“Nonna was right! It’s always you Larussios! Every single time something tragic happens to our family, you are at the helm of it!”
Aramis shouts, getting up from his seat. Nate is standing behind him and puts a hand on his shoulder, not saying a word, just letting him know with the gesture that he and my entire security team are standing right behind him.
He sits back down, empties his wine glass, and places it down on the table with a thud. Amelia, ever the observant attendant, moves to his side of the room and replenishes his glass. “Tell me how your story ends with Serena leaving and your Family starting a war with the people that were protecting my family and moving them here! Tell me what you want with them,” Aramis says.
I let his comment sink in. Now, just now, do I realize what he and his brothers are thinking. They believe that I had their families snatched because Serena left. Now I understand the hostility, and I don’t blame them a goddamn little bit! If the tables were reversed and I were in their shoes, I would be thinking the same thing.
“Let me assure you, your family was only brought here to protect them. I gave that order to ensure Serena and her family are safe because Mancini does not play one for one. No, he does not want to kill me for outing him. He wants to see the woman I love tortured beyond belief right in front of my eyes. Only when this occurs will he feel redeemed. I did not have your families brought to our estate for any other reason than to keep them safe, knowing they could be used as pawns in his deadly game. I didn’t know at the time that Serena would be leaving.”
“Where is our sister?” Anzio shouts.
“She is safe, you have to trust me on this, and your families will be safeguarded, but you also must know that she may never choose to return to me, and if that is her choice, she will need to disappear.”
