Design for Love ((Women of Landry's Landing and The Fabrizio men)

by Quinn, Shelli

  “I didn’t know that at the time bambina.” He replied.

  “Yeah, I heard that excuse the first time big brother.” Toni said teasingly.

  “You certainly have become a true Landry woman with that smart mouth of yours kid.” He teased back as he walked away to get ready for the office.

  “Thanks I’ll take that as a compliment." She yelled to his back.

  “You would.” He yelled back laughing.

  “You seem to be doing quite well here, are you happy?” London asked.

  “London, before I met you, I never thought I’d be safe or happy again. You not only save my life you changed it. I have never been so happy in my entire life. You've given me a home, a job and I have my own private teacher, but most of all I have a real family for the first time since my mother died.” Toni said joyfully.

  “I’m just happy that you’re doing so well. I’m really proud of you sweetie.” London said with a wide smile.

  “Thanks, but we need to get a move on, we have a lot to do before the show tonight.” Toni said with excitement.

  When London and Toni got to the Inn, they headed for the café to check on the preparations for tonight’s event. The two were laughing and joking as Gio and Luc approached them looking like doom and gloom.

  “Hi guys, what’s wrong did something happen?” London asked.

  “Yeah, where is Gabe?” Gio asked.

  “He went to the house for me to check on a problem with the tile. Why what’s going on?” London asked getting a little worried.

  “Who asked him to come to the house?” Luc asked looking uneasy.

  “No one, I was supposed to go to the house, but he wanted to go so that I can get ready for tonight. Now tell me what’s going on you two.” London said franticly.

  “I just heard from my contact in New York Toni’s stepfather has a brother.” Gio said as he removed a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket and held it up. “Does he look familiar to you?”

  London gasped as she dropped her purse and turned to run out the door, by the time she’d made it outside, she’d run right out of her shoes. She didn’t slow down as she hit the path leading to the house. Picking up speed she continued to close the distance between her and the house where Gabe was walking into a trap.

  Luc and Gio were usually pretty fast, but even they had a hard time keeping up with London as adrenaline powered her steps.

  Gabe decided to go to the house before going into the office for a few hours. When he arrived, he had a bad feeling that something wasn’t right. He cautiously entered the house and made his way to the kitchen. The minute he rounded the corner someone attempted to grab him, but luckily, he was a little quicker than the person trying to attack him. He smoothly stepped out of the persons reach before turning to face his attacker.

  “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Gabe yelled at the man as his temper grew.

  “You weren’t supposed to be here I was expecting London.” The man said nervously.

  “Really so you're telling me that you were planning to attack my soon to be wife, do you think that’s going to make you safe or sorry?” Gabe asked the man as anger began to pump through his veins.

  “Look I just wanted to pay her back for what she did to my brother.” He said.

  “And who in the hell is your brother? Not that I give a flip but hell I’d like to know who to notify about your sudden demise when I’m done with you.” Gabe said as he cracked his neck from side to side.

  “He’s Toni’s stepfather.” The man said in a shaky voice.

  “You would have done better keeping that to yourself. You’re here waiting to ambush my woman for defending a young girl from being beaten to death.” Gabe said getting angrier by the minute.

  “That still didn’t give her the right to do what she did to my brother.” The man said in a nasty tone.

  “Okay you know what I’ve had enough of you. I’m about to whip your ass.” Gabe said removing his jacket letting it fall to the floor.

  “I’m not afraid of you, boss man.” He said nervously.

  “And that is your third mistake. The first one was coming after my woman. The second one was attempting to defend that low-life scum sucking brother of yours. I’m going to teach you that no man should ever put his hands on a woman in order to cause her harm.” Gabe said as a mask of pure rage covered his face, he slowly walked towards the man.

  The man stupidly took a swing a Gabe as fear moved him to act without thinking. Gabe ducked to the side as his reflexes took over and his body automatically went into a boxer’s stance. He bounced back when the man once again threw a swing, but this time when he moved forward Gabe threw an upper cut through the middle punching under his chin rocking the man backward.

  Gabe didn’t wait for him to take another swing he moved forward and punched him hard in the face then jumped back when blood spurted from his nose. The man covered his face with both his hands as he went to his knees. As his knees hit the floor London burst through the door.

  “Gabe baby are you alright?” She asked loudly placing a hand gently on his cheek.

  “Dolcezza, I’m fine. How did you know it was a trap?” He asked just as his brothers came running through the door.

  “Damn girl you sure can run fast.” Luc said as he paused to catch his breath.

  “I got a fax from the New York police department just a little while ago.” Gio said breathing hard.

  “When he showed me the picture of Justin, I ran all the way here.” London said.

  “Why would you do that?” He asked.

  “Because I was worried about you, I wanted to make sure nothing happened to you before our wedding. That's why.” She said teasingly before turning to glance at Justin, who was holding his face as blood ran past his fingers and onto his new kitchen floor. “You are just as stupid as your ignorant ass brother, both of you or cowards.”

  “This isn’t over one day either me or my brother will get you just wait and see.” He yelled stupidly as glared up at her from his position on the floor.

  “That’s never going to happen.” Gabe said. “You really are a moron, why would you threaten her in front of us like that it makes no sense. Unless you have a death wish are you that tired of living?”

  “You’re lucky that you have these guys to protect you bitc…” His statement was interrupted by Gabe’s foot kicking him in the mouth, laying him flat on his back.

  London’s eyes widened as she watched Gabe kick Justin in the mouth. Gabe towered over the man as he angrily gazed down at him.

  “Watch it crème-puff that’s my woman you’re talking about.” He said.

  “That’s alright baby, neither he nor his brother has any manners. That's why I shattered his brother’s jaw like a wine glass.” London said as she laughed at him when she saw how mad he was getting. “You don’t like hearing what I did to that good-for-nothing-woman-beating-piece-of-shit brother of yours huh? Then you definitely aren’t going to like it when I tell you how he went down like a ton of brick when I broke him down like a fraction.” London said with a smile.

  “ I know you think this is over, but I’ll be back I told my brother that I’d take care of you, and I plan to do just that.” Justin said.

  “That’s cute he actually thinks that he’ll be leaving here.” London said with a grin as she glanced at Gabe, Gio and Luc as they too stared laughing.

  “Yeah, he’s real cute, uh baby, where did you put the duct tape?” Gabe asked glancing around the kitchen.

  “There should be some in the drawer behind you.” London replied. “And don’t forget to tape his mouth first we don’t need him screaming and attracting unwanted attention.” London added.

  “Wait a minute are you people crazy? You can’t kill me.” Justin yelled just before Gabe handed Luc the duct tape.

  “Who said we were going to kill you, we didn't say anything about killing you, we just said that you weren’t going to leave here.” Gabe said.


  “So what does that mean?” Justin asked stuttering over his words.

  “It means that you’ll still be alive when we drop you a hole and fill it with cement.” Gio said seriously.

  Chapter Eleven

  Later, that night they all sat around the private dining room celebrating the success of the show. Designs by London as well as Design for Love by London had been a huge hit. They had more orders than they ever anticipated for the first night.

  Gio poured everyone a glass of wine to toast London and Toni for planning a wonderful event.

  “Hey this to London for designing her ass off and to Toni for helping make this debut such a success.” Pierce said happily.

  “Uh, Gio I think you need to go get the car.” Indy yelled standing from her chair as fluid pooled at her feet.

  “I’ll be right back gattino.” Gio said as he ran out the door.

  “We’re about to have another baby in the family.” Gigi said excitedly.

  “We, what the hell do you mean we, I don’t see you having any contractions.” Indy yelled through tightly clenched teeth.

  “Oh chill out, you know what I mean.” Gigi said.

  “Indy do you need us to get your bag and bring it to the hospital with us?” Asia asked.

  “Yes please, where the hell is that husband of mine.” Indy bellow as another contraction hit her.

  “I’m right her gattino.” Gio said as he hurried in to carry her to the car.

  “What took you so damn long this baby is trying to push its way out of here?” Indy said as he headed for the door with her in his arms.

  “We’ll see you guys at the hospital.” London yelled after them.

  “Let’s go everybody.” Gigi said as they all headed for the parking lot. “Toni you can ride with us and keep Dante company in the backseat.”

  “Okay, come here big guy let’s get you strapped in.” Toni said sliding into the backseat of Pierce and Gigi’s car.

  “We’ll go get Indy’s bag, you guys get going and take Guiseppe and Sera. We'll meet you there.” London said as she and Gabe watched them all leave.

  The minute they were back in the private dining Gabe closed the door and pulled London into his arms covering her mouth with his as he kissed her passionately. He backed her against the wall of the private dining room without breaking the kiss he reached down and lift her legs to his waist. He pushed her dress up her legs to her waist as he slid his hand around to her plump ass.

  London buried her fingers in his soft thick hair as she locked her legs at the ankle pressing her heels into his lower back to get him closer. She began grinding herself against his hardened shaft. He drug his lips from hers and trailed a wet path with his tongue down over her neck. She removed her hands from his hair and shoved them between their bodies to unzip his pants.

  London pushed her hand inside and wrapped it around his member squeezing gently before pulling it free of his clothes. Gabe pulled her panties aside and surge forward sinking slowly into her warm wet body. They both pumped and rocked their hips franticly racing quickly towards an earth-shattering orgasm. The wild spontaneous act of making love against the dining room wall only served to heighten their desire for each other.

  When they exploded together it almost knocked them both to the floor. He reluctantly eased shaft from the valley of her body and lowered her to her feet. He straightened her clothes before doing the same to his own clothes.

  “Wow that was unexpected but a very pleasant surprise.” She said with a smile.

  “I‘ve been needing to be inside you all evening. I just couldn’t wait any longer.” He said.

  “You know I wasn’t going to say no besides you did win that bet of ours remember?” She teased playfully. “But now I think we had better get to the hospital. We can pick this up later when we get home.”

  “Okay, but one more thing I love you dolcezza.” He said kissing her softly on the lips.

  “I love you too baby, and I never doubted for a minute that the two of us were Design for Love.”

  A glance into the future two years later…..

  Landry’s Landing Inn has become one of the most popular vacation spots for couples and families. The monthly events bring people from near and far to celebrate a different culture every month.

  Both the café and the outdoor bistro are listed among the best places to eat in the entire country. The menu was ever growing with new entrées being added regularly. The atmosphere was enjoyable, pleasant and welcoming for all guests both young and old.

  A fine line of flavored wines that are exclusive to Landry’s Landing Inn, and a few select establishments are being talked about around the world.

  Designs by London are taking over in both boutiques and high end shops alike as the line offers something for everyone with prices that appeal to shoppers who are on a budget and shoppers who never look at price tags.

  It is safe to say that Fabrizio Industries has tripled the net worth of their empire. The marriage mergers between the beautiful and talented women of Landry’s Landing Inn and the handsome Italian billionaire men who are heir to the Fabrizio Empire was a shocking turn of events.

  But through it, all these two families have made a smooth and effortless transition into becoming a united front. Pierce and Gigi Fabrizio are proud parents of three-year old Dante and eighteen month-old Alisa.

  Gio and India Fabrizio are proud parents of two-year old Gianni, and we hear that the two are expecting their second child in five months. So congratulations to them.

  Gabe and London Fabrizio are proud parents one-year-old Raphael, and they are also guardians to twenty-two year-year-old Antonia, who is also the director of marketing at Fabrizio Industries as well as Landry’s Landing Inn.

  Luc and Asia Fabrizio are the proud parents of fifteen month-old Lucca and are also expecting their second child in about seven months.

  Guiseppe and Serafina Fabrizio are happy that their sons have found strong beautiful women like the Landry sisters. And they are extremely pleased that their family is expanding with the addition of more grandchildren.

  Guiseppe was quoted as saying. “I had no doubt that my four sons would be prosperous in business as well as in love. My wife and I are proud of our daughter-in-laws and our grandchildren. And we look forward to many years of happiness as our family continues to grow.”

  I have also recently learned that a Fabrizio family member has just arrived from Italy and will be joining the company as co-director of marketing. Daniele Fabrizio is the nephew of Guiseppe and has a degree in marketing. The twenty-five year-old will remain here in the states to learn the ropes at his family’s company working alongside Toni Landry.

  We’ll have to keep our eyes on these two and see how things turn out for them. Who knows with Fabrizio men being attracted to the Landry women like flies to honey these two may end up finding love just as their family members before them.

  “What in the hell kind of crap is this? That report added this last paragraph after I approved the rest of the article.” Toni said as she slammed the magazine on the table not happy about the end of the article.

  “I added the last paragraph, I thought it would create more interest if people think that there’s a chance that we’d get involved.” Daniele said.

  “What, who in the hell told you that it was okay to do something so damn stupid?” Toni yelled.

  “I made the call on my own I didn’t think I needed your permission?” Daniele said.

  “The hell you don’t you idiot, how dare you?” Toni said angrily.

  “I don’t see the problem, who knows maybe there is a chance that we’ll end up dating.” He said.

  “Huh, I got news for you partner, there is no chance of that happening so you can just forget that, kind of like I’m about to do to you.” She said through clenched teeth.

  “It’s going to be hard to do, that since we have to work together.” He said with a smile.

  “We’ll just see about that.’ She
said as she picked up the magazine and threw it at his head.

  “That's my girl!” Indy bellowed with pride.

  “Indy!” everyone said in unison.

  “What, at least she didn’t cry this time.” Indy said with a grin.

  He ducked just in time to miss getting hit. “Come on Toni you can’t stay mad at me forever.”

  “Oh no, just watch me, Danny boy. Just watch me.” She said as she stormed away.

  “That didn’t go at all like I expected.” Daniele whispered.

  The rest of the Landry women laughed at him as they followed Toni out the door.

  “Kid you have a lot to learn.” Gigi said.

  “Good luck with that.” Indy said. London and Asia both just shook their heads as they walked by him.

  “Son, you should know one thing about dealing with a Landry woman.” Gabe said.

  “What’s that?” He asked.

  “Always expect the unexpected.” Gio said.

  “Oh and one more thing it’s not smart to piss a Landry woman off.” Pierce said.

  “Yeah boy that can be very danger not to mention scary.” Luc said.

  “So how do I fix this and get her to stop being mad at me?” He asked.

  “First of all, of all you might want to stay out of her way for a day or two, otherwise I hope you know how to bob and weave. Because this time she threw a magazine next time it could be something painful.” Gio said teasingly.

  “I guess I have some work to do to get on Toni’s good side huh?” Daniele said as the wheels begin to turn in his head. “It may take me awhile, but I will get Toni to change her mind about me.” He said to the Fabrizio men that were all where he is now, but they won over their Landry woman so who know maybe Daniele could too.

  The End

  “Or is it? We’ll just have to wait and see!”

  Shelli Quinn