The security guards at the resort were useless sets of men. What did he expect? The resort was a cover up for money laundering which is a crime but it’s the mafia. Everything associated with it is a crime. “Don, this is the last building, he must be in here”, Rodolfo, one of the soldiers, said to him.. “What do you have?”, Leonardo asked. Rodolfo swallowed. “He is in the building, he’s armed but we don’t know…”. Leonardo punched him in the face. “He’s armed and we’re armed. March in there and bring out rat”. The men ran into the building and he led them. The building comprised of two rooms so sniffing out Omar wasn’t an issue. The issue however, was that Omar fired the gun the moment the door was pushed open. Leonardo winced at the pain in his chest from the bullet. From the not so long range and size of the bullet, it wasn’t a surprise. It was a good thing he wore a quality proof vest underneath his clothes every time. Regardless of that, a bad bruise was i
Her eyes tried to flutter open but she was too comfortable. She moved closer to the source of warmth wrapped around her body. “Hmmm…”, she moaned. “Are we awake?”, the sound of her husband’s voice caressed her ears and the rumble in his chest was like a mini massager. Wait! She flew out of his comfortable embrace and involuntarily moaned in disapproval as she lost his warmth. “Arya…”, he started. “Stop it”, she didn’t even spare him a glance. “At least let me look at you”, he said. “Nope”. “Baby, we need to talk”, he insisted. “I don’t want to”. “But we have to”. “And I said I don’t want to”, she snapped. “I’m sorry, but this is something we must do”, he said with a low voice. She sighed. “Okay, I’m listening”. Silence. “Arya, tell me what’s bothering you”. “I will. What bothers me is that fact that I never asked for any of this. My father is in the mafia and I had a traumatic childhood because of it. My only chance to escape was marriage but it tu
“Oh boy, I’m having mixed feelings”, Arya said. He chuckled lightly. “You asked for it”. “I know….”, she sighed. “I’m genuinely curious. Before you start, I’m sorry I’ve been holding you back”. “No, don’t be. Not everyone is cut out for violence. You were meant to be a princess and I won’t stop till I get us there. Especially now that you’re letting me”, he said and raised a brow. “Isn’t it ironic? Women never have a say in the mafia but here you are, the Don himself, taking permission from his wife”, she said and burst into a fit of laughter. He followed suit. “Rub it in all you want. I’m not ashamed” he said and put on a serious face. She burst into another fit of laughter. “Okay, let’s move on from that now”, he said. Her eyes watered from laughter and she pushed on his chest comically. Her smile faded as she saw him wince. “Are you okay?”, she asked. “Yeah, sure. I’m fine”, he answered. She was not buying it. He was wearing a casual T-shirt so she pulle
SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO Nine years old Leonardo just finished his training for the day with his instructor when a messenger from Don Vito approached him. “Buongiorno, Underboss”, Matteo greeted him. “Buongiorno.” “Your grand father, Don Vito, requested your presence”, Matteo said. “Am I in trouble?”, Leonardo asked. For the past four years he’s been undergoing basic training and self defense classes while still keeping up with school. He kept to the rules and as the only child in the villa, he was lonely. Loneliness was all he had for himself. “I can’t tell but to put your mind at ease, I don’t think so”, Matteo said and winked at him. Leonardo followed him to his grand father’s part of the villa. His mind ran through every scenario that could make his grand father summon him but nothing was sticking. He tried to get more information from Matteo again but to no avail. “You should count yourself lucky to be under Don Vito”, was all he said about the subject again.
What is innocence? Some would say innocence is a state of purity, untouched by the complexities of the world, where trust reigns supreme and the heart remains unburdened by cynicism or suspicion. Others would argue that innocence is a fleeting illusion, a veil that shields us from the harsh truths of reality, blinding us to the complexities of human nature and the moral ambiguities that define our existence. Whatever it was, Leonardo lost his on this very sad and life changing day. His instructor, Enzo, was pushed to the ground by Matteo. “What is going on?”, he asked his grandfather. “Nothing, yet. Shoot the man with a bag over his head”, Don Vito said. Leonardo’s vision blurred for a second. Shock ran through him. “What…what?”, he asked. “You heard me boy”, Don Vito said, his smiles and playful expression dropped. “Do I have to?”, Leonardo asked. “Okay, I guess you don’t understand the gravity of the situation. For your benefit, I’d give you an explanation
SEVEN YEARS LATER “The Pope!”. Don Vito nodded. “Why would the Pope be attending the celebration? I thought the church was against the mafia?”, Leonardo asked. “Oh yeah, true. That’s what everyone else thinks but I know what goes on in the background”, Don Vito said. Leonardo needed a while to wrap his head around things. The Pope was in some sort of business relationship with his grandfather who was widely known as the mafia Don. Impossible. “I refuse to believe you have business with the Pope of the Catholic Church”, Leonardo shook his head. “Business? Who said anything about business? He is related to us, he shares our blood”, Don Vito said. When Leonardo received his grandfather’s call earlier, he didn’t know what to expect. Don Vito was unpredictable and he only mentions his intentions at the last minute when he knows you can’t turn back. But this, this was beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. He, Leonardo Marcello, was related to the Pope. “But why woul
The Pope was not at all what he expected. Although he had the external look and aura of a Pope, his insides were as dark as coal. “Is this the boy?”, he asked in an authoritative voice. “Yes, he is”, Don Vito replied, pride gleaming in his eyes. “Why is he wounded?”, the Pope asked. “He is to be the Don, how else can he learn without training?”, Don Vito asked looking around. The other family leaders nodded in agreement. “I see, stand closer to me”, the Pope beckoned at Leonardo. He did as he was told. Getting a close up view of the Pope was more intimidating than he expected. It even surpassed his grandfather’s. The Pope was recognized by his distinctive attire, which included a white cassock—a long, flowing robe—complemented by a white zucchetto (a small skullcap) and a white papal mozzetta, which is a short cape worn for certain ceremonies. For this occasion, he had to wear an ornate mantle called a mantum and carried the ferula, a ceremonial staff topped wi
Arya entered her father’s room with dread in the pit of her stomach. “You sent for me father”, she said softly as her father turned around on his seat. “You’re getting married the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, you’ll meet your soon to be husband at your engagement party”, her father, Carl Miguel said with an air that leaves no room for argument. Arya couldn’t believe her ears, she definitely wasn’t having it. “What?!”, she exclaimed. Carl lifted an eyelid at her. “Father, I just turned twenty, surely you can’t push me of to be with someone I do not know”, she said. “I’ll forgive you for talking back at me like that just this once, Arya", Carl said with a stern expression. “I am your child for crying out loud, your only daughter! And you’re pushing me off to be with a stranger?”, she asked, still unable to believe her ears. “This marriage is set in stones, there’s no need to shout”, Carl said nonchalantly, an impassive expression on his face. “I refuse this marria