I sat asleep in angelos lap while he sat in a chair.
the sound of the phone ringing woke both of us up.
I shifted half asleep still looking to the phone that sat on the table
I felt Angelo shift awake. I looked to him and we connected eyes before we both looked to the phone. He slowly got up while he moved me to sit in the chair.
He picked up the phone and talked whoever was on it.
His eyes widened and he sat on the ground infront of my chair.
Every word was "ok" or just hums. Made me on edge.
When he hung up.
He lowered his head.
I reached down and hugged his back leaning off the chair.
He reached his hands up and held mine that lightly wrapped around his upper torso.
" they have Corteo... and are interrogating him. They also found out Fango was killed...they assumed it was Corteo and now they're convinced he is the traitor. They told us to go over tomorrow morning."
I sat there taking in the information.
I lowered my head.
" what do we do now.."
The next morning we both got up and got dressed.
I fixed my dress and my hair.
Angelo looked to me and offered his arm.
We walked out and Angelo handed me a pair of sunglasses.
" huh? What are these for?"
" there may be people there that'll know about your heritage... Nero also mentioned not to take you. But if they do assume corteo as a traitor... this maybe the last time you'll see him."
My eyes widened while I took the sunglasses putting them on.
We made it outside and there was this guy with yellow hair and a cigarette that guided us to the place.
We made it to a double wide garage and the closer we got the more sounds of Corteo's grunts were heard. I jolted forward but Angelo held me back and pulled me by my hips to his side.
He wasn't too pleased as well.
The blonde haired guy opened the garage and it showed the back of a well built man who slapped Corteo who was tied to a chair.
I looked around Corteo and saw Nero's uncle and Tigre around him.
I haven't seen Nero's uncle actually face to face.
But the sound of Corteo being desperate to breathe caught my attention.
I held up my hand to my mouth to hold in my protest.
" why'd you go after mr. Nero? Who put you up to it?!"
The man yelled at him.
Angelo walked in with me and Nero turned to look at us.
He saw me and turned to us fully shocked.
" I said-"
I turned to him and whispered in a threatening manner.
" how do you know it was Corteo!"
Nero looked to his uncle then back to us.
He held his hands on my shoulders wanting to lead me out.
The extremely buff man that stood next to Nero nervously spoke up while me and Nero fought, so I wouldn't have to leave.
" he leaked Nero's schedule to Fango, then came back to the island yesterday."
The guy said to Angelo.
Angelo nodded.
Barbero saw me and Nero wrestling and looked to Angelo.
" this man came to throw himself at our mercy, with the info about Corteo."
They were talking about the super buff guy next to Nero.
" the higher-ups want to work with you guys. With fango gone we're done for."
I bite Nero's arm which made him stop and hold it.
Angelo looked at me with wide eyes with the rest of the guys.
" hey."
We heard uncle say.
" you came to us from Orco right?"
" yeah, I'm Carmelo."
The guy with his hands around corteos neck said confused.
Uncle moved him away from Corteo.
" cut the half-assed crap. Move!"
He then wrapped his own hands around corteos neck.
Uncle asked a question which Corteo said nothing too, so he put a bit more pressure.
" why'd you go after Nero?! What were you and Fango planning?"
He let go of Corteo after nothing and punched him.
I screamed and ran to corteo.
" (Y/N)!"
Nero said scared.
I held corteo and glared up at uncle behind my sunglasses.
" who the hell are you?"
He lashed out angrily.
" cut it out won't you! How can he answer any of your questions if you're just beating him!"
I felt someone pull me away and I looked up to watch Angelo yank me up.
He turned to bring me out.
I struggled as I watched uncle kick Corteo.
When Angelo pulled me out Nero followed soon after.
After we walked out we went back into the house and into Nero's office.
I sat next to Angelo looking down at my hands remembering corteos face back at the garage.
Nero sat behind the desk and smoked his cigar.
" we have no choice."
I looked towards him silently.
" Corteo must die."
My eyes widened.
I locked eyes with Nero which He seemed upset, probably from how Corteo betrayed him.
Angelo didn't say anything but sat next to me leaning his elbow on his knees.
I heard the door open and barbero walked in and looked down to me and Angelo.
" Nero can I come in?"
"Yeah."
Barbero closed the door and locked eyes with us walking in.
He broke the contact and looked to Nero.
" I've called the Fango family executives to meet with us tomorrow morning."
" got it."
Barbero looked to Nero seriously.
" and about Corteo...."
Barbero turned his eyes to us.
" could you two leave us alone?"
I tensed up mad. What are they planning to do with Corteo!
Corteo wasn't even supposed to be caught up in this. He hated the mafia!
I stood up but the feeling of Angelo gripping my wrist took me by surprise.
" no! Let go! What are you planing!"
After hearing about Nero's idea. I only thought of the worse.
Angelo dragged me out while I glared at barbero.
When we got out Angelo aggressively let go of my hand.
I held it and glared at him.
" are you playing calm or just that heartless?"
I glared at him While he walked out and I followed them.
" fangos dead you know."
I heard Tigre talk to the blonde boy that escorted us to the garage.
" I still can't believe it."
He turned to Angelo then to me as we walked by.
" oh, hey, Avilio and (y/n)."
We stopped and looked at him.
Tigre came up to me while Angelo held my waist pulling me closer to him not liking his sudden appearance next to me.
This made me looked to Angelo.
" this must be hard for you two, right? You guys knew Corteo for a long time."
His eyes moved to mine and I looked down to the floor depressed.
Tigre frowned and held my shoulder.
Angelo tsked and turned to be face to face with Tigre holding me still.
This caused Tigres hand to fall.
" has he said anything yet?"
Tigre looked back to Angelo shocked but calmed down and shook his head ashamed.
" no, not a word."
The guy behind him said.
"But at this rate mr.Ganzo might kill him."
Tigre held his head while I looked up with fear.
" he's got a real temper when it comes to Nero. He might get carried away and—"
He stopped and looked up shock.
His eyes looked to Angelo then to mine.
I probably looked pretty scared cause his reaction was very apologetic.
" sorry...."
I looked down and he reached to touch me again.
This made Angelo close his eyes and yank me with him.
" no problem."
He watched us leave and groaned leaning down.
" she hates me..."
We walked side by side in silence.
Silence felt needed for this feeling that was held in my heart.
All I could think about is how Corteo is most likely being tortured at the moment, worse then what we witnessed.
We went back to angelos apartment and he opened the door and I walked into the room after him.
I closed the door and turned to him.
I'm prepared to hear his rant, his pure rage that he had to hold in until now.
But he said noting and walked in.
I stood at the door just watching him nervously.
I watched as he walked to the coffee table with the telephone and the ash tray.
He aggressively loosened his tie and groaned.
He kicked the table and yelled.
I covered my ears and backed into the front doors corner.
He clenched his teeth, a sound of a knock cut us both out of our worlds and we listened in.
" Avilio, it's me."
Angelo stood up straight and looked to the door with his tie wrapped around his fist.
I got out of the corner and opened it.
And there he was the stupid info broker. Cerotto.
We let him in and I fixed the table while Angelo sat down in a chair.
I placed the ash tray back on the table that fell off from the force of angelos outburst.
I looked to Angelo and offered him a cigarette.
He looked up at me with dead eyes.
He bit the end of the cigarette lightly and I lit the cigarette for him.
I don't associate with substances like these. But if it helps him... then I'll over look it.
I went back to sit next to Cerotto. He felt the depressive atmosphere and tried to spark up a joke.
" wow, look at you acting like a lady...never thought I'd see you hosting."
I said noting but looked down at my feet.
Cerotto frowned.
" he really got caught, didn't he."
He then looked down sadly.
" there's nothiń I can do, is there?"
There was just silence. Honestly we don't even know what we can do.
" I... he."
Angelo leaned over to put the cigarette in the tray.
" what happened?"
Angelo looked up mad.
" why did corteo kill Fango?"
Cerotto looked shocked and nervous, he swallowed and looked down avoiding eye contact with Angelo.
" fango betrayed corteo. Once he got the recipe from scusa, he said he didn't need him anymore."
I glared.
" never in a million years would I seen this comin'....he hated the mafia so much as a kid. That's irony for you... no kidding."
He then looked up to Angelo.
" why would he want to kill Nero so bad that he'd team up with Fango..."
I got up to step outside.
They both watched me.
I just needed a moment to process this.
I stood outside on the steps and looked up to the sky.
So corteo really did do it.
I frowned.
Why Corteo!
I punched the door and held my hand.
That was stupid...
My knuckles bleed and I looked to the road.
I'll just have to ask him myself!
I ran off back to the Vanettis house.
I looked up from the wall.
I'll need to get over this.
I grabbed my dress and tied it around my waist.
I prayed no one will see my undergarments...
I climbed the wall and looked over the top.
I tensed up and hoped for the best.
I leaned off and jumped down.
When I fell my dress came undone by my waist and it flipped on my head when I landed.
" oh-"
I flipped it down blushing.
I stood up and smoothed it back down.
I held my stomach and huffed.
" part one, done."
I went further into the woods and saw the house.
I tried to remember the place where the blonde guy took us and traced it through the trees.
I saw the garage and hid behind a tree looking at it.
I realized I needed a weapon.
I looked around for a rock.
Hey, anything is better then nothing.
I found one and went to bend down and grab it.
I got it and saw feet appear infront of me.
I jumped and fell backwards looking up.
I saw Angelo glare down at me.
He helped me up and said.
" I knew you'd run off here.."
I pouted and he looked at the rock.
" with no plan at all I see.."
I sighed and tossed the rock to the side.
" yeah well... what do you have."
He showed me his pocket knife and I tensed up.
He held my hand and we went back to the tree looking at the garage.
" we're just going to talk to him for now...then we'll figure out what to do later."
We stood there looking around for anyone but a sound of a gun going off made our blood turn cold. Yet multiple shots were heard now.
The door opened showing uncle.
" someone help!"
His arm was bleeding.
He fell and glared at the garage.
" damn that kid..."
We heard two people running and showed Tigre and the blonde guy.
" in the back! He escaped trough the window!"
Uncle said to the two.
" uncle!"
Me and Angelo looked over and saw Nero run in.
Tigre growled and yelled out .
" corteo escaped!"
We watched Nero give care to his uncle and barbero ran to the left to join the blonde guy in the back.
Angelo held his hand up to me and walked out.
" Ang- Avilio!"
I whispered out scared.
He just gestured me to stay.
He walked out to them as Nero held up uncle.
" what happened?"
Then I watched them walk in.
They didn't come out for quite awhile.
I started to get nervous.
But I calmed down when I saw Angelo walk back out.
He waited for the other two to leave and came to get me.
" come."
He said thinking of something.
I nodded and he held my hand walking us out.
In minutes Nero's men roamed the streets, ports and even restaurants and bars.
I held angelos hand the entire time.
We made it back to the house that we were staying and I sat down while Angelo gave many phone calls.
Did Corteo really run away? It doesn't seem like him at all...
But then again. Killing someone doesn't seem like his thing also.
I sighed and leaned on the back of the couch with my head laying in my crossed arms.
I listened into angelos calls.
" if you find him. Let me know."
He started to place the phone down but it ringed again.
I picked my head up with hope.
Angelo picked up the phone and waited.
I assumed he heard nothing.
Then he glared.
" corteo?"
I stayed staring at him shocked.
I instantly got up and leaned into the phone as well.
" I'm sorry..."
I heard his voice and relaxed.
Angelo sighed.
" they're going to kill me."
Our short moment of relaxation turned into one of anxiety and Impatiens.
" if you don't kill Nero..."
I snarled and yanked the phone away.
" where are you?!"
Angelo looked at me angrily.
" tomorrow I'll call you again, at this time. If Nero's not dead by then, they'll kill me."
I calmed down and glared.
This shit, mafia, booze and all those sinful pleasures... they steal everything from me.
I won't let them have another one of my friends.
" who's with you..."
I said determined.
Angelo yanked the phone back while I snarled at him.
I watched angelos eyes widen
Then he hung it up.
He looked to me calmly like usual.
" what was it! Did he tell you who has him?!"
I said in a panic.
" no, he knows who sent me the letter..."
I stopped and calmed down.
" really?"
Angelo nodded.
That night we had a hard time sleeping.
But we managed a little.
When the sun rose we got up.
Angelo was up before me and put on a nice black suit.
I sat up slowly.
" where are you going..."
Angelo turned to me, his tie undone.
" Neros, I need to stay close to him even more now."
I frowned and got up.
My dress flowed down to my ankles while I made my way over.
Angelos eyes were fixated on me.
I smile and helped him with his tie.
" then I shall get ready then."
I patted his chest and he looked to me walking over to the closet.
" no, there's many higher ups there that may know you. You should stay here for awhile."
I frowned pulling out a white summer dress.
" like that would stop me. I'll wear sunglasses."
I smiled.
I started to untie my back but had trouble.
Angelo sighed and walked over rolling up his sleeves a bit.
" your eyes alone won't save you from the fact you're a (l/n)."
I felt his cold knuckles comb the lower part of my back and I blushed and jolted.
Angelo looked to me confused but my blush satisfied his curiously.
" w-well what about you huh... you look exactly like your father."
He sighed and reached inside my dresses back pushing my dress down which now pooled around my ankles.
His hands rested on my waist from behind and he leaned to my ear.
I covered my self not expecting that.
" is that so, if I recall. I remember you saying my father was quite a good looking man...is that what you see in me?"
He narrowed his eyes and held me close to him.
" then I will make sure to change your mind and force you to think of me in a new perspective."
He smirked and bit my ear lobe.
I squeaked and pulled away holding my ear.
" you creep, you can't just go and do that."
I walked off to change while Angelo smirked and laughed to himself.
When I was done changing I put on my sunglasses and walked with angelo to Nero's.
We walked in and already there was a higher up there.
Angelo hugged my waist from the side and we nodded and walked past him to the garden where we hoped to find Nero.
We saw him just resting on the gardens railings juggling rocks.
He dropped one and it rolled to me.
" oh, shoot."
I smiled and picked it up.
" getting rusty in your old age I see."
He looked to me and smirked.
" hey babe, and Avilio..."
I handed him his rock and he shook his head with a smile.
" old age.. I'm not that old yet darling."
I laughed and placed my hands on my hips.
Avilio walked in.
" you're taking it easy."
Nero patted his knee indicting for me to sit.
Which I did.
He wrapped his arms around me and Angelo looked to us displeased.
Nero looked up to Angelo.
" I'm not an idiot like Fango."
" any trace of Corteo?"
Angelo asked a bit hopeful.
" not yet.. some former big wigs are meeting today to talk about where the family goes from here. With Fango out of the picture as well.."
Nero stood up making me follow as well.
He held my shoulders.
Looking to me.
" you should come.."
Angelo looked shocked.
" I don't think th-"
Nero laughed and held his hand up.
" ah don't worry about it. Even if they do find out.. it should be fine."
Nero seemed like he got a plan and Angelo was not certain of it.
" of course you'll be joining us as well Avilio.."
Angelo looked to me and nodded.
" I will.."
Now here we were sitting in Nero's office while I kept my sunglasses on.
Uncle stared at me holding his arm.
" are you blind or something..."
I cleared my throat and spoke with respect.
" oh no sir, I just like them on is all."
Angelo side glanced at me un pleased about me joining.
Uncle just hummed and held his arm.
Nero walked in with barbero.
" hey uncle. How's the wound?"
" eh, hurts a bit but nothing serious. Have you heard anything about him?"
Barbero spoke up to answer uncles question.
" we heard nothing from him yet, but it's only a matter of time."
We heard the door open and there stood the guy we saw walking in this morning.
The guy just nodded.
I looked confused to Angelo while we stood up and followed everyone in.
I walked in hand in hand with Angelo.
There sat a man that clearly was the head.
He held himself like he was.
I noticed the long scar on the side of his left eye and remembered the night where angelos father had his last fight.
The squeeze of angelos hand made me know for Certain that Angelo knew too.
" sorry to call you all the way out here."
The don said.
" dad."
Nero turned to barbero.
" I want barbero to serve as a family executive from now on."
Barbero looked down out of respect.
" don, I swear my loyalty to you as of anew."
The don raised his hand dismissive of the formalities.
Nero then turned to me and Angelo.
" and this is Avilio Bruno..a new recruit."
The don looked to Angelo.
" the one with the booze?"
" yeah, he has brought it to us. He's got a lot of moxie. "
He turned to Angelo seriously.
I swallowed a lump in my throat hating the stares.
" take care of Nero.."
Still holding hands, Angelo spoke up.
" I will, Don."
The don turned to me now.
" now, who's this."
Nero laughed and said.
" this is (y/n)... a friend of mine.."
Don nodded and looked to Nero with a smile.
" children grow up before you know it. You do so much for them and yet... Frate's dead, and Fio's gone, too."
I felt bad for Nero. He beats himself up everyday for this.
" Nero I'm not blaming you. You did everything to protect the family. I thought welcoming Ronaldo into the family was the best way to protect it. Then I listened to Ronaldo over you. But that made things worse with frate."
"In the end Ronaldo was an outsider."
Nero said seriously.
" that's right. I was wrong. I was trying to do everything I could for the family as our don, but... it all came to nothing. It was just the shallow thinking of a senile man."
My eyes widened under my sunglasses hearing him.
He doesn't seem that bad... just a man trying to help his family..
I looked down thinking of my own feelings.
" that's enough it's all in the past now."
Nero said sternly.
" if that boy... if frate hadn't died, the galassias would never have stepped back. Nero you did the right thing."
My eyes widened. Is he saying he's glad Nero killed frate?
Don closed his eyes.
" God helps those who help themselves.."
Don stood up and I watched him.
" starting today you sit here.."
My eyes widened and I jolted up.
Nero?!
Everyone around us was shocked and didn't know what to say.
Nero eyes slowly moved to lock with his fathers who was now standing to the side.
Nero said nothing to him.
He walked over and held his fathers hand and planted a kiss on it.
I stood there amazed.
Nero sat in the chair and straightened his back.
He seemed so In powered.
We got in a line while Nero moved the chair to face us.
Uncle kissed his hand first.
Then barbero.
Angelo was next after barbero and kissed his hand.
Angelo looked to me and I walked up shyly.
I shakily held his hand and planted a light kiss.
The don, Vincent , stood behind Nero with the guy that greeted us this morning.
When I raised my hand Nero snatched my sunglasses.
My eyes widened and I locked eyes with him.
The don and his friend straight up.
" ah, I thought so.."
Nero smiled and said holding my hand.
" meet (y/n) (l/n)... my future bride."
The room went silent. So did I.
Bride?!
Angelo closed his eyes.
Why is he so calm!?
After the whole thing we all sat down, I sat with Angelo nervously.
Uncle won't stop looking at me.
Barbero stood in front of all of us while Nero, our don, sat and listened at his desk.
" as I believe you know, fangos family is now incorporated into ours. Thus, from now on. I'd like to reconsider the island as a primary sales route. Continue rebuilding while expanding the lodge.and work towards mass production."
Barbero held his hands and looked to the don.
" now, for lawless heaven. I'd like to prepare to sell it in Chicago for the near future."
Uncle looked to barbero with his arms crossed.
" Chicago? The galassias won't like that."
Nero then spoke up.
" we'll negotiate with them, of course. To that end. I'd like to send some to Don galassia before the playhouses opening."
He looked to me and Angelo.
" Avilio."
He sat up.
" will you go in my place? "
Barbero looked to Nero suddenly.
" wait Nero.. let me handle that. Avillos not ready."
Nero shook his head.
" no, we'll leave this one to Avilio. We have the preparations for the playhouse to finish."
He looked to Angelo.
" can you handle this?"
"Yeah..."
Nero smiled.
" I'm counting on you."
Nero then looked to his dad.
" dad. Rehearsals are starting at the playhouse soon. Everything's in place."
" I see... can't wait."
He started to cough.
That caught my attention.. he does seem sluggish. Is he ok?
After that we all went down to the booze chamber to hang out.
We managed to make it down there without interference.
We managed to get Tigre to join us as well.
" wow, don't worry Nero, you'll be an amazing Don!"
Tigre said already drunk.
So was Nero.
I glared at Tigre still kinda mad about what he said about Corteo.
Angelo then turned to Nero.
" who was the man next to your father?"
Tigre took another sip and noticed my glare now.
He nervously sweat.
" huh? You mean Del Toro."
Nero spoke to Angelo drunkly.
I crossed my arms and Tigre sighed scratching his head.
" hey, I'm sorry ok..."
He drunkly leaned on the table and held his hands in a prayer form.
" forgive me already!"
Angelo spoke up.
" I've never seen him speak."
Nero sighed.
" yeah, I heard he got messed up in the war. The one in Europe. He's served under my dad ever since."
" he's quite an old timer then."
Tigre is now up and held me from behind trying to get forgiveness out of me.
" wasn't he in prison?"
Tigre slurred out.
" yeah, seven years ago. He went for a job of the family's."
Angelo glared.
" was he there for your first job?"
Nero shook his head.
" no, he was supposed to but he went to prison before we went."
I heard Tigre groan.
" I gotta piss.. but when I come back! Please forgive me already."
I pouted and looked away.
Nero closed his eyes about to sleep.
But I have to ask why did he say I'm his bride!
I was about to touch him but Angelo held his finger to his lip.
I stopped and looked to him.
He reached up to the knife that was stuck in a ham that we were eating.
This made my eyes widened.
Is this because... what corteo said.
I looked to the clock and saw it was almost time corteo supposed to call.
I looked to Angelo nervously.
When Angelo grabbed the knife Nero woke up with a smile.
Angelo was quick enough to grab it without him knowing.
" uncle ganzo thinks really highly of you two you know. He's the reason I had the confidence to ask to marry you."
He turned to me with a smile.
I sat there shocked.
" ask? That wasn't asking Nero!"
He smiled nervously.
" yeah I guess so.. I just was scared you'd say no.. I also thought if people saw you were mine they'd back off on you because of your inheritance..."
I covered my face.
" Nero..."
He rubbed his head nervously.
Nero then sighed and put a cigar into his mouth.
" anyway... uncle has always been an old fashion guy. So I thought when I brought up you and Avilio. He'd be against it. But it was the complete opposite."
Angelo looked to Nero suspiciously.
" I see.."
The clock ticked and Angelo spoke up.
" I'm glad your dad acknowledged you too.."
I nodded.
" me too, congratulations Nero... or should I say don."
I laughed.
He looked to me and smirked.
" or I can be called baby?"
I blushed and started to hit him.
" I will never!!"
He laughed.
Angelo then stood up.
" I'm pretty drunk... I'll be going on ahead."
I watched him leave and I stood up.
" oh, I'll come with you."
Angelo just looked to me.
" if you want. I wouldn't want to take you away from your fiancé."
That last sentence was full of venom which made me stop.
Oh he's mad.
We made it to the stairs and near the door when Nero spoke up again.
" seven years ago."
That made us stop.
" that night when dad took me along for my first job. It wasn't just the kids who ran away. I couldn't shoot anyone. I was too scared to shoot."
I turned to him and frowned.
" I felt like dad held me in contempt for that. That's why for him to acknowledge me, I've thrown myself into my work, now I've done a lot of killing. And then, even Frate.. in the end. Maybe nothing really has changed since then."
Avilio held my hand.
" but you could kill them now, the boy and girl... right?"
Nero looked to Angelo glaring.
" the kids you failed to shoot. Those seven years ago."
Angelo said with venom.
Angelo let go of my hand and walked out.
I frowned and looked to Nero.
" Nero, don't listen to him... I don't believe what you did was right. Nor do I believe killing is right either, for any purpose.. but."
I walked down to him and held his cheek.
" I know somewhere in you, you hate every second of killing...the longing memories of your victims probably burn your brain of their faces... and you regret it."
He opened his mouth but I covered his lips with my finger.
" you don't need to say anything. I'll be leaving now..take care Don, I'll see you soon."
I kissed his forehead and walked back out.
Nero smiled sweetly at me walking out.
Angelo waited for me patiently and grabbed my hand again.
" come. We have a place I wanna visit."
I nodded.
We walked quite a while and we made it to a little house.
Simple but nice.
I looked to Angelo not knowing why we're here.
" who's house is this?"
Angelo just knocked on the door.
I was extremely confused.
The door opened and Angelo instantly brought out a gun.
I jumped and there stood uncle ganzo.
" it was you wasn't it."
Uncle smiled and said.
" right answer... Angelo."
My eyes widened hearing him say his name.