Gianna had been released from the hospital for two days. She'd been staying with her father in the mansion owned on the outskirts of town - it was the place he stayed whenever he came to New York, along with any other mafia members. She hadn't spoken with her father about the whole Devonte situation yet and was somewhat dreading it for a number of reasons. The one thing she was concerned about was how he would react to the words that were about to come out of her mouth. Mateo was likely to cut her off but Gianna knew she'd have to stand her ground and make him listen.
"Papa, mi dispiace (I am sorry). I didn't know Devonte was-"
"That boy is the enemy Gianna and-"
"Papa, ascoltare! (Listen)."
Mateo was surprised at his daughter's sudden raise in voice and she'd shocked herself too. She had never done so before and she didn't know what her father would do to her or how he'd react. Mateo on the other hand understood her frustration because she was the one who'd been shot and who'd had to deal with everything that came with it, on top of finding out that Devonte was his enemy. He needed to let her speak and get whatever she needed to off her chest.
"I-I'm sorry for yelling papa."
"Mia bella (my beautiful) don't apologise." He replied in a softer tone. "Talk to me sweetheart."
Gianna sighed. "Devonte saved my life and he did it out of the kindness of his heart. He was the one with me when it happened. Papa, without him I'd be dead right now."
"H-he did?"
Gianna nodded while staring right at her father who suddenly took a seat, clasping his hands together and resting his chin on top of them in thought. She hated talking about the fact that she could be dead right now, but it was the truth. Devonte had acted quickly and his actions were the reason why she was able to be sitting with her father today. Without him, the leader of the Italian Mafia would be planning a funeral right now.
"Look papa, I don't know what happened between you and Devonte's father but please, I beg you, let it go. He hasn't done anything to you, to us personally, right?"
Mateo sighed. "No sweetheart."
"Then please, let it go. I'm not asking because I think you're going to hurt him, I'm asking because I'm thinking about teaming up with him. Now before you saying anything because I know you will, this is strictly business between us. He and I are after the same people papa. You're always wanting me to be safe, Devonte is trained like I am and this is his territory. He knows the ins and outs of this place and if I am to succeed, you and I both know I need that. We only have so much power here but he has it all."
As much as Mateo didn't want to admit it, he knew what his daughter was saying was true - he did want her to be safe but when she wasn't on their territory, he could only do so much. Devonte was well trained and Mateo knew that because Lucius was the same, Devonte was even more deadly however. He wasn't into the idea of his daughter teaming up with an enemy or even letting the past go, but all he wanted was what was best and if Gianna thought that teaming up with Devonte was what was best for business then he was going to allow her to do as she pleased.
"Okay." He stated simply.
"Okay what?"
"I trust you sweetheart. Do what you have to do, you have my support."
"So I can work with Devonte?"
"Like I said, I trust you. I gave you permission to follow through with your plan and I don't go back on my word, so if you think that teaming up with that boy will help you execute your plan then you have my blessing. Just be safe and watch your back at all times."
"I will papa, thank you so much. I promise I won't let you down."
She carefully stood up from her seat and Mateo did the same before he carefully pulled his daughter into his arms, holding her as if it would be his last. Gianna was his entire world, his reason to wake up in the morning; his reason to live. He'd do anything to make sure that she was safe, make sure she had everything she wanted or needed and assure that she was happy.
"Ti voglio bene (I love you) sweetheart." He leaned back to look her in the eyes with tears in his. "You know, when Elena called me that day, I cried like a baby. I couldn't lose you, not after losing your mother. You're all I have. You are my world and lord only knows what I would've done if we'd lost you. Ti voglio bene mia bella, ti voglio bene, ti voglio bene, ti voglio bene (I love you my beautiful, I love you, I love you, I love you)."
He pulled her back in again as his tears finally fell. Gianna gripped him tighter as she started sobbing.
"Ti voglio bene (I love you) papa, so much."
_ _ _
Devonte sat in his cousin's apartment giving her the rundown of everything she wanted to know: from his "beef" with Gianna's father to the day of the shooting, as well as what business he'd been getting into. Alexis wanted to know it all. She wasn't upset at her friend because she felt that she had no right to be and coming from a family that was tied up in a gang, she knew where Gia was coming from. She hadn't spoken about being the daughter of a mafioso because of the dangers; she wasn't in their Italian territory, she was in a new place where an enemy could be around any corner. Alexis wasn't mad at Devonte either, there was no reason to be. She was just confused. She knew Von had come to New York for business but not exactly what for, but she was about to find out.
He explained to her in detail about the strange things happening over here. Product going missing, money not being handled correctly and being stolen. There was a lot to take in but Alexis understood it all and it made even more sense now as to why her cousin was in the city because usually business could be handled from where he was at.
"So this Tony guy is behind it all?"
"As far as we can work out, yeah."
"Even the shooting? Because if that motherfucker did that to my friend, I want in. My dad and yours didn't teach me all that shit for it to go to waste."
Just as Lucius had trained Devonte, Alexis' own father Lamar had done the same with her - not because she'd necessarily be apart of the life, but for her protection and to give the family piece of mind that in any situation she'd be able to defend herself when need be. As she grew up, Lex had decided that the gang life was not for her but she accepted the fact that she'd always have ties to it. She put her focus on school and it remained that way, but that didn't mean she wouldn't get involved if she felt that she had to.
Von sighed. "That I'm not sure of but I have people working on it. As soon as I find out, I'll let you and her know."
"You're not going to talk me out of kicking some ass?"
"What's the point? If I say no, you'll do it anyway."
"Wise decision." She giggled. "But I have one more question..Gianna was at a strip club?!"
"Oh she wasn't just at it, Lex she fucking danced! And that wasn't no normal dance. I'm telling you, she's got mad fucking skills."
"Forreal?"
"Ahah. I go to places like that often enough and I've never seen anyone own a stage the way she did. I don't if it was the body, what she was wearing or the moves, but damn! I can't even stop thinking about her-" He quickly covered his mouth and his eyes widened.
He'd just outed himself.
"Wait, you've been thinking about Gianna? O-M-G..do I smell a crush Devonte?!"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Devonte quit playing. You like her?"
"No comment."
"Von." Alexis stared at him intensely. "Now you know I won't stop until you tell me the truth and nothing but the truth big head. So I'll ask you again, do you like her?"
Did he like her? He wasn't sure when it came to his feelings but he knew he was physically attracted to her. She had a killer body and was a stunner, there was no doubt about that. He had every intention of sleeping with her when he saw her as Destiny in the club that night, but he knew now she wasn't that type of girl. He also wasn't the type for a relationship or to really show his feelings whereas she was that type.
"If I tell you then it stays between us."
"Hey, I ain't no snitch."
"She's sexy as hell."
Alexis squinted at him. "So you find her attractive?"
"Who wouldn't? Lex she's gorgeous. I don't say that about just anyone either. Sure I hang around with a lot of pretty girls but she takes the cake and I don't know if it's because of that dance." He sighed and shook his head. "What does it matter though? I'm her dad's enemy and I'm not a relationship guy. I like to be free, not tied down by anything. She's the relationship type, not a hit and quit."
Alexis just giggled. Whether he knew it or not, Devonte had just admitted that he had some type of feelings for Gianna with the 'shes a relationship type not a hit and quit' because it meant that he'd thought about it before.
"Mmmm I guess I believe that."
"Alexis.."
"Hey I said I believed you."
Before he could respond his phone started to ring. He sighed and grabbed it off the table, a slight smile appearing on his face as he read over the name; Gia. Alexis noticed and raised her eyebrows in wonder. Devonte excused himself and went into the guest room, shutting the door behind him and answering her call.
"And how may I help you miss?"
"Hello to you too Devonte." She laughed through the phone. "I spoke to my father this morning."
His ears perked up. "And?"
"He gave me his blessing to work with you. He's putting whatever beef you two had aside because he knows that it's in the best interest. You know this place a lot better than I ever will."
"That's good Gia, really good. We need to have a meeting to discuss everything but it can wait until after you heal-"
"No, no. It's only a few wounds, that can't stop me. My dad returns to Italy in two days, we will meet then. The sooner we take down that asshole the better."
"Agreed."
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Questions + Responses:
Gianna's out of the hospital 😌🙌
Mateo is letting her work with Devonte..
How do you think that's going to go?
Alexis knows everything now..
Our boy has a crush 👀😏
Their crews will be coming together soon but will it all go smoothly?!
Vote, comment & share 😁✌