Mafia Born

Chapter Eight: Mobsters or Monsters

**After the Bank**

The car was parked right at the curb so we didn't have to go far. I was about to open the door when someone ran up to my father and I. He was angry and dressed in all black.

"Ey Don Lorenzo!" Lorenzo turned around to face the man. "Saluta tua moglie! Puttana!!" Then the man pulled out a gun and aimed it right at his head.

Lorenzo was able to punch the man in the face knocking the gun out of his hands but then someone else starting shooting at us from all different angles. More men dressed in black started running towards the car. Some were firing at us while others were running faster to get closer to where we were standing.

"Get Ronnie to the safe house! Now!" Lorenzo pulled a gun out of his waistband and started to shoot back at some of the men heading our way.

I was hiding behind the car avoiding the bullets that kept showering around us. I tried to get into the car when I feel someone pull at my leg dragging me onto the ground. I kick and scream trying to get the man to let go but nothing happens. I take the lock box that's still in my hands and smack the man in the head with it a few times and that seemed to loosen his grip.

I got up and just ran. I ran to the alley near the bank and hid behind some dumpsters to catch my breath for a moment. I could still hear gun shots so I knew it wasn't safe. I thought I could just stay here until everything was over but that guy who had a hold on me snuck up behind the dumpster and backhanded me across the face knocking me to the ground dropping the lock box and letter with a loud thud.

"Puttana! Quit trying to run." He goes to grab me again when he's knocked to the ground once more but by Teo's fist. Teo and the guy started to fight. Teo kept landing punch after punch. The man got a hit in across his face making his lip bleed. The man looked amused he finally landed a hit. Teo just smirked and licked the blood before knocking the man flat on his ass with one punch. Teo then got on top of him and just started hitting him nonstop. Teo became an animal. I almost couldn't recognize him. Blood was streaming down the man's face and Teo's knuckles. The man finally stopped moving and Teo got off of him.

Teo wipes the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve before turning to me. He started walking towards me and I stepped back. Every step he moved forward, I moved away from him until I was up against the wall to another building. I was terrified of the man before me. The Teo I once might have developed feelings for was gone and replaced with a bloodthirsty monster. He saw the terror in my face and his expression turned sad.

"Ronnie, you know I would never hurt you right?" He reached his hand out to comfort me but I just turned and started to cry.

"I don't even know you! Who are you?" I shouted at him with tears in my eyes.

Teo turned around and heard more yelling and gunshots coming from the other end of the alley.

"Ronnie, we need to leave. It's not safe here."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! Don't touch me!" I was hysterical and couldn't control my emotions.

"You don't have a choice right now. We need to leave." His voice was demanding but still sincere. He looked back and saw two more men heading our way. "f**k. I'm sorry Ronnie but we have to leave. Now!" Teo grabbed my lock box with the envelope and then threw me over his shoulder racing back towards the car.

I kicked and screamed the whole way to the car. I was terrified and just wanted to get away from everyone and the situation. We quickly arrived back at the car and Teo tossed me into the passenger side before running over to the drivers side. I tried to jump out but he got in and drove off before I had the time. I glanced back to look for Lorenzo but I didn't see him anywhere.

The once busy streets were now empty with a few bodies and blood splattered all around. I pulled my legs up my chest and just bawled my eyes out. There was only one person I wished I could turn to right now and I can't even call her. I really need my mom.

"What about Lorenzo? We have to go back for him!" I was able to finally come to my senses a few moments later after crying my heart out. I needed that release after everything just happened. The tears were still fresh on my face and panic still very much present in my voice.

"He's fine. Trust me." Teo kept his attention on the road.

"Trust you? You want me to trust you? I just saw you beat a guy pretty much to death. I'm pretty sure that man was dead and you still kept punching him."

He was silent.

"Are you going to tell me what the hell happened back there at least?" I finally turned and looked over at him. He really looked like he just got out of a dark, abandoned alleyway. There was dirt on his face, his knuckles were busted and covered in dried blood, and he looked dangerous even with the sad expression plastered all over his face.

"We got ambushed. Someone knew exactly where we were going to be and we weren't prepared." He took a breath and then I saw him grip the steering wheel tighter. "That means someone planned this in advance and even knew you were going to be there. Someone has to be leaking f*****g information from the inside!" He slammed his hand on the roof of the car quickly before taking a few breaths to calm down.

The car was quiet again. You could cut the tension with a butter knife. Both of us wanted to say something but had no idea where to start. I wanted to know what I've gotten myself into and Teo's intentions were unclear at the moment. I couldn't read him. Minutes passed which honestly felt like hours until the car finally came to a stop. I peaked out the window to see we have traveled deep into the middle of the woods where the sun was barely visible. There wasn't another person for miles.

"Is this where you kill me? Cause if you're gonna do it, please just do it now and get it over with. I'm not one for pain."

Teo unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door. He jumped out and turned to me while stretching his torso showing off those muscles that are hidden by his clothes. "If I wanted to kill you, you would be dead already. Plus, I don't kill women." And he shut the car door.

I looked around to see if the keys were still in the car so I could make a quick escape but I couldn't see them. Teo opened my door suddenly and was dangling the car keys in front of me.

"Looking for these?" He smirked.

I reached out to grab them but he pulls them away before I could get a grip. He teased me a few more times before I finally gave up.

"Are you done toying with me?" I crossed my arms at him. He laughed.

"Yes. I'm sorry firecracker." He helps me out of the car and starts heading to the cabin. I hesitate at first. Teo notices and walks back to the car where I'm still standing. "Hey, I promise on my life, you're safe here. No one will hurt you. I won't let them. Now, come on. Time to answer your questions." Teo heads to the cabin and I follow closely behind.

As we entered the cabin, I was taken back by how modern and big the inside actually is. It has a living room area, kitchen, dining area, and a hallway that I assumed led to multiple bedrooms.

"Coffee?" Teo was in the kitchen gathering materials to make coffee.

"Do you have a first aid kit?" I asked and he turned around quickly.

"We do. What's wrong? Are you hurt?" His face showed his concern and worry.

"Not for me. For you. You need to clean those cuts on your knuckles before they get infected." Teo was a little taken back with my idea.

"It's just a few scratches. I've had worse. Believe me." He turns back and continues making coffee. I head down the hall into the bathroom and find the first aid kit. I had an idea it would be in the bathroom but it was just a lucky guess.

Returning from the kitchen with the kit, I pull my hair back into a ponytail and motion Teo to sit on one of the stools in front of me. He rolls his eyes, pours some coffee, and then finally sits in front of me.

"You know, you're taking this all pretty well." He says watching as I start to clean some of his cuts.

"Taking what pretty well?" I asked.

"Well, you were shot at, almost kidnapped, oh and looks like you got backhanded pretty hard. Ouch! That stings! Shit.." I was cleaning his cuts with some rubbing alcohol and I guess I may have used a bit too much.

"Whoops. Clumsy me." I smirked slightly hoping Teo didn't catch it. "And regarding the recent past events, you have to keep an open mind or you might get yourself killed. I'm from United States of America. We have shootings in public schools, concerts, anywhere really. I know how to survive if I need to. I took a few martial arts in school, I have my gun license, and my cat is trained almost like a dog. I know how to take care of myself when necessary."

I sighed and pulled some bandages out of the case to finish dressing Teo's wounds.

"But to actually have to fight for my life, I'm terrified Teo. I may not truly know you, however I feel I can trust you. You saved me." I finished wrapping Teo's hands and was going to leave when he rested his hands in mine caressing gently.

"And I would save you again." Teo says as I see his eyes staring right back into mine. I could feel the sincerity in his words. His eyes were bright, filled with passion, and kindness.

Suddenly, there's a knock on the door and I feel my heart drop into my chest. Could they have followed us? Was this just a trap? Questions filled my mind once again.

Teo slowly gets up from the stool and pulls a gun out of his waistband. He signals to me to hide and keep quiet as he heads towards the door. He peeks out the window and instant relief spreads across his face. He casually opens the door and allows the person to enter.

"Ronnie! Lorenzo's here!" Teo shouts at me. I leave my hiding spot and make my way back into the kitchen where I can hear the two men having a very heated conversation.

"What the f**k was that? How did that happen?" Lorenzo continues to curse and shout.

"You know the answer, Enzo. Someone is leaking information from the inside. Someone is making us look like fools."

"I will not allow anything like this to happen ever again. Not on my home territory. f*****g Ronnie isn't used to this." Lorenzo walked over and sat in the living room. I was eavesdropping from the hallway. "So much for keeping her out of this. Where is she?"

"I'm right here." I said as I emerged into the living room.

"Sit down Ronnie. I guess I have to tell you everything now. I wanted to wait but life has other plans. Teo, could you please make sure all the rooms have everything they need for tonight. We will stay here and return back to the manor in the morning." I watched was Teo nodded and offered a reassuring smile my way before disappearing down the hallway.

"Ronnie, I'm not just a successful businessman in case you haven't noticed. I'm also the head of the Italian mafia. My family has been in charge for generations. That's why I wasn't around you growing up. I didn't want you to be tainted with this lifestyle. My lifestyle. I wanted you to have the chance to live a normal life. Even if meant I had to love you from a distance."

He paused for a moment and I tried to hold back my laughter but I just couldn't. I busted out laughing and saw Lorenzo's face grow sour.

"Hold on, did you say the mafia? Like in those godfather movies? You've got to be shitting me. That's the excuse you come up with? Really? God, how pathetic do you think I am? I'm old enough to handle the truth. I can f*****g take it! I'm not a child anymore!"

"f*****g hell Ronnie I'm telling you the truth! I'm Don Lorenzo, the capo of the Italian Mafia! My father, his father, and his father before him were all great leaders! This is your family. You belong with the mafia!"

We were both standing at this point yelling and glaring at each other. Tears were on the edge of streaming down my face once again but I was trying my hardest to appear strong and not weak.

"You're lying! You're just some millionaire who didn't want to have children and just paid child support! You hid us away so no one would know your biggest mistake!"

"I would never lie to you, Ronnie! I loved your mother more than I love myself. I hid you both for your safety! I never wanted this life for you! I didn't want you to be surrounded by death and violence! Your mother was the heir to the German mafia which is why we were never meant to be!"

"What..?" Did he just say my mother was also apart of the mafia? Not her. She could never, she would never... right?

"Yes. That's why we had to keep our relationship a secret. My family eventually accepted our love but her family, the German mafia, never forgave us for our betrayal."

"You're lying..." I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. Slowly they started to trickle down my face. My whole life, everyone lied to me.

"We met each other for the first time at some wedding. I don't remember whose it was but it was a new alliance and my family, along with hers, were both asked to attend. I remember the first time I saw her. She was in the corner of the ballroom, chatting with some friends, and she was the most beautiful woman there. She had long flowing blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and a smile that could light any darkness. I was instantly drawn to her." He sighed heavily before collapsing back into the chair he once was sitting on. "She gave me a hard time for a while but I never gave up on her. She was actually supposed to marry the heir of the Russian mafia but that obviously didn't happen. I tried everything I could to cancel that arrangement and allow her family see our alliance would be a better choice but they didn't listen. So we ran. We ran away from our troubles for as long as we could. Eventually, our troubles caught up to us and I had to go back home. I had to become the man my father always wanted. I did everything I could to keep Emma happy and safe. Once she told me she was pregnant, I knew I really had to disappear from her life. I didn't want any harm to come to Emma or you so I did what I thought was best. But now, someone knows my secret, my weakness, and is trying to get to you like they did Emma. And I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I failed once, I refuse to fail again."

Lorenzo got back up and attempted to approach me but I turned my back towards him. I heard him huff before speaking again.

"There's a room all the way in the back you can stay in for now. I'm going to be here in the living room if you need anything. Teo's room should be right next to yours so you will be safe. Get some sleep. We will talk more in the morning." Lorenzo got up and disappeared into the kitchen.

I needed to be alone so I just walked down the hallway into the back bedroom and collapsed on the bed.

This bed wasn't as comfortable as the bed back at the manor but I didn't care. I just wanted to wake up from this dream. No, this nightmare.

"Hey, I thought you might want these." I rolled over to see Teo place the lock box and envelope down on one of the dressers. I rolled my eyes and buried my face back into the mountain of pillows on the bed.

"Thanks." I mumbled to him. I listened for a moment to hear footsteps leave the room but instead I just hear the door being closed. I looked over again to see Teo close the door and look over to me. His face shown concern but I was in no mood for his smartass comments at the moment.

"If you have something smart to say, please. I'm in no mood to hear it." I mumbled again from my pillow. I hear Teo walk towards the bed and feel him sit beside me.

"Are you okay?"

"Go away, Teo."

"No." He said quickly. I was a little shocked at how fast he responded. I turned and sat up on the bed facing him.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Tears still rolling down my face.

Teo slowly reaches his hand up to my face, I can't help but flinch at first, which I could see made him upset. But he gently wipes the tears off my face with his fingers.

"Because, Ronnie, you're hurting right now. No one should be alone while they're hurting like this." He gave me a reassuring smile.

I don't know what came over me but the next thing I know I'm wrapping my arms around him bringing him closer to a warm embrace. I hold on tightly to Teo as he returns the favor and holds me close. He places a tender kiss on the top of my head and keeps me in his arms.

"Don't you want to know what's in the envelope or the lock box? Maybe your mom left you something." Teo mentions as he slowly runs his fingers through my hair comforting me.

"I can always check it out later. I hate to say it but I really like you holding me like this."

He chuckles. "I told you I would protect you. I'll even snuggle with you to make you feel better. Whatever I can do, I will." He smiles down at me and I see his stare go from my eyes to my lips back to my eyes again.

He wants to kiss me? No way. But as I'm battling my thoughts, Teo brings his face closer to mine slowly getting my attention. I lean my face closer to his and close my eyes waiting to feel his lips on mine. I never expected the day to turn out like this. From going to bank, to finding out I'm a millionaire, to being shot at, finding out your dad is the head of the Italian mafia, and now about to kiss the most gorgeous man I've ever met. Butterflies fill my stomach as I wait anxiously for Teo's lips to meet mine.

Finally, our lips meet and sparks ignite all throughout my body. I feel fireworks going off all over the room. His lips are soft yet firm and he's in full control. He guides his tongue on my bottom lip begging for me give him full access and I allow him. Our tongues dancing with each other passionately. Things quickly start to heat up and I feel his hands all over my body. As much as I want this, I need to stop before I've given him all of me.

I slowly break our kiss and look up at him. He's looking down at me with passion, lust, and desire burning in his eyes. He rests his forehead on mine and catches his breath.

"Oh, il mio petardo... you have no idea what you do to me." He said before getting off the bed and leaning down to place another sweet kiss on my lips. "I'm right next door if you need anything. Get some sleep and dream of me." He winks as he opens and closes the door behind him.

My emotions are all over the place at the moment. My father is the leader of the Italian mafia, my mother was from the German mafia, I almost died, and Teo kissed me passionately. I didn't know what to think about first.

I decided to think about what my father told me. The mafia. And not just any mafia group, the Italians. Growing up, I've heard stories or myths about criminal groups like the cartels or other mafia organizations but I never believed any of it. Come to think about it, I was always drawn to them in a way. I love action movies that deal with violence and gangs. Hell, I remember a few Halloween's when I was younger I dressed as Bonnie Parker from the infamous duo Bonnie and Clyde. I guess, I can see the path has been there all along. There's always been a part of me drawn to the darkness even though I've tried to fight it my whole life. My mother saw it with her own eyes. I was a fighter and a bully when I was little. If it wasn't for her guidance, who knows how I could have ended up. And I can't even think to consider my mom having a dark side. She was the kindest, most loving and caring woman I've ever known. She was tough but only when necessary which was once in a blue moon.

My whole life I was told one thing when the truth was the complete opposite. How should I react? How do I move forward? Do I trust Lorenzo and Teo? Do I try to make a run for it? What should I do? I'm so confused and that kiss with Teo didn't help my already confused mind. I really don't know what to do from here.