THE MAFIA PRINCESS AND HER PRISONER

It was a fairytale that ended in a nightmare. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Lucy, happy birthday to you!" The voices rose unevenly, some off-key, some too loud, but all of them warm. Lucy stood on a chair so she could see over the table, her eager eyes taking in the table's brightness. One front tooth was missing, the other loose, and her smile came out crooked. "Okay," Eugenia said, clapping once. "It's time to make a wish, darling." Lucy's eyes shone. She rocked on her heels, almost tipping the chair. "Can Nico come stand by me? Pleaseee?" Eugenia tilted her head, pretending to consider it. "Fine. But only if I can stand by you too." "Yes, momma." Nico ran to them, almost tripping on the rug. He shoulder bumped Lucy and grinned. Eugenia stepped behind them, one hand resting lightly on Lucy's back to steady her. "Alright," Frederico said. He raised his small camera, squinting through the viewfinder. "Nobody move. Lucy, close your eyes." Lucy shut her eyes, her lips pressed together. The room was filled with laughter, food, and balloons. She inhaled the smell of sugar and coffee. She pulled it all inward and held her breath. I wish every day were my birthday. She leaned forward and blew. The flames shuddered, then went out together. "Yayyyy!" Everyone clapped. A couple of hurrays. Nico jumped and wrapped his arms around Lucy, squeezing too hard. "Nico," she laughed, pushing him away. "You're squashing me." "Are you sure?" he said. "Or you are just small?." "Boys," Lucy muttered, rolling her eyes as her mother did. Eugenia laughed out loud, a full sound that filled the room. She bent and pulled Lucy close. "Now, now," she said. "Easy." She held Lucy there longer than necessary, then straightened. "Lucy," she said, softer. "My princess. I know you just turned eleven but you are so sensible and smart, I believe this is the right time for you to have this." Lucy's breath caught. "Don't tell me." Eugenia smiled. "Yes. I know. I just feel the need to give it to you now. I trust you to keep it safe." Lucy's eyes burned. She blinked fast, but the tears came anyway. "Oh, momma." "You deserve it," Eugenia said, "and we love you. No matter what happens, that won't change." She reached up and unhooked the necklace from her own neck. The emeralds were deep green, round, and beautiful. Lucy turned around, and Eugenia fastened it carefully around her neck. Pointing at the stones, she said, "One side means safety, the other means pride. No matter where you go, remember this. You are safe at home. And where you come from is worth being proud of." Lucy swallowed. She held the stone tightly. "Momma…" Frederico stepped closer and put his hand on Eugenia's shoulder. "We love you, Lucy," he said. "And we are forever proud of you." "Oh, papa." They folded around her, arms and warmth, Lucy pressed between them. She breathed them in. "Can we go now?" Nico's voice cut through it. He shuffled his feet impatiently. This made the adults laugh. "Of course," Eugenia said. "But don't get carried away, Nico. Your parents will arrive soon." "I won't," Nico said, already at the door to the playroom. "Come on, Lucy." "Yeah! Let's open up my new toys!" "I'm sure they aren't as cool as mine!" "Boys." They ran, their chatter and arguments following. Behind them, voices settled into quieter tones and conversation. The music went lower. The playroom was filled with dolls and pink stuff. Toys lay scattered around the corners. "I'd like to give you something." "What?" "My momma gave me this necklace and I want to give you one." "What are you gonna tell her?" "It's my choice duh. Do you want it or not?" "Yeah sure whatever." Nico turned, and Lucy took off a part of the necklace and put it on him. "Looks cool. A bit girlie but I can manage." "You can return it on our wedding day." "Yuck. Leave me alone Lucy, let's play. Look! I just perfected my climbing skills," Nico announced. Lucy dropped to the floor and frowned. "Don't do it, Nico." He was already pulling himself onto a cupboard, fingers digging into the handles. "Nico, don't," she said. "You'll get in trouble. Don't go up there." "Don't worry, just watch me." He climbed higher, the cupboard grazing his knees. "Be careful so my mom doesn't see you.," Lucy whispered. "Well," he said, grinning down at her, "if they don't see me, I could stay here with you, right?" She crossed her arms. "Boys." He laughed. The cupboard creaked. Then something crashed. The sound came from the front of the house. Glass breaking, wood splintering. Nico froze. He looked in the direction of the sitting room. Lucy was already moving. She ran to the sitting room. The first shot cracked the air. Lucy shuddered. Nico screamed and pulled the door closed on himself. "Lucy no!" But Lucy already burst into the sitting room. She saw bodies scattered across the floor. Faces she knew, mouths open, eyes open but lifeless. Blood soaked into the carpet. Her parents were on their knees. Their hands were bound. Blood flowed down Frederico's leg. Eugenia's face was swollen, and her lip bled as if it had been hit. "Lucy," Eugenia whispered in a shaky voice. "Run." Lucy took a step back, and immense pain shot up through her feet. She cried out and looked down. She ran into Eugenia's arms. "Aww." The man's voice came from the armchair. He turned slowly with a thin smile playing at his lips. "Finally," he said. "A reward for all my trouble. So, what do we have here?" "Leave my daughter alone!" Frederico shouted. The gun went off again. Frederico jerked and cried out, his leg collapsing under him. "No one talks when I talk," the man said calmly. Lucy screamed and crawled to her father, hands slick with blood. He groaned through clenched teeth. The man stood. He followed the red trail Lucy left. He crouched and dragged his fingers through it, then lifted them to his mouth. He tasted it. Lucy stared at him. Something in her hated this man, but she was yet to know the depth of it. He smiled wider. "So this is how sweet revenge tastes." "Please, Dominic," Eugenia said. "What are you doing here after so long?" "After so long?" He laughed softly. "How long is so long? Twelve years was just enough time for me to lick my wounds and here I am, back to inflict same on you." "Then what do you want?" "Revenge they say," he said. "Is best served cold. Though I prefer mine frozen." Eugenia sobbed. "Please Dominic, there is no reason for this." He gave a painful smirk, looked around, taking it all in. The balloons. The half cake on the table. The picture frame on the mantelpiece. "You still throw one hell of a party," he said. He kicked a balloon, and it popped. "Laughing guests with fancy glasses. And oh, let's not forget. The perfect family of three." He picked up the framed photo on the mantlepiece and smashed it against the floor. The glass frame broke. Lucy flinched backwards and cried. "Mom," she whispered. "I'm scared." Eugenia pulled Lucy close, her hands shaky. "It will be over soon," she said. "Safety and pride, remember?" Lucy nodded as her tears flowed freely. "I am scared momma." Eugenia kissed her forehead. "I know." She stood and faced Dominic. Her back straightened. "Leave my family out of this, Dominic," she said. "This is between us. Just us." "There you are," Dominic said. "Clara. Or rather, Eugenia. You changed your identity so well it took me a while to find you. You did learn to disappear. I am proud of you." "Clara? What is he talking about?" Frederico looks at Eugenia in surprise. Eugenia does not look at him. "So what now?" she asked. Dominic shrugged. "I was going to enjoy this. But you called the police. So I will be quick. Two people have to die and you—", he points to Lucy, "—would be the one to pick." He pointed at Lucy. Eugenia cries out. "No. Please no. Dominic! Look at me. She's too young. Please don't do this." "Thirty seconds," Dominic said. He sat back in a chair. "Who's going to die? Big heroic daddy? Or your soft and deceitful momma?" Lucy turns to her parents. She is in tears. "Momma please I do not want you die. Please Daddy." "Baby. Baby look at me. Pick me. Don't worry. I'd always be here. Right here…going nowhere. Just pick me," Eugenia cries as Lucy wails in her arms. "Please. We can talk about this man to man. Whatever you want, we can work this—" Gunshot. Lucy screams as her father falls. "Nooooooo. You'd pay for this, Dominic! I swear it!" Eugenia's spits. "Oh, please, Clara. I had to help Lucy out. She was taking her pretty time." Eugenia crawls forward, placing Lucy behind her. "Kill me instead." Dominic laughed. "And do what with her?" He leaned closer, eyes bright. "Oh. Imagine what she could become. She could pick up where you left off." He straightened and dropped his cigarette into the fireplace. "The slayer," he said. "It is time." Eugenia shakes her head frantically. "No no no please. Please Dominic. Spare my little girl. I would do whatever you ask. Please." He raised the gun and fired in Eugenia's direction. Eugenia falls "Momma!" Lucy screamed. "Live, Lucy." Eugenia whispered. Her eyes shut. "Noooo!" Lucy cried and yelped. "Take her," Dominic instructs his men. "Burn this trash." Four men begin to pour fuel all over the room. One huge man lifts Lucy, who keeps struggling over his shoulder. Her necklace falls to the ground. She cries and tries to get it, but the man hits her head, and she is knocked unconscious. As her eyes shut, she sees Nico creep out from his hiding place. "Nico," she whispers. "Hide."