Devil’s Daughter

L O V E

Lorraine Lebedev

It was raining.

My eyes focused on the grave 16 feet away from me as I sat in the car. It's going to be my first time actually seeing her.

I let out a shaky breath and shook of the nervous feeling.

Come in Lorraine, you can do this. You have to do this. For her...

A week has gone by since the incident with Simeon. Dante tried to escape but Simeon's- my men caught him along the way. I'm going to save him for something special.

Raphaël and I agreed that we will not take down the house Bratva instead we will expand the territory and finally sign a peace treaty to end the feud that has been going on between the Russian and Italians. It's time for something new to be born. I will leading the Brava under the knowledge that Simeon has forced me to know. Organized crime groups exist in many countries, but the most powerful groups are Russian and Italian mafia. There is a great difference between origins and predispositions of the Italian and Russian organized crime groups. southern Italian masses to defend their families, their honor, their source of livelihood, and their very life at a time when those who possessed secular and ecclesiastical authority were renouncing all obligations of law and order to the people while at the same time robbing them of whatever land they possessed, molesting their wives and daughters, imposing intolerable taxation, and inflicting all manner of moral as well as corporal punishments. Originally, the mafia consisted of little more than scattered little groups of peasants, often outlaws, who found in each other's strength and resolve the basis of a new moral

We are very similar, surprises me how the two have been at war for centuries.

The main similarity between Russian and Italian mafia is a strict code of conduct and behavior. "There is a traditional code of conduct within this old style of organized crime in Russia called "Vory v Zakone," or thieves in law. The members are bound by 18 codes and if they are broken, the transgression is punishable by death" Italian mafia uses murders and thefts as the main methods of violence. The Russian mafia groups use extortion, credit card fraud, murder, kidnap, and fuel frauds. Both groups play an unfair and healthy game but that's just the way it is and will always for as long as the mafias roam this earth.

Declan opens the car door for me and hands me a umbrella as I step out of the car.

The rain was gentle and the smell of freshness soaked the air. It was cold and the winter air will probably make me catch a cold if I stay out for too long. I shove my hands into my coat as I walked in silence to my mothers grave.

Raphaël offered to come , but I told him that I wanted to visit her alone since it will be my first and last. To make sure he won't stress much I suggested that Declan should tag along although he is not okay with idea of leaving me alone I promised to make it back to him.

I stopped in-front of her grave and placed the bouquet of blood roses on her grave. They will probably die within 2 days due to the harsh cold weather of Russia.

After visiting Italy for the first time when I was with Raphaël 5 months ago, while I searching for person who was responsible for my mothers death. I grew fond of the warm climate. I will not miss the cold weather here but I will visit here for work. Since I will be working from Italy now that I'm moving in with Raphaël as soon as we fly back.

"Hello mother." I uttered, my eyes reading over the text messaged craved on the stone.

"In loving memory of Daphne Lebedeva."

A small smile tugs my lips when I read, "will be missed as a mother."

"Thank you." I blurted out.

I scoff and let out a sigh. I am terrible at this. I guess talking to the dead is not one of my specialties.

"You have always been there for me and I only realized it once you left this earth. Letting go sounds easy but I guess as human beings it's the hardest thing we'll ever do. I'm sorry I was not good enough of a daughter to you, that I tried to push away from my life." I swallowed hard. "You were the only person who loved me with true honesty. Wow it really does take a lot of courage to say goodbye to someone who really meant the world to you." I proclaimed as a gentle tear caresses down my cheek. Brushing it away I hug myself. I love you mom. We will meet again when the road decides it's time for our paths to cross again. Until then I will continue to spread my love that you have left behind and try to enjoy the beautiful moments I have with the people who have helped me battle my dark days and helped me out of the tunnel." I whispered. "You can finally rest now." I said, standing in the peaceful silence. I close my eyes and finally I've allowed myself to let out the breath I was holding for months.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

"How was it?" Raphaël finally asked when we both sat down for dinner.

We currently staying in of my fathers penthouses until the sit down with the Italians and Russian. Which I'm certainly not looking forward too but I had to do this. It was my responsibility now.

I look up and meet his gaze, his features soften and I smiled. "It was okay. Nice." I added the last part, he lifts a brow and a smile tugs his lips. "Nice?" He mocked. I nodded while I cut into my steak.

"Yes, nice. I enjoyed talking to my mother it was like a heavy weight lifted off my shoulder I've been chatting for months." I explained and he nodded. "I'm glad you finally letting go."

"Me too." I mumbled.

And I can't wait what the future has prepared for the both of us. It was him over anything else.