Love in the Storm

Chapter 7

Gio

“Um, ok. My dearest Oriana. If you are reading this, then I am no longer among the living and sane. It also means that the boys have kept their promise after all this time. I’m sorry that you had to find out this way but, I am sure that the boys explained most, if not all, before giving you this letter.

As you are my second born, my only daughter, it would only be fitting that you inherit what belonged to your mother. You are also entitled to a fruitful trust fund but there is a stipulation you must meet in order to receive it.

The majority of my stocks and shares, as well as my companies are to be given to Antonio.

Gio will take over the title of Don (Boss) when his father retires, and Antonio will be his second in command.

My sweet, sweet girl. Oh, how I wish I was there to see you grow up and finally got to meet you. Every time I got close, that bastard would move you and your mother away. Either across the country or to a different country altogether. It made it a bit more difficult to find you but not impossible.

As well as your trust fund, I have left you a house. It’s not much but, it was your mother’s favourite place. You will see why when you see it. Gio has the key and the documents including the deed which is in your name.

If you choose to work, there will be a place for you in one of the companies that the boy’s own. Gio will talk to you about this when you are ready. He will also have more information to share with you about what has been left to you.

I wish I got the chance to see you grow up and see the woman you have become. Promise me that you will live your life as if each day is your last. Don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way.

I love you, princess. You are the future queen of the mafia empire. Everyone knows who you are, trust me, I made sure. You are betrothed to our king.

Please keep our family running strong.

I love you. Sempre e per sempre (Always and forever)

Papa”

By the time I had finished reading, tears were streaming down her cheeks.

“Va Fanulo,” Toni and I said at the same time.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Ana said quietly as she gently wiped away her tears. “I have questions.” Toni gave her a handkerchief to dry her face so that she didn’t pull her stitches or irritate the bruising.

“Fire away. We’ll do our best to answer. If we are unsure, you will need to wait for us to get the information. I’m letting you know now; I will not sugar coat anything I say to appease anyone,” she nodded, “Then go ahead.”

“What type of companies do you own?”

“I have an import/export company as well as I.T & Logistics,” Toni answered first.

“A law firm as well as financial for me.”

“Wow. Always useful to have a law firm in your back pocket when you run the mafia,” I tried to hide my smile but Toni full on chuckled.

“You’re right, it is useful.”

“How long ago did he..?” she trailed off, a sob caught in her throat.

“Almost 2 years now. I can take you to where they rest.”

“They?” her head shot up in surprise.

“Yes, both mamma and papa have been laid to rest together just as they should be.”

“I would like that, thank you.”

“Anymore questions?” I hated to push her, but I am a busy man. People were waiting on me to start their punishments or decide their fate. The thought caused me to smile wickedly.

“If I am the lost mafia princess, who will teach me to be the best I can be?”

“We will both teach you everything you will need to know,” Toni nodded in agreement.

“Everything,” he said. “Baby steps though,” my turn to nod in agreement. Didn’t want her falling flat on her face with too much information.

“It seems, according to papa’s letter, that I am betrothed to the king,” Toni and I looked at each other. We were both unsure how we will answer this one. “Who is he? When will I meet him? What is his name? How old is he?”

“I promised that I wouldn’t sugar coat my answers.”

“Please don’t. Be honest with me.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“His name is Giovanni Bellomo. 28 years old and is the most dangerous man you could ever meet. He’s loyal and protective of his family, blood or otherwise and I know for a fact that he will protect you with everything he has,” her head snapped up and her eyes locked with mine.

“You?!”

“Yes, I am the mafia king. I took over from my father when he retired 5 years ago,” she gulped loudly. I was waiting for her to snap and deny it all, but nothing. Did she accept me?

“I am feeling a bit sore. I think I need to go and lay down for a while.” f**k! Did I upset her with what I said? I did warn her that I was going to give straight answers only.

“Give her time, Gio. She has been through a lot in the last 24 hours,” I nodded as I totally agreed. I would ensure that nothing like what she has been through will ever happen to her again. That fucker will pay for what he did to her, and I will train her myself so that she will be the one dealing out the punishment. I smirked.

“Oh, I know that look. What’s your plan?”

“Let’s take this conversation to my office,” we both got up and walked to the side stairs so that we didn’t disturb her.

Antonio

“Come on, spill it,” I said to Gio as he handed me a drink.

“There’s going to be multiple stages to this plan to get Ana to the princess level she needs to be. She’s a mafia princess but she is f*****g scared of so much right now,” Gio stated.

“That fucker must’ve hurt her more than just physically. It’s going to take a lot of time to heal those wounds,” I said.

“We don’t necessarily need to heal the wounds fully. Just need to channel things in another direction,” we both grinned and nodded.

“Now, you can start with the legal businesses so that she has an insight. We will do the extracurricular together. I want to focus on showing her me, as it seems she is a little uncomfortable around me right now.”

“That sounds like a plan, man,” I agreed. Gio picked up the phone and called Ellie to the office.

“How did the shopping go?”

“Delivery just arrived. Is there something I am missing here? Who is she? Why are you helping her so much? It’s not like she’s one of us.” Gio wiped the full length of his face with his hand. I sat there and chuckled at him.

“Ellie, let me make it clear to you, again. There is nothing between you and I and there never will be.”

“That’s not what I asked. Never say never as there could always be a chance that some day I would rule beside you as your queen. Just like you and father talked about.” Gio held up his hand to stop her talking.

“That woman, is my sister and I will not have you disrespect her.”

“What’s her being your sister got anything to do with me being with Gio?”

“She is the princess and my betrothed and you are neither,” Gio growled.

“Betrothed? Are you f*****g kidding me right now? She’s been here less than 24 hours and you are already engaged to her! You have only just met her. Besides, she’s not that pretty.” Ellie’s voice raised to a shriek. Thank f**k we paid for the house to be sound proofed a few years ago.

“We were betrothed before she was even born,” Gio’s temper was flaring.

“I think it’s time you left El,” I stated. “Oh, before you go, card please.” I held out my hand and she slapped it in there, almost slicing my palm before she stormed out of the room.

“You are going to regret this, Gio. The both of you are really f****d up if you think I am going to let this slide,” she said, slamming the door behind her.

“You didn’t want to keep your betrothal a secret, right?” He knew exactly what I meant. Now that Ellie knew, the rest of the family will know real soon. “Ok, then it’s agreed. Phase one. I will take her to the office on Monday. That way, you have time to make plans over the weekend,” he nodded. I could see that he was nervous. This was only the second time I have ever seen him like this, the first being when his father, Luciano, handed over the reigns to him. “It’s going to be fine. You have help,” I said with a smile.

“Who? Who is going to help me, Toni? You know I’ve never been any good with this sort of thing.” After he said that, the door opened and Julian and Lileth walked in.

“There’s your help. Don’t f**k it up and don’t hurt her or I will hurt you. Just be yourself. You want her to know you, just be yourself around her.” He knew I could and would do it. I have just got her back and there was no way on god’s green earth will I lose her again.