by Sienna Grant
“Hey.” I put my arm around her shoulders pulling her into my side. “You alright?” I frown. My mother is the only one who sees my softer side.
“Yeah,” an emotion filled sigh, leaving her lips.
“I know how you feel, Mum.”
She looks up at me with a frown that must match mine, furrowing into her forehead.
“She should be here doing this... they always said they’d celebrate together. Like they celebrated every birthday. I miss her so much, Stefano.” She sniffs back a sob. Holding her head against my chest, I place a kiss on the top of her head.
“So, do I, Mum. So do I.”
“Laura looks so grown up, doesn’t she?” She looks up again as I give her a tight smile and a nod. The dirty thoughts are going crazy in my mind and believe me they’re not clean. She doesn’t just look grown up; she looks fucking hot. I study her more closely, as the ripped skinny jeans she’s wearing hug her curves. The silky camisole top hangs just right from her ample tits, showing a sliver of her tanned belly.
Angelo and the rest of her brothers stand at the side of her, ready to congratulate her, as do the rest of the family. Guarding her from the big bad wolf it seems. They have some photos taken altogether, it it’s not long before her gaze finds mine and holds it steady, narrowing her eyes slightly at me.
I stand back, while everyone does their thing and let my parents go before me.
Being Italian, special occasions don’t go unannounced, especially birthdays. Everyone hands over presents and cards, hugging her. I grin looking her over again.
A figure approaching to my side catches the corner of my eye.
“She’s a real Italian beauty that one.” says my father smiling.
“She is.” A frown sets back in, as I look at him. “Once this is done, me and you need to go over a few things in your study.”
“Okay son.” He nods. “Is everything okay?” He asks calmly so he doesn’t grab my mother’s attention.
“It’s time you told me the truth, dad.” He turns to fully face me. I can see in his eyes he knows what I’m talking about.
“The O’Connor’s. Ring a bell? Or do I have to say anymore...?”
“Come into my study once this is over.” I nod and face the front again. I step away from my father and head towards Angelo and Laura.
“Can I steal her for a second?” Angelo smiles and nods at me.
“Hands where I can see them Di Marco.” I hold my hands up in front of me in defence playfully. Smiling at my best friend to distract him, while I pass on my best wishes. If only he really knew where I wanted to put my hands right now, he wouldn’t be smiling.
“Happy birthday.” With my hands on her biceps, I lean down towards her and kiss her cheek. “Here you go, this is for you.”
She turns her face up in my direction. “What is it?”
“Just a little something for the birthday girl.” I didn’t know what to get her, so I put some money in an envelope. She throws her arms around my neck in a big scene. I have no choice but to reciprocate the hug. I can feel her smile as her cheek rests against mine.
The minx.
“Thank you.” I hear the vibration of her phone in her back pocket. She pulls away from me and opens the message on her phone. Glimpsing down I see the name ‘Rhys’. With what looks like a hint of guilt in her eyes as she looks sharply, then quickly closes the screen on her phone and puts it back in her pocket. I arch a questioning brow at her …
“Just a friend. Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine. I have some business I need to attend to.” She gives me a questioning look of ‘do you have to’, “I’ll see you later. Enjoy the rest of your birthday.” Without another look I stride away and head down the hall…
“Stefano...” Her tiny voice calls after me, I turn back and see Laura walking towards me.
“I know today’s hard for you, it is for me too. If you want to talk or anything later... I’m around.”
I turn around and walk back up to her, glancing around me to make sure there’s nobody around. I smooth my thumb across her lips gently, with a smirk playing on my face.
“Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea, do you?” I tell her quietly. “I need to go.”
Fisting the lapel on my suit jacket, she pulls me gently towards her.
“I think it would be a great idea.”
Putting my lips at the shell of her ear, I breathe. “Go back to your party, birthday girl.”
Nodding at her, I head upstairs to my sisters bedroom. Turning the knob, I enter the room and feel like I’ve stepped back two years.
The walls are still the same shade of pink, her bed is made up with her pink patterned duvet cover. Her white bedside table that homes her pink lamp with her laptop, still sits there. It’s like she’s gone off to school and Mum has cleaned in here for her ready to come home and mess it up again. I glance around my surroundings, being in here feels like a hammer to the heart.
I miss her so much... It still feels like yesterday.
With my hands resting on my hips, I take in a long steadying breath and blow it out. Fixing my composure - slipping the mask back in place, I leave pulling the door closed again.
The Giordano’s only live next door. My mother decided to have the birthday get together around here. It made her feel closer to Chrissy she said, especially with it being a special birthday. I watch from the staircase as her friends begin to leave, only leaving the two families, us, and the Giordano’s.
“Son?” I turn around to Dad and nod. Angelo sees the two of us and walks over. Giving him a nod too, he follows me to my dad’s study.
He sits in his chair - I can see now why people look so shaky when look at me in my office. Lorenzo Di Marco was always so controlling, overpowering. He scared me as a boy, but as I got older; I knew I wanted to be just like him. Now, I want to be better.
We take our seats opposite him at the large dark mahogany desk.
“So, what’s this about?”
“What was going on with the O’Connor’s when Chrissy died? I want to know everything, because right now I think we’re in deep shit.”
He looks at me across the desk and sighs.
“I know you had a drugs deal going on - what I don’t know is, is it connected to Chrissy’s death? What are we about to expect? I mean when Mrs Kelly O’Connor walks into your club for no reason whatsoever, then I know I’ve got problems. You better start talking Dad, I’m not leaving until I know everything.”
His back hits the chair on a loud sigh.
“Son, I swear, I thought it was dealt with.”
“So, the hit and run?”
“I’m sorry. I did the deal with Mickey. He ripped me off, completely took me for a mug. Left me with a huge debt to pay to the dealer, so I couldn’t pay up for the gear I had from them. I’d known the O’Connor’s a long time, I went to see Shea, but he wouldn’t help me.”
“So, you made me kill Mickey.”
“You were fine, I knew you’d do it. He shouldn’t have double crossed me.”
“If what you’re saying is true, then they killed my sister by running her off the road. The O’Connor’s killed my baby sister out of revenge.”
My back teeth grind with anger. He has the gall to look pained as he relays it to me. Pained or not - my father dragged his family into this and into the middle of a war. Now they’re turning their attentions to me by the looks of things.
He stares through Angelo and I as he tells us. He raises his pained gaze back up at me, a sorrowful look in his eyes.
“I’m sorry son. I should’ve known it would never be the end.”
I stare at my Dad; I can see the weight on his shoulders that he’s been bearing all this time.
“You don’t go anywhere alone, okay? You or mum. I’ll get someone to watch the house just to be on the safe side. I’m not taking any chances, Dad. If she’s hanging around it can only be bad.” I point at him… “Mum, doesn’t go anywhere, even
shopping without a guard. Leave this to me. You don’t speak to anyone, you got me?”
After taking one last look in front at me, at the seemingly broken man, I turn around and pull open the door.
“Son?” I turn back and face him, “Thanks.” I nod
“Don’t thank me, you put me in a position I can’t back away from.”
Shutting the door, I leave the room with Angelo in tow behind me.
“No chances Ang.” I turn back to him, “Anything suspicious you let me know. I’ll kill him with my bare fucking hands. I won’t lose another member of my family.”
He nods, but I turn away from him to walk further down the hall, before bumping into my mother.
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry.” She smiles. I steady her with my hands on her arms and smile back at her.
“Mum I have to get going, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, of course, I know you’re a busy man.” She smiles up at me. Leaning down I kiss her cheek, softly. Angelo goes into the other room to say bye to his family, while I speak with my mum.
“Listen, I don’t want you going anywhere alone for a while, okay? Dad will explain, but I need you to do this for me.
“What’s happened?” Her smile dropping from her face.
“Nothing yet. I don’t have a good feeling though - can you do that for me?”
She nods cautiously, frowning. I notice Angelo leave the room and wait for me at the end of the hall.
“I have to go. See you soon. Love you Mum.”
Mum knows there’s things I won’t discuss with her, just like dad never did. She’s never really asked questions either - she knew better than that.
“Love you too, son.” I smile at her, walk away, and meet Angelo at the front door, letting him walk out first. I take a step out, but I can feel her eyes burning a hole into my back as I walk away. Looking back over my shoulder, Laura is stood in the doorway, her foot propped up against the wood of the doorframe, watching us. I turn back and look ahead and catching up with Angelo, I get into the car.
Once we reach the club, Angelo drops me at the door. I notice a black BMW driving slowly past the club, it’s black tinted windows not giving anything away. Standing my ground, I fold my arms across my chest and watch it cruise past.
“Logan?” I shout to my security detail.
“Boss?”
“Do you know whose that car is?”
“I haven’t got a clue, boss.” He shakes his head.
“Find out.” I leave the demand as it is, and head to my office. First, I order security for my parents and with Angelo being so close to me I get some for his house too. I don’t think his mother will be too happy, but I need them to work with me on this.
“Angelo, please make sure they don’t kick up a fuss about this. I won’t let someone else die because of the O’Conner’s. Anything you find out or any information you come across; I expect to be the first to know.”
“Of course.” He agrees. “They won’t get close again, Stefano. You’re not your father. I mean, I respect the shit out of your dad - but you... you’re different. You’re more focused and if I had to choose who to stand shoulder to shoulder with, it would be you every time.”
I direct a small grin at my best friend.
“What happened to him Ang? I used to be so scared of him and he knew it too. Chrissy wasn’t. She had him wrapped around her little finger.”
“Didn’t she just. She still would too, if things had been different.” I feel my brows pull in with a frown as we talk about my sister.
“I miss her.” I admit, as my head moves from side to side on a sigh. I lean across and turn on my computer screen when a thought crosses my mind. “I wonder if that’s why he passed everything over to me so soon. Maybe if I was head of the family, they’d leave him alone, but I’m the one that killed Mickey O’Connor that day... not him.
“Do you think that’s why he made you kill him?”
“Maybe. I had to do it sooner or later…”
“Stef, you were sixteen for fucks sake.” Angelo cuts me off sharply, “If you’re right then everything was his fault... Who does that?” He scowls.
“Maybe, why wait to kill Chrissy though? I don’t get any of this…”
“So, you’d think that everything was alright. Lorenzo is a sly bastard.”
My email pings making me turn my attention from Angelo to my computer screen. I read the reply about some extra protection.
“Well, that was quick.” I look across my desk at Angelo, “I need you to go and meet with the guys from security. You run them, make sure they know everything. I don’t want any fuck ups.”
“There won’t be.” He gives me a chin lift, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair and leaves the office. Leaving me to pull up some information on the Irish.
Chapter Nine
Laura
My phone pings with a message from the back pocket of my jeans. I place the empty plates I’ve collected on the side in the kitchen and pull out my phone. A message from Rhys is sitting in my inbox. Since that night I first met him at Stefano’s club, we’ve been friends. We’ve hung out and stuff, but he never tries anything more. We’re just friends, which I’m glad of.
I work in my parents restaurant part-time, well I say parents, my dad died when I was younger - a massive heart attack. Stress apparently, so it’s been me, mum, and my brothers for a while now. I work here between going to college, working towards getting a business degree. I’m in my first year at the moment, then after two years of college, I have three years of Uni to get through. If I get that far. I’m starting to think it’s way too much effort.
Mum made me start working at the restaurant from the age of fourteen, just to get used to working and being responsible. I often feel older than my eighteen years, but that was from the way we were brought up. My brothers were useless, mum worked, so it was up to me.
I want to take over this restaurant when I’m able, so my business degree will help. Mum has a manager in right now - my brothers never wanted it. They have their own business and shit to contend with. Angelo; he runs the club for Stefano. The youngest of my four brothers, Nico, is nineteen - there’s ten months between us. He’s away at Uni studying to be a doctor, which leaves the other two; they saw what it did to Dad on a daily basis. They swear it was the restaurant that killed him off. They didn’t want to be stressed like he was, so it’s on my shoulders to keep it running. Mum isn’t getting any younger, she should be able to retire and enjoy life, without worrying about the business.
I remember suddenly I had a message from Rhys and open it up:
You doing anything?
Quickly I reply in between collecting dishes.
Can’t talk I’m at work and it’s busy. I get off at 6 if that’s any use.
I slide my phone back into my pocket, go back out and fetch more empty plates. Dinnertime is probably our busiest time, as we do a lot of homemade specials. My mum is the best cook and her lasagne is to die for.
“Laura. Table six please.” She slides the plates across the work surface and places them on the serving hatch. Then pushing through the double doors of the kitchen, I take the them to the customers, smile, and put them down.
“Enjoy your meal.”
The door opens to the restaurant, I look around to see two very familiar men walk in... Suited and booted, looking sexy as sin - well one is sexy, but I’m not actually talking to him. I saw him go off with that woman, I don’t have any hold on him so what can I do… All I know is, it hurt to watch. I also saw her leave and the altercations that were taking place, I’d love to know what went on.
I walk towards the door and greet them both with a smile.
“Grab us a table squirt.” Angelo asks.
“Don’t call me that, idiot. There’s one in the corner, would that be okay for Sir’s?” I ask in a sarcastic tone.
“Lead the way.” Stefano’s deep voice reaches me, along with his smug smile as I look at him. Stretching his
arm out in front of him, he waits for me to lead. Giving him a side glance, I roll my eyes and walk off in front. I haven’t seen him at all since my birthday. I couldn’t even be offish with him then, because it was at his house and everyone was around for my birthday. I had to make myself be nice to him, with the day it was, I had to forget everything. It was hard enough as it was. I knew he was heading up to her bedroom, I felt so sorry for him, but I’d never tell him that.
I had to forget my problems for an hour or so, or there would’ve been questions asked. Mum doesn’t drop anything until you tell her everything. I can’t tell her how I really feel.
“Can I get you any drinks?”
“Bottle of your best Merlot please, Laura.” His voice is smooth, confident, and commanding. Before I can let it get to me anymore, I walk away, telling them I’ll be just a minute. Few customers drink this - it’s more expensive and Mum only really stocks it for Stefano, so I head down to the cellar.
Closing the door to the wine cellar, I walk upstairs and back into the kitchen to Mum, to tell her who’s here.
“Angelo and Stef are here, Mum.”
The wide smile tells me how happy she really is. She puts the spoon down that she’s been stirring the Bolognese sauce with and heads out to the front. I can hear her from in here, when she finds them. Her loud Italian accent drowning out the other guests.
“Oh, my boys.”
With another roll of my eyes, I grab the corkscrew and bottle of red wine and make my way back out to the restaurant. She’s always called Stefano one of her boys when he was growing up. Especially since we were all so close and he was Angelo’s best friend.
If mum had any more boys, they’d have had the starting eleven of a football team. That’s way too much testosterone in one place. As I look out of the kitchen, Mum is hugging Stefano saying she doesn’t see him enough and cussing Angelo for not telling her he was coming, getting all emotional.
Once I reach their table again, I open the wine and pour some into their glasses. I wait for mum to leave so I can take their order.