For Toni everything was going beyond well she was happier than she’d ever been in her life. She and Daniele were planning a future together and she had nothing but high hopes for their relationship. In just a few days she’ll be celebrating her twenty-third birthday her life was now everything she’d always hoped it would be.
It was the night of her birthday party that she was forced to face the cold reality that no one was safe from the horrors of this twisted world. Toni had just finished dressing in the new outfit that London had designed for her. She was alone in the guest house when she heard the front door open, thinking that it was Daniele or one of her sisters coming to check on her she didn’t give it a second thought.
After slipping on her shoes she headed for the bedroom door when she pulled it open she got the shock of her life when she come face to face with her stepfather. He stood there wearing a smug smirk on his demonic face.
“Well, well my little girl has grown into a very sexy woman, aren’t you going to give your old man a kiss.” He asked in an evil tone as his vial breath fanned across her face.
“Oh I’ll give you a kiss alright you sick bastard, how in the hell did you find me?” She yelled.
He laughed wickedly. “It certainly wasn’t easy that’s for sure that good for nothing brother of mine was supposed to find you for me, but he seems to have disappeared.”
It was Toni who laughed this time. “Really maybe you should file a missing persons report.”
“I’m not worried he’ll turn up eventually.” He said as he moved towards her.
“I seriously doubt that.” She murmured as she took a tiny step back. He noticed that unlike in the past when he’d advance towards her she’d panic and try to run. This time she stood her ground taking only a tiny step back to adjust her stance as if she was poised to fight.
When he reached towards her she slapped his hand away with a strong amount of force shocking him a great deal.
“So little one you’ve learned to fight back huh, this is going to be fun.” He said wide eyed and in an evil tone.
“Not for you it isn’t because I’m about to whip yo ass you son of a dog.” Toni said as she cracked her knuckles and rolled her shoulders.
He threw his head back and laughed ruthlessly. “Do you actually think I’ll stand her and let you whip my ass? I know you remember what I did to you the last time before that psycho woman interfered.”
“Yeah and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that happen this time you filthy-piece-of-scum.” She yelled.
“And just who in the hell is going to stop me, little girl, you?” He taunted wickedly as he again moved towards her.
“She doesn’t have to worry about stopping your sorry ass but I damn sure will you pathetic piece of crap.” Daniele said from the doorway as he slowly entered the room moving over to stand beside Toni.
“Who in the hell are you supposed to be punk?” Her stepfather yelled.
“I’m the man that’s going to marry this amazing woman and I’ll be damned if I’ll let the likes of you every lay a finger on her again.” Daniele said through clenched teeth.
“I see you’ve have a taste of little Toni now you want to keep her to yourself.” The man said nastily.
Rage surge through Daniele and before the man knew what was happening he was being kicked in the face and falling to the floor.
“Toni go get the family while have a talk with your stepfather.” Daniele said never taking his eyes off the man lying on the floor in front of him.
“No Daniele I’m not leaving you here with him.” Toni said franticly.
He glanced at Toni and saw that she was worried about him. He reached out and pulled her closer then kissed her on the forehead.
“Don’t worry prezioso I’ll be fine now I need you to go get the rest of the family.” He said gently pushing her towards the door.
“I’m going but I’ll return shortly promise me you’ll be careful sweetheart.” Toni said.
“I promise I’ll be careful il mio amore.” He said motioning for her to go.
Once Toni had left the room Daniele bent over to help the man up grabbing him roughly by the collar. When the man was on his feet Daniele released his hold on him and watched as he stumbled backwards a bit.
“What the hell? Are you freaking crazy you punk?” The man yelled still disoriented.
“I’m about to show you just how crazy I am, so you like abusing young girls huh. Well asshole let’s see how well you do against a real man.” Daniele said angrily as he imagined all the things he wanted to do to this scum.
“You caught me off guard with that kick to the face but I’m ready for you now punk.” The man said as he raised his fists in front of him as if he was ready to fight.
Daniele laughed humorlessly. “I’ve been waiting for this a long time you old fart. I’m going to beat you until I’m satisfied and I can tell you right now I won’t be satisfied until you stop breathing.”
“Boy just because you’re big as a tree doesn’t mean that you’re bad enough to take me out.” The man hollered.
Daniele didn’t give the man a chance to say another word as he pivoted to the right and delivered a roundhouse kick at only half force causing the man to stumble sideways. The man shook his head and come towards Daniele throwing a punch that never reached its target. Daniele had much longer arms and much better accuracy when he threw a punch it land on its target every time.
Even after the man dropped to his knees Daniele was there beating him with the force of a jackhammer. By the time Toni returned with the rest of the family her stepfather was already unrecognizable with both eyes swollen shut his nose had been broken so badly that bone fragments had pierced the skin around the area. The man’s lips were split in several places and blood was pouring from his disheveled face like water from a faucet.
It took both Gio and Luc to stop Daniele from killing the man right there in the guesthouse.
“Damn boy you could have saved some for the rest of us, you know we wanted to help kick his ass.” Indy said in amusement.
Toni ran over and threw her arms around Daniele’s waist. “Sweetheart are you alright? You won’t go to jail for this will you? I can’t lose you, I won’t lose you.” She said as tears rolled down her face.
“Girl, have you learned nothing by now? He’s not going to jail because nothing happened your stepfather was never here you understand?” Indy said calmly.
Toni nodded her head indicating that she understood.
“Good now you go take Daniele to mom and dad’s house and ya’ll stay there we’ll take care of this mess.” Pierce said.
After Toni helped Daniele get cleaned up they sat on the bed in one of the spare bedrooms. Daniele glanced at Toni and smiled slightly.
“Are you alright prezioso, he didn’t hurt you before I got there did he?” Daniele asked with concern.
“No darling, he didn’t hurt me but I was really worried about you.” She said with tears in her eyes.
He reached over and pulled her in his arms then kissed her gently at the temple. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to worry you, but everything is going to be okay I promise.”
“I know because you never break a promise and I know what you did tonight was for me and I thank you for it. I love you so much Daniele. I never thought I’d fall in love but thanks to you I’ve found Love’s precious surprise.” She whispered happily.
“And you are il mio amore prezioso from now until the end of time. I love you.” He said lowering his head to kiss her before making love to her passionately.
Five month later
Today we celebrate the wedding of Daniele Fabrizio and Antonia Landry as they embark on their long awaited journey. Join us as we wish them joy, passion and all the happiness in the world.
They truly are an example of Love’s precious surprise!
Congratulations to the Landry’s and the Fabrizio’s for making us believe in Love again!
I truly hope you’ve en
joyed this series and I look forward to bring you my next dysfunctional but lovable family.
Shelli Quinn
Love's Precious Surprise (The women of Landry's Landing and the Fabrizio men) Page 8