La Cosa Nostra, This Thing of Ours

by Amie Nichols

  "My pleasure, Petal, I just love seeing you so happy." I rub the tip of my nose up against hers. "I can't wait until you're my wife for real, but that's not going to stop me from doing what I'm about to do to you." I lean down, and throw her over my shoulder.

  "Oh really," she yells, high pitched, laughing as I throw her on the bed. "What are you going to do to me?" She giggles, rolling over as I crawl on the bed. I grab her by the waist, pulling her back to me. I flip her over so she is on her back again. This time I pin her down, sitting astride her waist and start to tickle her ribs. She's laughing so hard now she's crying.

  "Uncle, uncle," she cries between her gasps for breath. "You're lucky I'm tired, or I'd be kicking your ass right now," she says when she catches her breath.

  "Whatever you say, Petal." I let out a low laugh before I lean down and take her lips. "You taste so sweet." I grin, my lips still on hers, I run my tongue along her bottom lip before slipping it in her mouth.

  We spend the whole day in bed ordering room service, making love, and napping. Sitting on the veranda in one of the lounge chairs, Harper curled up next to me, we are watching the sunset when I see a flash. Stretching my head to see over the railing, I stand immediately when I see the man just feet away on the beach with a camera pointed at us. A couple more quick snaps of his camera, he turns and starts walking away. Slowly, like he doesn't give a crap he was just caught taking pictures of us.

  "Harper, get inside." I'm panicked, as she stumbles to her feet. I rush her inside, slamming the French doors and pulling the curtains.

  "Who was that?" She's wide-eyed, staring at me for answers.

  "Fuck, I don't know. Son of bitch, I knew this was a bad idea." I sit on the bed and run my fingers through my hair with frustration.

  "Now wait, we don't know. It could be some pervert, or he could have been taking pictures of something else…" She stops, and I can tell she is making light of it, but I do hear worry in her voice.

  "First thing in the morning we are switching towns, we're going north, away from Vallo della Lucania. I don't want to take any chances." She doesn't argue, but nods in agreement, which tells me she is worried also. "I'm sure you're right. I'm sure it was some stupid pervert. There's no need to worry, Petal." I pull her to me, kissing the top of her head. The last thing I want is for her to be worked up.

  "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made us come here," she says lightly. "I thought it was exciting, but now we are here, it's a little scary. I just keep thinking about what I've read and what these people do. It didn't seem real before, but now it does."

  "Hey look, I'm sure it's fine. Tomorrow we will leave for Rome, take in some sights, and then go home. We are just newlyweds on our honeymoon, right?" I pull her back to see her face.

  "Right," she smiles.

  Chapter 33

  "Harper, no!" I scream as loud as I can, but no sound comes out. The men have no faces, and I can't move no matter how hard I try. They're holding her down, ripping at her clothes. She is crying out my name to save her, but something is holding me back.

  I shoot straight up in bed, my heart pounding, drenched in sweat, when I look over in the bed to see Harper sound asleep next to me. Fuck, it was a dream, a horrible fucking dream. I sit there trying to shake the images from my mind; the terrifying images of my girl being raped by faceless men.

  "Baby?" I hear her sweet sleepy voice. "What's wrong?" She sits up, touching my back. "You're burning up, are you sick?" she asks, sitting up on her knees to face me.

  "I'm okay, just a bad dream." I force a smile for her.

  "Do you want to tell me about it?" Fuck no! I never want to say aloud what I saw in my head. I want it to go away.

  "No, I don't even really remember it." I bring my hand up to her face. "Go back to sleep, Petal. I'm going to take a cool shower and I'll be back in a jiff." I smile again, getting out of bed. She watches me go into the bathroom and I see her lie back down before I shut the door halfway.

  We are packed and checking out the next morning when I notice a man in the lobby paying special attention to us. I don't know if I am just extremely paranoid or not, but I get a very uneasy feeling as he gets up when we are about to walk out the door. Hurrying Harper, my hand on her back, I rush her to our waiting car.

  "Leaving so soon?" I hear a thick Italian accent behind us. Both of us turn around to see he is now accompanied by two other very large, muscular men dressed in black. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I turn back around and open Harper's door, but before she can get in, a fourth man steps in front of the door.

  "What's going on, fellas?" I say as calmly as I can.

  "We need you to come with us," the man from the lobby says. Harper wraps her arms around me, as the men come closer. Holding her to me as protectively as I can, I feel like I could vomit.

  "Why would we do that?" I snap, backing us up away from them.

  "You can come willingly or we can do it the hard way."

  "What is this about?" I can't believe I was so stupid, I can't believe that we came here.

  "I think you know, Mr. Tarseta," the man says. I hear Harper gasp next to me her face buried in my chest.

  "This is about me, not her. Leave her here. She has nothing to do with this. I will come with you, just please leave her alone," I plead with the men.

  "Sorry, but she's coming too. This way, let's not make a scene now," he orders. Two in front of us, two behind us, we walk toward a black SUV with black tinted windows. So much runs through my mind, how can we get out of this, how can I get Harper out of this? We are escorted into the back of the SUV, Harper stuck to my side like glue.

  "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," she whispers over and over into my chest.

  "Shhh, it will be okay." I kiss the top of her head trying to stay calm for her. God, let this be another nightmare, please God, let this not be happening.

  We drive for an hour, the only sounds in the car are Harper's soft crying, the sound muffled since she has her face buried into my chest. She is trembling in my arms, and I can do nothing. Why did I let her talk me into this? She was just so happy at the thought of coming to Italy. I was so happy to have her back I would've done anything she asked. How did they know we were here so fast?

  We pull into what I recognize as the Esposito Compound when it hits me. Harper mentioned the list of crimes, most recently cybercrimes. Giovanni must have a room full of web experts who know when someone Googles his name. Goddammit!

  The compound is like a small town, completely surrounded by a ten-foot-tall stone wall. Men in turrets are placed about every hundred feet. The actual house is as big as a castle. It looks like something from a fairytale. Flowers line sidewalks, everything pristinely landscaped to perfection. If I wasn't scared shitless right now, I would be in awe.

  We are escorted into a dark hallway and placed in a massive room with dark leather furniture and a large, bulky, wooden desk.

  "Come with me, young lady." One of the men grab for Harper's arm.

  "Get your fucking hands off her." I slap the man's hand away with my free arm. The other arm still wrapped around her firmly.

  "Again, the easy way or the hard way, I am just taking her over there," the man says, rubbing is hand. Mine's stinging from the contact so I'm sure his hand has to be hurting. He points to the couch on the other side of the room.

  "She's fine where she is," I growl. Harper is trembling so hard in my arms, I know by the look in the guy's eyes that she will be leaving my arms soon. Another man steps behind him and I kiss the top of her head. I don't want them manhandling her, so I slowly peel her away from my body. She is crying harder now as she tries to hold on.

  "Petal, it's okay, they are just going to have you sit on the couch," I whisper to her, and she looks up at me. Her cheeks stained with tears, she looks so terrified. I'm so sorry, God please let her get out of this unharmed. The man goes to take her arm and she yanks from his grip, walking on her own to the couch. Please, Petal, please just do what they say.

  "You, h
ave a seat," the same man says, pointing to the chair in front of the desk. I do, without question. I look over at Harper who is visibly shaking, the man is sitting beside her and she is as close as she can get to the arm of the couch without being on it. I get her eyes, and not knowing what else to do I give her a wink. Surprisingly, she winks back at me telling me she's all right, scared out of her mind, but all right. Everything is silent as we wait for who knows what.

  Chapter 34

  An hour later we are still sitting, Harper has stopped shaking at least, but she still has a lot of fear in her eyes.

  "What the hell are we doing here?" I finally say to the group of men standing around the room in various positions. All are wearing suits, but I can see a few have guns holstered under their jackets.

  "Well, Mr. Tarseta, you are here because I wanted to talk to you." In walks an older man, I'd say a few years older than my father, balding and heavy. Even though he looks different than the picture that we saw, I know this is Giovanni Esposito. I see Harper sit up straighter out of the corner of my eye. Relax, Petal, just be invisible please.

  "Mr. Esposito, what can I do for you?" I ask calmly and as politely as I can manage even though I want to smash this man's face in.

  "Since we know who each other is, we can get straight to the point." He sits in his large leather chair on the other side of the desk. "What I want to know is why a Tarseta and his little girlfriend are looking into my family." He points to me and then looks over at Harper. "Oh my, you are a beautiful little thing." He blows her a sickening kiss that makes my stomach turn.

  "Go fuck yourself," she snaps at him. Although I'm proud of my girl, the last thing I want her doing is pissing off the man who controls the men with the guns.

  "Feisty one you got there. I would normally smack a woman around for talking to me like that, but I don't want to bruise you up. I want you looking pretty for later. Puttana, you and I are going to have some fun." His slimy grin makes my whole body twitch with anger.

  "You lay one hand on her and I will kill you if it is the last thing I do." I go to get up as I deliver my warning through gritted teeth. Halfway up, I am pushed back down by one of his goons.

  "That will just make it that much better." He is goading me, and it's working.

  "What the fuck do you want?" I shout. My fists clenched so hard my fingernails are cutting into my skin.

  "I already asked you that, why were you researching me?" he says, his attention now back to me.

  "We were researching our trip," I growl at him. With a wave of his hand, two of his men are tying my hands behind my back. I fight, but it is no use. Before I even see it coming, one of them punches me square in the jaw and I instantly taste blood in my mouth as my face whips to the side from the impact. I hear Harper yell my name. Through blurry vision, I see her trying to get up, but is immediately held down by the goon next to her.

  "Let's try this again. Why are you using fake names?"

  "For exactly this reason." I spit blood out of my mouth onto the floor.

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "I know that the Tarsetas and the Espositos don't have a good history. Thought it would be smart not to draw attention to us," I snarl, seeing the thug still has his dirty mitts on Harper's arm while she is struggling to get it free.

  "Now that you're telling the truth, why were you researching me?" he asks again, his hands flat on the desk, staring at me.

  "I didn't know it was against the law to Google your name." Bam, another punch, only this time to the gut and hard.

  "Fucking stop it!" Harper screams. "Liam, baby," she cries out.

  "What do you want me to say?" I cough, catching my breath from the blow.

  "I want you to tell me why you were researching me, and then three days later you booked a flight." Giovanni stands up and comes around the desk leaning up against the edge.

  "Curious," I mumble, not sure if telling the truth would be better or worse at this point. Slam! Right hook to my eye, I instantly feel the blood dripping and the swelling begin. I look up at the monster standing in front of me. He is out of focus while my head sways from the impact.

  A grimy, dirty smile creeps up on his lips as he stares down at me. He stands straight and walks over to the couch, sitting on the arm right next to Harper. She squirms away from the hand that is now holding the nape of her neck tight. He jerks her head straight so she is looking right at me.

  "Get your slimy hands off her!" I roar as loud as I can. I feel tears pricking my eyes, but fight them back.

  "Maybe you'll talk now." Still one hand on the nape of her neck, he forces her up, bringing her in front of me and stops so she is just within touching distance.

  "She's a very pretty girl." He runs one finger down her cheek and she jerks away from his touch. He has such a tight hold on her neck that her head is yanked right back.

  "She has nothing to do with this, leave her alone." I stare up at my girl, my eye already swollen shut. I fight against the restraints that have my hands tied down.

  "Oh, I like tiny little American girls. I bet you have a nice, tight pussy don't you?" His hand travels down her shirt, over her breasts, to the crotch of her jeans. He rubs her there while bringing his face to hers and licks her cheek.

  "Please, no," she whimpers, her whole body shaking with fear.

  "I'll tell you!" I shout. "Let her go."

  "I don't know, she is sweet, I think I still want this." His hand still rubbing between her legs, she fights to get away from him, but he is too strong.

  "I'll fucking tell you, goddammit," I yell again. I would kick, but would hit Harper.

  "I bet you have sweet, perky, young tits, too." He moves his hand up her shirt, she pushes on his hands to get them away, but she's too weak to fight him.

  "I. Will. Kill. You," I spit, snarling at the monster with his hands now under her shirt.

  "Giovanni!" The door slams open and in walks a woman in her late fifties with jet black hair, wearing a designer pant suit, and high heels. She is accompanied by many men standing behind her. I recognize her instantly. It's my mother.

  "Teresa, this does not concern you." Giovanni pushes Harper, letting her go. She starts to untie my hands, while everyone is busy with the intrusion.

  As soon as she has one hand untied, I grab her and bring her to me, holding her tight against me as she works on the other hand. I am freed in seconds and I grab Harper, looking for a way out. There isn't one. One way in, one way out. I hold her to me and back away toward the wall.

  "Oh, but it does. You are torturing my son," she blurts out, settling her eyes on me.

  "You're so fucking dead," Giovanni yells at his wife. He motions for his gang of goons, but none of them move. "What the fuck are you waiting for, take her out of here!" he yells, looking around.

  "You're no longer in control, Giovanni. You see, I knew this day would come eventually. I have been planning and preparing for it for thirty years. You are no longer head of this family," Teresa says with a giant smile on her face.

  "What have you done, bitch?" Giovanni yells as his men surround him.

  "Let's get out of here, baby." Harper puts her hand gently on my face, pleading with me with her eyes.

  "There's only one door." I pull her face to my chest. I'm not sure what else is going to happen here, but I don't want her to see it.

  "I've made friends, Gio, powerful friends, and who I couldn't persuade, I paid." She walks in the room farther. "Let me tell you, I have waited a long time for this. In fact, thanks to you Liam, I was able to get the rest of the money to pay off the last few influential family members." She turns her attention back to me again. I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. Harper turns to look at her, too, then back to me. I just shrug. I have no idea what she is talking about.

  "That little tart you were dating, Chelsea. I saw you in that national tabloid, baby boy." Her eyes get soft as she walks my way. "You're just as handsome as I dreamt you would be." She stops just
in front of us. "I'm sorry, dear, that you had to be a part of this." She turns her attention to Harper, her hand going to her shoulder. "You are beautiful, and I can see the love you have for my son."

  I'm still too stunned to speak. My mouth is open, but I can't seem to make anything come out. My mother is standing before me, telling me she had something to do with the Chelsea fiasco.

  "Chelsea?" I finally form a word.

  "Yes, I contacted her. Told her enough information and told her what to do with it. I knew your father would pay to keep our secret safe."

  "You blackmailed my father?" I can't believe what I am hearing.

  "I'm going to pay him back." She laughs. "I'm sure when he finds out what I used the money for he will be more than happy about it."

  I can't deny that, when my father explained the story to me it was more than evident that he loathed Giovanni.

  "I'm about to do some stuff that I don't want you to witness. These men will take you to the helicopter. You'll go to Rome and from there a private jet will take you home. I want you out of Italy, in case of backlash," she explains with authority, like she has been doing this for years. She brings her hand up to my face, gently laying it on my bruised cheek. Her touch is cool and it feels good.

  "I've done a lot of things I am not proud of, Son, but what I did for you I would never change." I see her eyes well up with tears, as if she is saying goodbye for good. "Just know that there hasn't been a day that has gone by that I have not thought of you. I love you, Son."

  "Come with us, Momma." I feel like I am a child again, I just found her and now have the worst feeling I am going to lose her forever.

  "I wish I could, baby boy, I wish I could. Now go, please. Get back to the states so I know you are safe." She stretches her neck up to kiss my cheek before standing aside. A herd of men start escorting us out of the compound with one last look back, I see a tear roll down her cheek.