Dynasty: A Mafia Collection

by Jen Davis

  Two Mississippi.

  Three Mississippi.

  Four Mississippi.

  “Fine. Let’s kick some testosterone ass.”

  ***

  Dad and the rest of the guys come to dinner late, talking lowly among themselves. My eyebrows pull in. Is that why Dad hadn’t picked me up today? Is something wrong?

  I glance at Aunt Raven, who is glancing at Aunt Chloe and my mom. All three had gone out to talk after we got home. They all look nervous as they watch the three men come to the table.

  I look at Kennedy, his attention latched on to a toy car that he is zooming around the table. He runs around, pretending he is riding it. “Incoming! Incoming!”

  What his mom is just about to announce is going to change his life. I cross my fingers under the table, hoping and praying that my aunt and uncle will work this out and there will be no divorce. And if there is, that I would be able to see both of them still and that we could still be a family. I also hope Kennedy won’t get hurt.

  Beth looks up at me, her eyebrows pulling in. She whispers, “Kitty, is something wrong?”

  I shake my head and grip her hand. “Don’t worry about it, Beth.”

  She smiles, trusting my words and turns back to Evon to talk to her. I get up quickly from the table and run to the kitchen. Nana is in the kitchen, setting up the dessert. She glances at me, her eyes soft and sad.

  “Amore, are you okay?”

  I nod once, twice. “Do you know…about Aunt Raven?”

  Her sigh is long. “She doesn’t know what she’s doing. But,” she gives me a gentle smile, “you needn’t worry. She has me, and Chloe, and Jess. Now go before they start dinner.”

  I nod, smiling nervously and walk back into the living room.

  I can see everyone embracing, the tension high in the women and the men oblivious.

  Dad kisses the women on the cheek and hugs Aunt Raven, who we all haven’t seen the past week. He ruffles Beth’s and Evon’s hair which makes them giggle, pushing him away. “Uncle! Mommy just did our hair!”

  “Well, I promise you, it looks just as good.” Smiling down, he picks up Kennedy who is currently crawling on the floor pretending to be either a dog or a dinosaur…I have no idea. “What is up, little man?”

  Kennedy’s laughter fills the room, and Dad finally sets him down on the ground. Giving Mom a kiss on the lips, he sits in his seat at the head of the table.

  I sit down after everyone else has, taking my place between Aunt Chloe and Beth. Dad glances at me and smiles. “You’re not going to give your dad a kiss, si?”

  I pretend to scowl and whine, “Why do I have to get up? Why can’t you?”

  Everyone chuckles, although I can still feel the nervous energy between the women. Dad winks. “I am an old man. I have a bad back.”

  I roll my eyes. “Right.”

  But I still get up, smiling and give him a hug. He kisses me on my forehead. When I sit back down, there is silence.

  Now the men seem to be noticing something is wrong, because usually all the women are bubbly and filling the room with laughter. Dad looks at Mom, his gaze dark and questioning. She looks away, playing with the napkin on her lap.

  I clear my throat. “Well, can we pray and dive into the food? I’m starving.”

  Kennedy slams on the table with his fists, bouncing on his mom’s lap. “Food! Food! Food!” I smile. He is precious.

  Uncle Smoke grins at him. “A son after my own heart,” he says and everyone laughs.

  Mom takes Dad’s hand and Aunt Chloe’s. Everyone holds hands and closes their eyes as she starts grace.

  “God, thank you for a blessed day and for the food on our table. Give us strength and patience to get through our lives. Amen.”

  More like, give us strength and patience to get through this dinner.

  I have no idea when Aunt Raven is going to make her announcement, but I’m sure nothing is going to be left standing once she does.

  The dinner is mostly quiet as everyone eats. There isn’t a lot of discussion. After we have finished the main course, Uncle Ken speaks up, his voice deep and slow.

  “Is there something that I’m missing today?” He looks at all of us. “Is something wrong?”

  Uncle Smoke looks at his wife. I can see something pass between them, a communication that is only possible with two people who know each other in every aspect. His face clouds over.

  Aunt Raven stands up slowly, setting Kennedy on her seat. “Yes, I have an announcement to make.” Although there is no way she isn’t nervous, I can see no tell-tale signs on her. She looks confident, self-assured, and determined. Nothing is going to stand in her way.

  Mom stands up and gave us soft smiles. “Okay, everyone off to bed!”

  Beth and Evon look at each other and then at me. “Wait, here Auntie?”

  She smiles. “Yup. We’re having a big sleepover.”

  Their eyes go wide and suddenly spin around to face me. “Can we go to your room, Kitty? Please, please, please, pretty pretty—”

  I try to laugh, but it is stuck in my throat. I can’t even manage that. Not when I know what is about to happen. The bomb that is about to drop. “Of course, yeah. It’ll be one big slumber party. Go brush your teeth and take Kennedy with you.”

  They jump up and down, their black wavy curls bouncing with them. “Yay, yay, yay!” After giving all the adults goodnight hugs, they run over to Kennedy and Evon scoops him up. “Let’s zoom into the bathroom, amore!”

  Quickly, all three of them run up the grand staircase upstairs. I look at Mom and whisper, “Can I stay?”

  Her eyes darken and she shakes her head. “No, I’m sorry, Kitty.”

  “What? Why? I’m old enough!”

  I can see something flash across her face. “Not for this one, baby.” She hugs me and kisses me on the forehead.

  She can see that I am going to start arguing again because she shakes her head and firmly says, “To bed.” She points at the stairs. “Now.”

  Nana comes from the corner, her apron still on. A look passes between her and Mom as she takes a seat at the table. Mom looks scared as she sits down. Nana takes her hand under the table and squeezes it as if calming her.

  I don’t say goodbye to anyone as I storm up the stairs. It isn’t fair. I am seventeen and I couldn’t even stay for conversations like this? I’m not a little kid!

  I fume all the way up to my room, muttering to myself, “I am not a little kid, I am an adult. Okay, maybe not an adult, but a teenager. They can’t just keep doing this, they can’t just keep leaving me out and refusing to tell me things.”

  And suddenly, my eyes light up as an idea comes to my head.

  There is a secret passage that leads from my room to an exit in the back of the kitchen. Mom and Dad had told me to use only when it is necessary or if I am in danger.

  I would say this is important.

  Quickly, I usher all the kids to my queen-sized bed, tucking them in. They have brushed their teeth in record time, and they are already restless with the excitement of being in my room. I rarely let them in because they mess up everything.

  The last time I had, Evon had spilled nail polish all over the bed and Kennedy had colored the walls a grimy green. But that is the last thing on my mind now.

  I look through my closet and throw the girls two long t-shirts to change into. “I’ll be back soon, okay, guys? Try to go to sleep. And when I come back, I’ll bring some ice cream for everyone.”

  I wink as the twins giggle in excitement. They are lactose intolerant which means Nana never gives them anything with milk or dairy, like ice-cream. There are lactose-free versions, but I tasted it once and know that it is nothing like the rest. Technically they can handle regular ice cream to a certain extent but Nana refuses to take the chance.

  But that’s why they have their cool cousin.

  Kennedy tugs on my sleeve, his teddy bear tucked into his side. He was already wearing his pajamas when he came for dinner.
“Kit Kat?”

  I give him a soft smile. “Yeah?”

  His brown eyes are wide. “Will Mommy and Daddy come up to read me a bed night story?”

  My heart jumps to my throat. I force myself to smile, kissing him on top of his head. “Of course, Kennedy. And you know what?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’ll bring you cookies from Nana’s jar.”

  His eyes light up. “Really?”

  I nod. “Yup!”

  After quietly telling them goodnight, I turn off the lights and pretend to walk out the door. In reality, I just slip into my closet. Softly, I open the small door and quietly close it behind me. I rush down the dark stairs and come out the other side, into a room in the kitchen.

  I can’t see the living room but I can hear the voices.

  Aunt Raven is saying, “I can’t do this anymore, Smoke. I can’t. I’m leaving.”

  I can hear chairs screeching, and I take the chance to dart out of the small closeted room and into the open kitchen. Thankfully, there is a door with slits between the living room and the kitchen. Sliding up next to it, I watch the situation unfold.

  Uncle Smoke is the one that has gotten up. His face looks devastated, shocked, and angry. He watches his wife from the other side of the table. “You can’t do what? Leaving where? What happened?”

  She shakes her head, her hands in folded in front of her. “We’re not on the same page anymore.” She laughs, but there is no humor. “I don’t even know if we’re in the same book.”

  He looks at her like he doesn’t know her. “Where is this coming from? You have never said anything—”

  She growls. “I have. I try. All the time. But you never have time, or you’re too busy with your things.” She looks at Dad and Uncle Ken when she says this.

  What things?

  Chapter 30

  Caterina

  Uncle Smoke walks toward her, his steps like a lion prowling to his prey. “Bull. Fucking. Shit. You know how to make me listen if you want to, Raven. This is fucking bullshit.”

  Aunt Raven tries to step away from him but he reaches out quickly and holds her arms. He sounds and looks angry, nothing like the light-hearted man everyone knows him to be. “Do not fucking lie to me, Raven.” I can see the grip on her arm is tight as I see her wince.

  I flinch, my fingernails digging into my palm. He is hurting her. Why is he hurting her?

  She growls suddenly. “Get your fucking hands off me.”

  Mom stands up from her table, calmly. “Smoke, I believe she doesn’t want you touching her.”

  Uncle Smoke, who usually has all the respect for Mom, simply turns to my Dad like he should be controlling her.

  Dad grips Mom’s arm and pulls her down. “This is not any of our—”

  Anger flashes across her face dangerously. “Excuse me? This isn’t our business? That’s my friend right there, and if she doesn’t want him touching her, then he better not be touching her!”

  I grin grimly. I wish I could be out there defending my aunt too, but Mom is doing a pretty good job already.

  Aunt Chloe stands up, shoulder to shoulder with Mom. Uncle Ken’s eyes flash at her.

  “Chloe…”

  His voice was low and dangerous. Although he is always the quietest of everyone, he never talks or looks at his wife like that. They are like a Disney fairy tale and I always have a feeling he is the king who feels like he doesn’t deserve his queen. Whenever she smiles or laughs or he watches her play with Beth and Evon, I catch him watching her with a face that is both filled with love and pain, like he can’t imagine in a world where she isn’t alive.

  But now, something flashes in his eyes and he looks at her like he wants to drag her away so she doesn’t say or do anything else.

  His wife looks down at him, her shoulders straight and confident. “That’s my friend, Ken.” She refuses to back down.

  Only Nana sits, watching everything without saying anything.

  Uncle Smoke still doesn’t let Raven go. His eyes bore into hers, ignoring everyone in the room. His voice is dangerously soft. “Do you actually want to do this, love?”

  He must have found something that shocked him there because he lets her go, as if her skin has burned him. He looks away, and my heart clenches.

  I hurt for him, a lot. I can see that she is breaking his heart, right there. I don’t know why or how she can do this. Because when I watch her, I can see she is breaking her heart too.

  She still loves him.

  So why is she doing this? What is she trying to get away from?

  Can someone stand immobile while they break the person they love?

  He says one word, one word that is filled with more emotion and hurt than I have ever heard from him, or from anyone. “Why?”

  She doesn’t answer, although I can see a flinch. It lasts barely a second.

  He pushes, his voice full of emotion and pain. “Why, Rave?”

  Uncle Smoke never talks or acts like this. He is the one everyone relies on to make the jokes, to make us all laugh, to find the sexual innuendos and dirty jokes. He steals kisses from his wife and loves his son to death. That is my uncle.

  He is never like this.

  I can see my aunt’s confidence breaking. But she quickly straightens, her face smooth of emotion. “You want more children, Smoke. I’m satisfied with one.”

  His eyes widen and I can see hope shining in them. “Is that it? Is it just children?” He runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t give a fuck, Rave. I just—don’t make me lose you. Ti amo, mi amore, per favore. You, I want you, Raven. I don’t give a fuck about—”

  She inhales sharply and I can see her hand shake. “But you do care. And one day you’ll—”

  “I’ll what? Leave you?” He looks at her like she is insane. Like it is the most absurd thing she has ever said.

  “You want kids to leave a legacy with.” She glances at everyone at the table. “All the men in this family do. That’s what we’re here for.” She looks at her husband. “We’re the women who are here at the pleasure of the men. We give you children to run around the house, children that we raise and that are going to turn out like you, children that…”

  When she describes it like that, it is horrible. Like the men use the women?

  What the heck?

  This time, Dad speaks, a warning laced in his voice. “Raven, you knew what you were getting into when you married Smoke.”

  Her eyes turn to him, terror in them. “But I don’t want to anymore.”

  Mom says, “She has that choice.”

  Dad looks at her, his eyes hooded. “No, she does not. She cannot simply—”

  Aunt Chloe growls. “Are you telling me that a woman, unhappy in her marriage, is supposed to stay here for the rest of her life because of some crappy rule in your men’s handbook?”

  Uncle Ken stands up, and walks over to her side, pulling her away from Mom, as if that would make them less determined. “Chloe, drop it.” His voice is low and on the verge of being angry.

  She shakes him off and says something in Korean to him. His body tenses and I can see his jaw clench. “Excuse me? What the hell did you just say?” His words are thick with his British accent which I know means that he is angry.

  She shrugs. “What if I’m not happy in our marriage? Are you going to force me to—”

  Aunt Raven yells, silencing everyone. “Stop!”

  She looks at her friends, smiling at them softly. “Thank you for what you’re doing. Thank you but…I don’t want to come between you and your husbands. Dominic is right, this is my problem.”

  Mom steps forward, glaring. “No, no it’s not.”

  Uncle Smoke takes a step toward Raven as if no one else is there. As if no one had said anything. Like she is the only person he can notice.

  His face, which had been vulnerable moments ago, is hardening. “So you want a divorce, is that it? You want to do the American way and run when things get hard? Take Kennedy from h
is family? And to live where? To do what?”

  My aunt takes a step toward him, her body just as ready for the fight. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much. I may not be a billionaire like you, but I have a fucking job and a life. I’m not a damn damsel in distress.”

  He growls, towering over her. “Really, Raven? Is that really what you think? After what we’ve been through all these years?” There is an underlying tone there and I know he is referring to something.

  She meets him head on and snarls up at him. “Fuck off, Smoke. Just because there are some things I depend on you for doesn’t mean I can’t be alone. Money only does so much.”

  He snarls back at her, the sound more primal than anything I’ve ever heard. “You think you’d really survive alone?”

  “The only person who’s going to be hurt in this is you, so don’t try to make it like I’m going to be suffering. I’ll still have my family.”

  He looks at her and laughs, the sound cruel. “Are you stupid?” Her face darkens and his lips curl at the edge. “Do you really think that you’ll be allowed in this family when you decide to leave? That you’ll get Kennedy?”

  Her face contorts into something dangerous, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Her voice is low and slow. “You. Will. Not take Kennedy away from me.”

  He smirks, cocking his head to the side. “Ah…” He sighs. “You were never the brightest of the three of you, were you?” He leans toward her, his lips brushing up against hers. But I can hear the words loud and clear. “When you leave, you leave with nothing and no one. And you never come back.”

  “Asshole,” she snarls.

  “Cagna,” he replies.

  I see the anger building up in both Mom and Aunt Chloe.

  But that word is the last straw for Mom. “Vaffanculo!” She lunges for my uncle, with all the intentions of hitting a body part hard.

  I dig my nails into my palm so hard that I think some skin might have broken. My heart is thumping against my chest as I watch my family act so horribly to each other.

  Mom would have gone right into Uncle Smoke had Dad not caught her. Wrapping his hands around her waist, he picks her up as if she doesn’t weigh much…even though she’s pregnant. How, I don’t know.