Owning the Mafia Don

Lucien

He had seen the small, battered car that had trundled past his cavalcade as he left. This was a private road. The only house at the end of the road was his mansion. Who could that be?

He immediately called Beston.

It had to be someone who had known he was leaving; who had waited on the side roads, engine idling, till the person saw him leaving.

Not the sign of a good visitor.

When he was informed that it was Sophia, his lips tightened in rage. Clenching his fists, he controlled the urge to turn around and return to throttle the woman who had caused so much unhappiness, so much pain and suffering for his woman…

Instead, knowing that an even greater evil awaited him, he spoke in a clipped voice, issuing instructions.

‘Under no circumstances is that wh*re to meet my wife. ‘he growled, keeping his temper under control with a superhuman effort.

.” Do not let my woman know that the c*nt is at the gates.’

He knew Proserpina and her soft heart. How she could tolerate seeing Paddy, that halfwit and actually shower him with love, was a mystery to Lucien. For his part, he kept the boy at arm’s length and refused to acknowledge his presence in the room if the child had accidentally wandered in to the dining room in search of Proserpina. His woman would gaze at him reproachfully but she said nothing. She knew there were things she could not change about him, areas where she had no say in his life. This being one of them

Scowling, he stared out of the window..

***

Aiyana

She looked at her car, which had her bags, awaiting her journey back home. She had decided to drive back, enjoy the scenery and relax.

She smiled as she thought, Relax. Yes, she needed to do that. But her love for her job, the thrill of doing it. It was incomparable. She wanted to get home and see about joining a group that had sent feelers. They wanted her to come on board and be a Consultant. And Force Operations, the group, was fast becoming one of America’s largest private security organisations.

She decided to bid goodbye to Proserpina Delano.

A drive to the Delano mansion would not harm her; it was on the way, just a small detour from the main highway. Besides, she had become really fond of the younger woman who was nonetheless, the reason for Schwartz’s tacit refusal to commit to a long relationship.. But she knew that Proserpina had never encouraged the silly man; he was the one who hung around like a besotted teenage fool. She twisted her lips and sighed.

Then the thought of taking up a new job, and new challenges, made her feel better. A change would be great, she thought.

Smiling, she tossed her bag into the car and set off, her sunglasses perched on her aquiline nose.

***

Sophia

She smirked as Beston came striding across to the gate. The man was armed and had a hard expression on his chiselled dark face.

‘Sorry Ma’am.’ he said politely, but it was clear that he was being polite under duress, “but you will have to leave.’

And when she stared at him haughtily, he went on,

‘Boss’s orders.’

Sophia shot out of her seat and stood bristling in rage.

“How dare she?’ she screamed, waving her fist in fury. ‘I WANT MY NEPHEW BACK! I SHALL GET A COURT ORDER…’

Just then, she saw her Paddy. He was walking down the grassy slope leading from the kitchen. But he was not alone. The Delano twins, like blonde angels, were with him, flanking him. Paddy was moving his head in his vague way, looking around, not focussing on anything in particular. And behind the children came that wretched teenager, the gardener’s son. Philippe.

Sophia pushed herself free and ran to the gates, shouting,

“Paddy, darling!’

The child faltered. He glanced furtively at her and then to her shock, he made to turn away and bolt back to the house. But Piers caught his arm, firmly but gently.

***

The small group neared the gates and then Ria spoke. They were a safe distance away and Beston stood, his gun in his hands, aimed at Sophia.

Sophia shot a look of fury at her but Ria met her eyes bravely.

‘Go away.’ she said in a firm, controlled voice and Sophia had the horrible feeling that she was speaking to a younger version of Lucien Delano.

“No one here wants anything to do with YOU!’ she spat.

There was the same hardness, the same unflinching coolness.

‘My boy!’ she screamed hysterically.

This time Paddy actually broke free and took off at a stumbling run back to the house.

Piers turned to her, eyes flashing.

‘You horrible witch!’ he shouted, ‘You made my mother suffer. And as for Paddy, he does not love you, can’t you see?’

He rushed after the boy who had made it halfway to the house. Ria and Philippe pursued them.

The commotion had brought Proserpina and Beatrice out. And another huge woman who immediately reached out to grab Paddy.

But to Sophia’s rage, her nephew rushed to Proserpina and wrapping his arms around her waist, he began to sob, loudly, his voice carrying to the people by the gate.

‘No, NO, NO! I don’t want …’

***

Proserpina

I had been settling down with a cup of chamomile tea when the sounds of screaming and shouting alerted me and my staff to something happening at the gates. It was at a distance away but the voices carried clearly. I could hear Piers and Paddy and another voice, a woman.

I froze.

Sophia?

The woman who had been instrumental in getting me abducted.

I felt my body shake and Beatrice was immediately beside me.

‘Ah, chile..’ she said, wrapping her arms around my head.

Camille was out of the kitchen and racing to the gate. I knew Beston was there, that he would protect my children. I guessed that I had not been informed on Lucien’s orders.

But I wanted to face the demon who had destroyed a part of me.

Making up my mind, I stood up.

‘Bea,’ I said quietly, ‘let me talk to her.’

The old woman began to rave and rant but I was firm.

“Come with me,’ I said as I left and she was beside me in a moment.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

***

Sophia

She stared at Proserpina Delano, the woman she had willingly offered up as a sacrifice to the most notorious criminal, Dmitri Rudenko.

Proserpina’s face had sadness, an inexorable expression that she had never seen before. The large brown eyes were full of anger, dull anger. But with all the scars of suffering on her face, she still managed to look ethereal in her peasant blouse and long flowered skirt that swung around her as she walked. her long brown hair swung in a heavy braid behind her. Simple and yet, so effortlessly stylish, thought Sophia with growing envy.

She looked older, and there was an aura of sadness about her-the look of someone who has seen something so dreadful that it has changed them.

Sophie’s lips drew back in a macabre grin.

At least the Queen had suffered.

***

Proserpina

My twins and of course, Philippe, were beside me in a flash, assuming protective postures at my sides. The children had their fists clenched, ready to take on anyone who was threatening me. Phillipe stood slightly ahead of me, his shoulders tensed and waiting.

The smile on Sophia’s face chilled me to the bone.

I had seen evil, the fanatical gleam in Dmitri Rudenko, the ruthlessness of the killer in Oleg, Xenia and her deliberate unconcerned cruelty.

But this was different.

This was jealousy and hate, undiluted hate that came at me in waves.

How many shades of evil can there be in human beings?, a small voice whispered within me.

Paddy rushed to me and threw his arms around me with such force, I stumbled backwards.

“Mumma, Mumma!’ he sobbed and I saw the look of shock and anger on Sophia’s face.

Paddy had taken to calling me Mumma just like my twins and I had not stopped him. Lucien had glowered but I had shaken my head gently.

Poor child, I thought now as I cradled his head against my belly, stroking his short spiky hair soothingly.

“DON’T LET HER TAKE ME AWAY! I WANT TO BE WITH YOU!’

He sobbed beseechingly, shaking his little head.

The little fellow’s agitation almost broke my heart. I held him tightly and met Sophia’s malevolent stare bravely.

Straightening my shoulders, I asked quietly,

“What do you want?’

“You b*tch! You …you WH*RE!’, screamed Sophia, hanging on to the iron rails of the gates, trying to open them,

‘Why are you still alive??’ I hate you…’

She got no further.

Two burly guards were there and they came closer in an attempt to force her back.

One of them frowned and turned to Beston in alarm.

“She’s packed, Boss!’ he shouted,’ She’s got explosives strapped on her!’