Chapter 117: Mafia princess
The phone rang for the second time in a roll but I ignored. I didn’t quite know what to say to my father, in the midst of everything that was happening, I couldn’t bring myself to speak to him. There were more pressing matters at hand. I ignored his call, not interested in his speech today.
I pulled a stop in front of the mall and watched Tiffany get down, she didn’t even care if I followed her. I knew she would have called me, but didn’t just want to show she cared.
We entered the groceries store, the atmosphere vibrant and energetic.
I headed to the fruit section, while Tiffany moved towards the vegetables section.
As she moved through the room, she handled her tasks efficiently and I knew she’d make a scrumptious meal for dinner. Regardlless of how I was trying to fit in and not act so cold, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of yesterday and the encounter with the police.
It had been a close call that would have added to the problem at hand, but luckily, I had managed to slip away. All thanks to my sister. I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself, reminiscing about it. I cannot imagine she’d keep the gun where she kept it, I couldn’t even hold the gun well when she gave it to me.
I literally dropped it and got an handkerchief to hold it then I washed it. I just couldn’t get my mind off the things she made that gun go through and I didn’t know what to do with it. I contemplated discarding it but I decided against that and kept it away with the rest of the gun.
The beep of my phone jarred me back to reality. It was father again. His persistence annoyed and almost made me switch off my phone. I ignored it again and continued with the shopping.
Tiffany bought some toiletries and some other food items before going to buy her own personal stuffs. Mentally, I watched her and praised myself for keeping away the rest of the gun, where even Tiffany didn’t know.
If it was all scattered the way it was before, I probably would have been arrested yesterday because there was no explanation for possessing a gun. Well, good to me.
Tiffany was done soon and I waited for her to come to the car. We got in but I didn’t start the car, instead I chuckled.
She glanced at me with a raised eyebrow, clearly curious about what amused me.
“What’s so funny, Luciano?” she asked, her voice laced with intrigue and concern.
I smiled now. The first ever genuine smile I’ve given in weeks. “Thank you, Tiffany, for yesterday.”
She flushed. “Oh, it’s all right, we look out for each other, right?”
“Right. And, I was thinking about what could have happened yesterday if not for you,” I said.
She smiled too. “Well, you’ve got to think like a cop to escape like a cop.”
I agreed.
“You really had them wrapped around your finger with that pregnancy lie, didn’t you? Even though it was offensive and embarrassing, I had to play along.”
“Well, you know, I have to use every trick in the book to keep things interesting around here.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, and blushed again. “Sorry, I kept your gun there.”
Could I tell her how much I still want to be there? Nahh! For her, she must feel like I am no longer interested. She is my stepsis abs her mother deserve the best.
She is our mom by the way.
I wanted to say something when my phone rang again. It was father. His incessant calls interrupted our banter yet again. With a frustrated sigh, I silenced the ringing phone and slipped it back into my pocket.
“Let’s go home.”
As we made our way back home, a sense of ease settled in the pit of my stomach, but it left immediately as I approached the garage. The other people who lived in the house were with a neighbour and with they were whispering, it seemed something had happened. I got down immediately and asked one of them what happened.
“We were attacked, but Bobby got the biggest blow.” The man I asked said.
At first, I saw the man’s door was destroyed, completely broken and that intensified my concerns.
“We told, Zino already, and he said he’d handle it.” At the mention of my father’s name, I stiffened – that was why he was calling incessantly!All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
I could have picked but I thought it was the same old story he wants to relay.
With a sigh, I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders.
“This isn’t good,” I muttered under my breath.
If this could happen when I’m not home and Tiffany was home, she would definitely be hurt.
Tiffany, who I was worrying about was quick to help the injured man attend to his wounds. He wasn’t badly injured but surely, he’d be bed ridden for some days for sure. She got the first aid kits and made a quick dressing to the man’s wound, skillfully wrapping him up like she had treated sick men all her life.
It was then she started noticing something. All the men here were familiar and although she never bothered to know about her neighbours, and now, she realized they were familiar – familiar around her father, particularly Luciano.
She was in awe.
Her neighbours were all her father’s men! She shook her head and looked at me, “really, Luciano? The neighbours are your men? Wow, this is just right!” She lamented and then laughed. “Sure, things might be chaotic, but at least now I have confirmation that I’m a certified Mafia princess!” She joked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
A chuckle escaped my lips, despite the gravity of the situation. “Well, princess, be careful what you wish for.”
Tiffany mock gasped, placing a hand on her chest dramatically.
“Oh, but I’m ready for all the drama and danger. Guns and daggers everywhere ain’t no jokes,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
My phone call interrupted our talk yet again, but this time, I decided to pick. Instead if hearing his normal commanding tone, this one he was using was different.
There was panic and concern laced in his voice, a departure from his usual bluster and criticism.
“Luciano! What the hell is happening? Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
I sighed, feeling the weight of his worry, yet somewhat amused by his overreaction.
“I’m sorry, dad, I was so busy down. We have a situation here, but we’re handling it. No need for you to panic.”
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before father spoke again, slightly calmer this time. I only heard him calm to his wife and Tiffany, not me.
“I… I shouldn’t have yelled. It’s just… I care about you guys, you know? Something bad happened over there and what if you all couldn’t handle it and you’re hurt and Tiffany kidnapped and violated, I wouldn’t forgive myself.”
I could sense the sincerity in his words.
“Thanks, father,” I replied, my tone softening. “We are okay. But keep it together, alright? We’ll deal with this.”
“I want to speak to Tiffany.” He said and I called Tiffany over. “Please, my dear, keep your mother in the dark about the situation, do not disclose this to her.”
Tiffany said she wouldn’t but found a way to inject humor into the conversation.
“Fine, father,” she said with a teasing lilt in her voice. “But you owe me a big fat bribe for keeping quiet. Cash or diamonds or golds, dealer’s choice.”
Father laughed, his voice filled with relief.
“Deal, princess. I’ll make sure to send something over soon, you’ll have a whole shipment of gold.”
I took a moment to speak to father alone, his voice gentler now.
“It’s clear we have another rival, son, and it’s someone who is bigger than Massimo and after Massimo. We can’t be sure who it is but, they have a plan and it’s deadly. Be cautious and I promise to send more men to reinforce your security.”
I shook my head, a hint of determination in my voice.
“I appreciate this and the reinforcements, but I have a feeling I know who this rival is. I’ll handle it. Just trust me.” Yes, I know, and I’ll deal with it.