Breaking Tradition

Prologue

~~12 Years Earlier~~

I followed behind my parents silently, not catching any attention from passersby. I was wearing my 'uniform' as I walked closely behind my mother, keeping my eyes low on her heels as she pranced ahead. I was donning a black and white striped shirt and a red skirt that stopped right above my knees. Even with knee socks and flats that made me feel like the normal schoolgirls.

My curly hair was let loose with only a red headband to hold it back. I was slightly upset since my father wouldn't allow me to wear my hat today, my only protection against the reality of our world.

Rome was a large city, but with the mobsters acting as our security, we had no issues with people pushing past us. No one got with in a few feet of our family. No one from this area wanted the attention of the Aquilla family. 

Even as a young fourteen year old mafia leader in training, I was on high alert. The other girls my age across the street gained my attention, but only for a brief moment. At times, I wanted to be normal like them. I wanted to be free to make my own decisions, but I wouldn't dare go against my father's wishes.

Usually when my parents went out on 'business' I was left at home with the others. After years of training and being babied by the other high ups, my father decided to really open my eyes. For the first time ever, I was going with them on official business. For me, it was a dream come true. But of course, I still had rules to follow:

1. Don't talk unless spoken to

2. Look forward at all times

3. Show no weaknesses

4. Show no emotions

5. Walk behind the parents

6. Don't do anything stupid

7. Don't interfere with business

8. Let others fight for you

9. Don't walk off

10. Above ALL Don't disobey

Etc.

My father turned and looked at me a second before nodding at a building. I nodded back and continued following them, trying to hide my ball of nerves behind casual indifference.

The inside of the building was brick and not well lit. A group of men were sitting at a table gambling while smoking giant cigarettes. They were obviously drunk and started using colorful language until they noticed us. My father and mother were up front with their arms crossed with multiple men around me, shielding me. I was in the back of the room, watching from afar when my father pulled out a gun. I widened my eyes in surprise even though I already knew what was going to happen from the very beginning.

I was the daughter and only child of a mob boss after all.

I turned away as the shots were fired. After the loud thumps of bodies falling I looked up to see my father wiping off his shoe that got some blood on it. I paid little mind to the bodies, and cringed when one man, who somehow managed to stay conscious, began to try and crawl away.

He was shot in the head by another one of our men.

I took a deep breath and looked up at my parents who were talking happily. I step forward and smiled at my father. "Is that all Papa?" I asked wiping off his jacket sleeve, which had gained dust from being underground.

"Did I tell you to speak?" He asked gesturing towards me. I stuttered looking down, unable to form any logical sentence to explain my ignorance to the rules.. "You just what?" He said annoyed. 

"I just thought I would ask. That's all."

He nodded and turned away. "This'll be your business one day. You can't just ask, you gotta do." He said as he turned and walked away with my mother in tow.

She gave me a weak smile before she continued walking. My business, huh? I stepped out the building behind them and continued walking. Right, My business.

I am Laurel Aquilla, daughter and only child of the Aquilla Mafia. I will one day become the head of our organization. I will one day be able to make decisions for myself and others.

I will Break Tradition.